Choker Chain

MChalkley · May 14, 2000

Well, I don't know if chain rightly qualifies as an attachment or not, but it goes on the back of the tractor and it enables you to get work done.

I bought some logging chain I'd never heard of before from Labonville a while back and just got to use it. It's made in Austria and it's 3/8" alloy grade 100, with over 9000 lbs working load, the strongest stuff they have. But the really interesting thing about it is that the outside of each link is square, not round. Talk about biting into a log when you drag it - this stuff grips! I bought several 10' lengths and put a choker hook on each end, then used a grab ring to pull it by the middle. Then I was able to pull two bunches at the same time. But, as I say, I was really impressed with how much better it works than the normal round chain.

Mark

gordon · May 14, 2000

Mark are they located in N.H.? thanks
Gordon

MChalkley · May 14, 2000

Gordon - Yep. 504 Main St., Gorham, NH 03581. And http://www.labonville.com. Why, did you know them already?

Mark

richh · May 14, 2000

WHEN I BOUGHT MY FARMI WINCH I GOT SOME CHOKERS THAT HAVE A CAST C HOOK ON THE END THAT WORK GOOD YOU DON'T HAVE TO THERAD THE WHOLE CHAIN THROUGH. I CANE SEE HOW A SQ. CHAIN WOULD WORK BETTER ESP. ON SMALLER LOGS.
rich

MChalkley · May 14, 2000

Yeah, those are the hooks I got for the ends of the chain - they do work much better than a normal slip hook. I got the loop type for the middle, so it couldn't slip off and so I could adjust the length of the chain. That way, I can just use one end of it, if I need the extra length.

Mark

richh · May 14, 2000

SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA. I'LL HAVE TO REMBER THAT WHEN I WEAR OUT MY CHAINS. HA HA HA
RICH

gordon · May 14, 2000

Yea dad used to deal with them when I was a kid. We had a weekend farm in N.H. the name sounded familiar. Thanks for the web link I'm going to send for the catalog.
Gordon

TomG · May 15, 2000

Stumper, probably on CTB, described a logging hook. Said it's like a grab hook with a loop in the middle. Chain goes in like a grab hook and can't slip back out. Once inside the loop, the chain slips. I don't know if that's the type of hook meant. He also said that logging hooks are hard to find now, because most loggers use cable chokers. I forget if there was a reason given why cable chokers are preferred.

MChalkley · May 15, 2000

They seem to be good people. To be around as long as they have, they almost have to be. I know one thing: I really love that square link choker chain, and I haven't seen it anywhere else.

Mark

gordon · May 15, 2000

Mark if you don't mind me asking how much was the chain and shipping? I asked a couple of people about it today and they have never seen square link as well as myself. In theory it sounds great. Does it tend to want to tangle before the load is applied?
Gordon

MChalkley · May 15, 2000

Gordon - Here are the specs: 3/8" Square Link Grade 100 Alloy, 9700 lb. Working Load Limit, 31,800 lb Certified Breaking Strength, Made in Austria by Pewag. Price is $4.50 per foot.

I haven't noticed any tendency at all for it to want to kink or tangle more than normal chain. I think this is because only the outside of the links are square. The insides are round, just like normal chain. Another important point is that all standard choker hooks, grab links, etc. work fine. And, as I said, they sure do grip better!

Mark

jyoutz · May 17, 2000

Mark, why would you want to use chain for log skidding nowadays? In the logging world, cable chokers have long ago replaced chain. Cable chokers are: cheap, much stronger, far easier to drag and set around a log ( the main reason why loggers use them), and seldom tangle. Chains are now only used to bind log loads to trucks. That said -your square chain does sound like it would be good stuff for lots of things. (this forester's 2 cents to add to the discussion).

Von · May 17, 2000

Mark,
I had tire chains at one time that had square links like you described on my old Oliver. I got them from my grandfather who said they were off an old tractor that we had at our basket factory. I know that we had timber rights in the Adirondacks, and had a lot of logs around so they may have come from some form of logging outfit. They sure did grip great, and did a number on pavement if you got the tires to spin.
Von

MChalkley · May 17, 2000

I guess the main reason I like chain is that I have very un-fond memories of tearing my hands up as a kid working with cable on my Dad's pulpwood crew. Maybe my memory isn't very fair, or cable has improved, but I just remember those strands fraying here and there and you'd have no warning until one of those beasties ripped your hand open.

I've thought about trying a cable choker, and now, after your post, maybe I will, but there's something I've always liked about the clink of chain. This square alloy chain has a much lower pitched "chink" than regular chain that is particular satisfying. (I'm easily amused...) Of course you do have to carry around a chain hook, which you don't with cable, but still, it's not a bad system.

Mark

MChalkley · May 17, 2000

Von - I can imagine they would bite into pretty much anything. It's interesting that the square link chain existed that long ago. I wonder who made them. There's so much that's been done before that we don't know about, isn't there?

Mark

Muhammad · May 17, 2000

Um, Mark... gloves? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Would make sense to me.

MChalkley · May 17, 2000

I actually wondered who the wag that brought that up would be. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I hate gloves. Besides, these beasties will rip, or poke, through most any glove.

Mark

Muhammad · May 17, 2000

I'm having trouble picturing that cable you were dealing with, after that.

MChalkley · May 17, 2000

Maybe we weren't using the right stuff, but we'd often get a few single strands that would break or get cut and raise up just a little from the rest of the cable. Then when it's running through your hand, or you're passing your hand along it, they tear through anything you're wearing and into your hand.

Maybe "real" choker cable has thicker strands that don't break in the first place. But, then, would it be flexible enough?

Mark