What size chain do I need?

[LD1]

I agree, pulling a few logs is well within the realm of 1/4 and 5/16 chain.

It depends on the size of the logs and how much they weigh.

Sure, if he is pulling logs that a B or BX could pull, then yes a 1/4 or 5/16 would be fine.

And yes it is the pullee that determines the the force required, not the puller. I agree with that. But with a 7000lb machine, the OP is capable of moving a MUCH larger pullee. Large enough that if he is pulling to his pullers MAX capacity, and 5/16 chain is too small IMO

 

[jenkinsph]

It depends on the size of the logs and how much they weigh.

Sure, if he is pulling logs that a B or BX could pull, then yes a 1/4 or 5/16 would be fine.

And yes it is the pullee that determines the the force required, not the puller. I agree with that. But with a 7000lb machine, the OP is capable of moving a MUCH larger pullee. Large enough that if he is pulling to his pullers MAX capacity, and 5/16 chain is too small IMO

I agree if he is pulling at maximum he will need a larger chain, I have a 1/2" G70 for that type of work. For most of the logs I have pulled it hasn't been needed though. If the log is that big then cutting it in two pieces would make it alot easier to handle.

 

[LD1]

I agree if he is pulling at maximum he will need a larger chain, I have a 1/2" G70 for that type of work. For most of the logs I have pulled it hasn't been needed though. If the log is that big then cutting it in two pieces would make it alot easier to handle.

So handling a smaller chain twice, and making two pulls makes more sense than just handling a larger chain once and making a single pull???

I guess it may to some. But not in my book.

 

[jenkinsph]

So handling a smaller chain twice, and making two pulls makes more sense than just handling a larger chain once and making a single pull???

I guess it may to some. But not in my book.

If he is pulling al log that will break a 5/16" chain then his tractor will likely be tearing up the ground in places too. Two lighter loads on the tractor is easier on everything.

In reality I think it would be rare that he will be pulling a log that requires more than a 5/16" chain. For that rare log or pulling out another stuck tractor or the like it is a good idea to have a heavier 1/2" chain for these jobs. I certaiinly wouldn't wan't to lug that around under normal circumstances.

 

[Case485Guy]

I have a 20' piece of 1/4 grade 100 chain with grab hooks each end that covers most of what I do, Has a safe WLL of 4,300 lbs vertical, I also made a shortner that is a 1' long grab hooks on each end, makes rigging up easier for lifting odd ball stuff. For jerking stuff out of the ground I use 2" nylon slings 2 plys with WLL: 6,400 lbs and a 5 times break strength for the 2", it has covered most of those jobs. I went nylon for the jerking jobs after having a 3/8" grade 70 chain break when pulling my Crew Cab truck out with the tractor.Keep in mind truck was sitting on the frame in sand and I was jerking it a couple feet and time till I got it out.Very fortunate that when the chain broke it went towards the truck and not me sitting on the tractor.Chain shattered the windshield and took the passenger side mirror off.

 

[Rail Dawg]

I was wondering about using nylon webbing with load limits towards the 3000# range. Is there a problem using nylon instead of chain if you use common sense?

 

[Case485Guy]

I was wondering about using nylon webbing with load limits towards the 3000# range. Is there a problem using nylon instead of chain if you use common sense?

Nylons are easy to use, light weight etc. Got to be careful about putting them around edges...say like angle iron, that edge will end up cutting the nylon.We make them with a cordura cover that eliminates the need to be as careful. Cordura is a very abraision resistant material and does not add much to the cost.
Other thing I can see is say you are draggin something, log etc...with the nylon caught under object being drug, then the nylon sling will wear and fray.
If jerk a stump out of the ground, I use the nylon sling, then hook the chain up to drag it off.

 

[whistlepig]

So handling a smaller chain twice, and making two pulls makes more sense than just handling a larger chain once and making a single pull???

I guess it may to some. But not in my book.

It's kind of a comprise. We use 1" chains at work. No doubt when you haul one of these puppies out in the field you won't go back to the barn for a second choice. There is such a thing as too much chain. What chain an I taking today? Should it be the 1" chain that weighs 300 pounds? Or the 1/4" chain that weighs 20 pounds? The tool should be easier than the task.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Make life easy and get a good 1/4" grade 70 short link chain. The 75 hp New Holland, with loaded tires and wheel weights, pulling this 6 inch dia. walnut stump is no match for a good 1/4 inch chain.

