Harbor Freight Chain

[Skyco]

I think they may have a misprint there....makes no sense. I'm guessing the 5400 one is 5/16-3/8 and the 9200 is 3/8-1/2. The only difference is probably the hooks, hence the same price. Again just guessing....

 

[mr4shootin]

What I have seen of 3/8" chain in their stores is 14' long G43. They also had bulk chain, but I paid no attention as to what it was.

I bought the 14' long piece and it serves my purpose well.

I just bought two of those on sale for 18 bucks.

 

[Blackhammer]

I recently bought 6 binders from harbor Freight. They were on sale for like $10-$20 they are the 5/16-3/8 and they are rated at 9400 lbs. Chain and binders are rated at a safety factor of 4 or 5 so a 4700 lb rating on a chain has a break strenght of 18800-23500 lbs. Dont get me wrong this is the break strength not the working load strength. Florida dot requires any load item over 10,000 lbs must be secured by 4 binders and 4 seperate lengths of chain even thou two lengths of 5400 lb chain covers. I haul a mini excavator 8000 lbs and a ASV rc60 7000 lbs on the same gooseneck and only use 4 chains and 4 binders. Acording to FDOT I am legal and don't get hasseled .

 

[Builder]

I recently bought 6 binders from harbor Freight. They were on sale for like $10-$20 they are the 5/16-3/8 and they are rated at 9400 lbs. Chain and binders are rated at a safety factor of 4 or 5 so a 4700 lb rating on a chain has a break strenght of 18800-23500 lbs. Dont get me wrong this is the break strength not the working load strength. Florida dot requires any load item over 10,000 lbs must be secured by 4 binders and 4 seperate lengths of chain even thou two lengths of 5400 lb chain covers. I haul a mini excavator 8000 lbs and a ASV rc60 7000 lbs on the same gooseneck and only use 4 chains and 4 binders. Acording to FDOT I am legal and don't get hasseled .

I do it that way, too. Even with my smaller Challenger. 4 short chains & 4 ratchet binders. I like this better b/c you don't have the hassle of passing the longer heavier chain over the axle, trashing the paint, etc.

Nothing like pulling the machine down from 4 corners. Some of my excavating buddies have their binders custom made with a length of chain welded to them and each binder fits each corner of their machine.

My NH is designed with loops welded to the chassis to be bindered-down that way.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My NH is designed with loops welded to the chassis to be bindered-down that way.

Why cant all companies be this smart? I brought home a new JD for my neighbor 3 doors down a few years back and no choice but to scratch the paint all up on a new $25000 tractor. Made me sick. Went out then next day and bought 4 24" axle straps.

My Jinma has 2 hooks in the back by the draw bar but noting up front. Not sure why they went 1/2 way with the job.

Chris

 

[Highbeam]

I agree, there should be a simple anchor point for tie downs on all four corners of the frame. I scratched paint on day one too.

 

[wingbone]

Why cant all companies be this smart? I brought home a new JD for my neighbor 3 doors down a few years back and no choice but to scratch the paint all up on a new $25000 tractor. Made me sick. Went out then next day and bought 4 24" axle straps.

My Jinma has 2 hooks in the back by the draw bar but noting up front. Not sure why they went 1/2 way with the job.

Chris

I don't get it either. I'm going to look at replacing two bolts that hold on my grill guard with eye bolts if I can find something that looks suitable.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I don't get it either. I'm going to look at replacing two bolts that hold on my grill guard with eye bolts if I can find something that looks suitable.

Look online for Stainless or Galvanized bolts that are made for the marine industry. I have seen them at some hardware stores but make sure you do at least 1/2", nothing less. They are forged rings, not bent. You gave me a good idea. I have some laying around I will put on my tractor. Thanks.

Chris

 

[mojoinco]

Confirm the strength rating for whatever hook you purchase. Often, stainless steel strength ratings are not as high as non-stainless hardware. That is due to what stainless generally offers you -- different corrosion qualities from other materials.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I bolted on about 5 links of chain to the frame. I made a loop. It lets me hook a grab hook,slip hook or strap hook. I had the chain from another project. It cost two bolts, a couple nuts and a few washers. A heavy duty eye bolt runs about $7-10 each.

 

[RobertBrown]

I agree, there should be a simple anchor point for tie downs on all four corners of the frame. I scratched paint on day one too.

Ever heard of an axel strap? I use four,2 and on the rear axel and 2 winch straps with hooks and axel straps on the front. the working load is over 3000 lbs each so i feel safe with the brakes on and the loader down. No steel contacting the tractor.
I think the liability disuades manufacturers form factory hooks or loops.
Google axel straps... I got mine here
Ratchet Straps, Tie Down Straps, E Track Tie Downs, Moving Blankets & Pads, Cargo Straps, U.S. Cargo Control

 

[Hematite]

Or you could have the dealer bolt a large heavy plate to the front of the frame with a very large forged D ring welded to it:

And have some D rings welded to the backhoe subframe:

 

[Builder]

Why cant all companies be this smart? I brought home a new JD for my neighbor 3 doors down a few years back and no choice but to scratch the paint all up on a new $25000 tractor. Made me sick. Went out then next day and bought 4 24" axle straps.

My Jinma has 2 hooks in the back by the draw bar but noting up front. Not sure why they went 1/2 way with the job.

Chris

I'm not even totally sure if those loops on your drawbar are rated strong enough for cargo securement to a trailer. On my Challenger, they're desrcibed as "safety chain attachment points", like for a wagon or pull-type bush hog. I guess it really depends how strong they are, but they really aren't the "corner" of the back of the tractor.

Ever heard of an axel strap? I use four,2 and on the rear axel and 2 winch straps with hooks and axel straps on the front. the working load is over 3000 lbs each so i feel safe with the brakes on and the loader down. No steel contacting the tractor.
I think the liability disuades manufacturers form factory hooks or loops.
Google axel straps... I got mine here
Ratchet Straps, Tie Down Straps, E Track Tie Downs, Moving Blankets & Pads, Cargo Straps, U.S. Cargo Control

I think the smaller equipment is built with straps in mind as the idea for securement to the trailer. You'll see most bigger tractors have heavy loops welded to the chassis with indicator decals for the chains to pass thru. I agree trashing the smaller tractor chassis with chains really sucks. It was great to see my challenger delivered with straps to preserve the paint and possible even damage to the axles.