Changing Links

 

 If you're changing links on a basket, you want to control the leg below the basket.

• If you are increasing links, you need to tie into a link (or two) below the link with the working shackle in it. 
  
• On a 5 basket, it is probably faster to use your industrial daisy.  Clip both ends to the steel caribiner.  Reach down, and hook into the link which is one link below the one to which you want to move the working shackle.  Step into the Daisy loop on the back side of the beam, and use that force to haul the connections up to you.  
• Get comfortable and open the Working Shackle, being careful to control all the components.  Move to the link you want, and replace the pin.
  
• On a 10 basket, and especially because when you are increasing links, after you settle the Point back in it will be farther away from you and maybe impossible to reach, consider using the "endless" method:  make sure your (Standing) rope end is threaded through your protraxion so that you will pull on the already-heavy (Working) end.  Thread the Working end of the rope a link (or two) below the top link being used.  Tie the Working end of the rope back up to the bottom caribiner of the protraxion using a clove hitch.  repeat the process above, starting with ..."Get comfortable".
• If you are removing links, you want to thread your rope through a link or two below what will soon be the top link in use.  Tie in using a Bowline, or use the Endless method.  Slack out the leg and open the Basket's Working Shackle.  Remove the links you don't want, and replace the pin on the Link you want.  As you Settle the Point back In, verify that you have not trapped any remaining Free links below the working link and that you don't have any other Fouls. 
  

• If you are removing a deck chain altogether, you need to choke the neck of the wire rope with a sling, step into the sling on the back side of the beam, and use that force to slack out the basket. Remove the deck chain by opening the Working Shackle of the Basket and hooking into the Eye of the Wire Rope of the Bridle Leg.  

Use protraction when you need the advantage of a 2:1.  Two tons, really heavy one tons...