Choker Chains

[latinoguy]

Lowes has a a tow chain with the following specs

5/16" x 20' Tow Hook Chain

• System 7 (Grade 70 Transport) tow chain
• Grade 70 clevis hooks each end
• Standard finish: Yellow chromate

Would this (choker chain) be a good addition to my recovery kit?

 

[e9999]

I like chains, they are great and the choker ones are very convenient to use with the built-in adjustability. Comes in handy for Hilift winching for example.
They are sooo heavy, though. I don't carry mine around much because of that. Use them around the house sometime though.
And I don't like to use them for towing, no give, rough on things.

 

[latinoguy]

assuming that the chain could be used with the high lift for winching.... and the following W.L.L.


5/16 in. chain 5,300 lbs. 3/8 in. chain 7,100 lbs. Is the 5/16 in. chain still acceptable for recovery purposes?

 

[Mark W]

Chains are very handy for rigging anchor points and other winching related uses. Also for attaching a winch line to a rig with no tow points. I always have a couple along in any rig that actually gies off road.


Mark.

 

[canucksafari]

IMO, a cable choker like a skidder uses is easier to use and pack. Only problem with these logging chokers is they are way over sized for anything you would skid off the road with a Land Cruiser. But most logging supply shops make up chokers to what you need. Or, you can buy your own cable and make you own.

 

[latinoguy]

So in my example above, am I good with a 5/16"?

I am also going to order a couple of 1/2" D Shackles that can fit through the holes of the high lift, because my 3/4" sized shackles sure don't.

 

[3DAMAN!]

Flea markets are a very good source for logging chains and misc accessories. I bought all of my clevis and d-rings from a fellow for 8 bucks. I have about 20 bucks in used welded chains. One is about 6 feet with hooks on both ends, one is 15 feet with clevis ends and both are 5/8. I also have a 3/4 that is about 8-10 foot long but that bitch is heavy and I dont carry it all the time. I have also been carrying a 20 foot snatch-em, but it has never been took out of the plastic wrap. Good to have when needed!

 

[e9999]

from memory the HIlift is rated at 7000 lbs max but I think the shear pins are less and the dinky top attachment should be less still probably so a 5000 lbs true WLL chain is probably way plenty for the Hilift, I'm guessing.

 

[96r50]

Bill Burke recommends 3/8" chain IIRC.

 

[80t0ylc]

IMO, a cable choker like a skidder uses is easier to use and pack. Only problem with these logging chokers is they are way over sized for anything you would skid off the road with a Land Cruiser. But most logging supply shops make up chokers to what you need. Or, you can buy your own cable and make you own.

One of the benefits to living in the PNW. This little beauty was laying on a trail that I was running. It must've hopped out of the bed of some rancher's pickup and was waiting for me. It's 15 feet long, coils up nicely and fits in a drawer in back of my rig. A nice thing to have in your toolbag:

 

[latinoguy]

I got (2) 1/2" screw pin shackles rated at 6,600 lb. WLL.

I would think the shear pins are rated at the same WLL that the hi-lift is rated at no? But still, I would imagine only consersative manual winching situations with the hi-lift so a rigged system in the 5-7k lbs. WLL should be good.

from memory the HIlift is rated at 7000 lbs max but I think the shear pins are less and the dinky top attachment should be less still probably so a 5000 lbs true WLL chain is probably way plenty for the Hilift, I'm guessing.

 

[canucksafari]

One of the benefits to living in the PNW. This little beauty was laying on a trail that I was running. It must've hopped out of the bed of some rancher's pickup and was waiting for me. It's 15 feet long, coils up nicely and fits in a drawer in back of my rig. A nice thing to have in your toolbag:

Lucky find. IMO (and I guess that of the loggers), a choker cable set-up is a lot safer and easier to use than chain. Given that it was free, I wouldn't complain about the size of cable. if I were to buy it new, I'd have a cable/logging supply place make one up for about a 15,000 lb working load (more than double what I'd likely ever need).

 

[80t0ylc]

Lucky find. IMO (and I guess that of the loggers), a choker cable set-up is a lot safer and easier to use than chain. Given that it was free, I wouldn't complain about the size of cable. if I were to buy it new, I'd have a cable/logging supply place make one up for about a 15,000 lb working load (more than double what I'd likely ever need).

I agree. I was taught and it's been my experience that using a chain for recovery was a bad choice and was only used with extreme caution as a last resort - if nothing else was available. Since a chain has very little, if any, stretch to it, you can't judge how it's reacting to a load. So when it breaks, it does so with no warning and the results are almost always catastrophic in both property damage and injuries. Yeah, I know, they can be used successfully. But, it's usually professionals who are experienced and their equipment is tested, proven and has overkill in the rating. When your average Joe is using a chain, he'll try to use one that's most available and there's more than an even chance that it's either too small for the task or in dubious condition. I carry a chain, but I can count the number of times that I've used it easily on one hand. Wire rope and synthetic line or straps is a much better choice, IMHO. And that goes for most any part of rigging up for an extraction, recovery or tow.

 

[canucksafari]

I use to work in the bush falling and in a mill. The only time we used chain was on wheels or for vertical lifting heavy machinery out of and into a platform. With the machinery it was only long enough so a balanced lift could be achieved. We never used chain in the bush for skidding logs.

 

[latinoguy]

you tube has Bill Burke talking about choker chains being an essential part of a recovery kit. Badlands off road has some good recovery oriented videos on youtube as well. Choker chains are also mentioned. YouTube - Chapter 03 - The Winch Kit Good explanation at 2:25 when the author talks about static and dynamic pulls.....

agreed, it has to be rated chain and with the WLL to handle to appropriate job. Chains are being used by plenty of people. They have their place in a recovery kit.

 

[flintknapper]

latinoguy wrote:

it has to be rated chain and with the WLL to handle to appropriate job. Chains are being used by plenty of people. They have their place in a recovery kit.[/

Also,

Chain is much more versatile than cable.

I carry a 3/8" chain for recovery, but also a lesser rated Cat Choker for just skidding things around.

1/2" x 15ft Wire Rope Cat Choker

Yes, chain is heavy.....but indispensable in some situations.

 

[shelfboy1]

i would not use 5-1/6ths chain for vehicle recovery.all equipment is dangerous if not used wth common sense.good luck

 

[craptabulous]

i have used 5/16th on many occasions however it was all grade 80 .