logging/towing chain grade

[kennyd]

Check some of the "Twist Lock" hooks we are selling now, guaranteed not to fall off of the chain as soon as you get back on the tractor :laughing:



I agree with most the 5/16" G70 chain is perfect for this type of use.

Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Accessories>>

 

[crazyal]

3/8" chain is heavy. If your tractor has the HP and weight then that's what I would go with. I have both 3/8 and 5/16 grade 70 chains and rarely do the 3/8" chains leave the garage. They are almost exclusively used when I trailer my 580k. For 5/16" Lowes sells a 5/16" grade 70 chain made by Campbell for a good price. Last time I looked it was even US made.

 

[woodchipper]

I use mainly 1/4'', Grade 70 (wich is called Transport chain) chain for just about any light pulling. They are awsome for logging, as they are light and offer much flexibility. Quick and easy to take off its tractor mounted box. 30 feet of it is easy to manipulate, and to hook around trees or whatever. For severe duty, I have a good length of 1/2'', and it rarely sees action. It is heavy and takes a lot of storage space. You will find out that you need different lengths handy, as well as different sizes. You will also need a good asortment of hooks, as well as clevises. They are all mendatory. A chocker chain is also a must for logging.:thumbsup:

 

[Mace Canute]

I was at a garage sale last fall and picked up a chain for all of $15. Not bad for over 40 feet of 1/2 inch chain, eh? It's too long and heavy to be handy but I couldn't pass it up for that price and I know someday it will be just the thing for a job at hand.

 

[plumbstraight]

Personally I believe in winches for pulling. Hydraulic is my favorite as they will stall before breaking you tow chains or cable. The biggest problem with chains and cable is the pull that is just hung up that little bit you think you can make a pull with a bit of slack and use the momentum of your pulling unit to break it free. If you don't pull the draw bar off your tractor or break you chain or cable and having it put you in the hospital will be a miracle. Being a logger for many years I have seen just about everything a person can do, skidders upside down, over a hill going end over end, tractors up over backwards, you name it. Be as short as you can when pulling. Having a long leash gives your load the ability to go where it wants like behind a stump or tree when you are going along nicely and all of a sudden have a hangup. Be careful folks.

 

[TomSeller]

Check some of the "Twist Lock" hooks we are selling now, guaranteed not to fall off of the chain as soon as you get back on the tractor :laughing:

I agree with most the 5/16" G70 chain is perfect for this type of use.

Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Accessories>>

I have the twist lock grab hooks and would not be without them when lifting critical loads. I need to get some of the slip hooks too.

 

[newbury]

<snip> You will find out that you need different lengths handy, as well as different sizes. You will also need a good asortment of hooks, as well as clevises. They are all mendatory. A chocker chain is also a must for logging.:thumbsup:

Keep a cutter handy (I use a 4 1/2" angle grinder) and a bunch of spare hooks and clevises and shorten chains when you need them. I quickly got tired of fastening my tractor to the trailer with 4 of my 20'chains, only using about 10' on each corner. So I made two of them into four 10' chains

 

[Garandman]

For 5/16" Lowes sells a 5/16" grade 70 chain made by Campbell for a good price. Last time I looked it was even US made.

Just bought that chain. $36.98. HF is $39.95.

 

[k0ua]

I have been using grade 70 5/16 chain with grab hooks on each end for several years.. I do have one older grade 43 5/16 also. 5/16 is far bigger than my tractor can break.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have numerous chains, some long, some short, in several different grades.... But, when it comes to skidding logs, I have and use several of these,

And when hooked to this,

I've found nothing that works better for me...

These dedicated skidding choker chains work fantastic, easy to set and I've never had one come unhooked, even on long 150 plus foot skids while winching logs out of the woods...

SR