Install links in floor before pouring concrete

[Uncle Buck]

I have never read a post about anyone installing large pipe couplers with screw in caps and chain imbedded in the poured concrete floor positioned at what woud be each of the four corners of a vehicle before pouring concrete. Usually this affair is flush with the finish surface of the concrete once it is poured, and provides great pull points for frame straightening and the like. To use the chain you simply unscrew the cap and pull the chain out of the pocket, then attach whatever your pull device is to do your frame straightening. I think there is usually substantially more concrete poured around these devices due to the added stresses when pulling on them. When done, toss the chain back in the hole and screw the cap back in place, leaving a flush walking surface. If I ever get to build a new garage from the floor up I will definitely be doing this!

 

[Paradise Ridge]

Howdy!

When I poured the slab in my last shop, I welded up 4 4' "X" shaped units made up of scrap 2" square tubing and layed them under the rebar. Cut some 3" DWV pipe and notch it to fit over the X members and sticking up about 1/4" below finish concrete grade. Weld a 18" section of good logging chain to the middle of each X and run it up thru the pipe. Pack newspaper at the bottom to keep the concrete from coming up thru the pipe, drop the chain back in the pipe and cap it off.

Before the pour, I made up 4 1/4" thick steel plates about 6" square, rounded the corners, drilled a 1" finger hole in the center and duct taped them over the pipe. When we finished the slab, the concrete finished level with the top of the plate.

When I need one, I pull the plate and grab the chain. When not needed, they are flush and I car roll over them with creepers, carts, etc. without a problem. I've never had a problem with 16' feet of concrete trying to bust loose when I'm pulling on the chain. I use them a lot to pull machinery in and out of the shop.

My nickels worth,

Scott