Hauling the Bota

[Firefighter Kubota]

Scott you do it every week and I agree 100% on chains.

I had mine tied down with straps and when I got home one of the straps had rubbed on the frame and finally tore through. Nothing happened just pure luck.

Wayne and Scott, What size machines are you hauling? what is thier weight? Just curious.

I did have a strap that did chafe, Got rid of it, got some old fire hose and tucked a section under it....

In my new trailer, I have only a 3 foot run from the rear draw bar to the tie downs. Barely enough room for a chain and binder, More like a large turnbuckle would work. slow but would work...

 

[lawn_king]

My GL 3540 HSDC weighs in at about 5000 lbs with fel & weight box.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

My GL 3540 HSDC weighs in at about 5000 lbs with fel & weight box.

Nice Cab!!!

Hauling that on a regular basis, Yes, I would use chains and binders...

I was thinking...I haul my 700# Harley, and those tie downs are nothing more than 1" straps rated for 2000# lbs. (don't know the BS) So with 4 straps thats 175# per strap sharing the load.. On my tractor at 1500# and three straps, thats only 500# per strap, and 375# if I use four straps.. In both cases the straps are responsible for 25%-33% of the load...

And the the straps are using 15% of the rated working load.

Grade 70 chain 3/8" on your machine (assuming 4 chains) each chain is using 18% of the rated working load.

I guess its all relative.

I admit there is a chafe factor with straps, but only if chafing gear is ignored..

Food for thought....

 

[bx24]

Im not saying you are wrong. to each their own. I myself wouldnt haul without C&B.

C&B or straps ... they all have their place. Ump-teen years ago all semis used C&B, now depending on the circumstance, sometimes they use one, and sometimes they use the other.

For applications where there are points where things will wear, chains are the best option. For applications where friction is not an issue, straps work very nicely.

As I mentioned earlier, I use both because I like the added strength of chains and the convenience of straps. There is no universal solution. All we can all hope for is that we keep open minds and learn from others mistakes so we don't have to learn the hard way.

 

[lawn_king]

The dot in massachusetts is strict. I have had the joyfull experience of being towed off the highway, i deserved it, now im 100% compliant right down to my health card and federal inspection sticker on my dumptruck. The dot here is 50% more likely to pull you over with straps.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

I know I have skirted to DOT on more than one occation.

Scott you are a comercial entity, so of course DOT applys to you. I believe, as a private individual one is spared those regulations, unless something goes wrong...... ie binders/ straps etc...

brakes / coupleres / break aways are another issue, those are regulated by state for the manufacturers, an therefore those can't be alterered.

Look at boats, some are hauled with tie downs, some just use the nose winch and a safety chain.... I see clowns with thier 35 foot speed boat, sitting on trailer bunks with only a winch strap and a safety chain to the bow eye...

Actually had a pick up with a dump trailer crashed into a telephone pole. When I got there, the tongue broke free and jambed over the bumper inder the truck bed. Guy was a roofer, hauling a loaded 10k trailer with a 1/2 ton dodge,, Kicker was No electric brake controller...Registered comercial, you bet DOT was going to get involved...

I agree, lets all be safe and smart

 

[Q-Saw]

B. Rhino line the deck to increase friction under the wheels. When the weather is warmer I'll do a home kit. Dump trailer yes, but also a tractor hauler!

FF,

I think this may drastically reduce material slide-out when dumping. Maybe a compromise would to paint traction "pads" where the tires rest.

Or perhaps some steel plates with expanded metal welded on that could be quickly dropped into place (and removed for material hauling, of course). I'm thinking of some sort of pin and hole setup - or angle iron dropped into a slot).

Maybe no troubles with round stone, but I sometimes have difficulty with topsoil sliding out completely (my dump bed has the factory powder coat, except where it has worn away).
Having half your load stay in the trailer kind of cancels the convenience of a dump.

I use 2" straps (2 or 3 depending on what I have on the 3PH) and cinch them down VERY tight. I have never had any shifting, but I have had to re-cinch. I usually will pull over and check everything after 15-20 minutes of drive time. I am also quite cautious about potential chafe situations. More tie-down rings is a great idea - nice addition.

Just my thoughts.

