Length of chain

[keitho]

Harv,

I know what you mean. Even in the short time I've had a tractor, the chain wasn't the first thing I forgot in the bucket. I almost took a scoop of dirt with a Stihl chainsaw in the bucket /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif. Anyway, I'm sure we'll learn eventually!

Keith

 

[jimmoore]

I always use a chain long enough to reach from the tractor to whatever I am dragging!! YUK!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gifYUK!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>Rd: I know this never happens to anybody else</font color=blue>

You're right, Harv, I've never buried my shovel./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif And at least every time I've dumped my chainsaw, gas can, chains, axe, hoes, rakes, etc. I've gotten stopped before I ran over them, so far./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird

 

[Harv]

Jim -

<font color=blue>I always use a chain long enough to reach from the tractor to whatever I am dragging!! </font color=blue>

But from what I understand, if you use the higher quality stuff you only have to get "close". /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[scruffy]

Harv,
I must admit, there's a certain poetic sense in using lower quality chain. If for some reason, your object takes off, (rolling downhill for example) you have a better chance of the chain breaking, rather than the higher quality chain dragging you around without breaking! So....one could look at it as a safety measure, without the intense gambling quality! )

 

[MChalkley]

Bill - Your questions have already been answered quite thoroughly by others, but I'll answer them, too, since you addressed your questions to me.

The best way to see the difference between various grades of chain is to look at a good catalog, like the McMaster catalog resource you were already directed to. As you can see, you can use chain two sizes smaller and get the same or greater strength if you go with high grade stuff instead of the cheap stuff.

As for the "bull dogs", or load or chain binders as they're also known, there are at least three types: plain old lever type binders, ratchet type binders (the screw type), and lever type with a spring that helps take up any slack that develops in the chain. The lever type don't work very well if there's nothing on the load to take up some slack (like suspension, soft tires, etc.), but the lever type with a spring work quite well. I wish they made a ratchet type with a spring to give you the best of both worlds, but I've never seen one. Normally I use a lever type with spring on one end of the tractor and a ratchet type on the other.

MarkC

 

[Estif]

I first read this thread last night...just did my first use of chains with my loader last weekend...today I was admiring the backhoe (TLB) in the holding yard at work...

The loader bucket on the TLB has two hooks welded on. They're the "eye" or "grommet" type, look to be just welded on there...they're slip hooks. The hooks on my loader bucket are grab hooks. Courtesy of the previous owner, they're the clevis type, installed through a couple holes drilled in the bucket. Not nearly as strong as welding, but they've endured everything I've done so far. ;-) Figured sooner or later I'd take them off, get a length of chain to mount them on, and get some others to weld on the bucket. But that brings me to the question...

From the last few posts I gather that some buckets have grab hooks and some have slip hooks. I guess my two samples of experience bears that out. My question is which is "standard". I would've guessed slip hooks, based on the TLB at work, because those guys are surely a lot more experienced than myself or even the guy I bought my tractor from. But is there a standard at all, or just preference? Why prefer one or the other? What are some pros and cons? As I said, the grab hooks on my loader have been fine for what use I've given them. I've never seen the ones at work actually used. Of course, they have things like 10-ton offroad forklifts for all the real lifting.

Steve

 

[MChalkley]

Personally, I much prefer having grab hooks on the FEL bucket. It makes it easier to attach the chain because you can just slip it into the grab hook anywhere along its length to attach it. With a slip hook, you have to wrap it several times, or use a grab hook on the chain to attach it to itself. Or, do what I do, since the hooks I have on my bucket now are fork mount hooks (essentially large slip hooks): hook a "chain shortener" (actually a special one with a slip on one end and a grab hook on the other) to the slip hook on the bucket, then hook the chain in the grab hook on the other end.

MarkC

 

[gordon]

Mark I got a piece of the square link chain awhile back. You were right it does work great. No slipping!!

On my bucket I've got a grab hook in the center and a slip hook on each end of the bucket. The hook I use the most is the grab hook in the center that way the load is more adapt to be centered. If I'm slinging something I'll use the slip hooks. I like the chain shorter idea with your bucket fork mounts. Best of both worlds.

With your forks do you have to use a ratchet strap to keep them in place when tipping the bucket?
Gordon

 

[MChalkley]

Gordon - I wondered if you'd tried the square link chain yet; I figured you'd be a good one to test it.

Instead of a ratchet strap, I run a piece of 1/4" chain around the fork, up the back side of the bucket, and around the bar the fork slides on. Then I don't have to worry about that ratchet getting sqashed by something.

MarkC