That tractor is able to exert 10 or 12K# in a steady pull. That is dangerously close to the breaking strength of 1/4" Gr70 chain. ... very little surplus to withstand the inevitable occasional jerk. For an L39 tho, 1/4" should do well unless there is a fairly severe jerk. 5/16", at 20K# break, would be quite robust. I use the 5/16 on the 7520.
larry

 

[whistlepig]

For folks like me that have using chains for over 40 years now I pretty well know what size of chain I need to use for the task. I know that if I use a chain that is too small I can break it and get a piece of chain through the back of my skull. If the chain is too large I know that I am lugging around a lot more chain weight than I need to. And then there is those that have the chain charts.

 

[Case485Guy]

For folks like me that have using chains for over 40 years now I pretty well know what size of chain I need to use for the task. I know that if I use a chain that is too small I can break it and get a piece of chain through the back of my skull. If the chain is too large I know that I am lugging around a lot more chain weight than I need to. And then there is those that have the chain charts.

That was my thought process until I got into the industry. When you actually are involved in the "Test to Destruction" of grade 30 to grade 100 chain and see the failures of the different size chain vs the grade, its an eye opener to say the least.
Just like reading that the chinese 3/8" grade 70 chain at Harbor Frieght is a good chain, well maybe it is.But when you see what that type of stuff does when you "Pull to Destruction" might change your tune. Have seen it break well before the WLL was ever reached and on repetitive tests. This in a test bed enviroment and each tested was charted for a customer we had. Another example was that 1/2 Galvanized chain broke before 1/4" grade 100 alloy chain...never would have believed that 1/2" chain would brake before a 1/4" chain but I was there and saw it. I had been flatbed trucking for 15 yrs or better, haul oversized and loads in excess of 150k. I was set in my ways on the chain I used.
As they say knowledge is power, charts are there for a reason.

 

[SPYDERLK]

That was my thought process until I got into the industry. When you actually are involved in the "Test to Destruction" of grade 30 to grade 100 chain and see the failures of the different size chain vs the grade, its an eye opener to say the least.
Just like reading that the chinese 3/8" grade 70 chain at Harbor Frieght is a good chain, well maybe it is.But when you see what that type of stuff does when you "Pull to Destruction" might change your tune. Have seen it break well before the WLL was ever reached and on repetitive tests. This in a test bed enviroment and each tested was charted for a customer we had.

Working Load Limit has a normal safety factor of 4x before the GR70 chain breaks. Shoulda been a whole lot of suing going on regarding that chain.
larry

 

[easygo]

I have to disagree. A 7000lb 4x4 backhoe will indeed tax and break a 5/16 chain if he is pulling to his full ability. Unless of course he is pulling uphill on ice

My neighbor cuts trees every day with a 10,000 lbs cable skidder with chains on all four tires. Most of the logging chains he uses are 5/16 and a few 3/8. Never said he broke a chain and some of the logs are 80-90ft long and 30-40" at the butt end. The heavier the chain the more pain it is to work with when you have to lug it around in the woods. Ice or no ice I'm pretty sure if a log is heavy enough to break the 5/16 grade 70 chain it would be too much weight to pull with that L39 anyway. Besides. Who in the right mind would go logging with a backhoe attached?

 

[LD1]

I was wondering about using nylon webbing with load limits towards the 3000# range. Is there a problem using nylon instead of chain if you use common sense?

NO problems with nylon, just be mindful that they store energy. So it is not a good practice to mix using the sling with a chain. Because if either break, it will fly a long ways really quickly:confused2:

For folks like me that have using chains for over 40 years now I pretty well know what size of chain I need to use for the task. I know that if I use a chain that is too small I can break it and get a piece of chain through the back of my skull. If the chain is too large I know that I am lugging around a lot more chain weight than I need to. And then there is those that have the chain charts.

Thats kinda how I am.

I guess for me, the differece in weight of a 3/8 vs 5/16 isnt enough of a savings for me to warrant using the smaller chain. I can lug my pair of 16' 3/8gr70 around all day. no issues at all.

And after seeing 1/4 and 5/16 chain break more than once, I dont like using it. I still keep the 1/4 and 5/16 chains around, they are shorter. (I imagine they probabally started off as 20' chains) But the short ones are nice when unloading a mower or bushhog off the trailer rather than fumbling with a 16' 3/8 chain.

But anytime I am pulling logs with anything (truck, tractor, etc) it is the 3/8 chain for me. But to each his own.

 

[dex3361]

I have bought several 5/16 G70 chains from HF in twenty foot lengths cut them down to make shorter working lengths. They are on sale next month for $20 for 20 ft with two grab hooks. I use them on my car/tractor trailer, leave them out in the weather and no rust! Well worth the money. For most lite lifting I keep some short 1/4 chains hung from the grill guard. Here is a link to the sale coupon http://images.harborfreight.com/hftusa/itc/7851/images/147.jpg

I bought a few of these from HF today and they honored the coupon without question. $20 for 20' 5/16 G70 chain is a good deal.:thumbsup: