Need pics of original winch chain and hook

[Outsider]

I need some pics of the original chain that goes on the end of the winch cable. Got my new pto shaft installed and 240' of cable wound on the drum so trying to come up with what the chain is supposed to look like. (length, attachments, etc). Yea, I know I'm a little short on the cable, but when you get the cable for free you don't complain about it not being long enough.

Thanks,
Steve

[steve-0]

tanks to go was selling nos ones a few years ago but they sold out. they still have the pics though
http://tankstogo.com/store/images/surp-022.jpg

[Outsider]

Thanks Steve. But at 20 links (about 2') that seems a little short compared to the chains you see on a lot of HT's? All the ordnance pics in Hunnicutt"s book the hook is on one of the tow hooks and the chain runs across over the other hook and part way back to the winch before the cable starts. I just can't see it good enough to count the links. Also the hook is permanently attached to the chain with a link, not with a clevis. 

Steve

[KC]

Hey Outsider, What size cable / wire rope did spool on your winch?
KC

[Outsider]

KC, 1/2" cable that came off an overhead crane.

Also I think I am going to use a "hammerlock" to attach the hook to the chain. If I were to cut a link and reweld it, it would weaken the link and knowing me I will probably end up using the winch some day. So stronger is better (and safer).

Steve

[steve-0]

Thanks Steve. But at 20 links (about 2') that seems a little short

im glad i didnt buy any of those when i first saw them.
im planning on using the ones i pulled off cckw trucks. do they look like the halftrack style?
here is a pic one

[Outsider]

The one you have there is 34 links, plus one oversize link on each end. From what I could tell from the pics in Hunnicutt's book (using a magnifying glass), that looks pretty close, including the cable clamp.

Steve

[Outsider]

Well, Here is what I did.

Steve-O's picture of the cckw chain had 34 links, plus one oversize link on each end. Since I used the hammerlock on the one end I only had to make up for the one on the cable end. What I did was add 2 extra standard links to the total to make up for the length difference. The hook was an old one I had laying around that seems to match the original ones.



Here are a couple of pictures with the chain in the "storage" position as shown in the ord. pictures in Hunnicutt's book.




And a view from underneath.



Now for a little touch up paint, and the canvas cover and it will be good to go.

Steve

[47lincsled]

 I was going to use the hook and chain from a CCKW but when I compared it to the original hook it was quite a bit smaller,so I assumed the chain was smaller as well. Could someone measure the links on a original chain for me, I need the length and width of the link,I have friend with a heavy equipment yard from an old mine,I'm sure they will have something I can use.

[Outsider]

I don't have the dimensions of an original chain, but I used standard 1/2" lifting chain on my ht. It will match the strength of the 1/2" cable if I ever decide to use the winch for real. 1/2" tow chain will be the same dims as lift chain, just not as strong.

Steve

[47lincsled]

 I actually use my half-track quite often to pull trucks out of the sand, I've helped place two mobile homes and have pulled three semi trucks out of the sand after they dug them selves down to the axels, so I will most likely use the winch at some point!
 

[Outsider]

If you are going to use the winch you will need G70 or higher rated chain, and I would use a G70 or higher rated hook as well. Also you will want to find a snatch block or two so you can double or triple up the cable for a heavier pull.

Steve

[47lincsled]

  I don't know why it is so hard to get the factory dimensions for this chain but no one would give it to me so I improvised, I have some friends with a large bone yard so I took the CCKW chain up with me and picked a couple of sections of 1/2 chain to match up with factory pictures, with new chain the links are too short, they looked stubby, but I found a piece with links that are 2 7/8 long and 1 3/4 wide, that looks much more correct,I used the elongated end rings off a CCKW chain,I cut and welded them,I made the chain 5 feet long, some of the period pictures they have the chain wrapped from hook to hook with the end of the cable just under the spool,I measured that it I got five feet, I wouldn't want to use it for lifting a load but for horizontal pulling I'm not too worried.

[steve1973]

I've been sick for the last several weeks and didn't have a chance to reply. So here is a photo of an original hook. It is roughly 10 to 10-1/2 inches tall.



As for the chain there is 33 links of 1/2" diameter links 2" wide and 2-1/2" tall. At each end is a pear link 1/2" diameter, 3" at widest, 4-1/2" tall. The cable or "rope" per manual is 5/8" 220 feet long. I know a lot of people use 1/2" instead of the 5/8" though. Below is a photo of an actual surplus winch chain and hook assembly.



Hope this helps.

Steve A.

[Outsider]

Caution!!!!! You will snap those welded links in a heartbeat! even on an just a level pull.

Steve