Farm Chains

[yankeepac]

Just bought a new box-blade. It is sitting in the back of my pickup truck, and I haven't unloaded it yet. I don't have a skid steer/fork lift like they did at the place I bought it at. figured I would attach a chain to in and lift using the FEL, at least enough to drive the truck out from under it.

This is just one of many tasks that I could use a chain for. Any recommendation for the type of chain, strength etc would be recommended. Also what hooks, or connectors etc that I should have on the homestead to do all manner of tasks.

Still learning to be a "farmer"

 

[RCW]

Wow - that brings forth questions.

How heavy is the box blade, and is it something your tractor can pick safely?

Do you have a way to chain it up without causing damage or injury to the box blade, the tractor, or you?

I use 5/16" chain for most stuff not too heavy duty, and have that size hooks on my bucket. Well-placed bucket hooks should be well positioned to do this kind of thing.

There are other threads about buckets hooks.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

For lifting you really should use a grade 80 or 100 chain, hooks, and clevises.
Will a lighter grade chain work... yes but I like being on the overdone safe side of things!
3/8" chain will lift or pull most anything your tractor can handle.

 

[Russell King]

You can also use nylon slings to lift this type of thing with - they won't damage the paint. Just be careful to not let the sling get cut by the lifted item or the lifting end. And ensure they are rated for the load...

There are various types that are shown here
http://www.nylon-slings.com/HTML/nylonSlings.html

I also think there are nylon sleeves for chains to help protect surfaces

 

[yankeepac]

the box blade is a bush hog SBX 600, think the specks say it is 495 lbs. 5 ft blade. I have a L3200 tractor. have the bush hog mower deck on the back now, that should aid as a counter weight.

Figured if all else fails will just pull the blade off the truck and then use the tractor to get down flat.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

No need for grade 80 or 100 your not lifting a tractor trailer in the air with your loader. A 3/8's Grade 70 will suit you just fine. And while yes straps save on paint they do get cut wayyyy to easily then are no good.

This link from AW Direct will explain all the chains from Grade 40 through Grade 120 and the different metals used. Its an excellent guide.

http://www.awdirect.com/bulk-chain/

 

[Eric McCarthy]

I know my dad keeps a short 3 foot piece of chain on his tractor at all times just for lifting attatchments with.

 

[bandaidmd]

A 3/8" with a slip hook on one end and a grab hook on the other is a good all around chain. At least 10 '

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[Kingcreek]

I seem to have accumulated a collection of chains. I have 2 chain grab hooks welded onto the top of my bucket and often use a pair of 8' 1/4 chains for lifting stuff like that that I don't want to twist and swing while hanging there.
I probably have about 8 chains in different sizes and lengths, some have a slip hook on one end and a grab hook on the other. Also have a couple 20' 3/8 grade chains and chain binders, some found on roadsides etc.

 

[Bulldog]

Eric, that's a info rich site you listed. I have always wondered what the WLL was on one chain I have and now I know.

 

[ck21084]

Eric,

I have an old 30ft overhead crane chain. The crane was rated at 10ton. The chain is 1/2". Any idea of the grade on something like this? We have used it behind a D-8 dozer several times to pull over 20-30" oaks and it has never showed any signs of fatigue.

 

[olthumpa]

Eric,

I have an old 30ft overhead crane chain. The crane was rated at 10ton. The chain is 1/2". Any idea of the grade on something like this? We have used it behind a D-8 dozer several times to pull over 20-30" oaks and it has never showed any signs of fatigue.

ASSUMING that it is rated for overhead lifting:

If it is grade: 100 - Working Load Limit - 1/2" = 15,000 lbs.
120 - Working Load Limit - 1/2" = 17,900 lbs.

 

[FTG-05]

ASSUMING that it is rated for overhead lifting:

If it is grade: 100 - Working Load Limit - 1/2" = 15,000 lbs.
120 - Working Load Limit - 1/2" = 17,900 lbs.

THIS, plus the chain *chain* be marked with "100" or "120" if it is truly grade 100 or 120, that stuff is not cheap!

 

[5thhorseman]

I just went down to our local Co-op and got meself a logging chain. Grab hook on one end and slip hook on the other. Don't know what grade it is but figure it's probably good enough for anything I need to do around here. I'm also still 'learning to be a farmer'.

I liked the slip hook and replaced the grab hook with another slip hook, but since then have realised that wasn't a good move and will be changing it back.

 

[Bulldog]

It's not posible for a person to have to many chains. Most of mine have grab hooks but the one I use more than any has slip hooks, go figure. There is no perfect length or size because they all have their purpose. Chains are alot like tractors, your need depends on what your doing at that time but in most cases bigger is alway better. JMHO

 

[lsmurphy]

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Lifti...traight-Eye-Eye-1-inch-wide-3-feet-long-2-ply

 

[yankeepac]

Went into my local tractor supply, spoke to the manager and got his advise. Finally decided on a pre-assembled kit with 14ft chain, with grab hook /chain hook.

nice heavy chain, fit my first project, lifting the box-blade to a T

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...-g43-self-colored-3-8-in-x-14-ft?cm_vc=-10005

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Went into my local tractor supply, spoke to the manager and got his advise. Finally decided on a pre-assembled kit with 14ft chain, with grab hook /chain hook.

nice heavy chain, fit my first project, lifting the box-blade to a T

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...-g43-self-colored-3-8-in-x-14-ft?cm_vc=-10005

Not to bust your chops but that is a weak chain with a Grade 43 rating, and a WLL of 5400lbs. Becareful of what your doing because you can stretch and snap a link and it fly back and it you.

 

[hodge]

Not to bust your chops but that is a weak chain with a Grade 43 rating, and a WLL of 5400lbs. Becareful of what your doing because you can stretch and snap a link and it fly back and it you.

If that box blade weighs 5400+ pounds, he has more to worry about than the chain he uses. I think it will work fine.

 

[DanDan]

Not to bust your chops but that is a weak chain with a Grade 43 rating, and a WLL of 5400lbs. Becareful of what your doing because you can stretch and snap a link and it fly back and it you.

A grade 43 chain is totally fine for use around the farm IMHO, and I think the TSC peeps gave good advice- esp./ if the chain is made in the USA.

Also, the WLL has a built-in safety factor (us. 3:1 or 5:1) before users would get near the breaking point, i.e., he'd have to be trying to lift or dead pull >15,000 lbs before the chain would fail.

I'd go so far as to say that unless yankeepac loses it (the chain ), that chain will probably serve for the rest of the tractor's life.