Proper way to bind tractor onto trailer?

[Bob_Skurka]

For me I don't really care where the chain is made, that is inconsequential, what matters is that it meets the guidelines. I generally don't want to encourage the police to give me tickets that I don't want to pay. Under some conditions, with some types of loads, I believe straps are legal. I have grade 70 chain for the tractors. I'll admit to using straps when I first got the tractors, I'll admit I knew I should not have used straps. When I got chain, I made sure it was the right chain. Personally I'd feel a lot safer with a quality strap than a grade 43 chain, but both are still wrong.

 

[Highbeam]

Dargo, reading about your accident is what pushed me to chain in the first place. I can't say I really care what the fish and wildlife people think of my chain grade though. I was thinking maybe somebody had read an actual DOT law requiring G70. I really do not enjoy reading through regulations so will admit to some laziness on that.

It is starting to look like I got the wrong grade of chain based on the opinions of several folks. I really thought that four big ol' 3/8" chains with a huge working load limit was the right thing for my application. Not sure if it is wrong enough to warrant chain replacement though. I will keep an extra eye on the links for wear or signs of failure. If any one chain does fail, I feel the four chain setup will get me through.

Any thoughts? Are you all die hard enough that you would not agree with anything other than replacement with US G70 chain?

 

[George2615]

Just for infomational purposes.
1) The 3/8" x 14' chain HF sells is grade 43 rated at 5400# capacity. (This does not fall into the DOT guideline for use as transport chain) but can be used to secure items.
2) The 5/16" x 20 chain HF sells is grade 70 rated at 4700# capacity. (This chain does meet DOT guidelines for transport chain).
3) Ratchet binders that HF sells are rated for 9200# and meet the DOT standard by being equal or greater than the chain rating.
4) There are various grades of chain listed in the DOT link and all can be used for binding a load if they meet the specs of the table shown. The DOT info Dargo linked to can also be very confusing since according to section 5.8, for determining the size chain to use by the weight of the equipment you are transporting, line B states the WLL of the chain must be rated for at least 1/2 the weight of the article being secured. So this seems to say any chain could be used as long as it is rated for at least 1/2 the weight of article. Then it says to follow section 5.9 which shows only 3/8" GR70 6600# chain or larger is the minimum standard. If this is the minimum then they should not list any chain rated for less. Why even print section 5.8? Now I'm more confused than before but I'll continue to use the chains I bought that are each individually rated for more than my tractor weighs anyway.

 

[3720_Owner]

so four of these sound like a "safe" bet for a 3000-5000 lbs tractor?

Steven

 

[Highbeam]

"Now I'm more confused than before but I'll continue to use the chains I bought that are each individually rated for more than my tractor weighs anyway."

Me too. I guess.

 

[JustGary]

Dargo,

I'm not trying to pick a scab here, but his quote said *US* chain. Section 5.9 only says Grade 70, not "Made in the U.S.A." I think that was his point.

In any event, I have so far used straps for my tractor because that is what the dealer recommended. After reading your post, I decided to not do that any more. My wife just purchased grade 70 chain for me tonight. Thanks for helping us do the right thing.

- Just Gary

 

[Bob_Skurka]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( "Now I'm more confused than before but I'll continue to use the chains I bought that are each individually rated for more than my tractor weighs anyway."

Me too. I guess. )</font>

There appear to be a couple folks using Grade 43 chain, and I'm not trying to pick on anyone in particular, but I want to point out that just because a chain is rated for a specific weight, does not mean it can come close to dealing with the shock effect that a moving load can impart onto the chain. Take a 4000 pound tractor, slam on the brakes at 55mph and the rear chains are going to take a good shock, that shock is likely to be equal to something that is substantially more than 4000 pounds and will very likely exceed the working load limit of your chain by a wide margin. Take a potholed road and a trailer that bounces the tractor and you have the same effect. The shock load is something that is far different than the working load and is something you are not considering.

 

[Thorndike]

HighBeam; Unless you're using Gr70 chains and appropriate binders, please keep away from myself and family when on the road. I'm no metallurgist, but if I'm not mistaken, that Gr43 chain will stretch where Gr70 won't, thereby increasing the shock load our your rear tiedowns if you have to stop fast.
On that same note, I don't use my ratchet binders on the rear chains. Binders I have are rated below the chain WLL whuch I think most are. I use the binders on the front 2 chains. I'll load machine, wrap my chains [2] around the rear axle, then move tractor forward until they're tight. Then hook my front axle with J Hooks, run my chain thru the Drings, then use my ratchet binders to lash it all down. Machine with FEL and BB weigh around 5500#, I'm using Gr70 3/8" chain and appropriate binders.
Oh, I also suggest US made for the same reasons as Dargo.

 

[Thorndike]

The Gr70 Jhooks

 

[HarleyBob]

That looks like a neat setup(refering to the binder with chain unit
that Northern sells) but I think it makes you less flexible in your hookup than a chain and binder seperate.
This item :
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=122126&R=122126
looks like the best idea for a binder, since it has a locking option using a pin. Otherwise you are trusting it to stay locked or having to wrap with wire or leftover chain.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Unless you're using Gr70 chains and appropriate binders, please keep away from myself and family when on the road. )</font>

Ditto.

