What chain is safe to lift or drag with?

sleepyhollow · Oct 6, 2002

Hi Folks,

I was wondering if any of you had a recommendation on the proper type of chain to use for lifting or dragging heavy objects with the tractor?

If I've got a chain wrapped around a 1500 pound boulder or a large stump, the last thing I want to worry about is the chain failing and snapping.

I know there are different grades of chain, but I'm not sure what they are or which is the best for my situation. Would nylon strap be safer? I would consider nylon for moving stone that I plan to use in landscaping where the scars from the chain are objectionable.

Anyone know a good reference for grades of chain or how one would determine the appropriate grade to use? Thanks,
Jonathan

sleepyhollow · Oct 6, 2002

Well I did some poking around on the web and found some links that are of interest regarding chain grades for lifting and tips for winching. Of course, none of this is in the context of doing work with a tractor, but I did pick up some useful info.

Some Facts of Cable and Cable Whiplash
(and some common recovery gear):
http://www.aceindustries.com/Slings/225OvhdLiftChainTypesGrades.htm

Grades of lifting chain w/comparisons:
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.webskiff.com/ChainSling_Index.html>http://www.webskiff.com/ChainSling_Index.html</A>

Any mechanical engineers out there that could recommend a good dragging/winching or hoisting setup?
Thanks,
J

beenthere · Oct 6, 2002

Seems it will depend on what you are pulling the 1500 # rock with, in the way of a tractor, or dozer, and what size the pulling machine is. Unless you get a run at a loose chain, and jerk it, I doubt any normal 3/8" chain (and even smaller) could be broken by steadily pulling with a CUT. I would take a chain over a nylon strap anyday. I saw a nylon strap break once, and the damage that was done was frightening. Fortunately no one's head or body parts were in the line of fire on that day.

sleepyhollow · Oct 6, 2002

I would be dragging or lifting using a JD 4310. I know lots of you folks have hooks on your buckets, is 3/8" grade 100 or 80 chain the standard? I was thinking of 1/2" grade 100 (greater capacity and less elasticity -less likely to snap back if it breaks).

With regard to the chain or nylon snapping back, the first link in my original email seemed to sugest that that if your attachment point is appropriate (ie you don't wrap the cable/chain around the object and attach the cable/chain to itself) and the cable/chain breaks it should just drop to the ground and not whip around.
J

Gary_in_Indiana · Oct 6, 2002

One thing I'd suggest would be to hang a heavy rug or blanket over the chain or cable when you're pulling or dragging. If the chain or cable breaks the blanket or rug tends to reduce the whiplash effect and might save you some troubles. It's something towing and recovery people have known and done for years. Good luck with your project. I hope this helps. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

beenthere · Oct 7, 2002

With a Deere 4310, either pulling or lifting with the bucket, a 3/8" chain is overkill. Now, with a 100HP big farm tractor, you might be talking about stressing that 3/8" chain a little bit, but not much. I really don't think you need to worry about it at all. IMO

Hoeman00 · Oct 7, 2002

I'm w/ u on this.
3/8 & 1/2 " grade 100 are overkill.
5/16 grade 100 w/ the GOOD hooks fine.
The hooks they are welding on would be the
weak link.

gerard · Oct 7, 2002

I've been doing what you were talking about over the last few days - dragging around rocks that are too big/heavy to fit in my loader. I have 5/16 chain, probably a grade 60? I know it's not 80 or better and I haven't broke it yet. Some of the links have bent where I kinked them and they still haven't broken. If you go with 3/8 grade 80 you should be in great shape. About the nylon strap if you're concerned about marring the rock I would only do that if you wrapped the nylon around the rock, then attached the chain to that. You definitely don't want a long nylon strap strectched out behind you like a big rubber band waiting to whack you when it snaps. Dragging rocks can be tough on nylon if the rock rolls over on the strap. You might be better off making a long tube out of some old carpet, feed the chain through that and wrap it around the rock.

buzst · Oct 7, 2002

You should be fine with a 5/16” transport grade system 7 chain.
http://www.coopertools.com/catalog/pdffiles/material_handling/Chain 2001.pdf
I think mine came from Home Depot. It‘s worked well for me for extracting and moving rocks of the size you are dealing with (there are many of them here in Southern New Hampshire). It is light enough to handle easily when wrapping it around the rocks, but at a working load of 4700lb. its very strong. I typically use it attached to two farmer’s hooks that are mounted on the outermost ends of my drawbar and only on very level ground. When possible I prefer to push rocks with the frontloader rather than drag them, the momentum a 1500lb rock moving downhill generates is scary.