What size chain do I need?

[crazyal]

I use 5/16" g70 chain. I have several 20' lengths of 3/8" g70 that I mainly use to tie my backhoe down on a trailer. They are just too heavy to drag through the woods. Lowes sells US made 5/16" g70 for a good price.

At the plant we have a 20 Ton crane that I use whenever I need to lift anything.
To give you a rough idea this crane spans about 80' from rail to rail, it travels about 500' in length and has enough cable to lower the hook 9 floors straight down.

Craig Clayton

For a year I worked at a passenger train car factory. They have a crane that can lift a locomotive up and carry it over the other cars inside the plant before setting it down in different bay. It really fun to watch. Of course all work stops as people can't be under anything being moved.

 

[easygo]

If you are looking for some extra work get 3/8 and then you will really find out the merits of lighter weight equipment. Absolutely no need for 3/8 in logging chain unless you are running a cable skidder. Most logs you are able to pull with your tractor will not tax 5/16 chain. For most light (less then 10") logs 1/4" chain is perfect. Why wrestle with the heavy 3/8 when far less will do.

 

[timster2]

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

 

[whistlepig]

I have a lot of chains. There is no such thing as having too many chains. Most of mine are 3/8" grade 70. I do have one 1/4" grade 70 that is 12' long. When I need a chain I always go looking for the 1/4" chain.

 

[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

Do you have to be an inside Track member to use this coupon? I got a couple of gift cards for HF and I thought about buying some chain.

 

[timster2]

Do you have to be an inside Track member to use this coupon? I got a couple of gift cards for HF and I thought about buying some chain.

Depending on the store some ask for membership others just take the coupon. The price for this chain rarely goes down to twenty bucks so if you had some gift cards the Inside track club membership may be worth joining if need be.

 

[LD1]

If you are looking for some extra work get 3/8 and then you will really find out the merits of lighter weight equipment. Absolutely no need for 3/8 in logging chain unless you are running a cable skidder. Most logs you are able to pull with your tractor will not tax 5/16 chain. For most light (less then 10") logs 1/4" chain is perfect. Why wrestle with the heavy 3/8 when far less will do.

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

 

[pat32rf]

Most often its NOT the size of the puller, but the size of the pullee that determines the load. For a light load, why not use a light chain, even if its hooked to a heavy tractor. Of course you also need a bit of "operator input"....
I have seen a few cases where people have overloaded and burnt out 8000lb winches while moving 4000lb Jeeps... I've also watched people get fully loaded 10,000lb trucks unstuck with the same winch, and a bit of knowledge

 

[kebo]

When I got my first tractor and started looking for chains & hooks, I decided to go ahead and use 3/8" for pretty much everything. I now have 3/8" chain grab's welded to the bucket, and on my little custom made handi hitch for the three pt, and use 3/8" load binders to secure the tractor on the trailer.


While 3/8" is not a "standard" size chain for everyone to use, it is a very popular size, and pretty common. By going with 3/8" stuff, you will likely have no problem with lending/borrowing other stuff in a pinch such as load binders, etc. Also, 5/16" chains will fit in 3/8" grab hook, I'm not sure how well 1/4" will fit in a 3/8" grab hook since I've never tried it. In short, I just try to be "universal" one size fits all when I can.

 

[jenkinsph]

Most often its NOT the size of the puller, but the size of the pullee that determines the load. For a light load, why not use a light chain, even if its hooked to a heavy tractor. Of course you also need a bit of "operator input"....
I have seen a few cases where people have overloaded and burnt out 8000lb winches while moving 4000lb Jeeps... I've also watched people get fully loaded 10,000lb trucks unstuck with the same winch, and a bit of knowledge

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