Chains Ratchet straps or chains?

[RobertN]

Going to pick up my B2920 out of state tomorrow my buddy thinks it that its illegal to use 3" heavy duty straps and that I must use chains? I do not want to scratch my new machine. Has anybody heard this before? Thanks

This is probably too late, but for next time...

Get ahold of you local State Trooper Commercial division. Ask them what is required, not your buddy. What is legal in my area may not be legal in your state, and visa versa. A few years back, when the answer was not clear based on discussions here, I went directly to the local Calif "CHP" office for the answer. They described by phone, and emailed the text from the California motor code to me.

Calif does not seem to be as concerned about the restraint you use, ie ratchet strap or chain/binder. They want it to be rated strong enough, and to be tied off at all four corners of the "vehicle". They also want a chain/strap over the loader.

Look over in the "trailers and transportation" portion of this forum. All this has been discussed in depth numerous times over the years.

Not knocking your buddy; it is just best to get the exact regulations for you state, right from the folks who have to enforce those regs.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I've had straps fail on me on gravelys. Vibration wore them through in places I didn't expect. Way oversized for the load, that wasn't the issue. And overstrapped, so there was no problem.

But no way I'd use straps on a tractor. I see no reason why the failures I, and others above, couldn't happen there too. And that's much more of a big deal than a little gravely.

If you are worried about scratches, put pads under the chain. Trust me though, any use will develop scratches in pretty short order...

 

[Dargo]

I have used both chains and straps and yes on a small load like the b yes properly rated straps like the one talked about 2" or 3" 10,000 straps...

Not to pick on this poster, but this is the most common mistake when using straps. Those 2" straps that say 10,000 all over them most likely have a WLL of 3300 pounds. That's the absolute maximum working load limit in perfect conditions. Most everyone thinks they have 10,000 pound strength straps with those cheapo 2" straps when that flat out isn't the case. That's about the equivalent of using 1/4" grade 70 chains (which is extremely small chain).

 

[KeithInSpace]

I have used straps and chains both, and totally agree with the posts promoting chains.

Towing a "light" BX2230 on my trailer with straps, if they even TOUCH something even RESEMBLING an edge, they'll wear through in a heartbeat. In my three hour tow, 2 of my straps were completely cut and the remaining two were heavily chafed.

I now tow exclusively with 3/8" G70 chain with a combination of ratchet and over-center binders. The only marks on my tractor are at the 4 frame points where I connect the chains. A small price to pay for safety.

Absolutely, completely, without a doubt G70 chains. Don't use straps.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Not to pick on this poster, but this is the most common mistake when using straps. Those 2" straps that say 10,000 all over them most likely have a WLL of 3300 pounds. That's the absolute maximum working load limit in perfect conditions. Most everyone thinks they have 10,000 pound strength straps with those cheapo 2" straps when that flat out isn't the case. That's about the equivalent of using 1/4" grade 70 chains (which is extremely small chain).

You are correct that most 2" straps are 3300 wwl. The proper way to use them is they should hook to something with the hook not be wrapped around anything. Or use something bigger like chain. We have 4" straps that hook to the rub rail that are 5000 wwl that work very well for holding equipment like buckets and box blades.

The problem with straps is the most people run the strap threw the 3pt or something and back down for a total of 2 straps on the load. I agree that chains are better, but if you use 4 proper size straps for a small tractor or big lawn mower you will be fine. Most scut and compacts weigh under 4k which is at the limit but in still in the limit. No differant than 4 straps on a buick on a roll back.

 

[RobertN]

If you are worried about scratches, put pads under the chain. Trust me though, any use will develop scratches in pretty short order...

Ask you local fire station if they have any old hose. A few small sections of 1-1/2" hose over the chain in the right spot works great.

 

[Danno1]

.

Another thing about straps. Even if you're very, very, very, careful, about not running them over sharp edges, not stepping on them and grinding in dirt, not letting them get abraded, they are still subject to degradation from the UV in sunlight.

.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Which all goes to show, straps can work if everything goes perfectly, but I haven't found things always do - I prefer a bit of margin for error/chafe/uv/etc...

 

[RayCo]

It sounds like I'll put straps on the front right corner and back left corner, and then use chains on the front left corner and the back right corner.

 

[stupakmike]

If chains are better.....why don't they use them on boats?

 

[Tig]

On boats chains grind through gelcoat and fiberglass a lot quicker that a strap will.

