What Compact Tractor Owners Need To Know about CHAIN!
What size / grade / length log chain or transport chain do you need for your compact tractor?
We show examples of how to lift, pull, etc with our John Deere 1025r, John Deere 2038r. These same techniques apply to Kubota, Kioti, Mahindra, Massey Ferguson, and all other brands of compact tractor.
00:00 - Introduction
00:54 - Size & Grade
07:45 - Hooks
09:44 - Usage w/Bucket Hooks
11:22 - Pulling. Proper Connecting Location
14:01 - How To Avoid Unhooking
15:40 - Example Pull
19:40 - Don't Jerk My Chain!!
20:53 - Stretched Chain Story
22:01 - On Tractor Chain Storage
25:05 - Bible Verse
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An old farmer was seen dragging a long length of chain along the sidewalk when a police officer stopped him and asked, "Sir, why are you dragging this chain behind you?" The old farmer wiped the sweat from his brow, looked up at the officer with a somewhat puzzled look on his face and said, "Because...it's a heck of lot easier than trying to push it."
Thanks for all the advice, Tim. If I may add one piece of info; hook to the smooth side of the link as opposed to the welded side. I never really thought of this, but all the Hot Shot guys say it when securing loads, so I suspect they're more than knowledgeable than I. Great tutorial.
Simple subject, but the reality is you might be saving someones life who has never had a basic education on proper chain use, well done Tim.
Growing up we never had chain except for the tires. Now I have several chains with a 5/8" x 20' the largest. It works great for removing tree stumps but when tied around the waist it is a bit heavy. Much better to use the truck or the small tractor.
I'm here to learn I ain't never had no bad luck but if I can learn enough to prevent it 😜
One of the best put together video yet, especially the EXAMPLE PULL part. Really get the feeling that you are very knowledgeable and are not trying to “BS” us. Well done!
Lonih
Good info and tips. Thanks Tim, and hope your family had a great thanksgiving
Oh yes and never keep bad chain around get rid of it so somebody doesn't accidentally use it. This is an excellent video. Thank you
Great contribution Tim.☺️Tons of useful information, concisely presented. Big Thanks.
Thank you. The things people know and take for granted are not easy for people with no experience to learn without finding someone willing to explain basics. Videos like this are invaluable. Thanks again.
Well done Tim! Very well explained and correct.
Your information is always professional and well detailed. Thanks for sharing.
Well done Tim. Thanks for keeping it simple.
Great info!! I was just talking to my neighbor about all this just the other day.
Very helpful and I can see how this is often overlooked. Good job looking out for those in need!
Very informative, educational, interesting!!!! Like the safety information! Great video!!!!
thanks I just bought some chain to use with my 1025R and I still need hooks for the ends and this was very helpful on what hooks I need
Another fantastic video. Thank you Tim. The guidance/suggestion of a 1/4 inch 10' chain that can meet most lifting needs was great. And several other notes as well.
Tim, thanks for the video. I am a new tractor owner this year and this video was extremely helpful.
Great job Tim. Like you said, not everyone grew up on a farm. I'm sure this is hugely helpful to many. I learned a few things. Thanks
ANOTHER great video of information and tips! Thank you so much!
I learned how to use chains pulling out fire wood with our garden tractors from our woods when I was a kid. Very informative video as always! My one buddy didn't believe we could pull out trees with just a cheap agway brand 16hp lawn tractor. It had a standard hi and low transmission, ag tires, my neighbor who was a machinist made a little grab hitch on the frame and we used a short 3/8 chain about 6ft. It was great living next to a machinist. He was old and had a tons of knowledge.
Great tips. Thanks from a newbie tractor owner. You shed much light on grade and its relationship to usage.
When pulling/towing something, always hook lower than the center of the axle. This will also give you some down force and keep the front from lifting. Someone may have already commented on this, if so, sorry to repeat.
Very informative. I learned much about chains and their safe use. Just about no information is too basic to receive for those of us who did not grow up in environments where this information was common. Enjoyed hearing mention of lessons learned from your dad and appreciate you now passing them down to us. Thanks to you and Christy for sharing.
Thank you for another great video. I learned a lot!
Thanks for the video. Very informative. I like the depth you go into. Keep up the good work!
Nice job Tim. Love the tips and equipment
Thank you for your time!
