Agreed, rope is handy for a lot of things. While ratchet straps are the go-to for most people these days for securing the smallest of things, I tend to use rope. But for pulling logs, you really can't beat a chain for a variety of reasons.
I'm coming in on this pretty late. There are some pretty good responses here regarding safety! Ropes and straps are inherently dangerous because of stored energy when things suddenly let loose, where the tractor operator may be directly in line with the rope or strap. Kind of like dispatching flies with a rubber band, for those who may have used that method in lieu of a flyswatter. As well, when whatever is being pulled-on lets loose, it can come flying back along with the rope or strap, too. Using a snatch block helps get the operator away from a falling tree, but not flying ropes and straps. I use chains, but the downside of chains are they are heavy when getting up a tree. They are expensive, too, and subject to theft. I use DOT chains - Department of Transportation approved cargo chains. Cheap chains break easily, so get high strength heat treated chains, and keep them padlocked and put away. Ask me how I know this stuff. One more thing, be careful WHERE you attach chains to your tractor, use the point described in the owner's manual, and be careful nothing ever comes up against the power take off stub shaft - ever.
You'd be surprised about how often someone over-estimates how long a chain is, while underestimating how tall a tree is, and ends up running to get out of the way from the top of the tree while it is coming down!
In the last 55 years since I got out of high school, I've tried to learn a few things from those who came before me!
