Chains Warning to those using rim to pull stumps

Deere Dude · Jan 26, 2018

As a 12 yo boy me and my dad were pulling car frames off their bodies using chains. We would push the car up on its side and chain the body to a couple trees. Then I would jump on an old Allis-Chalmers tractor.... 40 hp? narrow front end (even in 1960 it was old). The tires were about a stall as me if I recall.

He would hook up the chains and I would be the driver. Back up to the car frame to give the tractor some running room before the crunch. No first gear slow pulling for me. Usually there would be some give as the metal would give way.

One time I do remember the chain either unhooked at the car or broke, but as I was ripping it the slack came out I felt a jerk and then slack again just as the chain come right past my head, maybe a foot away and flew ahead of me about 10 feet. I don't recall what happened after that...if we just went back to work or what. I am sure my dad was a little sheepish and I don't think he told my mom.

I don't think he ever gave me any money from the scrap metal but he would buy these cars and let me and my sister drive them around in our 20 acre field in from of the house. When we would trash them we would just rip them apart.

oosik · Jan 27, 2018

A hint from years in Alaska, pulling every wheeled thing know to man out of bottomless water soaked peat bogs. Prevent "snap back" by placing a heavy wool blanket on the winch line. It will absorb the majority of the "snap back" energy and the winch line will simply drop to the ground - should it break.

pmsmechanic · Jan 27, 2018

Years ago when I was involved in farming we would need to pull out stuck machinery. A car tire attached between two chains or a chain run through the car tire will absorb the energy if something breaks. Similar to having a mat or a heavy blanket over the chain.

As previously mentioned. I really like the idea of wrapping the chain around the rim. I've never seen a rim used before. We just used a heavy fence post or a log leaning against the power pole with the chain looped over top.

I like to cut the stump off as low as I can and then 2" checker board the top with a skill saw. A year later come along with a large hammer and knock the blocks off. Level the dirt over and your done. As the stump rots the grass grows over it.

buckeyefarmer · Jan 27, 2018

I hooked a few chains together to pull a dead tree down. Started to pull, but stopped and thought, if that chain breaks or slips off, this won't end well. So i didnt pull the tree. Cut it with chainsaw instead.

oosik · Jan 27, 2018

I wish I had kept the picture of a '69 Ford Bronco after it pulled itself out of a fairly difficult situation. The winch line broke and the winch end snapped back and left a deep crease right up the hood, thru the windshield and dented the very top lip of the cab. Obviously, scared the living crap out of the driver and left a deep impression on all who were at that 4WD run.

coldsteelva · Jan 29, 2018

A cut down strip of stall mat works great for this type of safety. Placed closer to the load than the tow. If the chain snaps, the heavy, dense rubber mat drags that now flying load right into the dirt and the free end doesn't have enough length to reach back to the operator.