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Chain grade 43 vs. 70

R

Ralph Bauer

Well-known Member
Found those 2 definitions on a website, from which I conclude that either ones are all-right with DOT. grade 70 being easier recognized from afar...
Correct? (Just curious since Harbor Freight offers both on sale in Feb. flyer.....)


Gr 43
High Test
This is a higher strength chain used for years in the trucking industry for tie downs that meet DOT specifications. Made from a higher carbon steel, its strength surpasses proof coil working load limits, size for size, by a factor of 2 to 1. Hallmarked every 1 to 3 feet with manufacturer's symbol and grade marking: 4, 40, 43 or 400. Not for overhead lifting.

Gr 70
Transport
As its name implies Transport Chain is used primarily to tie down loads on over-the-road equipment. The yellow chromate (gold) plating makes it easily recognizable even from a distance. Made from heat-treated carbon steel it has about 25% more strength than high test chains. Hallmarked every 1 to 3 feet with manufacturer's symbol and grade marking: 7, 70 or 700. Not for overhead lifting.
 
Harbor Freight offers 3/8" in G43, and 5/16" in G70.

Both have similar working load limits. (around 5400lbs IIRC)

AFAIK, both are accepted by the DOT for binder chains, as long as there are enough chains to properly secure the load by weight. You wouldn't secure a 20,000lb item with only two of these chains, for example. You would need at least four separate chains, and I would expect most truckers to use 6-8.

I certainly hope this is the case, because I have a pile of 3/8" G43 chains, a new flatbed trailer, and plans on hauling some equipment come spring...
 
You can use anything you want to tie down a load as long as you do not cause abrasion points and stay within the Working Load Limit (WLL) of the tie down material.
3/8 Manila rope has a WLL of 205 lbs. Use enough of it and you could use this to tie anything down.

The chain you are looking at is differant size.
The grade 70 is 5/16 and is rated at 4700 lbs
The grade 43 is 3/8 and is rated at 5400 lbs

The thing you have to watch with H.F. is the hooks. They must be marked with the WLL also.

Another problem some have with chain is they buy big heavy duty chain and hook it to the rub rail or some other weak point on the trailer. Any tie down is only as strong as the weakest point.
 
Not all grade 70 chain is gold colored, I have a grade 70 5/16 chain in the back of my truck right now that is the natural bare steel color. The only way to ID it is to check the stamp on the links. If the DOT bear can't find the stamped link, it defaults to grade 43 chain. I like to put a little paint on the first stamped link at each end if I am going to use a grade 70 for binding a load. You lose 800 pounds of WLL using the 5/16 grade 70 chain, but you can more easily handle the 5/16 G70. Not to mention, 6 5/16 chains and binders are probably lighter than 5 3/8 chains and binders, too.
 
If the DOT bear can't find the stamped link, it defaults to grade 43 chain

That should read.........
If the DOT bear can't find the stamped link, it defaults to grade 30 chain

§393.108(d) Welded steel chain which is not marked or labeled to enable identification of its grade or working load limit shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to that for grade 30 proof coil chain.
 
Oops. I was thinking 43 was the default for some reason. At least I got the de-rated part right.
 
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