Chains

Don't consider it because it's wrong.

 

I'll explain later.

 

Certain chains might stretch more before breaking, but what is more important is that higher grades have a higher breaking force compared to their wll. Nonetheless, grade 7 is transport chain, it's designed for this, and there is nothing wrong with using it, in adequate size and number, to secure any size load on a truck.

 

OK, here's the deal, this has been debated before and I did some more digging when I was a Con Expo and talked to the rep from Crosby. I didn't bring it up here because I didn't want to pick a scab so to speak. However he was amused at the idea that grade 70 would withstand more shock load than alloy chain or that it was less brittle. He assured me and explained that alloy chain would out perform transport chain in all areas. There's people that claim grade 80 or 100 are more brittle so they will break when "shocked", this simply isn't true. First grade 80 and 100 are required to stretch 20% before breaking, there is no such standard for lower yield chain. Alloy chain is not more brittle and is designed to take a shock because it can and does happen in overhead lifting applications. The minimum breaking force of a grade 100 1/2" alloy chain is 60,000 pounds, grade 80 1/2' is 48,000 and grade 70 transport is 45,200. That means you have to exceed 60,000 pounds to break a 1/2" grade 100 chain, they are also required to stretch to avoid breaking during a lift. There is nothing wrong with using alloy chain to secure a load. Get your popcorn ready.

 

Not to me, pretty cut and dry.

 

I think it will boil down to cost/benefit. I know not what a grade 100 cost, but I am sure it's considerably more than G7. Also the availability. Even your local rigging supply store may need to order G10 where as G7 is readily available. Again this is all speculation on my part. I have never bought or searched for anything higher than G7.

 

We pay $9.80 a foot got grade 100 1/2" chain, I don't have the invoice for 3/8 with me but it's less. I'm not sure about grade 70. Ordering isn't a problem I can't remember a time where I needed a piece asap, I carry plenty and can get by until it comes.