Tow Chains

Highbeam · Dec 19, 2005

"I appreciate the issue of regulations making certain chain types manditory but at a practical level, if the chain has an appropriate load rating, does grade make any difference?"

I would say no to both. No the regulations don't require a certain grade and no, it makes no difference so long as the WLL is appropriate for the load. Check out one of the last posts, a long one, on that "proper way to bind a tractor" thread. People use straps, ropes, chains, cable and whatever else meets the strength requirements of the regs. Chain is very tough and you don't see people talking about failed chain while in transport. You do see members sharing stories of failed strap.

On anchoring a boat, there some decent loads to deal with but they are all limited to the inertia of the moving boat within its riggings on water. The boat can always slip in the water. The tractor/trailer combo can hit something solid and needs to absorb some shock loading. Now when trailering a big ol' boat I would think that similar rules apply.

IslandTractor · Dec 19, 2005

( "On anchoring a boat, there some decent loads to deal with but they are all limited to the inertia of the moving boat within its riggings on water. The boat can always slip in the water. The tractor/trailer combo can hit something solid and needs to absorb some shock loading. Now when trailering a big ol' boat I would think that similar rules apply. )

Actually, an securely anchored boat in a storm (i.e. one that is still there after the storm) indures tremendous strains on ground tackle. It does not "slip" at all. I would imagine these forces are far greater than experienced by a tractor on any trailer that stays on the road regardless of bumps, jerks, emergency stops etc. Except for a trailer that crashes, I cannot imagine how a 4000lb tractor moving a few inches at most can strain the chains like a 30,000lb boat moving 6-8 feet on swells every 10-15 seconds for hours on end. You have to experience that sensation to appreciate the vast forces at play. Again, anchor chains, properly sized, almost never break even though sizing for 15 ton boat ground tackle and a 2 ton tractor transport chain are essentially the same.

Highbeam · Dec 19, 2005

Ah, the "securely anchored boat" means not allowed any movement. So rigid restraint- this is indeed a different situation than a single anchor line.

Oddly, I spent some time as what the feds called a "naval architect" and got to design/size tow chain for a tug pulling a barge loaded with a scrapped nuclear reactor section from a submarine in the Pacific. The loads were high indeed, and chain was large. However, I did not need to assume a rigid connection to a dock. That would have changed the design in the direction of bigger.

IslandTractor · Dec 19, 2005

( Ah, the "securely anchored boat" means not allowed any movement. )

Yeah, that's the way we like'm. Securely anchored. Kind of an oxymoron if you think about it /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. Loosely anchored boats generally end up on the beach /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

Slamfire · Dec 19, 2005

Don't you use any scope in your storm chain anchor set ups? I find it hard to imagine you could pick up the whole chain with a dinky little boat like that. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

IslandTractor · Dec 20, 2005

Yes, scope is important. But in a storm, even with 5:1 scope (chain length/ water depth), the chain can get bar tight. That's why the nylon snubbers are used to provide some shock absorption for the boat and to avoid ripping the anchor out of the bottom. Note it is not to avoid breaking the chain.

And you are correct, a 5-8 ton boat is pretty dinky compared to some. Translates into about a 30-40 foot sailboat. And if you think owning tractors is expensive..... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

jimmysisson · Dec 20, 2005

When do you think THESE straps might fail?
Cheers to all

mbrule · Dec 20, 2005

Hi,

Is the sale price available on the net (harborfreight.com)? I can't find it.

Thanks,

AMtt

RoyJackson · Dec 20, 2005

( Hi,
Is the sale price available on the net (harborfreight.com)? I can't find it.
Thanks,
AMtt )

No...I saw the price in a flyer at work. The online price is 36 bucks and change.

Slamfire · Dec 22, 2005

I was a partner in a Yankee 21 once. I couldn't afford a part of somethin' bigger. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

KubotaSteve · Dec 22, 2005

What's wrong with those straps? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It looks like he has the corners strapped. Maybe he should have went with some 3/4" plywood that was treated.
I really don't understand some people's thought process. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

jmc · Dec 22, 2005

The amazing thing about that photo to anyone who has ever pulled a trailer is that no one is tailgating him!

Farwell · Dec 22, 2005

I thought I had seen everything. Great photo! Wonder if the person might be a "Redneck"? He for sure is "Gettin er done".
And I thought that I had done some foolish things in my life.
Farwell

JustGary · Dec 22, 2005

I want to see the gorilla that put it on the car for him.

If he'd just screw the plywood down to the trunk lid, he'd certainly have no need for a pickup truck.

Delivery fee: $35 (saved since he didn't pay it)
Straps instead of delivery: $60 ("at least I get to keep 'em")
New paint job for trunk: $440 ("nah, honey, it still looks fine")
Herniated disk surgery for neighbor who helps get it down: $52,873 ("but I don't have to pay for that")
Highway photo for us to laugh about: $Priceless

Some people really remind me of me...

- Just Gary

Diesel_Boy · Dec 24, 2005

hey guys. i hate to hijack this thread, but since we're on the topic of "chains", i'm thinking of buying a 1/2 ton pickup crane to lift the occasional log into my pickup. was thinking about getting a manual chain hoist to use in conjunction with the crane. never used one of these hoists. can someone tell me the basics. in other words, if you pull on the chain to lift, will letting go of the chain allow the load to fall, or do you pull on another chain to lower the load. any other tips/advice would be appreciated. thanks.

RobertN · Dec 24, 2005

Busted the front diff in my old Jeep trying to pull backwards. My B-in-Law was stuck in front of me. I did not want to back waaay up to where I could turn around, and then back the whole distance to him again. So, I pulled in reverse. I heard this "Pink!" and had no front drive no more...

Took the front axle to a gear shop. They said it happens fairly often. The gears are designed to pull forward. It is in the angle of the cut on the gears.

Always pull going forward, especially with a heavy stress load.

Diesel_Boy · Dec 24, 2005

as far as pulling a heavy load backward, would the same apply if you had a load IN your bucket, say 400-500 lbs, but were not trying to pull it, just move it?

RoyJackson · Dec 24, 2005

Yep, yr right about pulling backwards.
I just make sure any load I pull isn't too much.
Most of the branches I pull don't go more then a few hundred pounds....if that. They're just awkward to move by hand.