[AT] OT - Question about chain

[charlie hill]

Last year my neighbors wife decided to try and drive her Cadillac through 
the
front yard because her driveway was blocked.  She buried all four wheels 
down
to the frame.  I hooked a piece of 1/4" chain to the Caddy and to my truck
which I put in 4 WD low range.  I pulled the chain in two (probably at a bad 
link
but it broke just the same).  Then I hooked a nylon strap in place of the 
chain
and pulled the car out.  Most Nylon straps are rated atleast 5000 lbs.  I 
agree
that 5/16 grade 70 is a much better choice but it's more expensive than the 
straps
usually.  Back in the day, when I hauled logs for a living, one mill would 
allow
us to use 1/4" chain to chain up the loads but they mostly bought pulp wood 
with
relatively small butts.  The other mill (or company rather) dealt in much 
larger timber
and they required 5/16.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Charlie


-----Original Message----- 
From: Cecil R Bearden
Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 6:18 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] OT - Question about chain

5/16 grade 70 is the smallest I use around here.  I keep my lifting
chains and my pulling chains separate.  I will not use a chain that has
been used for pulling to lift or tie down machinery.  I have seen too
many accidents from chains with bad links.  If at all possible I only
lift with a grade 70 chain.  Winching a piece of equipment on  a truck
or trailer is the same as pulling.   There may be a disaster if the
chain breaks.  Inspect your chain every time you use it.  If it has a
bent link or a pulled hook, don't use it until it is fixed, and then
only use it for pulling.  I do not trust nylon straps for pulling.  I
lost  the end of my thumb from a nylon rope on a horse lead.  Nylon
straps are like rubber bands.

Just my $0.02

Cecil in OKla


On 11/26/2013 12:59 PM, Mike wrote:
> Hi guys, I need to upgrade the rag tag bunch of chains I have around the
> place and I'm looking for some input.  I generally use the chains to
> pull on trees that are hung up on others and to dangerous for me to cut.
> I have some 1/4 grade 30 chain  that I have pulled on hard enough to
> deform, and some 5/16" grade 30 that has held up well, but I only have a
> short piece of that. I'm looking at 1/4" grade 43 high test that has a
> working strength of 2600 lbs twice the 1/4 grade 30. I use either my
> Massey 255 or my pickup depending where the tree is.  Do you guys think
> the 1/4" grade 43 is enough or should I bump up to 5/16" $$. Any input
> would be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Mike M
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