Swing Set Chain....Help!

[Fugio]

So one of my customers is an elementary school. I fix pretty much everything up there.

But I'm at a bit of a loss on the swing set, so I figured I'd ask the experts.

The swings get used all day, every day, so the chain actually wears out rather often, especially the top link or 2. The friction just wears through them even though they are pretty thick chains.

Also, teenagers come and play there at night, and they tend to twist them up and get leverage which breaks them in half every few days. It's a never ending battle!

Can you guys suggest a chain that is:
a) Light enough to actually use on a swing set (3/16" is probably max size I would think?)
b) Low friction (chrome is best maybe? Or some sort of poly coated?) so that it won't wear through so fast
c) Safe as possible against pinching, breaking, rusting and getting the little guys filthy
d) Strong enough that the big kids can't twist and break it
e) Isn't hundreds of dollars per foot for some sort of exotic unobtanium alloy

???

Thanks!

 

[soj]

You didn't say, so I am assuming, most breaks happen in the top link where most (if not all) of the friction occurs. If so, a bearing at the top would help. If this is the case then:

Keep using whatever chain you are using now, but put a bearing at the top where it pivots.

Or does the chain wear all along its length?

-jp

 

[Fugio]

You're right, 99% of the wear happens at the top link. But this is a commercial set, so it already has a bearing of sorts.
I can't find a pic on the web, so I'll walk over there and take a pic in a minute.

 

[Fugio]

Ok here's a pic of the "bearing." It's more of a bolt going through a sleeve with an oddly shaped D ring, I guess. It does pivot somewhat, but the top chain link still pivots enough to wear it out.

I wish that "D-Ring" didn't come to such a point, because then I could just install a needle bearing over it. Of course then I'd have to just fabricate the whole thing in order to get it on there. Way too much labor for that!

 

[Treeman]

Why not Google "commercial swing set chain" and inquire with the experts.

Anything less is asking for a lawsuit.

 

[rlitman]

Though I've never seen it on a swing set, square link chain has a greater cross sectional area than round, and a larger contact surface, so it is much more wear resistant.

Does it make sense to replace the very top link with a thicker replacement link?

 

[wasfuzz]

Recently around here several local schools had to replace all there chain on the swings, as it did not meet the "requirements" as set forth by some unk Federal spec sheet. Insurance companies said either replace it or remove the swings. It was all speical order chain and of course was very costly. Part of it was that the chain had to be fully encapsulated to prevent pinch/tear injuries.

 

[rlitman]

Come to think of it, I've seen chain at local parks that has all of the links embedded in a plastic that sticks them together:

Look at the Plastisol Chain here:
http://www.all4thekids.com/chainguide.html

The soft grip chain is what came with the swingset at my house, but the stuff I have is way to flimsy to be used in a public setting.

But even that Plastisol stuff is often only coated up to the height you can reach. Above that there's no plastic, so you'd still get link wear. And it's way expensive too:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BZBMIHQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20


edit: EUREKA!
http://www.swingsetmall.com/fully-plastisol-coated-swing-chain/
This is coated all the way to the top. Because the links are stuck together in the coating, you will not get wear between the links (because there will be no movement).
And the price is right too.

 

[Fender1325]

Thats basically what I was going to suggest. Ive seen heavy chain at parks with a rubberized coating on all the links. Looks very durable.

If it were me, Id poke around on the internet and look for a better way to attach the chain up top. Measure the pipe and unbolt/ditch the brackets and hook up something new with a better bearing. Tell the school it will save them money in the long run.

 

[bobemmerich]

What about plastic coated wire rope?
That's what I've seen used at parks around here.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bo...ed-Wire-Rope-Kit-64762/202972291?N=5yc1vZc288
or this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...ling-with-Loops-803042/203958746?N=5yc1vZc288

 

[jimindm]

I would take that pivot bolt out and lube it up good. I have a commercial swing set that I bought from a municipality auction, and it is set up very similar. That d ring you have should actually pivot with chain, instead of the chain moving on it.

Watch what kind of lube you use. Most will wash out, or attract dirt and grit. I used anti seize when I put it up, and it has been fine for several years.

 

[Fugio]

Yeah I need to clean, polish, and lubricate those pivots, big time. I'd LOVE to drill them out a bit and sleeve them with a low friction bushing, but you can't really modify stuff like that due to liability issues.

 

[Fugio]

Definitely gonna get the plasti coated chain, or use UV stabilized heat shrink to keep the fingers from getting pinched!

 

[AndyA]

I made one for my kids. It uses oilite bushings in the pivots and had grease zerks. The pivot is so smooth the chain doesn't flex at all.

 

[Fugio]

Ooh that's nice!

I can't make my own though. Same reason I can't use wire cable as suggested above. Opens up HUGE liability issues to use parts not designed for that purpose. If a swing chain breaks, the company gets sued. If I design or modify it, I get sued.