never jerk a stuck truck with a chain

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Fitz

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Chains are for tying down equipment when hauling. Chains are designed for static loading. Not for shock loading, such as when used to jerk on anything. There are correct types of recovery straps for that. However, the best plan of attack, to reduce the damage risk to vehicles, or folks standing in the kill zone. Is the good old fashion worm gear drive winch. Gear drive winches produce a slower line speed. And more often than not, have a much lower gear ratio than other type winch drive system. Safety is more important than speed when moving any object that has became part of the ground. Carry a couple of 4 ton snatch blocks, tree saver strap, a 6"X30' recovery strap, 4 ton rated shackles, a pair of heavy duty wrecker style chock blocks, a high lift jack, and a round point shovel on your rig. With just that small amount of recovery gear, and knowing how to use it correctly. You will not be calling folks to get you out. It will quickly become you, that are being called to get others out. Semper Fi. OUT!!!!!
 

sidschev

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in my 40 years of pulling crap out with a chain ive never broke one.. but i use grade 100 chain too and i never yank. been towing recovery for 30 some odd years............
straps do work better for yanking... but ive busted a few of them (way too much weight )
 

3 Ton

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My chains are for pulling ME out. Winching never hurt me yet.
 

midwest

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I had a different issue. I did use a chain to pull a guy out who was stuck in a snow drift. We tried to dig first and just couldn't get it so I was tugging on him for quite some time and did yank him a few times. After a while my truck started running really rough and died. At first I thought it was over heated. It would start up and run rough at idle but would run fine once the RPM's were up. For the next couple of YEARS I had the issue, at idle it was rough but as soon as you added some RPMS it would smooth out. Replaced everything we could and even rebuilt the carb after talking to Edlebrock. I was at my wits end as nobody could find it after having it in multiple shops and seen by multiple "chevy guys". The last shop I was at two guys were looking at it. While it was idling, one guys was underneath and another guy up top. The guy underneath noticed I had a motor mount that was messed up and he put a jack under it to mess with it while the other guy was looking at the plugs wires, etc. As soon as he lifted up the slightest amount on the motor mount with the jack the engine smoothed out perfectly. When he let it down it started running rough again. They replaced the motor mount and never had the issue again. They theorized there was a wire pinched somewhere and when the RPM's would pick up it was un pinching but the motor would settle at idle. Craziest thing I had heard of but the motor mount fixed the issue.
 

77Dmax

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I must be the only one here with farm experience. Chains are the only thing that will move a 30k tractor
 

fast 99

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After being in towing I have seen lots of broken chains and cables. Be extremely careful when under a load. Need to use properly sized equipment with good attachment points and stay in a safe area. If a person doesn't understand that you have no business pulling anything.

3/8 cable normally used on most light duty recoveries breaks surprisingly easy. One case I can remember we had 200' out and broke the cable at the stuck truck. Every bit of the 200' ended up under the truck pulling. That will get your attention.


Somewhat off topic but should be considered.
In most cases newer cars do not have solid attachment points. If you charge a fee and damage anything your likely liable.

In this state [Washington], any vehicle in the ditch is considered an accident, damage or not. State wants to investigate for excessive speed and check for impairment. Not saying this is good or bad just an FYI.
 
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JD Miller

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snatch out straps have been around for at least 60 years

Chain? Doh!
You must be registered for see images attach
 

JD Miller

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Another dumb arsse

 

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