 

[KeithInSpace]

It sounds like I'll put straps on the front right corner and back left corner, and then use chains on the front left corner and the back right corner.

I'd do it the other way around...ha...

If chains are better.....why don't they use them on boats?

They use ropes, not straps. And if you note, WATER has no edges to chafe. Further note the effort placed in 'rounding' any areas that do contact the rope. Furtherly (?) note that UV resistant cotton is placed (on sailing lanyards and sheets, for example) as an outer sheath to the sturdy nylon guts.

And even ropes are periodically replaced once the grand multitude of environmenal effects degrade them.

 

[Tig]

Come to think of it ships use anchor chains.
As for ropes I borrowed my father's boat trailer last week only to discover that the winch rope has deteriorated to the point where it had the strength of pasta.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Come to think of it ships use anchor chains.

I almost wrote that thought, but didn't recall if it was all chain...the whole way. I grew up on sailboats (up to 40'...they're still boats, not ships), currently use powerboats, and we only use about 3 feet of chain at the anchor. Couldn't tell you exactly why, to be honest...that's just "what you do". I figure it makes the anchor assembly less susceptible to cuts on random bottom dwelling items...an oyster-encrusted rock or something like that.

Bummer to become "de-anchored" in the middle of the night. Happened once. Even tougher to fix when you're sloshed.

 

[Tig]

In addition to the abraison resistance the anchor chain acts like a shock absorber between the boat and the anchor. Kind of odd to think or a chain as a shock absorber but the chain sags and buffers the shock on the anchor in rough seas. The anchor will drag less. For extreme mooring situations I've used the same principal by suspending a weight just off bottom on the anchor line. That pretty much eliminates all shock from the anchor and it will hold fast all year.

 

[fish6942]

I'd do it the other way around...ha...



They use ropes, not straps. And if you note, WATER has no edges to chafe. Further note the effort placed in 'rounding' any areas that do contact the rope. Furtherly (?) note that UV resistant cotton is placed (on sailing lanyards and sheets, for example) as an outer sheath to the sturdy nylon guts.

And even ropes are periodically replaced once the grand multitude of environmenal effects degrade them.

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the use of straps to hold the boat to the trailer (transom straps). If that's the case, the straps only need to be strong enough to hold the trailer to the bottom of the boat when going over bumps and whatnot.

 

[RobertN]

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the use of straps to hold the boat to the trailer (transom straps). If that's the case, the straps only need to be strong enough to hold the trailer to the bottom of the boat when going over bumps and whatnot.

Interesting though, we try to secure our tractor. But, for the most part gravity holds the boats on, and a little rope on the front.

I was going down I-5 in northern California a few years ago, on a rainy Memorial Day Weekend. On the side of the Interstate, out in the middle of nowhere, was a beautiful jetboat. Chromed out engine, Basset headers, gorgeous paint. It was laying beside the freeway. No truck, no trailer. Just sitting in the gravel on the side of the road.

Maybe it should have been strapped down with 4" straps

 

[Charlesaf3]

How does someone not notice their boats missing? I'm imagining they had a heart attack next time they stopped for gas. As did the guy behind him when the boat flew off...

 

[stupakmike]

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the use of straps to hold the boat to the trailer (transom straps). If that's the case, the straps only need to be strong enough to hold the trailer to the bottom of the boat when going over bumps and whatnot.

You are now on the right track..who would use chains on a sail? I have owned many expensive power boats, worth more than my tractor...never did I chain them on the trailer. So straps must be good.

 

[RobertN]

How does someone not notice their boats missing? I'm imagining they had a heart attack next time they stopped for gas. As did the guy behind him when the boat flew off...

This was a few years ago(like 15 or so). Cell phones were not as common. My guess is the owner was looking for a wrecker to lift it back on the trailer maybe. I did not see it happen, just saw it on the side of the road about two hours north of Sacramento.

It looked like a 21' jet boat. I prefer v-drives in a boat like that, but it still was a really really nice looking boat. Looked like pretty fancy paint, a lot of chrome, tunnel ram, big Basset type chrome headers ect.

It was parked on the side of the freeway, just like someone may have pulled over to change a tire on their car or something. Didn't look like it had flipped or anything.

It rained all of that three day Memorial weekend. My guess is they got rained out of their boating camp trip, driving home, and poof it was skidding along Interstate-5.

Still makes me curious about what actually happened???