'Factory Spec' by Raider 530 O-ring chain...

[Rusty-Gunn]

Hi amphib lovers. I just recieved my order of 530 O-ring chain from:
Snowmobile Parts, Go Kart Parts, Lawnmower Parts, ATV Parts, and more | MFG Supply
MfgSupply says this chain is 9,700+ tensile strength (same as Tsubaki Omega). It was recommended by a few fine people here whom I trust. I even recommended it due to the lower cost as compared to Omega ( not having used it before).
Any one know where this chain is made?
What is your personal experience using this brand?

The Omega chain on my Max IV is still in good shape, so I will change them out later. Better to buy them ahead of time, I think.
Any discussion?

[Rusty-Gunn]

The chain lengths I bought for the Max IV were:
52 links / primary
116 links / rear to mid axle
112 links / mid to front axle (correct is 122 links)

So, I wrongfully ordered 112 links instead of 122. Now I need two ten link sections to compensate.
Anyone ever splice short chains together to make them longer, using extra master links?
I figure its otay as the master links are the same strength. Any cncerns I should be aware of? I'm going to splice Omega into the Raider chain. Both are 530.

I ask because this will be my first time changing out the chains and I don't want to create potentially dangerous issues if splicing is not recommended. Thank you.

[Mike]

You should be ok with two master links.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thanks. Any experience with Factory Spec by Raider chain, as sold by mfgsupply?

[Rusty-Gunn]

We pulled the old chains off our Max IV today and will be installing the new Raider chains tomorrow. I will report back to this thread regarding our experiences once we ride a few times. We easily travel 50+ miles one way (100 + total) going on beach sand, beach gravel, tundra, tundra swamps, mud, and creeks. Occasionally over giant hills (too small for "mountains"). The Tsubaki Omega chains lasted 300 hours. Lets hope the Raider chains last the same or better.

[Rusty-Gunn]

We got the Raider chains installed today. Ton of work, but got it done. Next we'll grease up the bearings. Test drive to follow.
I noticed two idler chain tension sprockets had some wobble. One worse then the other. These were the primary chain tensioners. After lubing them I traded their locations with the left chain tensioners. This way they are easier to replace once the new ones get in. Thanks to Mark, I otdered these from agri supply for 9.99 each.
Interesting note... When breaking the Raider and Omega chains (removing pins) I noticed the Omega chain took more effort to push the pins out. The Raider chain was a bit easier. Maybe Tsubaki has tighter tolerences?
Time will tell if the Raider chain holds up to Omega standards.
Anyone else using Raider chain from MFG Supply?

[Rusty-Gunn]

We went a 20+ mile trip yesterday to break-in the chain a bit more. (We went on two short trips berry picking, maybe five miles worth previously.)
Three chains stretched and needed adjustment. While tightening them up I installed the new tensioner sprockets, and while doing this I noticed the chain I was working on had some side to side play. A bit more than I expected. Flimsly, came to kind. It reminded me of how the pins came out easier than the Omega pins did when breaking chain.
I find myself losing confidence in these chains. Buyer's remorse, perhaps.
In any case, more riding is needed to truely determine the quality of the chains.
If these chains prove to be worthless then the wife is going to be very upset.

[trevorakm1]

Well if they are junk that stinks but thanks for posting the review. Keep us posted.

[Rusty-Gunn]

I will report more on these chains as I drive the Max more.
If anyone has experience with this brand if chain then please share your results. Thanks.

[tbone9]

I've tried many brands of chain and it seems they all stretch some more than others. I'm running some high end EK chain on the primaries of my tracked IV right now. They advertise no stretch. Well after the initial 20 hours they needed adjusting. Hoping they'll last longer than the others I've tried. Once they stretch out of adjustment I toss them as a stretched chain will wear the t20 sprockets faster. I'll report back on these chains in the spring after a hard winter pulling fish houses in the snow.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thanks. I'm interested in your future report.

[Rusty-Gunn]

We put our Max IV in storage last fall, since we don't ride it in the winter.
A long winter its been, but we're melting up here now. We expect to dig out the Max soon.
Regarding the Raider chain... this chain is good stuff, as it turned out. All the axle chains still have a lot of life in them yet, roughly halfway through the tensioner adjustment only. Kept clean and lubed.
The primary chains stretched more though. These work harder than the others.
I re-ordered new Raider chain, a 104 link, to be cut into two 52-link lengths.
I'll install these and save the old primaries as bacl-ups (they still have tension adjustment, but not much).
Summer riding season is near (up here). Time to get the amphibs out.