- Marty

 

[lawn_king]

Here in taxachusetts it all comes down to weight. If your truck has gvw of 10,000 lbs or more a health card and fed inspection are mandatory. Any trailer of any weight or size is required to have a breaking system. Heres an example of ma. law. Lots of people like to run a chain through the horozontal support pipe/tube on the loader for transport, not legal here! The loader, if its quick detatch , is an implement. Chains/straps must attach to the machine itself!

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

FF,

I think this may drastically reduce material slide-out when dumping. Maybe a compromise would to paint traction "pads" where the tires rest.

Or perhaps some steel plates with expanded metal welded on that could be quickly dropped into place (and removed for material hauling, of course). I'm thinking of some sort of pin and hole setup - or angle iron dropped into a slot).

Maybe no troubles with round stone, but I sometimes have difficulty with topsoil sliding out completely (my dump bed has the factory powder coat, except where it has worn away).
Having half your load stay in the trailer kind of cancels the convenience of a dump.

I use 2" straps (2 or 3 depending on what I have on the 3PH) and cinch them down VERY tight. I have never had any shifting, but I have had to re-cinch. I usually will pull over and check everything after 15-20 minutes of drive time. I am also quite cautious about potential chafe situations. More tie-down rings is a great idea - nice addition.

Just my thoughts.

- Marty

Thanks Marty,

This trailer will be used as much as an equipment hauler as a dump, So traction is important, I thought about drop in traction plates or running 1/2 re bar lengthwise, (this wouldn't impeed dumping). As for the traction plates I don't want to have another thing laying around or another thing I need to load before I load. You know what I mean. I think the rebar would be overkill...

Could just weld some angle the width of the rear wheels but that will be in the way of any other machines....

Rhino liner or marine grade epoxy with nonskid will be enough tire traction and still allow stuff to dump... I'm sre fine soil will require and extra bang of the dump doors, but at the full dump height I think it will be fine. Right now there is nothing, I nearly killed myself shoveling out snow. just a light fluff factor that wouldnt move when the bed was raised. I want to be able to stand in the bed with out going --- over tea kettle

If the rhino is too stiff, I can always "buff" it down with a large wire wheel..
we'll see.

Fire hose makes great chafing gear.

 

[wwalkersd]

Rhino liner or marine grade epoxy with nonskid will be enough tire traction and still allow stuff to dump...

I think you said you were going the DIY route, but if not, in my observations Line-X is a lot less "bumpy" than Rhino Lining. Looks to me like it holds up better, too (my truck has Rhino).

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

I think you said you were going the DIY route, but if not, in my observations Line-X is a lot less "bumpy" than Rhino Lining. Looks to me like it holds up better, too (my truck has Rhino).

Well I did the DIY dura liner (dupli color) from advance auto parts this weekend.

Friday was 45 degrees, so I put the trailer in my shelter loginc garage with a propane heater, Got it nice and warm in there....sanded and preped with mineral spirits...By now my head was swimming from the thinner fumes...

Got on coat of liner on and now I'm about to fall over..THAT STUFF IS VOLITLE!!! Melted my plastic roller pan.....

Drys quickly and I had plenty of more material so I pulled the trailer out in the sun for a second coat and even out doors, the contact high was killing me. What a hangover!!!

Haven't loaded the tractor yet, but with tonights storm I will be loading it in the next day or so....

No doubt in my mind that there is enough traction to keep the tractorfrom sliding when loading uneven ground, And smooth enough that material will easliy dump from the bed...

 

[LBrown59]

Well I did the DIY dura liner (dupli color) from advance auto parts this weekend.

Friday was 45 degrees, so I put the trailer in my shelter loginc garage with a propane heater, Got it nice and warm in there....sanded and preped with mineral spirits...By now my head was swimming from the thinner fumes...

Got on coat of liner on and now I'm about to fall over..THAT STUFF IS VOLITLE!!! Melted my plastic roller pan.....

Drys quickly and I had plenty of more material so I pulled the trailer out in the sun for a second coat and even out doors, the contact high was killing me. What a hangover!!!

Haven't loaded the tractor yet, but with tonights storm I will be loading it in the next day or so....

*No doubt in my mind that there is enough traction to keep the tractor from sliding when loading uneven ground.
And smooth enough that material will easliy dump from the bed...

