Tak
Member
Again, I am in agreement with everyone and just wish to add a few more thoughts on this issue. Please bear with the long explanation but I think there is some value in writing this. I wouldn't want to see or hear of anyone getting injured. Life is too short as it is.
Lifting capacity and safety issue
In this example, although a FEL may be rated to lift 1800 lbs. the cylinders are sized so that it will lift more than that specified amount. Let's say for example it maxes out at 2400 lbs. In other words, there is a lifting safety factor of 1.3 built in by the manufacturer. Most of us at some time or another or will in the future exceed that rated capacity and will try to lift 2400 lbs.
Apply the same concept to the chain. When you size a chain, the chain safety factor should also be taken into consideration. More likely than not over time a person will use this chain hook-up to lift items more than initially anticipated. It would make sense safety wise to select a chain according to its safety rating (each size and chain type has a rating listed) that could meet or exceed the capacity of what the FEL could actually lift or drag (note this is not the same as the rated operated capacity).
The reasons are many. Obviously, when the chain is maxed out to its limits, it may fail. If the item being lifted is low to the ground, no one is near and no damage occurs to the item nor is caused by the failing chain, no problem. However, in all other situations, a failing chain may occur during a critical situation causing damage to either the item and or a person. Basically, that is a very dangerous uncontrolled situation.
Additionally, a chain may be maxed out but it may not visibly break. Maybe a link or two may fracture. The job may get completed and the chain may appear intact. The next time the chain is used say on a "light" job with an overhead lift this could be a disaster. The light item could fail the chain and again, it would occur unexpectedly which is the worse case.
The point is this, its not wise to select a chain size based on when it will break. There is no safety factor. All equipment a designed and built using this safety factor concept. Excuse this morbid thought but if all the equipment we purchased were manufactured in that same fashion, a lot of people would get injured and possibly die using such equipment.
Please be safe.
Lifting capacity and safety issue
In this example, although a FEL may be rated to lift 1800 lbs. the cylinders are sized so that it will lift more than that specified amount. Let's say for example it maxes out at 2400 lbs. In other words, there is a lifting safety factor of 1.3 built in by the manufacturer. Most of us at some time or another or will in the future exceed that rated capacity and will try to lift 2400 lbs.
Apply the same concept to the chain. When you size a chain, the chain safety factor should also be taken into consideration. More likely than not over time a person will use this chain hook-up to lift items more than initially anticipated. It would make sense safety wise to select a chain according to its safety rating (each size and chain type has a rating listed) that could meet or exceed the capacity of what the FEL could actually lift or drag (note this is not the same as the rated operated capacity).
The reasons are many. Obviously, when the chain is maxed out to its limits, it may fail. If the item being lifted is low to the ground, no one is near and no damage occurs to the item nor is caused by the failing chain, no problem. However, in all other situations, a failing chain may occur during a critical situation causing damage to either the item and or a person. Basically, that is a very dangerous uncontrolled situation.
Additionally, a chain may be maxed out but it may not visibly break. Maybe a link or two may fracture. The job may get completed and the chain may appear intact. The next time the chain is used say on a "light" job with an overhead lift this could be a disaster. The light item could fail the chain and again, it would occur unexpectedly which is the worse case.
The point is this, its not wise to select a chain size based on when it will break. There is no safety factor. All equipment a designed and built using this safety factor concept. Excuse this morbid thought but if all the equipment we purchased were manufactured in that same fashion, a lot of people would get injured and possibly die using such equipment.
Please be safe.