Thorndike, I think I have essentially the same set up you have. Did you get it from AWDirect?

Everyone needs to understand that some chain is designed for STATIC loads and some is designed for DYNAMIC loads. Transport chain must handle DYNAMIC loads that include shock and weigh. Non DOT approved chains can snap with no apparent wear or warning before they break. Sorry folks, but Grade 43 is dangerous for tractor/equipment transport. Not just to you, and your tractor, but to innocent people on the road.

 

[kingoflawns]

Here in taxachusetts the dot requires 4 chains & 4 binders. 1 in each corner opposing each other in direction of pull. They can be pissy about complience, they towed me off the highway for non complience 10 21 05, i'm fully complient now!

 

[tawilson]

What ya got there, a box blade bungee corded down between your loader and your tractor? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Scrounger]

I only use three on my BX, two int he back and one up front. I'm also not using chain, I use 5000# Working Load straps. I'd like to put two up front, but I find it near impossible to put two upfront. I need to look at better ways to secure the tractor. Maybe going over the bucket and not around it.

 

[Dargo]

I would have to recommend that you seriously reconsider using straps. That would not only be dangerous, but just like using grade 43 chain, illegal in most applications for securing a tractor. Straps are not sufficient to secure a rolling load, and grade 43 chain is not sufficient for load securement (per chain manufacturers and federal regulations). I've done all I care to do here. It's obviously up to each individual whether they want to obey any specific laws or to operate dangerously. It's bad enough when you don't know better, but when all printed information and experienced users tell you that you are illegal and dangerous, not only would you have to deal with yourself if you kill someone, but you may get to spend some quality time in jail for manslaughter. If you don't think an ambulance chasing attorney wouldn't think to do internet searches and find where you knew that you were violating the law and were dangerous, wish big from the tooth fairy this year. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I assure you that if you dropped your load and it hit me, and I knew that you were only trying to save a few bucks and endangered my life, I assure you that you'd not see the light of day for many decades.

As I said, I'm finished with this. All I can do is provide the verifiable information and have others also quote laws and links to the laws. If saving $50 is worth losing your equipment, your equipment isn't worth trailering anyway. Let's not be just plain stupid now when you're faced with all the facts. Why do you think the laws exist and why do you think they print acceptable uses for chain from the manufacturers? Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I have little tolerance for plain stupidity. This post isn't particularly aimed at you scrounger, but anyone who willfully violates both laws, common sense, and federal laws. I'll have to agree with the previous poster who said "stay away from me" if you're towing dangerously. You needn't be on the road and, I don't want to be around when you take yourself out.

 

[Thorndike]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( Unless you're using Gr70 chains and appropriate binders, please keep away from myself and family when on the road. )</font>

Ditto.

Thorndike, I think I have essentially the same set up you have. Did you get it from AWDirect?

Everyone needs to understand that some chain is designed for STATIC loads and some is designed for DYNAMIC loads. Transport chain must handle DYNAMIC loads that include shock and weigh. Non DOT approved chains can snap with no apparent wear or warning before they break. Sorry folks, but Grade 43 is dangerous for tractor/equipment transport. Not just to you, and your tractor, but to innocent people on the road.



)</font>
Yes I did Bob. It's a good place to deal, and the free premium gifts are outstanding!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Thorndike]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What ya got there, a box blade bungee corded down between your loader and your tractor? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

The bunge cord is hooked thru the hole in the end of the ratchet. It keeps tension on the handle to keep the cam in place so the ratchet won't loosen up. Photo is before I ran another chain across the BB to make sure it doesn't move either. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Av8r3400]

<font color="red"> ONLY </font> grade 70 is legal as a load binding chain on US highways. It is distinguished usually by a 'gold' anodized finish.
More than you ever wanted to know about chain, click here.

 

[Av8r3400]

More

Makes for interesting reading. I was told, in my DOT training while selling this stuff 5 years ago, that the grade 70 is the only legal binder chain in the US. The guidelines given here (re binding with 30 and 43) are per the manufacturer's requirements, not the DOT.

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Farmwithjunk]

While obeying written laws are very important, "obeying" the interpretation of those same laws, as they are read by the guys in uniform who write the tickets may be even MORE important. (In my mind, keeping my tractor SAFELY on the trailer is #1, however...)

Every Motor Vehicle Enforcement Officer I've dealt with is of the belief that wheeled vehicles (Only subject I've asked about. Non-wheeled cargo may well be covered by the same rules) must be secured with grade 70 "binder chain". (In addition, secured with perscribed number of chains) Since you or I can't conduct a road-side legal review with these guys, it seems to me that the PRUDENT thing would be to secure my load with GRADE 70 CHAINS. Forget the straps.... Forget the grade 43 chains....

I've already mentioned it in a previous post, but I think it needs mentioning again. WHEN THE DOT HAS YOU PULLED OVER, THEY'LL FIND SOMETHING TO WRITE A CITATION FOR. Why give them an invitation to do so? The difference in cost between grade 70 chains and grade 43 (or even nylon straps) is inconsiquential (sp?) compared to an illegal load violation. Why fight the system? Get "legal" to the highest extreme.