Chain Help

[bmac]

I need to buy some chain. I want chain suitable for securing the TC 29D to a trailer as well as lifting things w/ the FEl or backhoe. dragging logs, etc.

Looks like I need grade 70 or 80. But, what size? 3/8"? 1/2"

Also, should I buy in bulk and cut to length or just buy several pieces in varying lengths? How do you cut chain? Bolt cutter?

How about binders? Ratchet style or regular?

I would assume that one can ever have too much chain. But, somehow I've managed my life so far with none. Now, things have changed and I have new tasks ahead where chain will be needed.

So, what say you? Any advice on the questions above? What would be a good place to start in terms of quantity and lengths? Where is a good place to buy?

Thanks for your help.

 

[GaryM]

If you don't have a big bolt cutter, an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel works well. Be sure the sparks don't land where they might cause damage.

From what I read here, the ratchet binders are the best as you don't need to worry too much about them coming loose.

 

[RonR]

Maybe it's just my kama, but I purchased chains to use ONLY for tying down my tractor. Don't use them for anything else. I don't want to stress them or almost break them pulling out a stump, then have them fail with the pride & joy is "almost" securely fastened on the trailer.

Ron

 

[bmac]

Gary,

Thanks for the idea about the angle grinder. Just bought my 1st angle grinder last week to re-shape a weld on an atv trailer hitch. Haven't had it long enough to even think about the other possible uses for it.

 

[bmac]

Ron,

So, 4 dedicated tie-down chains, then whatever assortment of "play chains" I might want to get. What size for the tie-downs? 5/16". 3/8"?

 

[Richard]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Maybe it's just my kama, but I purchased chains to use ONLY for tying down my tractor. Don't use them for anything else. I don't want to stress them or almost break them pulling out a stump, then have them fail with the pride & joy is "almost" securely fastened on the trailer.

Ron )</font>

Ya know...before I bought my chain I would have thought that to be a near (I hate to use the word "silly" but it does a quick conveyance of my thought) way of thinking...

Then one day, after dragging an 18" diamater TREE down the paved road to my burnsite, I took the chain off the trunk. What did I find but one of the links that had been bumping against the pavement as I was dragging the tree was ground about 1/2 way through the link!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif (and this is a grade 100 chain)

I don't tow anything since I have no truck, or trailer. I use my chain only for dragging & grabbing something.

Now that I know what I know, having seen the damage that can be caused by simply USING the chain, I too would have seperate chains for dragging and others, unused for anything else but for lashing to a trailer.

I'd also prefer the ratchet tiedowns to the other knuckle buster types.

 

[RonR]

Bmac,

Hey, buy whatever you want in whatever quantity you want. Personally (and in my state legally), I think two are enough. I'd get grade 70 and 5/16. You aren't tying up the Queen Mary, after all. If you feel ****, you can look up the specs on the different sizes/grades of chain online and pick a set of numbers you like.

For the rest of the chain, I'd buy cheaper stuff. I'd rather tote 5/16 than 3/8 chain if I have to walk very far. Cheap, since a lot of folks bury chain by leaving it in the FEL and then grabbing a pile of dirt /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I also have a couple of 4ft 1/4" chains with grab hook on the end. Works great when tying stuff in the FEL bucket for moving/lifting.

Hope this helps.
ron

 

[EddieWalker]

Bmac,

I have a collection of chains that have somehow come into my possesion over the years. I've never bought one, but seem to find them or had them given to me.

For tying down your tractor, I like those big nylon ratchet tiedowns. I've heard that chain is better and more secure, but that's just what I like. I can get my CUT so tight the tires compress and it won't go anywhare. I use one for each corner.

They are also very handy for holding anything else down too and don't do near the damage that chain does when going over things. They are light, easy to use, very strong and for storage, I just hang them on a screw on the wall.

My most used chain is 20 feet long with hooks on either end. I keep it in my backhoe at all times. The length is nice when dragging stuff and picking things up. I can loop it around either end and to my bucket hooks.

I have some short 4 and 6 foot chains, but rarely use them. They can't do what one good one can with some length and only come out when I need to do something special or unusual.


Eddie

 

[MadDog]

I would use dedicated chains for tie-down/towing, for the reasons given by others. As far as size/strength goes, a search on "chains" or "towing" will turn up some links to sources that will give you the useful load ratings for the various grades and sizes. You might want to keep in mind that when towing, you are concerned with holding your machine on its trailer, even when things go wrong (i.e. an accident) so you want chains with capacity several times the weight of whatever you are securing, since the dynamic loads in the event of an impact can be much higher than the tractor's weight.

 

[Highbeam]

The most proper chain for tie down is the G70 in a 5/16 size for that tractor. I would not use a higher grade since the higher grades have goofy properties. I have found that 3/8 chain gets heavy when used for dragging. I have 2 of the 5/16" chains that are much more pleasant to carry in the woods. Another alternative if you anticipate a lot of dragging is a long length of 1/4" cable. The cable can be used with snatch blocks and pulleys and it is lighter to pull through the woods.

I have found it is much cheaper to buy chain in precut lengths with hooks on each end than it is to have it cut. My favorite is Harbor Freight for these chains but most tractor dealers also stock these premade lengths. 25-35$ per 20' length with hooks.