Chain

[Lelandwelds]

I use the grade 70 chain in 5/16 too. Most are the 20 and 30 ft lengths. I use a 2 or 3 ft choker a bunch. I like the same chain on the ends of my ratchet straps.

The thing I use the most is a short endless polyester loop. It is cheap and doesn't scratch.

 

[CMV]

I use the grade 70 chain in 5/16 too. Most are the 20 and 30 ft lengths. I use a 2 or 3 ft choker a bunch. I like the same chain on the ends of my ratchet straps.

The thing I use the most is a short endless polyester loop. It is cheap and doesn't scratch.

Oh yeah....I use that a lot too. Also from HF. Doesn't fit 5/16" grab hooks real well, but good enough. Fastest way to just get a bush hog from A-B or loaded on a trailer separate from tractor - just loop that web sling around gearbox and lift it. No kids, pets, by-standers, grandmother's china set, etc in the area when doing that though - never dropped it, but doesn't look super safe - would never suspend it that way to work underneath it....

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have several chains. I almost always grab the 1/4 inch.

 

[RandyinTN]

Learned a lot, thanks folks.
Going to order a 2 pack of chains from Amazon and 4 of these hooks

 

[Rock Crawler]

I use the Harbor's 3/8", at $19.99 it's far cheaper than Tractor Supply... I did that once buying 2 hooks and buying their better 3/8" chain and it was over $35. For $19 for 3/8" and $29 for 5/16" (rated weaker than the 3/8") it's a good deal and I happen to live 15 miles from a HF so it's quick and easy to go grab some chains.

 

[ruffdog]

The meaning of the chain grade numbers:
What Is The Difference Between Grades Of Chain?

Chain Grading

Working Load Limits for different grades and chain sizes:
Chain Strength Chart

 

[GLyford]

Depending on what you are trying to move or lift, you sometimes want to make baskets etc. in the middle of a section or two of chain where you have no hooks, or to keep two loops from slipping off either end of an odd shaped item like a rock or the root ball of a shrub. Or maybe you have a chain with a slip hook where you need a grab hook.

Take two "clevis" grab hooks and interleave the clevis ends like a hinge, with the hooks open to opposite sides, and pin together with a grade 8 bolt. Be careful to pick a bolt long enough that the threads start outside the "hinge" so that the hinge parts are not riding on the threads. Double nut or use a nylock (or crossdrill for a cotter pin). If you want a little longer gap, make up a few using a double clevis between them, or just a few links of chain.

I don't know if I'd use one to secure anything to a truck or trailer where a DOT officer might see it, but for general "odd job" lifting/pulling tasks they can be handy.

Oh hey, Amazon has some of the short chain version listed, it at least shows the concept (I'd not pay that much):
Amazon.com: 6 Ton Double Grab Hooks Chain Joint Chain Shortener Autobody Repair Clamp Tool: Automotive

Edited to add: I see Ken's Bolt On Hooks has several shorteners listed as well.

 

[RandyinTN]

Do many of you have hooks welded onto the front end loader ?

 

[Rock Crawler]

Do many of you have hooks welded onto the front end loader ?

I used pre-existing frame holes and made 1/4 plates that bolted on with 3/8" weld on chain hooks added to the plates.

 

[oosik]

I have a grab hook bolted to each side of the bucket. Otherwise - with the grapple installed - loop the chain over two or three of the center teeth.

 

[newbury]

I like the 5/16 grade 70 chain as well. Not as heavy to deal with as 3/8 and easy to handle. Lowes and Home Depot both sell it as well for about $35 for a 20 footer. I bought a 20 foot' and two extra slip hooks. I cut the chain so I have a 12' and an 8' with a grab hook and a slip hook on each end. Works well for me 99% of the time.

my Home Depot is selling it for $43.59 on sale
and Lowes for $36.98

 

[fried1765]

5/16" X Grade 70 chain is amply strong for any operational use with a 45-horsepower tractor.

$3.99 per foot at Tractor Supply Company last week. TSC also has Grade 70 chain fittings in 1/4" and 5/16" sizes.

