Chain and Chain binders - best place to get or make my own?

[powerscol]

I have done a lot of searches here, but cant find all of what I need so far.
Its time for me to upgrade my chain and binders form the cam-lock to the ratchet style with the folding handle that I have seen. I know I need grade 70 or better (I have a mix now) and I believe I can use 5/16, ver 3/8 per this site Working Load Limits of Chain. I am hauling a Bobcat tractor 3600lbs and a Hesston 4550 baler - not sure the weight, but lets say 3000 lbs, Colorado DOT indicates I need 6 chains - 3 per side if hooked up to the baler, or 8 if unhooked (2 front and rear of each piece of equipment crossed on the deck if I understood correctly). Also I am getting a bit older, so weight is sometimes a factor hauling chain around for me, also arm strength which is whay I need to get new binders, and yes I have a cheater pipe for the cam lock ones, but got a nasty surprise the other day undoing one.

In reading up on posts I have questions.
Is it worth the money to go a higher grade of chain other than 70? I may have other uses such as towing or lifting with my loader.
Are all grade 70 chains equal as far as not rusting. What coating should I look for.
Are all grade 70 hooks created equal? I am finding various shapes and some with clips. Neighbor always uses clevises (C type with the screw in pin) to secure excess chain and as a safety measure. Good Idea or overkill?
Chain binders - what are good brands that have the folding handle. If I go with the 5/16 chain, can I use the binders sized for 3/8", or if I get the 5/6 size can I use 3/8 chain? I guess I could have replaceable hooks for the ends to change chain size.

I see lots of chain and binder sets, but they dont list the sources of all the parts. Would it be better (less expensive, better quality) to assemble my own with quality parts? I would only use 6 to 12 times a year.

Last - good sources for materials or sets that have fair prices. I know not to go to Harbor Freight for this. Local equipment dealers have them but pretty pricey.

Thanks for any help - :thumbsup:

 

[George2615]

Home Depot has 20' grade 70 chain with grab hook on each end. I cut them in half and buy extra grab hooks to make 2 - 10'ers out of each.
Crown Bolt 5/16 in. x 2 ft. Grade 7 Yellow-Zinc Steel Tow Chain-64551 - The Home Depot
HF sells 20' grade 70 chain also for a few bucks less.
AW Direct sells binder and chain too but prices are higher.
Transport Chains | AW Direct


Many places have Peerless folding handle binders. These do 5/16 & 3/8" chain. If you shop online I've seen slight discounts for buying 6 or more binders. (Maybe an extra buck or 2 less)
Peerless Folding Handle QuikBinder Plus Ratchet Binder - G7 Chains & Binders - Cargo Control

Grade 70 is grade 70. If it says grade 70 they meet the specs.
I like Peerless brand and mostly 5/16" chain. I have 3/8" chain also but the 5/16 meets my needs and is lighter. I see no need to go higher than grade 70 mainly due to the extra cost. If I was an OTR trucker I'd use a higher grade.

 

[mikesee]

May want to double check what Colorado DOT requires as there is a difference between items that weigh less than 10,000 pounds and items that weigh more than 10k pounds according to the Federal Guidelines What you are describing sounds like securement for items over 10k. According to federal guidelines the tractor would require 2 chains (5/16) front and back that attach to both sides of the trailer. The attachment should require one more chain. As if you were transporting a car. If the item is over 10k then 3/8 inch chains are required.

 

[powerscol]

Thanks - that was over the phone. They indicated 4 attachment points for each piece of equipment, but indicated if the baler was attached I could just use the 3 sets. I am not commercial as a farmer in Colorado. We do get a lot of check stations around here. I dont need to stop, but once in a while they want me to pull in with the goose neck attached to the dully. Last year I was stopped for a loose strap (it was actually the excess flapping around) on my first use of the trailer. Officer was very nice and helped me correct the situation and made the ratchet binder suggestion over the straps (TSC brand) I was using. I think he also wanted to see the new PJ trailer as he sure looked around a bit and asked questions. He was surprised at the GVWR rating and I explained I had it down graded from the 14K to keep from exceeding the 26000 combined GVWR for needing a CDL.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Truckntow.com has a free shipping special every month or so...

