Transport Chain Guide: Grade 70 vs Grade 80
Transport Chain Guide
Straps are great for many loads. But when you haul a bulldozer, a stack of steel beams, or a load of concrete blocks, you need something tougher. You need chain.
Not all chain is the same, though. Two chains can look alike and have very different strength. This guide explains what transport chain is, what the grade numbers mean, and how to pick the right one for your work.
In This Guide
- What Is Transport Chain?
- What Do the Grade Numbers Mean?
- Grade 70 Chain
- Grade 80 Chain
- Grade 70 vs Grade 80 at a Glance
- How to Read the Stamps
- How to Pick the Right Size
- How Long Should It Be?
- When to Use Chain and When to Use Straps
- How to Inspect Your Chain
- How to Care for It
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Transport Chain?
It is steel chain made for tying down cargo on trucks and trailers. It is heat treated to make it strong, and it is built to handle the pulling and shaking of highway travel.
It is different from the plain chain at a hardware store. Hardware store chain is often a low grade made for light jobs like fences and gates. Tie down chain has a known rating that inspectors can check.
Most of it has a hook on each end. The most common is the grab hook. A grab hook has a narrow throat that fits over one link and holds it, so you can shorten the chain to any length.
What Do the Grade Numbers Mean?
The grade tells you how strong the steel is. A higher number means the chain can hold more weight for the same size link.
Here are the grades you will see most.
Grade 30. Also called proof coil. A basic chain for light jobs. It is not a good choice for highway tie downs.
Grade 43. Also called high test. Stronger than Grade 30. Used in farming and towing.
Grade 70. The standard chain for cargo tie down work in trucking.
Grade 80. An alloy chain that is stronger still. It is rated for lifting as well as tie downs.
Grade 100 and 120. Even stronger alloy chains, used mostly for lifting and very heavy loads.
For most haulers, the choice comes down to Grade 70 or Grade 80.
Grade 70 Chain
Grade 70 is made from heat-treated carbon steel. You can usually spot it by its gold color. That finish helps fight rust and makes it easy for inspectors to see.
It is strong for its weight and priced well. That is why it is the most common chain on flatbeds and hotshot trailers.
One key point: Grade 70 is for tie downs only. It is not made for lifting loads overhead with a crane or hoist.
Typical working load limits for Grade 70:
| Chain size | Working load limit |
|---|---|
| 5/16 inch | 4,700 pounds |
| 3/8 inch | 6,600 pounds |
| 1/2 inch | 11,300 pounds |
Safe & Tie offers a Grade 70 cargo chain in 5/16 inch by 20 feet that suits many hotshot and flatbed loads.
Grade 80 Chain
Grade 80 is made from alloy steel. It is usually black or dark gray. It is stronger than Grade 70 in most sizes and is tough against wear.
Because of how it is made, Grade 80 can be used for overhead lifting when it is part of a proper lifting sling. That makes it popular with riggers, tow companies, and heavy haulers who want one chain that covers more jobs.
A typical working load limit for 3/8-inch Grade 80 is 7,100 pounds.
The 3/8-inch by 20-foot Grade 80 chain with grab hooks from Safe & Tie carries that 7,100 pound rating.
Grade 70 vs Grade 80 at a Glance
| Feature | Grade 70 | Grade 80 |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Carbon steel | Alloy steel |
| Color | Usually gold | Usually black |
| Strength | Strong | Stronger in most sizes |
| Lifting | Not for overhead lifting | Can be |
| Cost | Usually costs less | Usually costs more |
| Best use | Everyday tie downs | Heavy equipment and jobs that need more strength |
How to Read the Stamps
Good chain has marks pressed into the links every foot or so. You may see G70, G7, 70, or 700 for Grade 70. You may see G80, G8, 80, or 800 for Grade 80.
Those marks matter
If an inspector cannot find a grade mark, the chain may be treated as the lowest grade. That can turn a legal load into a violation. If the marks on your chain are worn away, it is time to replace it.
How to Pick the Right Size
Start with the weight of your cargo. Your tie downs together must be rated for at least half of that weight. Heavy equipment has extra rules, including a minimum number of tie downs.
Then look at your binders and anchor points. A chain is only as strong as the weakest part connected to it. A 3/8-inch chain needs a binder that fits 3/8-inch links and has a rating that matches.
5/16 inch: For most hotshot work, 5/16-inch chain handles a wide range of loads and is lighter to carry.
3/8 inch: For heavy machines, 3/8 inch is a common choice.
1/2 inch: For very heavy haul work, drivers step up to 1/2 inch.
How Long Should It Be?
Twenty feet is the most popular length. It is long enough to cross a trailer and wrap around a machine, but not so long that it is hard to handle.
Shorter chains of 10 to 16 feet work well for direct tie downs on small machines. Having a mix of lengths on the truck gives you more options.
When to Use Chain and When to Use Straps
Use chain for:
- Heavy machines and vehicles with solid tie down points
- Steel, pipe, and concrete
- Loads with rough or sharp edges that would cut webbing
- Loads that need zero stretch
Use straps for:
- Lumber, drywall, and boxed freight
- Painted or finished goods that chain would scratch
- Light and medium loads where speed matters
Many loads need both.
How to Inspect Your Chain
Check your chain before each use. Lay it out and look for:
- Bent, twisted, or stretched links
- Cracks, nicks, or gouges
- Links worn thin where they rub together
- Heavy rust or pitting
- Hooks that have opened wider than normal
- Missing grade marks
If you find any of these, take the chain out of service. Do not try to fix it by welding or heating it. Heat ruins the strength of the steel.
How to Care for It
- Rinse off road salt and mud.
- Let it dry before you put it away.
- A light coat of oil helps keep rust off.
- Store it in a toolbox or on a chain rack, not in a wet pile.
- Never tie knots in chain or bolt links together.
You can shop chain along with matching binders in the Safe & Tie chains and binders collection.
Final Thoughts
Choosing transport chain gets easy once you know the basics. Grade 70 is the everyday pick for tie downs. Grade 80 gives you more strength and can handle lifting jobs. Match the size to your load, match the binder to the chain, and check every link before you roll. Good chain, used the right way, will hold the heaviest loads you take on.
Shop Grade 70 and Grade 80 Chain
Find rated transport chain and matching binders at Safe & Tie.
Shop Chains & BindersFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use Grade 70 chain for lifting?
No. Grade 70 is made for tie downs. For overhead lifting, use alloy chain such as Grade 80 or higher that is rated for lifting.
Why is Grade 70 chain gold?
The gold finish helps resist rust and makes the chain easy to spot during a roadside inspection.
Is Grade 80 always better than Grade 70?
It is stronger, but not always the better buy. For most everyday tie down work, Grade 70 does the job and costs less.
How many chains do I need for heavy equipment?
Machines that weigh 10,000 pounds or more generally need at least four tie downs under United States federal rules. Parts like buckets and booms also need to be lowered and secured.
Can I mix chain grades on one load?
You can, but rate each tie down by its own chain and binder. Keeping the same grade across a load makes the math and the inspection simpler.