This is why I want a winch on a trailer.

 

[Q-Saw]

...Fire hose makes great chafing gear.

Great idea FFK. I just happen to have a roll of 1-1/2" inch fire hose out in the garage left over from a woodworking project; I'll have to dig it out and cut off some lengths. I think it will be a great fit over my 2" straps. I can probably fit the chafe guards in the box on my trailer (probably the only thing that I can fit in that box!).

I'm interested in your experience with the bed lining. Mine is ready for paint - I've been investigating graphite paint, but I get the feeling it doesn't hold up too well. Perhaps a bed liner will give me the durability I'm looking for.

I know what you mean about the traction in the dump bed. I will often lift the bed about 10" to help drainage, and then climb in to hose it out. Even at that slight angle, I keep one hand on the hose and one hand on the trailer to keep from losing my footing.

Please keep us posted as to the long term durability and dump-ability of your bed liner. I'm also interested in your idea to mount your forks.

Your idea of a storage box below the bed is very creative - great utilization of otherwise wasted space. I may have to think about a project like that. My only concern would be getting underneath the box without a safety bar in place. It might be the perfect spot for a spare tire or two.

The first picture shows how far I have to lift to dump a load of ash logs. I think they should slide out at a lower angle, but perhaps I'm being unrealistic. It's not at maximum angle, but I took the shot just before they slid out to demonstrate the "slide" angle. The second shot shows what's left of the original factory finish - yup, time for a repaint. The trailer is 2-1/2 years old.


- Marty

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Great idea FFK. I just happen to have a roll of 1-1/2" inch fire hose out in the garage left over from a woodworking project; I'll have to dig it out and cut off some lengths. I think it will be a great fit over my 2" straps. I can probably fit the chafe guards in the box on my trailer (probably the only thing that I can fit in that box!).

I have 2 foot sections and slit them down the side and they slip over my straps and chains...

I'm interested in your experience with the bed lining. Mine is ready for paint - I've been investigating graphite paint, but I get the feeling it doesn't hold up too well. Perhaps a bed liner will give me the durability I'm looking for.

I would have it rhino lined. Much thicker and even tossing steel into my teuck bed I can't gouge it... The DIY bed liner is not thick enough and not enought traction...(even though I thought it would)

I know what you mean about the traction in the dump bed. I will often lift the bed about 10" to help drainage, and then climb in to hose it out. Even at that slight angle, I keep one hand on the hose and one hand on the trailer to keep from losing my footing.

Please keep us posted as to the long term durability and dump-ability of your bed liner. I'm also interested in your idea to mount your forks.

I ended up laying strips of expanded steel mess where the strator tires run in the bed. the diy was enough traction in the snow/ice. Its screwed in with washer and can remove it if hauling soil, but gravel and fire wood pour right out when dumped even with the mesh in... I'll get pics tomorrow..

Your idea of a storage box below the bed is very creative - great utilization of otherwise wasted space. I may have to think about a project like that. My only concern would be getting underneath the box without a safety bar in place. It might be the perfect spot for a spare tire or two.

Waitning for the weather to start that project...have all the steel already...

The first picture shows how far I have to lift to dump a load of ash logs. I think they should slide out at a lower angle, but perhaps I'm being unrealistic. It's not at maximum angle, but I took the shot just before they slid out to demonstrate the "slide" angle. The second shot shows what's left of the original factory finish - yup, time for a repaint. The trailer is 2-1/2 years old.

I really need a tall lift before my load /lumber slides out...I also thought t should be a lower angle but hey...

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Hey Q Saw,

Here is the expanded metal I put in the trailer for traction. Two strips under the wheels 16" wide and run the full 12'. They are held in place with self tapping screws and fender washers.

I took 4 loads of brush to the dump this week, and 3 loads of maple home, and they all dumped just fine.

For soil , pea stone I can just use a leaf blower to get the rest, or remove the 16 screws.

works

 

[Q-Saw]

FFK - wow, that's great that everything still slides out okay. Perhaps the graphite paint I was considering is just overkill. That expanded metal should be just the ticket for traction.

Great deal on the maple firewood. Your grapple looks really slick for loading that brush and the firewood. I'll have to add one to my list for Santa.

- Marty