Tim you take a very important subject, often overlooked as commonly understood knowledge; you plainly explain it so that even a novice can proceed safely and properly. Well said; thank you.
Great presentation. Thank you. Very informative and interesting.
Another use for the tube on the loader bar is to put long handled tools such as shovels, rakes etc. for transport
Great video on a simple but useful tool that has multiple uses...
great information for us new tractor owners, thank you TIM
Another great tutorial by Tim. Thanks!
I learned some of this slowly and painfully on my own. Then I got out of tractors for 10 years. I am rusty on chains! Even though I kept my chains, most found or given to me but including a nice gold one I bought. This video was a really helpful refresher. It also helped me decide a couple new chains to get partly as tie downs on my new Artillian pallet frame. Thanks!
Heyhey Tim good info. I completely can relate to how we are much more easy going as we get older. It just isn't worth the heartache to get angry over things like that. I appreciate you telling that story. Thanks
Great instructions, Tim!
This video was exactly what I was looking for as a first time tractor owner. Thank you so much for doing this! Very informative and a great resource to get started!!
I'm glad you showed putting a clevis on the draw bar. My clevis stays on my drawbar and makes for an excellent rear tie down point on rear of tractor
Really good education. Thank you!
One thing you demonstrated many times but didn't explain was how to attach the hook to the chain. I've seen people try to slip the hook point inside a link so that tension would be pulling the link open. Probably something you learned so long ago the thought of doing it wrong never occurred to you. Anyway, thanks once again for the informative video.
Can I play your dad advocate, did you attach the hook correctly at the 17:50-17:56 minute mark, I was always taught to hook the hook over the top of the link, not from underneath, and always hook on the unwelded potion of the link, it’s strongest point. Correct me if I’m wrong. Learned a little bit more today, as I always do, that’s why I love watching an informative video.
Thank you for explaining in detail about chains
Good info. I was just reviewing my chain collection after upgrading to a bigger and heavier tractor. My marginal tie down strategy is now totally inadequate.
Good overview of chains even though you cost me some money at Bolt on Hooks. Thanks Tim and Christy and I hope you had a good Thanksgiving.
What a great video!!!! I wish KZhead had the option of two thumbs up. In addition to the great overall info about chains, thanks for warning me off using the top hook on my quick hitch. I've been doing that since seeing a video expressly encouraging that to lift and tow heavy objects. You may well have saved my life or my tractor. Thank you thank you thank you.
This video was very helpful for me. Thanks!
I cannot thank you enough for these videos. For people trying to figure out the basics, it can be an ordeal. Most farmers were taught by their dads I will bet. My dad definitely did not know anything about this stuff. Now I am grandma age and trying to do farm things on my property. I was just wondering about chains the other day and - boom, you had a vid on it.
Great stuff! This is very useful and practical information. Thank you for making this video and sharing your insight. God Bless.
Very well done Time. And I certainly don’t intend to jerk anyone’s chain 😉. Blessings!
Excellent video! Brings back good memories when my Dad was alive and we logged together. Also, I am amazed how most of your subjects can relate to a Bible verse! Very thoughtful, and I am sure a lot of care goes into that. I appreciate that the most:)
Thanks for the kind words, Tom.
Thanks Tim! I ended up buying a couple chains when I was taking a huge tree down in our backyard. Outside of their intended purpose, best use I've found for them so far? Pulling the posts on our old chain link fence that were sunk in to 40+ inch concrete footers. When you think of a metal chain, one thing you don't think about (or at least I never did) is traction and gripping power. A couple wraps around the base of the post then loop it over the foot of a hi-lift jack and it's insane how well it would grip the pole, even when covered in wet mud that was hard to stand up in. Some of the more stubborn posts crumpled and snapped before the concrete footer broke free. Trees along the fence line had worked their roots tightly around, and in some cases through, the footers. Those ones just got chisled back and cut off about a foot under ground. Best I could do without damaging the tree roots. But for most of the posts, it popped them out with surprisingly little effort. Thanks again for all the videos!
great information in this video thanks Tim
Great video Tim!
Good education Tim. You gave me a couple of new ways to look at the task of towing things. God Bless.
Hi Tim great video and information thanks for sharing
Hey Tim another use for that hidden compartment on your 1025R Is to store your shovel and Or digging bar
Thankz for that idea!!
