[timbo2]

I thought that the working load was rated at 1/3 of the breaking load...
Thought that was some ANSI spec...
The thought of a 20 foot chain breaking with 4000 lbs on it is real bad...
I like straps. I guess I've just had a lot of good luck with them. I do end up killing them after some use though, so I try to go big.
I carry 2- 30 foot 3 inchers, and 1- 10 foot 3 inch tree saver at all times. All are rated at 30,000 lbs, none have hooks.

IMO the breaking load should never be a # to even consider. Working load or safe work load should never be exceeded, and #'s are for a straight pull. SWL will be substantially lower if load is not a straight pull. I also agree with the use straps over chains whenever feasable. I would only use chain for winching if I had to use my hi-lift for that purpose.

 

[Layonnn]

IMO the breaking load should never be a # to even consider. Working load or safe work load should never be exceeded, and #'s are for a straight pull. SWL will be substantially lower if load is not a straight pull. I also agree with the use straps over chains whenever feasable. I would only use chain for winching if I had to use my hi-lift for that purpose.

Yeah, using the hi-lift to winch if it is not feasible to use my Warn to get out of somewhere, or to drag logs off the trail would be the uses for the chain. I saw that the links were welded together for the ones at Lowe's. I am guessing the welded together links are not as strong as.... "not welded" ones for lack of a better term?

 

[timbo2]

Yeah, using the hi-lift to winch if it is not feasible to use my Warn to get out of somewhere, or to drag logs off the trail would be the uses for the chain. I saw that the links were welded together for the ones at Lowe's. I am guessing the welded together links are not as strong as.... "not welded" ones for lack of a better term?

A BIG Oh Yeah to that! Welded are way stronger. I just have two ten foot lengths of 3/8 hardned loggimg chain with hooks at one end of each, specifically for the Hi-Lift winch set-up. For a winch extension I use a T-Max (I think a 10K) strap. I also have a jerk strap (the kind that does stretch) for pulling straight from the hitch or front recovery points-a good way to make some extra scratch in a snowstorm I might add.:bigthumb:

 

[carlgcs]

3/8" #70 with hooks. You can find it at your local tow truck supplier. Bring cash!

 

[FJ4RWS]

I was at lowe's yesterday buying a dremel tool and some new sockets. On my walk through aisles that look interesting, i ran across some chain in a bag that had hooks at the end of it.

My question: What is a minimum thickness of chain that one should use out on the trail? Would it come in handy much for recovery/rescues???

McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com) carries all kinds of chain. 3/8" is the size the Extreme Duty Hi-Lift is designed to use. The highest rating they carry is Grade 120 rated at 10600 lbs WLL @ $11.40/ft powercoated blue, Part #5478T2 (would look good with VB).
The other choice is Grade 100 8800 lbs WLL Available painted, plain @ $8.03/ft.

 

[dbo]

Try this outfit: the Heavy Duty Store. Bought 4 feet of Grade 100 1/2 inch from them several years ago. Working load limit is 15K lbs and is ~$6/ft. Campbell®*040-5512*-*1/2"*Grade*100*Cam-Alloy*Chain,*Bright*-*Per*Foot*::*Chain*::*Campbell®...