What to buy to pull things with? rope? chain?

[QRTRHRS]

Some years ago, a friend of mine was in Maine moose hunting. One of the hunters in the party dropped a moose in a swamp.

They hooked up a nylon rope along with a snatch block to drag the moose out. The rope held just fine but the snatch block broke. The rope flew back an hit my friend in the thigh, ripping out a softball piece of flesh.

My friend, a marine in WWII was on Iwo and one of the other guys was a medic in WWII. The ex medic grabbed a t-shirt and balled it up and packed the wound.

They drove out until they met a chopper which took my friend to the hospital where a Nam' era vet doctor happened to be on duty. Being familiar with gross wounds like that, the doc pretty much saved his life.

My friend has circulation problems and must spend time daily with an apparatus on his leg to circulate the blood flow but at least he is alive.

His friend, the medic said that it would have killed a normal man but not a tough old bird like my friend, ha!

Anyway, to reinterate, the rope never broke but it did a heck of a lot of damage.

 

[texasjohn]

I carry several differnt lengths of chain on my tractor at all times..some short, some longer for tow jobs.. and use it in the most unplanned ways and times.... Grade 70 always... I also have a nylon strap that I can use for getting a vehicle unstuck, but would only use it after chain failed and I was convinced I needed the snap capability of the strap.

 

[workinallthetime]

The only dent i ever put on my old 99 truck was due to a #$%#$% strap, I was pulling some old post out of the ground and decided on the last one to try a brand new strap someone gave me, as i pulled the post out of the groud the the thing poped out and slammed into my tailgate. the worst part was i had the chain lying right next to the truck, the same chain that i had pulled the last 5 out with. anyone wants a bearly used strap ill give it to them. I have only broke one chain in my life and until lately i didnt pay attention to the grade of chain. big chain for big job, little chain for little job. uggg move rock

 

[SPYDERLK]

tony123,
Check out Lowe's if you have one near by. They sell the Campbell 5/16" Grade 70 chain (clearly says made in the USA on it) in 20 foot lengths with clevis hooks on each end. Comes in a reusable pouch. I believe the price is around $39.00. That was the best deal I could find and the quality is clearly superior to some of the junk others carry. I use this chain to skid logs and brush and it works great.

Terry

5/16" x 20' Tow Chain w/ Case Sys7

That is a good price, esp if its just like the picture. Those are short links. I have 2 like that bought years ago from HF. I believe they were an American product at that time. A strong, durable, very supple chain. Not light, but very resistant to grab hook damage that will bend the longer gr70 links under very high load.

 

[tony123]

Thanks to everyone. It was a very imformative conversation for me and I learned alot.

Just got back from Lowe's and picked up the 5/16" Grade70 linked above. I think this will be the most universal approach.

Thanks again.

Tony

 

[Perdido]

Get yourself a boom pole with a 3/8 chain. Hook the chain to whatever you need to move, lift up just a little with your tractor lift and you can move almost anything. But just ease along if it is a very heavy object. I have moved hugh trees, poles, etc with this method. It is also very safe because you are not jerking with your tractor. Boom pole are very cheap!!!

 

[bx24d]

Forgive the newbie question, but how is a boom pole used. If anyone has a pic to post, that would be great.

 

[Rara Avis]

Forgive the newbie question, but how is a boom pole used. If anyone has a pic to post, that would be great.

Antique Tractors - Boom Pole - Boom Pole Use

 

[bx24d]

Thanks for the link, If I'm interpreting the picture correctly, a boom pole is used for lifting heavy objects with the 3ph some distance away from the tractor. I know what the lift capacity of my 3ph is 24inches behind but how does one calculate how heavy they can lift with a boom pole (without pulling the front wheels off the ground?

 

[Rara Avis]

Thanks for the link, If I'm interpreting the picture correctly, a boom pole is used for lifting heavy objects with the 3ph some distance away from the tractor. I know what the lift capacity of my 3ph is 24inches behind but how does one calculate how heavy they can lift with a boom pole (without pulling the front wheels off the ground?

Here is an example of a generic boom pole that's for sale today...

Swing lift capacity at end point is 1000 lbs.
Capacity at short lift midpoint is 1500 lbs.
39in. W x 26in. H x 106in. L. Fits category 1 & 2. Truck Ship. U.S.A.

Howse Boom Pole — 3-Point, Category 1-2 | Category 1 Attachments | Northern Tool + Equipment