How do you tie your tractor down when trailering?

[Highbeam]

I just went out this weekend to Harbor freight and got rigged up. 4-14' lengths of 3/8" chain with the hooks rated at 5400 lbs each and then 3 ratchet binders rated at 9200 lbs each. I already had two 5/16"-20' logging chains and a 3/8"-20' one too but I wanted a dedicated set of transport rigging since I tend to abuse the others pulling trees and things with the machinery.

My plan is the 4 new chains plus 2 binders on the tractor and an old chain and new binder over the loader bucket.

The chains whether G70 5/16-20 or 3/8-14' were on sale for 23$ each. I caught an error by the cashier so he sold me the 4 chains for 15$ each. Cool, they'll last forever.

 

[RonR]

I plan to paint the ends of my transport chains; I've already let everyone in the family know they are ONLY to be used for tying down the Kubota on the trailer. No truck or tree pulling, ever!

Ron

 

[Dargo]

I'm telling you, you're going to ruin all the fun! You haven't lived until you've had your precious tractor slide all the way to the back of your trailer and pick up the rear end of your pickup and play "which ditch?" while running 60 mph down a 2 lane highway!! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Jstpssng]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've already let everyone in the family know they are ONLY to be used for tying down the Kubota on the trailer. )</font>

Uh,HUH. And how much bodily injury are you willing to inflict when THAT goes unheeded!!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[escavader]

JSTPSSING,
You might want to check on a new law we have on the books,this year here in MAINE.It concerns the use of trailers with mobile home axles.I am not sure the details,or weather our old ones are grandfathered,but i have heard it has shut down one outfit here who was making them.I HEARD DOT DOESNT LIKE "FOR TEMPORY USE" which is on most of these tires.Id check at the state police barracks in augusta,thats where i got my info on laws regarding hauling my kubota
ESCAVADER

 

[Highbeam]

I own a little 4x8 utility trailer with a MH axle and wheels. I guarantee that the tires are only temporarily spinning. They will stop as soon as the truck does. Suuposedly the little spare donut tires are only good for 45 minutes and a very short amount of road use but those things will last a good while.

I thought about actually attaching the free end of the tie down chains to the trailer.

 

[Farwell]

Not positive but I think Michigan has a similar law.
Farwell

 

[Jstpssng]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It concerns the use of trailers with mobile home axles.I am not sure the details,or weather our old ones are grandfathered,but i have heard it has shut down one outfit here who was making them.I HEARD DOT DOESNT LIKE "FOR TEMPORY USE" which is on most of these tires. )</font>

Thanks for the Heads Up. I've been hearing that also, but not from official sources. My tires are legal, but my brakes are trashed; it seemed cheaper to buy axles at $100/set than new brake assembies @ $130. Unfortunately my drums are stamped "For Mobile Home Use Only".

 

[Jagmandave]

Daily, I see lawn maintenance guys towing trailers full of ZTR's and stand up mowers, with no tie downs at all, even on the highway!
My little 5 X 8' trailer that I use to haul my ZTR has a railing all the way around and about 1 ft above the deck. Since my ZTR only weighs about 600lbs, I use ratchet straps. When I move my Yanmar, I use a Uhaul trailer that has enclosed sides that reach about to the tops of the tires, but I still use chains and binders so it can't move around.