Inexpensive Chain Tensioners....

[Crow Horse 8]

One personal defect I admit to is the need to reinvent the wheel and do it cheaper. I have a set of HD 2 link chains that required tensioners, both inside and out. I toyed with a number of alternatives and this is what I came up with. Originally I was going to use trampoline springs that I had access to but dashed that for this method.

I cut a slot in individual links and that was the interface between the bungee and tire chain. I'll let the pics tell the rest.......

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[Crow Horse 8]

The cut link.....

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[sorekiwi 761]

Nice Job!, I like it!

[Raider 2]

I did practically the same thing last Winter but used s-hooks where you used the cut links. It worked really well for me.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,527]

your method is better in my opinion since it has equal tension on both sides and all the way around. looks good..

[WHC-125 4]

Great method! I think I am going to try it on my C-125 :scratchead:

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Well good job but yer a day late and a dollar short as far a patent goes! My small engine lawnmower shop Bud just gave me 2 packs of them. He says he's been selling them for several years I like yers better tho! I will post some pictures tomarrow night I just put a new set of chains On the C-120 that the same guy gave me that gave me the 75lb lead weights. FREE is allways good :scratchead:

[sorekiwi 761]

But how did you find a bungee cord that wasnt either an inch too long or an inch too shory?? :scratchead:

[Crow Horse 8]

But how did you find a bungee cord that wasnt either an inch too long or an inch too shory?? whtractor/dunno.gif

Good question Mike!

Making bungees is easy. The plastic hook ends like I used don't require hog rings & hog ring pliers (which I have). Just cut to length and assemble the plastic collar and the hook onto it.

Actually, if one was to use metal hooks or make a complete circle with the bungee material all one would need would be the hog rings, but using them without the proper pliers is doable but quite a bit more difficult.

[Crow Horse 8]

This is from the site that borowed the images from....

Please Note: If you are not buying the specially made pliers for the bungee cord, you might consider buying extra bungee clamps. There is a learning curve in mastering how to use the bungee clamps. The bungee pliers have a "special groove" made in them for the bungee clamp to fit. The clamps fit perfectly around the bungee. With regular pliers, it is more difficult but can be done.

[Crow Horse 8]

A closer look at hog ring pliers....

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[KC9KAS 4,744]

If that is the correct way to install a "Hog-Ring", (open side towards the handle), I used them backwards when my wife & I shortened a mattress for an RV.

I used the same type of technique to keep tire chains tight on dual wheels on a snowplowing dump truck. I used "s" hooks, and a BIG tarp strap. Of course, the dump truck was going much faster than our WH's!

[Crow Horse 8]

If that is the correct way to install a "Hog-Ring", (open side towards the handle), I used them backwards when my wife & I shortened a mattress for an RV.

I'm not sure about which way they orient, or if it makes a difference....

I'll look into it and report back....

[Crow Horse 8]

I stand corrected. I did place the ring in the plier backwards...

[KC9KAS 4,744]

I guess it makes no difference as long as it gets tight & works!

[can whlvr 994]

i used a similar idea years ago and it worked fine untill one snow fall we got hit hard with snow,the bungee broke in the deep snow and ended up wraped in my tranny pulley ,so just keep your eye on the bungees.

[Coadster32 793]

Never seen it before, but it looks a heck of alot safer with the ring closed into the pliers. I just see that thing shooting out and biting someone. Just my $.02

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Here are some pics of the kits that my Buddy buys he says he buys them by the Case but I like Crows Idea for the inside! cause I cant get these on the inside without taking the Wheel Off! <_<

[Crow Horse 8]

" .......used a similar idea years ago and it worked fine untill one snow fall we got hit hard with snow,the bungee broke in the deep snow and ended up wraped in my tranny pulley whtractor/banghead.gif whtractor/banghead.gif ,so just keep your eye on the bungees. "

Good point! Bungees degrade in varying degrees depending on how much they are stretched, UV exposure etc., etc. Cheap bungees will expire quicker than the higher quality ones. Marine grade might be the best choice. There is a PU type of bungee ("The Perfect Bungee") that does last a very long time but has molded in hooks. I suppose one could cut off the hooks and alter it's length by using hog rings, but I haven't tried that yet.........

Check the bungees often and replace whenever in doubt........

[linen beige 15]

I guess it makes no difference as long as it gets tight & works!

Oh, but it does matter when they are being used as originally intended.

The opening should face out so that the pliers can be closed and pinch the ring through the nose or ear of the hog being tagged. To close them the other way you would have to first poke a hole in the pig, thread the ring through the hole (while Porky is thrashing around trying to bite your arm off) and then clamp them shut.

[Crow Horse 8]

"To close them the other way you would have to first poke a hole in the pig, thread the ring through the hole (while Porky is thrashing around trying to bite your arm off) and then clamp them shut."

Either way, that's gotta' hurt.....

[KC9KAS 4,744]

True, but I've been around a long, and most of the time hog rings are used for everything, EXCEPT on hogs!

[mikeR 0]

I've put together a lot of fish and crab traps with them. The marine supply place sells them by the pound- you get a lot of hog rings when you buy 5 lbs at a time. There is a commercial unit where the hog rings are on a plastic tape and it autofeeds.

Mike R