I have two chains on the tractor at all times --3/8 grade 43 15' long and 5/16 grade 70 20' long. One end has a grab hook and the other end has a slip hook. I have used them to pull rocks, logs and old cars out of the bush. Lately I have been using tow straps as well. Wire rope is OK but it is very nasty stuff when it breaks under tension,really needs gloves to handle and is a PITA to store unless you have a roller. -JMHO
International 1066 Full sized JCB Loader/Backhoe and a John Deere 430 to mow with
Faced with this same question long ago... someone on the forum mentioned square link chain from Labonville.
It's primary benefit is if you are going to snatch onto a log the edges will bite in instead of slide around.
I got a 25' length with a slip/choker on one end and a grab hook on the other end.
It has come in WAY more handy then I would have expected. In addition to doing the "yank the tree trunk" around like i've done, I once got our International 988 stuck in some muck on the back side of the farm with the 10' HD Rhino mower attached. Couldn't go forward nor backward.
I got my industrial backhoe, hooked the chain to the tractor and simply pulled it out. Someone who was with me watching started laughing afterwards. Seems he is a retired steel salesman and had no idea what grade chain I was using. He said he was laughing quietly to himself while I was "thinking" I was going to tow that tractor out of that mudhole. He knew the chain was going to break under the strain I put it under.
Lately I have been using tow straps as well. Wire rope is OK but it is very nasty stuff when it breaks under tension,really needs gloves to handle and is a PITA to store unless you have a roller. -JMHO