I use mine for a steel pry bar too
Nice explanation Tim !
I’ve commented on this video before. Although TTWT has helped many people with these videos, I’ve shared this chain video more then any other. So much content explained straightforward, using simple terms. Thank you Tim and Christy for creating and sharing these helpful videos.
Great information as always Good Job
Great video Tim.
Thanks Tim nobody explained it better.
Excellent points! As a former fence installer who used chains for transport,and pulling old posts from the ground. 2# 12ft chains ,each with a slipper and standard hook. Pulling posts,hook chain down low on tractor and post. Add the largest wheel (scrap wheel/rim or with tire) as close to the post as possible, and run the chain over top of it. The wheel becomes a rolling fulcrum. A 4x4 works better,but needs an experienced holder and tractor driver.
Very informative and easy to understand. The military teaches jerking chains can become “saws” if breaks occur.
Thankz good info.only thing i would add is when hooking to chain is make shure to hook away from the weld on the chain.
Excellent tutorial ! on a very important often over looked on how to use a chain properly tutorial ! thank you !
A good refresher for safe use of chains. Makes you think twice before doing something not so safe. Accidents happen in a split second. Thanks.
Thanks Tim great video. Gods blessing
Tim, you are something else! Like you, I grew up on a farm and have been around equipment my whole life. Thought I had a pretty good understanding of chain use... As usual, you provide interesting and useful thoughts and ideas. Even gave an old dog some new ideas to make chain use easier and more productive. Really enjoy your series! Nicely done!
same with me Rick. I learned something new from this video.
Thank you Tim.. this Vid was very helpful.
Good advise Tim, Thanks
good overview about chains. a lot of folks dont know how to use them properly. They are an essential tool when logging or doing firewood. i got bolt on hooks years ago based on a review you did. I've used them over and over again. i also have the loop/clevis on the bottom/inside the bucket. absolutely love them. one of the best add ons I've ever bought for the tractor. forgot about heavy hitch. i need a receiver to tow around my little log splitter. i might have to get one of the FEL receivers. dont think i heed the heavy hitch one and its a bit more expensive.
Thx Tim. Learned a lot.
Thank you very much, a big added plus to my knowledge.
Where I worked the company brought in a chain company to check all the chains, lifting straps and other devices we would use over a years time. I think the biggest chain for lifting like the truck frames were 7/8 which might I say are quite heavy. Each chain or if they were multiple chains on a ring. were taken then to be replaced. On a chain at my place it's 3/8 with grab hook on one end an slip hook on other end x 20 feet. I need to buy some 5/16 and binders for my tractor if I ever transport it. Great video Tim! One time at work we had a mining truck sitting on our triple wide trailer out in the yard, it is attached with the semi tractor, well I got stuck. So maintenance came out with a wheel loader pretty good size. They hooked a chain on the back of the triple wide trailer and started pulling, well the chain broke and we never found all of that chain, don't know where it went!
Wow This was super helpful. Thanks!
New subscriber. I always learn something from you. Thank you.
As a new and first time tractor owner, this video was very helpful. I'm having hooks welded to by box in a couple of days. Thanks Tim...sure appreciate your sage advice.
You can get bolt on hooks from boltonhooks.com likely less expensive than weld on. Use code TTWT for 5% discount.
Glad to see I'm not the only who uses the next size larger hook on chains.
Thanks for the tips. Good info!
Absolute perfect timing to come across this video. Just getting ready to order a choker chain to drag logs behind my sub compact and of course I was thinking Biggers better and look at a 3/8”. I will now be getting 1/4”. it’s lighter, cheaper, and better for my application. Thanks for the education.
Thanks so much Tim! Your videos have helped me a lot!
Thanks for watching!
Thank You , a good reminder
Great video. Lots of info. You can never have enough chains.
Great video for those new to this topic. I believe the reason the chain measurement is not exactly ¼ ½ etc. is they are manufactured using metric measurements and then converted to a nominal size for US markets.
Thank you so much for making this video! 🥰
Great content, thanks
..Cool Video..My grand paw always said the same thing about hooking up a chain when i was a kid.. & then he just let me learn for my self..lol. & We allways kept a chain on the floo bord of our tractors & when i got older guess where i keep a chain at in my old farm truck ..lol. kinda odd how our habits seam to stick with us as we get older !
