BLOG ARCHIVE
Navigating Winter Roads: Understanding Tire Chain Laws in Every State
As winter blankets the landscape with a pristine layer of snow, the allure of snowy adventures and picturesque landscapes beckons many to hit the road. However, winter driving conditions can be challenging, with icy roads and slippery surfaces posing a threat to even the most seasoned drivers. To enhance safety on winter roads, many states…
Traction Expert Spotlight: Meet Teague Rakoz
In many parts of the country, where winter is met by hazardous road conditions, navigating slippery terrain demands more than just caution—drivers require reliable traction. At Laclede Chain, we understand the crucial role we play as your traction partner to stock your shelves to help your customers live and work securely. Our dedicated traction…
Chain vs. Wire Rope for Overhead Lifting
When confronted with the decision between choosing chain or wire rope for overhead lifting applications, making the right product choice is important to ensure safety and efficiency. At Laclede Chain, we understand the importance of providing our customers with the best tools for the job. In this article, we dive into the critical decision of…
Why “Made in the USA” Matters for Rigging and Marine Chain Supply
When it comes to manufacturing, there’s a particular pride and assurance that comes with the label “Made in the USA.” It carries a certain prestige, symbolizing quality, reliability, and a commitment to bolstering our homegrown industries. Laclede Chain, a proud U.S. manufacturer, is not only producing chains; we’re crafting solutions tailored to your needs. We…
Hi-Viz Chain: Guide to Enhancing Safety and Visibility in Overhead Lifting
High visibility (Hi-Viz) chain has become a cornerstone in the world of safety, bringing an essential level of visibility and assurance to workplaces and even leisure spaces globally. They have found their niche in varied applications, from adding a vibrant touch to playgrounds to construction sites. Hi-Viz chains are used in various applications where enhanced…
Selecting a Chain Manufacturing Partner: Core Values Matter
Most successful business relationships have one thing in common: both partners have core values that align. And when business relationships go wrong, it’s usually a misalignment of core values that underlies every issue. There’s a lot at stake when selecting a chain manufacturing partner. No matter how you interact with chain—an OEM using it in…
Cargo Securement 101
Proper cargo securement is an essential aspect of trailer safety that every truck driver and fleet operator should prioritize to ensure everyone’s safety. Securing cargo properly not only protects the goods being transported and the driver, but also ensures the safety of other road users. In this article, we will provide you with everything you…
GVWR vs. GAWR: A Guide to Weight Ratings for Trailer Safety
As a driver, towing a trailer can be a challenging and dangerous task if proper safety measures are not taken. Two essential factors that you need to consider while towing a trailer are Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). These ratings indicate the maximum weight that your vehicle and trailer…
Powder-Coated Chain: Domestic vs. Import
At Laclede Chain, we understand that choosing a powder-coated chain supplier can be overwhelming, and the most common question we hear from customers in the industry is: domestic or import, which is better? If timely delivery and quality are top priorities for your company, then choosing a domestic supplier is the way to go. …
How to Install Tire Chains
Winter is a few short months away, and it’s not too early to start preparing. If you live in an area that’s prone to snow and ice, you know that tire chains are a necessity. Not only can they save your life by giving your tires boosted traction, but in many places, there are chain…
Make or Break: 3 rules of chain maintenance
Industrial chains—sling, tow, tie down, roller chain, and beyond—keep our country moving. We rely on them to lift our heaviest loads and safely move goods from coast to coast. Chains are built to last and have the potential to remain in service for decades. But even the strongest will become compromised and pose a major…
How technology is changing industrial chain manufacturing
Old-world Craftsmanship Meets Modern Technology: How Innovation is Changing Industrial Chain (and why it matters) Chain production has come a long way since blacksmiths originally forged their historical link to expansion and discovery. And while some aspects of a chain are timeless, the process has grown with every technological advancement in manufacturing. Sure, chains are…
How Sustainable is Steel?
Steel is everywhere. Cities are built with it; industries rely on it and the future is forged in it. Steel is in nearly every aspect of modern living because of its strength, toughness, durability, and resistance to corrosion and extreme temperatures. Whether it’s used as the skeleton of a skyscraper, as tire chains to keep…
The Return of Trade Shows
On with the Show. Before the pandemic, there were two things you could always count on, year after year: taxes and tradeshows. One of the two was actually something to look forward to. But as the world began to shut down, trade shows were among the first of the dominoes to fall as safety took…
Finding Traction During a Snow Plow Shortage
Staying Safe During the Snow Plow Shortage In any given year, winter weather is challenging enough. Regardless of what it looks like outside, we have places to go, and things to accomplish. With the growing snow plow shortages across the country, getting where you need to go is becoming an even bigger challenge—and risk. With…
3D Printing: The Past, Present and Future of Prototyping
3D printing has traveled an interesting path. Developed in the 80’s as a tool for rapid prototyping, it gained a new popularity within the last decade from home use to prosthetics—and everything in-between. While the evolution of 3D printing has seen a rapid growth in the number of companies adopting the technology, nearly four decades…
Traction Chain 101: Driving in a Winter Wonderland
Winter is just around the corner and with it comes adverse weather conditions including driving challenges on snowy and icy roads. To safely get to where you need to go, you need your tires to grip the road and that’s why it’s good to have traction chains as part of your vehicle safety kit for…
Product Highlight: Sling Inspections
Chain Slings repeatedly lift very large, heavy loads on a regular basis. Their flexible design provides strength and durability so they can withstand the daily ins and outs of construction sites and manufacturing floors. No material is indestructible. Equipment failure could mean expensive losses and potential injury or worse. Maintaining your sling is critical. Maintenance…