Chain or Snatch Strap?

Interesting about chains. This is not having a shot at anyone but I do have concerns with people promoting the use of chains for recovery. I have to ask "Does anyone using chains really know anything about recovery and swl of chains?" IMHO, no they dont or you would never use chains for recovery. I am guilty of using chains when I knew no better until I did a dogmans course and before snatch straps were available (nearly 30 years ago).
Do you know what your chains are rated too? Do you have them inspected regularly? Also chains are rated for lifting capacity only, not for shock loading.
Ever seen a chain let go? I have and I can assure you I would much rather a snatch strap let go. Chains should not even be used for towing as you can stretch or shock load in these circumstances.
Drag chains are a little different and used for slow loading applications, not general recovery.
I also see comments about snatch straps not lasting compared to chain. Chain integrity is supposed to checked and inspected every 3 months under AS regarding lifting equipment. Links stretch and chain does rust.
I have had one snatch strap for more than 10 years and it is still in good nick and completely usable after heaps of use. Like everything else it is about maintenance. I regularly clean mine in rope wash and if heavily stained scrub with wonder soap and inspect, same as all my ropes and slings.
Straps are cheaper as well. Anyone actually bought rated chain lately?
Then there is the downside if something goes wrong, no manufacturer will warrant their chain for recovery shock loading and if you injure someone you can be in a lot of trouble should a compensation case arise, due to misuse of its intended application.
Well these are my thoughts and knowledge, if you still intend using chain for recovery so be it.

That's why I'm asking.
I have always used chains, rated & checked, & I do find them very useful for towing, moving logs & so on but although I have used them a couple of times for recovery I'm trying to decide if a Snatch Strap would be better.
Yes a good rated chain & hooks is expensive but last forever if looked after but do not have that stored energy.
I have recovered in black mud (Gulf Country) with a chain but it took a few goes at different angles to get the Tojo out, I tried to recover a L/C tray back from sand with a chain & almost bogged myself + didn't get it out but a few weeks latter pulled a 2WD LowLux out of the same area with a chain.
Unfortunately I don't know much about Straps, I have seen them used which absolutely launched the car being recovered out of a tidal mud flat (I thought it was going to land on the pulling vehicle) but have no experience myself.
I has thinking about getting 1 but I would need to know more about using them. How heavy would the shackles need to be? I seem to think there is a special way to connect them? How fast do you pull? So on.
It would be difficult for me to do a course (where I live & I'm away at remote work a fair bit) hence I call upon the expertise of AULRO.
Jonesfam

Chain or tow rope where a tow recovery will work OK (90% of recoveries). A snatch strap can also be used for a tow recovery.

Where a tow recovery will not work then a snatch recovery knowing the risks involved.

A snatch strap should not normally be used as a tow rope for a flat tow - it get damaged and will then be useless as a snatch strap and the elasticity of the snatch strap can cause issues as the strap stretches and pulls back.

Basically there is a time and place for both.

Garry

A snatch strap is a relatively inexpensive and very effective recovery tool and not hard to use, you don't need to do a course, you can watch plenty of videos on utube if you want to see how is done.

You do need rated shackles, 2 one for each end, make sure you use proper recovery points on both the vehicles other wise you will find you still have a bogged vehicle and tow vehicle will have the non rated component coming through the back window or vice versa :o

As others have said very good for where the recovery vehicle also has a poor surface for traction and will give you more extractive ability than just a tow alone. I have a winch, but still wouldn't go on a beach or into mud without a snatch strap in my recovery bag. I actually have 2.

The right tool for the job
Chains can do huge damage to a chassis and recovery points, great for wrapping around trees or things that dont have recovery points, but when you are recovering a vehicle using another vehicle, you need something to absorb the shock, a snatch strap will do this ascwell as storing kinetic energy from the motion of the tow car, increasing the pull effect on the vehicle being recovered.
Chains have their use, but this is not one of them. In all seriousness, you need both. Different items for different situations. With forces involved in a vehicle recovery, you really don't want to compromise. Get the right gear for the job, get quality gear or stay at home, the person you kill might be one of your mates.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by superquag

... A cup of tea before recovery will increase the effectiveness (and safety...) of either.:eek:

---

People think I'm joking when i say this.. but I'm a firm believer in it!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flagg

People think I'm joking when i say this.. but I'm a firm believer in it!

---

I can see the wisdom in this, unless of course you are blocking a track and there is a queue:angel:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AnD3rew

I can see the wisdom in this, unless of course you are blocking a track and there is a queue:angel:

---

.................. or the vehicle you're about to "recover" is sinking. :o

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flagg

People think I'm joking when i say this.. but I'm a firm believer in it!

---

I agree entirely. Worst case scenario, it doesn't help at all but then at least you've had a cup of tea.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MR LR jnr.

Here's an example from the harvest of 2010 (NSW - very wet season).

Small Fiat header was bogged (sitting on its belly), two tractors (a 4WD and a 2WD Dually) had drag chains hooked up, both tractors couldn't pull the ~10tonne header out.

Then borrowed a 40 tonne snatch strap from the neighbours.

The 4WD New Holland (140 HP) pulled the header out by itself with the snatch strap.

We then bought one, and the New Holland was capable of pulling out the bogged 25 tonne John Deere that belonged to the contractor. I recovered the JD on average 2 to 3 times a day (was 16 at the time) and learnt a lot about recovery using both drag chains and snatch straps.

They make a hell of a difference in small scale recovery, where big winches and huge anchors are unavailable, worked amazingly on the farm and they are fantastic in mud and sand.

DON'T drag with them though, and follow the correct safety procedures. A training course is the best thing. But they should only be used where a non-elastic strap is unsuitable.

Cheers
Will

---

I have almost identical stories. Even in very slow recoveries a snatch strap will outperform chains in every way.