“Don’t jerk anybody’s chain.” I’ve heard that saying many times but never really connected it to an actual chain.... always thought of it as figurative to... don’t make anybody angry.... nice explanation! Some good reminders for those who already know and very valuable info for those who might not!
Thank you for this video. I am planning on moving to a rural area and never owned a tractor. I've used chains on boats but nothing else. Had no clue there were different chain strengths, or types of hooks.
Very informative thanks!
This is a very good and informative video here ! Thanks Tim i just like it and now i know now what chain to use ! When i was guetting my tractor like a year ago i was thinking about chains and how i could use them and all the benifict and uses for my tractor uses ! And now i know what to guet and how to use it ! Very good video i repeat ! Continue youre good work and videos ! Btw im 25 and i own a bx2380 ! À t'a santé ! From Québec, Canada !
Nice subject!
good info, thanks
Good video tim,lowes sells plugs for hole in loader with rubber seal that slides into hole an a wing nut tightens the plug so pvc wont come out,just a thought ..HAPPY THANKSGIVING
I like the way you took your video and broke it up into sections.
Excellent tutorial. If one has a loader on any size tractor, the bolt on or weld on clevis are worth their weight in gold. Makes a tractor much more versatile.
Thank you, I learned a lot from this!
i use my 1/4" and 5/16" chains all the time for lots of things, from moving chicken coops, rocks and trees, to pulling logs out of the woods.
Here's an engineers perspective, keep in mind my experience is with lifting not securing loads on trailers. The "lock" is called a mouse, for overhead lifting mousing is required, for securing loads I do not believe they are. You can make your own mouse with some twine or even ductape, they don't need to be strong they are only there to keep the chain in the hook when its slack (for example when you set a load down and the chain goes slack, you don't want the chain/strap to escape the hook without you noticing before you go to pick the load back up again). I would be hesitant to use a slip hook to "choke" a load ("slip knot" with the chain wrapping all the way around the load) as you seemed to imply. It'd be better to use a shackle since on a slip hook you risk the chain climbing out the mouse if it ever needs to actually slip. The mouse will not carry any load. If you don't need a true choke and just need an attachment point, you can just do what you did at 14:15 and use the grab hook. Keep in mind a choke hold with a chain derates the capacity of the chain by 20% or so due to sling angle stress, discussed more below. Whenever chaining keep in mind that a shallower angle on the chain reduces the capacity significantly. If you have crazy angles when securing your load, such as 30 degrees from the direction of loading, your capacity may only be 50% what you think it is. Lookup "sling angle stress". This is a HUGE factor when hooking to the bucket like you showed. You can double the strength of the chain just by using a lot longer chain than you think you need to reduce the angle (eye-ball it, you want the angle of the chain in relation to the bucket to be optimally 60 to 90 degrees, if it approaches 0-30 degrees you're in trouble). Not only that but if the chains short most of the tension in the chain goes into trying to bend the bucket in half, rather than trying to pick the load, so a better angle is not only stronger but nicer on your equipment too. If you want to see how bad sling angle stress can be, there's a video on my channel titled "that could've killed me" where I tried to lift up my 4x4 with a chain that was rated for twice the weight, AND doubled over (rated 4x the load at that point), and I still stupidly broke the chain and dropped my vehicle because the angle of the chain was stupidly shallow - the worst part is that I knew better and still rigged it poorly because I didn't want to find or make a spreader bar to get the chain vertical. For all the reasons you pointed out, for pulling out stuck equipment I would really recommend using nylon straps, or better "kinetic ropes" / recovery straps. Chains hold a ton of stored energy in them when you pull on them and aren't great for dynamic loading, if they snap you have a very dangerous situation. With a strap there's far less mass behind if it it breaks and goes flying, which is much safer (as long as you don't have a tow ball or tractor attachment flying a long with it). Kinetic ropes have the added benefit of noticeably stretching which significantly reduces impact on equipment, and makes it easier and less violent to pull stuff out too. Only use a chain for recovery if you're confident the tension is lower than what the chain is rated for, and never get a run at it and try and jerk the equipment out with a chain (as you pointed out) - you'll just break the equipment or the chain, any bystanders, and possibly yourself.
My local Bi-Mart sells 2-1/2 gallon buckets (as opposed to 5 gal.) that are perfect for storing and transporting chains. Great vid.
Excellent!