Specialized chain fittings are at Ken's Bolt On Hooks:
Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Accessories>>
I use and like 5/16" Forest/Logging/Choker hooks.

Usually chain is somewhat cheaper at Rural King.

I suggest one 12' length and one 8' length, with a slip hooks on one end of each chain and a chain grab hook on the other end, so you can infrequently link them together in 20' length.

I too keep a 10' length of 1/4" X Grade 70 chain on the tractor for pulling 1-1/4" saplings out of the ground. On saplings 5/16" chain sometimes slips where 1/4" grabs.

Many use a $20 ammo box bolted to the rear of the tractor to store/transport chains. (Drill a rain weep hole.)

$3.99 per foot ( $80 for 20') is WAY too pricey for 5/16" grade 70 chain.
HF has their 20ft. 5/16" grade 70 chain WITH HOOKS for $47.99 = $2.40 per foot.
Same Chinese made chain that TSC, and everyone else sells.

 

[John_Mc]

Do many of you have hooks welded onto the front end loader ?

One on each end of my loader, and one in the middle. My loader bucket has a fairly sturdy upper edge, I've tested lifting the heaviest item I can from the center hook and have seen no bending. Even so, I don't generally do max capacity lifts or pulls using just the center hook.

 

[newbury]

$3.99 per foot ( $80 for 20') is WAY too pricey for 5/16" grade 70 chain.
HF has their 20ft. 5/16" grade 70 chain WITH HOOKS for $47.99 = $2.40 per foot.
Same Chinese made chain that TSC, and everyone else sells.

BUT now they usually sell it for $30 w/ coupon, just wait a week or two.

 

[Rock Crawler]

BUT now they usually sell it for $30 w/ coupon, just wait a week or two.

Look back a few posts and you'll see that I put up that $29.99 HF coupon.

 

[ruffdog]

There is no way I want any of my chains or cables to snap. That is a very dangerous idea. A chain or cable snapping under a few thousand pounds of force could very easily kill you or someone as it whips around.

I understand what you are saying and I've not broke rigging in 40+ years. People may include convenient items in their rigging not knowing how low the WLL are. A 3/8 spring link is only rated at 300lbs and a 1/2 crown bolt is only rated at 3300lbs. Compared to 3/8 G120 chain that is WLL 10k+, even that crown bolt is WAY weak.

 

[newbury]

Look back a few posts and you'll see that I put up that $29.99 HF coupon.

And look back to the beginning of the thread in post #2 I posted a link to a similar coupon. And in post #12 I referred to HF coupons for $30 in this time frame.
I didn't see the need to bring up a response to your post #25 referring to "$29" chain versus "$29.99" and that I had posted about it in the beginning of the thread.

RANT
Fried1765 was referring to HF's "list" price, which on chain is often discounted. It seems a lot of readers on TBN don't read the entire thread before they jump in and comment. Those that just read Fried1765's post may think $47.99 was a GOOD price. But even Lowes' price beat that. So I was pointing out that $47.99 was not a great price.

If you look at expired coupons on Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, toolbox coupons - 5/16" x 20 FT. GRADE 70 TRUCKER'S CHAIN you'll see 14 times they've had coupons for the chain for $29.99 or less (twice for $27.99) since mid 2015.

 

[Zebrafive]

Learned a lot, thanks folks.
Going to order a 2 pack of chains from Amazon and 4 of these hooks

What size are the hooks? What are they called, so I can search for them? Thanks!!

 

[WranglerX]

What size are the hooks? What are they called, so I can search for them? Thanks!!

Two main style of chain hooks are "Grab Hooks" or "Slip Hooks"...

Grab hooks are sized according to chain size.... 5/16 chain, 5/16 hooks.... 3/8 chain, 3/8 hooks... It all (basically) about slot size of hook...Clevis pin usually is match for chain and slot size...

Slip hooks are usually sized by size of clevis pin (according to chain link size).... You are not going to put a 3/8 pin through 1/4 inch chain...

Do GOOGLE IMAGE search for "chain hooks", you will be amazed what is out there...

Dale