 

[powerscol]

Truckntow.com has a free shipping special every month or so...

They do have some great pricing. Thanks

Now what may seem as a dumb question. My deck is 102" wide. If tractor sits in center thats is a little over 4' to each side, so if I tie at and angle that's roughly 6'. What length should I get. I can get the longer sets and cut and add hooks cheaper than bulk and hooks. I was thinking of going for 10'. Am I thinking correctly or am I going too long?
Thoughts? What lengths are you folks using?

Thanks

 

[bdog]

I buy 20' chains and two extra hooks and cut them in half. Even if the law allows for two chains on an under 10k machine I always use four. It isn't that much more work and is a lot more secure. Heck I use four tie downs on our UTV's. Never had anything come lose and am not going to either.

 

[mikesee]

For less than 10,000 pounds one chain attached to the stake pockets across the trailer counts as 2 attachment points.

If you are going to go with 4 chains to your tractor and you are cutting the chains you may want to consider clevis slip hooks on the cut end to attach to the tractor if your tractor has such tie down points.

You are smart to de-rate the trailer

 

[powerscol]

For less than 10,000 pounds one chain attached to the stake pockets across the trailer counts as 2 attachment points.

If you are going to go with 4 chains to your tractor and you are cutting the chains you may want to consider clevis slip hooks on the cut end to attach to the tractor if your tractor has such tie down points.

You are smart to de-rate the trailer

By clevis slip hook, are you talking about the ones that can easily be moved using the pin connection? Are the ones with the spring hook better?

Also in Colorado, using one chain across the front or back of the tractor, doesn't not count a two attachment points. If it comes undone you loose both connections. The officer that stopped me for the flapping strap explained what is required, that each attachment needs to be separate for safety. I had one strap looped through and around the bucket hooks tied to the other side. He suggested re-doing it to use two straps for safety reasons. Now if it is just across the load, like lumber tie down, one does work. Its just what I was told locally, so it might not be the law so to speak.

Just my thoughts here, but I am a little **** on safety coming from the engineering/construction side. Seen some bad accidents that might not have happened if folks were not in such a rush.

 

[bdog]

This is a clevis slip hook. It is designed to be hooked on to an attachment point on the tractor not grab a chain link. Redirect Notice

Or you can get one with a safety latch but they are sometimes difficult to get to slip over a large tie down point.
Redirect Notice

These are opposed to a normal grab hook which is meant to grab directly on a chain link Redirect Notice

 

[bdog]

The clevis end that hooks it to the chain is meant to be permanent. It is the same for both the slip and grab hooks. You never need to remove it once you have your chains the right length. The slip or grab hook refers to the end you attach on a regular basis.

 

[powerscol]

Thanks so much, You saved me some grief as I would have gotten the wrong ones. Thanks

 

[Copperhead]

Any commercial truck supply and parts store will have exactly what you need.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have been using the HF ratchet binders for several years with no problems. The handles don't fold but I don't see that as a problem. I have plenty of room for storage so I don't need the handles to fold. They seem to be made as well or better than other ones that I have seen for twice the price. I use 3/8" grade 70 chains and for my needs it is as much as I need, but if you are concerned about weight, you could go up to grade 100 and go to a smaller size and still meet your strength requirements. Obviously price is not an issue since you have ruled out using the much cheaper HF materials.

 

[Deere Dude]

I have been using the HF ratchet binders for several years with no problems. ... Obviously price is not an issue since you have ruled out using the much cheaper HF materials.

I bough 4 heavy ratchet binders from HF and 3 smaller ones from a store by us, Fleet Farm. They all work great and would not hesitate getting more HF binders.

 

[powerscol]

I have been using the HF ratchet binders for several years with no problems. The handles don't fold but I don't see that as a problem. I have plenty of room for storage so I don't need the handles to fold. They seem to be made as well or better than other ones that I have seen for twice the price. I use 3/8" grade 70 chains and for my needs it is as much as I need, but if you are concerned about weight, you could go up to grade 100 and go to a smaller size and still meet your strength requirements. Obviously price is not an issue since you have ruled out using the much cheaper HF materials.

