Chains Chains or Straps??

TonyC · Apr 8, 2002

<font color=blue>...be careful with that 10 year old strap.</font color=blue>

Yeah, I hear you. My heavy work on the property is behind me now. I mostly just use it to pull up briar bushes. If I could just get time to make one of those nifty tree pullers!

Thanks for the word of caution!

frank_f15 · Apr 8, 2002

i use both, depending on the job. the straps i have i got from a heavy equiptment rigging co. they were used to lift things with a crane, so i figure they are ok for my use.

Youare · Apr 8, 2002

I have several 3/8 chains that I pull everything with. Pulling a sump 700 feet will wear anything you use. If you buy hardened chain, big bucks, they will last much longer and I doubt you could break one with a compact tractor.

I had one lifting sling, my son left it some where, but I would not want to pull anything where it might drag in the dirt, especially with something heavy on top of it.

It is easier to shorten up a chain and they never get knots in them you can't get out. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Randy

EdKing · Apr 8, 2002

I use chains, got a couple as a bonus at an auction. Was biding on some old ammo cans, misc contents mostly old pipe fittings, got 10 of them for 2 bucks apiece. 2 of them had nice 3/8 chains in them. Never tried using straps.

Miklos · Apr 9, 2002

I use a 5/8 choker cable. Very easy to hook up around your load, but more importantly, it is very easy to un-hook from your load. Much easier for towing logs around than chain or straps. Maybe them logger are onto something. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Wingnut · Apr 9, 2002

Based on my safety experience in heavy industry ... I'll stick with chain. The problem with slings / straps is that none of us are rich enough to treat them as they're treated in commercial use .... if in doubt - toss 'em out!
Straps and slings are used in lifting applications because of the weight distribution, stretching ability and width .... but they have a pretty short life. Not because they will fail ... but because no one wants to take a chance.
Dragging is a completely different application. Fabric does not take kindly to abrasion. And those tied together straps will do the same kind of damage that a broken chain will when it comes apart!
Lifting ... well, slings - wire rope or fabric are preferred. Dragging - go chain go ...

banjobj · Apr 11, 2002

I use both, but prefer the HD 3/8 chains. I have several of different lengths and connect them as needed. Use caution no matter what you do. Lots of horror stories out there.

wichiwichi · Apr 12, 2002

For what you are doing I would stick with the chain. With a compact tractor you will never be able to break a quality 3/8 chain. I did stretch 1 so bad that you could pick it up like a piece of flatbar but that was using a 4020 JD with good traction.

RobS · Apr 12, 2002

<font color=blue>With a compact tractor you will never be able to break a quality 3/8 chain</font color=blue>

I was out roaming our property the other day and found "half" of a length of 3/8 chain. I'd like to say it was the result of my tractor but it was from a Case telescoping forklift pulling out a very stuck lumber truck.

I added it to my chain collection none-the-less /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · Apr 16, 2002

I have used both, but only trusted chain when the load was great. I have heard stories of chain recoil when broken, but I have to tell you, I have broken two chains , one 3/8, and one 5/16 when I logged my place , the 3/8 chain I watched break and there was maybe a 1ft. recoil- it snapped and dropped right about in the same place it was, the other I did'nt see and I did'nt hear , the dozer just broke free, the chain was also in about the same position. I don't think there is a great danger with chain unless maybe you were sitting right on it.