Sorry have one more pulling with chain question

[stevenf]

I went to TSC to get a shackle for my new 1/2" chain and they don't stock a 5/8 screw type shackle nor does anybody else around here. Can I take a pin type shackle and use a 3/4" grade 5 bolt threw it with a lock nut and have the same thing or is a grade 5 bolt not as stong as a pin. The reason for not wanting to use the pin is it will be on the loop attached to the tree that I'm skidding and figure at some point the cotter will get punched out and the pin will just slide out besides the pin will stick out a lot further than a grade 5 bolt and nut with the bolt cut flush to the outside of the nut.
Steve

 

[MMM]

You need the screw pin shackle if you can find it. A bolt and nut will work, but you'll spend a lot of time wrenching unless it's a semipermanent application. For that I like a screw pin shackle with a bolt long enough for a jam nut.

 

[beenthere]

Hope we get some pictures of your tree pulling task. What 'ends' do you have on the chain you bought for pulling?

 

[stevenf]

MMM and Beenthere what I'm planning is using a 7/8 clevis with what normally would be a 3/4" pin I'm planning on using a 3/4" grade 5 (gold) bolt with a nylon insert lock nut on the other side attached to a 1/2" g70 chain. I'm going to back up to the prospective tree to be moved stretch out the 31' chain put the clevis with chain attached around the tree with the chain looped through the clevis tightened up around the tree and drive slowly & carefully to the house wood yard and proceed to cut it into woodstove size pieces. Do ya'll or anyone see any problem with this, if so please comment as thats one of my jobs for this weekend. Thanks
Steve

 

[beenthere]

Don't see a problem with your plan. Not sure why the long chain, but not there to see what is happening. Pictures will be very much appreciated.
I visualize a huge tree being towed across the Texas sand, with a huge cloud of dust billowing up. Kind of like a wide-eyed steer on the end of a rope being pulled by the cowboy on his horse towards the fire where the brand awaits, all red hot and ready to sizzle and smoke through the hair to the hide. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Now a picture will be worth a thousand words to set me straight. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dixiedrifter]

1/2" chain, just what the heck are you pulling with that?

 

[stevenf]

dixiedrifter:I don't know but whatever it is I would rather not wear it if I can help it. The ranch is 350 acres of Texas hill country and if there is a level spot on it I've either made it or paid to make it and since we are heating solely with wood and cooking the majority of our meals for at least another year I need to be able to latch on and go. I'm going to build the new house by myself and don't have time to play around with much including dragging wood to the house. My honey has already warned me that she best be in a real house next year or she is going to remodel the shack we live in and believe me when the county list it as a hunters shack they are not kidding. The county taxes me for a $1,500. cabin and this is a county that is used to people with million dollar homes. When they came out to inspect the improvements they 0'd out most of them as unuseable. Ain't it funny what a couple of Beers on Friday night can do for a simple question.
Steve

 

[kenta]

I know this isn't an answer to the chain question, but I was wondering why you don't consider a Farmi winch or some brand. I have a Kubota M-5400 and a Farmi that can pull 12,000 lbs. and you can skid 3-5 trees at once and it's much more efficient. Plus you can stand away from the winch and pull with a rope so you are out of harms way if something breaks. I have broken many chains until I went to some loggers and got some skid chains. I figured the pro's know what's best. Just a thought, Kenta

 

[rambler]

A 3/4" grade 5 bolt would be just fine for me. I'm no expert and should not be telling others what to do, but I'd use it for myself and not ever worry about it. As others say, if this is something you need to open/close a lot, the other shackle would be a lot more convienent.

--->Paul

 

[oldfarmer]

Company literature always say that the shackle pin is a heat treated alloy. I know that in rigging manuals using any kind of bolt for a shackle pin is a no-no as the bolt is not considered strong enough. That being said I really doubt you will break a bolt in this application.