Price is a concern. I started out about 10 years ago with two of the HF ratchets and 2 - 20' 3/8 chain from them. The chains are always rusting and I had one hook fail (cracked under load). As for the ratchets - one rusted solid after getting wet holding a load. I did dry it off before storing it - but probably not enough, ( the other was fine foe a while) and the other the spring broke . I guess now that I have a store somewhat nearby I could take it in and try and match it up to get the correct part, but at the time I could not identify what I needed to get it through the mail.

The reason for the folding handle is being able to lock it. I have had binders mysteriously loosen up during lunch stops.

I have also shopped many of the local equipment dealers. It appears their stuff is made of gold and mostly 3/8, but the holidays are coming so I might see a sale. One dealer I use for my tractor is also a big rental place, always has a barrel out with chain and ratchets as an impulse item and for folks that forget to bring tie down chains or straps when renting equipment. They also have a large strap collection - aka 3x the price of the local TSC store. It wont leave the yard unless they approve the tie downs. He told me a lot of folks think they can tie down a trencher with rope. Their rental contracts require DOT approved devices. They do rent the tie downs too.

Also thanks on the tip to go to 100 grade chain if I want to use 5/16 over the 3/8. I do use them for lifting too. I also learned a new trick yesterday when I had my new hay rake delivered. He had sections of old fire hose he slipped the chain through so the paint would not be damaged during the unload. I need to get some anyway to repair the hinges on my hay boards I use for hauling hay loads. You fold them over the corners of the stacks, so when the straps tighten down they do not crush the bales.

Thanks everyone

 

[powerscol]

Truck and tow has a free shipping offer currently, and I want to confirm what I am getting.
They have folding handle ratchet binders (grade 80 for 5/16 - 3/8 ) and I was going to get 2 - 20' 5/16 grade 70 chains and cut them to 10' along with two hooks. I called them and they were very helpful confirming what I need to get and answered questions well. No sales push. A+ in my book. On thing that also caught my attention is that have 2 listing for grade 70, plane and transport grade. Tie Down Transport Chain | Truck n Tow.com The transport grade is US or Canadian made. The grade 70 can be either including China or other off shore sources. For those of you that know is the value of US made better. I have heard the coating holds up better. I'm willing to pay a bit extra for quality if it is there. Thoughts?

Background - I hauling a 3600 lb tractor and Baler which I think is 3000lbs, so 5/16 should keep me DOT legal.

Thanks

 

[powerscol]

Well I found a better deal than Truck & Tow here Wholesale Rigging Supplier - Rigging Equipment Supplier | Murphy Industrial Products They have a first time buyer coupon 7% off, and free shipping right now. Saves about $50 over the next lowest. Same quality and items.

Now CSP wont be stopping me for the wrong chain grade

Got stooped last week after posting this at one of the quick safety inspection stations. No fine, I had it secured, but they just told me that I needed grade 70 or better chain and binders.

The big hay hauler in front of me was not so lucky. Company had provided all new long webbing straps and ratchets and it turned out Chinese made and not DOT rated (fake rating tag). He was not a happy camper. Luckily he had his old worn strapping and the let him go after he added them to the mix. I and the officers actually gave him a hand. He was hauling high quality horse hay to someplace in north Texas. DOT agent mentioned he might have trouble in Texas even with the added strapping due to it being worn and frayed. I dont mind the inspection stuff, keeps me and others safe.

 

[powerscol]

Talk about customer service. I got a voice mail late Friday that they were sorry that one item was not in stock and due in next week. They could ship everything now and the other binder later, but were asking if I could wait. I called the number they left this morning and talked to them. Told them it was fine to wait to and ship together. I also asked if the second order could be included as I forgot I needed two more clevis hooks to make 10 footers out of the 20 footers I ordered. They said they would do the fabrication for me at no costs. Great folks to work with. Only down side is now I wont have to mess anything up fabricating :confused3::confused2::laughing: I was so looking forward to using my angle grinder and pinching or burning my fingers.

 

[powerscol]

Package arrived today. No damage and good looking stuff - they even did the fabrication to 10' and included an extra clevis. Great folks

Added a photo