Hauling chain

37 chief · Jul 2, 2010

If a tie down chain is rated G 4 is that ok for the inspectors? One of my chains came from Harbor Freight, made in Chaina G 4 stamped on the chain. Do the inspectors care where a chain is made? What about the hooks? all they say is heavy duty. Where I live there is no inspections, although in another town about 30 mi away the Highway Patrol (state police) like to pick on trucks. I go there one time a year.Should I bite the bulett and find a grade 70 chain? Any thoughts? Stan

dixon boy · Jul 2, 2010

It all depends on how much can you afford to lose if you lost your load a killed someone. me its no brainer on the chain grade issue

DScott · Jul 2, 2010

Get the grade 70 chain/hooks and then you don't have to worry about it It will last you forever if you keep up with it.

mkirsch · Jul 2, 2010

I suspect you're talking about the 3/8" x 16' trucker's chains from Harbor Freight.

They're Grade 43, which I suspect is what the "G 4" indicates.

Depends on your DOT, but I don't think Grade 70 is a requirement. The chains simply have to be rated to handle the weight of the machine. IIRC 3/8" Grade 43 chain is rated around 5400lbs. If you've got four of them holding the load down, you're good for 21600lbs.

Christopher S. · Jul 2, 2010

I've wondered the same thing. You see a lot of guys chaining down with their grade 70 5/16" chain. Its only rated for 4700lbs. I have the same harbor freight chains that are Grade 43 3/8" and are rated at 5400 lbs.

tnlajd · Jul 2, 2010

i pull a flatbed for a living and dot don't inspect the chain for it's wieght handling they just want to see that it is tight and in proper order. as far as the chain you have it should do fine i use them myself and i have two john deere r's i carry never had a problem.

john in la · Jul 2, 2010

You can use any size or grade chain that you want as long as you have enough rating to cover the load weight in all directions.
The DOT will use these regulations
0.8 g deceleration in the forward direction
0.5 g acceleration in the rearward direction
0.5 g acceleration in a lateral direction

So if your load is 5000 lbs you need enough chain to hold 4000 lbs forward and 2500 lbs rearward and lateral.

Grade 4; 43 and 430 is all the same stuff.
Your problem is your hooks are not marked so you have to use grade 3; 30 or 300 charts. You have to use the weakest link in the hold down and go by that rating. In other words buying grade 70 chain and not using grade 70 hooks or tie down points still makes you use the lower charts. Any piece that is not marked (such as a rusty grade 70 chain) has to use grade 30 charts because the markings must be readable.

Since you did not say the size of your chain I will give you the grade 30 working load limits for a few sizes.
1/4.... 1300lbs
5/16... 1900lbs
3/8.... 2650lbs
7/16... 3700lbs

Hauling chain

37 chief

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dixon boy

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DScott

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mkirsch

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Christopher S.

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tnlajd

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john in la

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