I must second the notion on the chains! Saw lots of nasty things when chains were used.
I have towstraps with fair sized red flags at the ends and in the middle ( about 1ft x 2.5 ft), if the strap breaks the flags will reduce impact speed of the shackle because of the drag. (Red flag not any political reason, just when towing a vehicle the strap is much more visible ;D )Make all people not involved stay well clear of the area!!

AlpineRAM

 

Hmmm.... I think we may be talking two diffrent uses for a chain here...
hooking both ends up to a load with lots of slack in the middle and flooring it to "snap" the chain to get the load moving. In this type of application I would say the gloves are off and the reaction of the chain at the moment of the "snap" would be violent and unpredictable. Not because the chain streches but from the momentum of the chain (at a 90 degree angle to the direction of pull) would cause the chain to fly in any direction.

the second use is a static pull. a slow take up of slack and a steady pull in one direction. I still maintain if the chain breaks in this manner it will do nothing more than fall to the ground.

 

IMO, a chain should not be used under any circumstance for vehicle extraction....

Generally, a vehicle that is "stuck" will provide more resistance than one that is on flat pavement. Why risk serious personal injury or property damage???

 

I've done it both ways: Useing a chain with no slack, and a good jerk with a tow strap. It's amazeing how much better the strap works. The elasticity of the strap makes it easier on both vehicles, and makes it easier to free the stuck vehicle. I wouldn't use a chain unless I absolutely had to.

 

I certainly will agree, a chain should not be the first choice when trying to get a vehicle unstuck. and the very last choice when towing a vehicle. My point is, a chain (when used correctly) will not snap and fly in every direction

 

I'll agree with that. If do a slow and steady straight pull with no slack in the chain, it will not recoil if it breaks. I've seen a couple break, and they just snapped, didn't fly back toward the truck. If you treat a chain like a tow strap, that's where the problem is. Two totally different applications. IF you do use a chain, put a blanket or jacket over it in the middle, like when useing a winch cable. The blanket will absorb most of the energy of the chain breaking.

 

seen my dad pulling stumps out with his d4 cat snapped a 3/8 logging chain on a dead pull .............there's still a big dent in the back of the canopy where the chain flew up and hit ..................

 

Some of yall that think chains will just fall....YES sometimes they will BUT other times......... :'( Trust me guys and some of yall that have witnessed it ITS NOT FUN AT ALL. All im saying is please be careful and save your self and buy a STRAP.