As simple as a chain is, having a 4WD drag chain as part of your kit is not as silly as it sounds! Fairly
primitive and not much to know, they can be super handy for those extra tough jobs thanks to the
design and construction of solid steel. Always at the ready and not needing any constant attention to
keep them going, chains make light work of the rough and tumble that you might encounter when
out adventuring in the outback. From downed trees, large logs and even the odd boulder in your
way, a decent tow chain will help you out if used in the right manner.
The main draw card for hobbyists to have a solid chain in their kit bag, is that when you come across
paths that are slightly blocked and you have no choice but to keep going, you can whip out the
drag chain and yank the downed tree or large rock clean out of the way. Not only will it keep you
travelling on the tracks and not having to take alternative routes, but it might just help the next guy
who isn’t as well equipped and can’t move it for himself. So, you won’t just be doing yourself a
favour!
Ever arrived at a good camp ground, but the best place for you to pull up is full of large logs and bits
of half fallen trees? 4×4 drag Chains will be your best friend here and will help you to have the area cleared in
a flash with hardly any manual labour. Once cleared you’ll have plenty of room to move and even
have some extra firewood at the ready! Should you find that your campsite actually lacks firewood,
and you didn’t have to move any bits of wood to clear a site, then once again those vehicle chains will come
in handy for you to take the fourby for a quick squirt and bring back some hefty logs in tow! Not only
does it save having to cut it up and handle it all into your rig or trailer, but you’ll also get a large
chunk of what you need for the night in just one pull.
As with anything in remote areas, sometimes things can become tough and the surroundings can
make it hard to navigate when you or someone else has found themselves dealing with a problem or
emergency, having a set of tow chains in your arsenal can easily allow you to make a clearing for easy
access for other recovery vehicles or even emergency services to get to the ones in trouble. Who
would have thought something so primitive could be hailed a hero in a time of need? Making light
work of the hard stuff simply hook it up, wrap it around and yank just about anything out of your
path.
In terms of storage, you’re going to want a decent and sturdy canvas bag or storage box to house
your pulling chains, as they be rather heavy and awkward which means you want to make it as easy
as possible to store, and also take the load off when you’re pulling it out to use. Using a storage box or
something with handles can make it super easy to quickly grab and take it to where it needs to be,
without working a long snake of metal links and potentially causing a trip hazard.
It pays to ensure your personal safety and that of those around you as well when using chains, as
they can cause some nasty damages if they were to snap for any reason. At the minimum you want
to protect your hands and your eyes at all costs even just during set-up, as this will save you any
discomfort if there is a sharp piece or a small bit of debris comes loose. Also understanding the

lashing capacity and overall breaking points, will keep you safe and uphold the integrity of your
4WD chains to save the potential for breakages leading to harm or damage on your vehicles. Always make
sure you connect it correctly to your vehicle, and safely attach it to or around the object you will be
pulling with it, as it can easily slide off and cause a slingshot motion if you’re moving too fast or the
connection is too un secure.
A decent drag chain is a good start, but it is also down to what you pair it with to how good the job
will be to do, if you’ve got the right bits of kit, you’ll be well on your way in many various
adventuring scenarios. Pair it with a full 4WD recovery kit,  to give you some extra
pulling power in those spaces where your 4WD may not be able to access easily, and you’ll have a
range of options to keep you on track.
When it comes to clearing a path or setting up your camping area for a few decent nights in the
scrub, use your trusty 4×4 drag chains to get yourself sorted with the help of a 4WD to do the pulling, this will
save you time and effort as opposed to cutting your way through logs and branches with a chainsaw
and then moving each individual piece of wood by hand. Noteworthy also is the lack of maintenance
required for your 4WD drag chains as they will not need constant lubrication or servicing like your chainsaw
would, so a cheap and easy option all round that will last a lifetime of keeping you out of strife and
helping you to clean up and clear out.
Hercules have designed a solid 8mm chain with 5 metres of length to get you sorted in a range of
different situations, with a handy clevis style hook on one end to easily tie off and choke the object
you’re applying force to. Add this to your kit and never get stuck trying to push things out of the way
with your bull bar again, your spotlights will thank you for it!

(Please note: A 4WD Drag Chain, should never be used in a 4WD recovery nor is it designed to be used in a recovery. Only use proper rated 4WD recovery gear.)