rachet tie downs-tractor hauling

[Dargo]

I'd like to know where you can find U.S.A. made binders?

I bought mine used but they have "U.S. Steel Duluth" forged into the handle. I am told that they were made around the St. Louis area.

*edit*

I walked out to the barn and just happen to notice the binders hanging on the wall and took a picture of the handle of one of them with my phone. Now I see my photography isn't great with my phone, but you can clearly see the St. Louis, MO part.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Straps have higher working load in relation to their breaking strength than chains. This is because they stretch as the web tightens with load. I would choose nylon as best rather than polyester for this. This is a good characteristic but unfortunately fibers are pretty vulnerable to the environment - dirt and dust cut them, sun deteriorates them, wetness weakens them, they are very sensitive to heat, etc. Hang a tense but previously used one out to be strummed by the wind and you have everything working against you. A chain doesnt strumm and doesnt care about heat [and even if it did, it conducts away from hot spots], nor rain nor dust. It doesnt conceal damage. A web strap with rapidly varying load gets hot inside where the fibers touch. That fiber is an insulator - cool it with rain? add dust etc...
larry

 

[slaveToHorses]

I was filling my bike at a service station once and there was a guy in there with a boat.
He was standing there yaking with the attendant about the boat. We left at the same time. I couldn't help but notice he had no tie downs, just the winch strap. He jumped on the gas as he made a left across the 4 lane road. The winch ratchet failed and the boat slid off the trailer and across the street... Yet another sad load be gone story

I use chain. Sometime axle straps. I think I will hunt down some fire hose or mooring line chaffing.

 

[AKfish]

Chains front and back.

Straps are sooo easy to use but I just don't trust 'em!

And if they failed and someone were to get injured or killed... well, I like sleeping at night and a good night's rest is worth the extra effort to put that cheater pipe on the binder handle and give it a good uummpphh!

AKfish

 

[sunnyside360]

I agree with only using chains on all four corners for reasons listed above. This is the only way I hauled equipment (retired now). However, both JD dealers I use tie tractors and equipment down with large 4" heavy duty straps. Just hope nobody gets hurt and they have good insurance.

 

[mfreund]

If you have a accident you need to have a system to keep the tractor on the trailer. Heavy chain and binders are the way to go. I drive for a LTL freight company and can tell you the unexpected happens. On 9/3 a friend of mine was hit head on by a driver that fell asleep and crossed the center line. Everyone is OK but a 2007 Sterling truck is now sitting on the bumper at my terminal. The life you save by having that tractor stay on the trailer will be yours.

 

[wkpoor]

Someone pointed out to me one time that in an accident, no matter what I'm tied down with, the D-rings I secure to are just going to be ripped off anyhow. I've been told you should put your chains through the D-rings and secure to the side channel.

 

[aczlan]

I was filling my bike at a service station once and there was a guy in there with a boat.
He was standing there yaking with the attendant about the boat. We left at the same time. I couldn't help but notice he had no tie downs, just the winch strap. He jumped on the gas as he made a left across the 4 lane road. The winch ratchet failed and the boat slid off the trailer and across the street... Yet another sad load be gone story

that guy was not too bright, boats should have the winch strap, a chain from the trailer (or the winch post) to the front pulling eye and a strap over the back or a pair of straps from the trailer to the eyes on the transom of the boat.

Aaron Z

 

[slaveToHorses]

that guy was not too bright, boats should have the winch strap, a chain from the trailer (or the winch post) to the front pulling eye and a strap over the back or a pair of straps from the trailer to the eyes on the transom of the boat.

Aaron Z

yup, I'ld say he is a graduate of the school of hard scrapes

 

[2520_RBC]

Not giving any consideration to any DOT restrictions, everything has pros and cons; as a general statement straps have many pros over chains. Given that you are comparing chains and straps that have comparable ultimate working loads, straps have the huge advantage that they tend to act as shock absorbers. Their shock absorbing properties will significantly reduce the overall "shock loading" that can occur. This reduces the overall yield strength that anchor points on both ends would be subjected to (relative to chain restraint). Fall restraint systems for humans capitalize on this property; it limits the ultimate load on the human body. Just food for thought.