Strapping it Down!

[Grizz262]

Hi All,
First time trailing the Orange 3400 with a backhoe, and need some advice. Truck can handle it, trailer is made for it, but where do you strap it down? To which points of the tractor? Or, do you recommend chains only with tension bars? Remember, it's going to have the backhoe, and the FEL on it.....

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Well, I would only recommend the chains for the physical tractor. The attachments just need strapped down. Find a good solid point on the machine and strap it down. I usually use the axles on the rear of my L3400 and there is a gap in the frame on the front of mine that I grab ahold of.

 

[Soundguy]

check dot regs. many states follow fed regs.

lotsa places like 1+1 tie down for each 10' of load, with each attached implement getting it's own strap . for corner tie doens on axles, many allow 1 chain if you have 2 binders so that if on side comes loose, the other doesn't.

for safety. check, and remember.. more is better.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

That machine is under 10,000lbs so he should be good with the 4 chains and one strap for each implement

 

[George2615]

That machine is under 10,000lbs so he should be good with the 4 chains and one strap for each implement

That's what I use.

Grizz, I bolted D-rings to the front side frame of my tractor and a large twisted clevis on the rear draw bar for tie down points.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Here are the regulations if anyone wants to know. Unless your tractor weighs over 10,000 lbs follow the rules under 393.128. The top two paragraphs are a summary of the two regulations that apply for tractors. The bottom paragraph is the regulations that apply to must of us with a compact tractor that weighs less than 10,000 lbs.

Cargo Securement Rules | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

393.128 - Automobiles, Light Trucks and Vans
This portion of the new standards applies to the transportation of automobiles, light trucks, and vans which individually weight 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) or less. Vehicles which individually are heavier than 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) must be secured in the same manner as heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery (see the rules under /393.126).

393.130 - Heavy Vehicles, Equipment and Machinery
These requirements are applicable to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery which operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors and power shovels and which individually weigh 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) or more. Vehicles, equipment and machinery which is lighter than 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) may be secured in accordance with these rules, the rules for automobiles, light trucks and vans, or the general freight requirements.

§ 393.128: What are the rules for securing automobiles, light trucks and vans?

(a) Applicability. The rules in this section apply to the transportation of automobiles, light trucks, and vans which individually weigh 4,536 kg. (10,000 lb) or less. Vehicles which individually are heavier than 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) must be secured in accordance with the provisions of § 393.130 of this part.
(b) Securement of automobiles, light trucks, and vans. (1) Automobiles, light trucks, and vans must be restrained at both the front and rear to prevent lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical movement using a minimum of two tiedowns.
(2) Tiedowns that are designed to be affixed to the structure of the automobile, light truck, or van must use the mounting points on those vehicles that have been specifically designed for that purpose.
(3) Tiedowns that are designed to fit over or around the wheels of an automobile, light truck, or van must provide restraint in the lateral, longitudinal and vertical directions.
(4) Edge protectors are not required for synthetic webbing at points where the webbing comes in contact with the tires.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Think 45 degrees for the angle of your chains to the tractor and to the trailer. Cross tie the chains from the left side of the trailer to the right side of the tractor axle and vice versa. Angle the chains away from the tractor to the trailer like you were trying to stretch the tractor. Old fire hose if you are lucky enough to score some can be used to run the chain through to negate the paint being scraped the axles. You can also buy leather sleeves.

FWIW, DOT allows under 10k backhoes to remain up if the hoe can be pinned in that position. I would drop it and tie it down but unless your state prohibits it, it is an option say if you had to haul something else and needed the clearance.

 

[Grizz262]

You guys are unbelievable resources! I should have expected you would outdo yourselves. Thanks for all the great information. I'm off to buy some chains and straps, and I'll post some photos in a couple weeks when I make the trip.

Thanks again!

 

[wmonroe]

Make sure you get grade 70 chain and not the cheap grade 30 or 40 that many of the box stores sell.

 

[Grizz262]

Make sure you get grade 70 chain and not the cheap grade 30 or 40 that many of the box stores sell.

Roger, thanks!

 

[bcp]

You guys are unbelievable resources! I should have expected you would outdo yourselves. Thanks for all the great information. I'm off to buy some chains and straps, and I'll post some photos in a couple weeks when I make the trip.

Thanks again!

Post photos of a trial tiedown before you make the trip. Someone may spot a way to make an improvement.

Bruce

 

[gtrippleb]

That's what I use.

Grizz, I bolted D-rings to the front side frame of my tractor and a large twisted clevis on the rear draw bar for tie down points.

George2615, did you bolt the D-ring to the frame of the tractor or to the brush guard? Looking at your picture it looks like you bolted the D-ring to the brush guard.

 

[George2615]

George2615, did you bolt the D-ring to the frame of the tractor or to the brush guard? Looking at your picture it looks like you bolted the D-ring to the brush guard.

It's bolted to the brush guard. I was going to bolt them to the frame only a couple inches back from where they are. The left side has plenty of room but the right side on my tractor has the exhaust pipe right where I'd need to bolt on. Didn't think that would be fun hooking up next to a hot pipe. Brush guard is securely attached so thought it was next best place. Didn't want to modify the pipe or risk getting burned. I'll try to post a pic of the right side tomorrow.

 

[schmism]

My TC33 has a frame extended "bumper" in the front. i usually pass the chain through it. else i would chain around each side of the axle.

In the rear if when the draw bar is accessible i put a 7/8" D ring in the draw bar hole and chain through the D ring. I have also chained around the rear axle housing.

 

[George2615]

George2615, did you bolt the D-ring to the frame of the tractor or to the brush guard? Looking at your picture it looks like you bolted the D-ring to the brush guard.

Here's pics of both sides. The frame does have pre drilled holes that do line up with the bolt on D-rings holes but on the right side those holes are right behind the end of the exhaust pipe.

 

[FTG-05]

Why would you be running your tractor while it's tied down?

If you're worried about a hot shackle just after running the tractor onto the trailer, just attach to that shackle/tiedown the last of the four, it should be cooled by then.

Having said that, tying down to the brush guard will work as well.

Good luck!.

 

[mikehaugen]

Why would you be running your tractor while it's tied down?

If you're worried about a hot shackle just after running the tractor onto the trailer, just attach to that shackle/tiedown the last of the four, it should be cooled by then.

Having said that, tying down to the brush guard will work as well.

Good luck!.

That reminds me of a story. I was helping a guy move some stuff that needed his skid steer on both ends of the trip. I drove one of his trucks pulling the skid steer and he drove his dump truck with tag trailer. It was like November, so starting to get chilly and his skid steer had a hard time starting so we left it running all day. Made 3 trips (which I guess is really 6) about 15 miles, never shut it off.

It felt wrong, but in reality I can't see the harm in it, just kinda funny.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

If it was me, I want to tie down to more than a D ring with 2 bolts on it.

David Kb7uns

 

[jix]

At one time, I was a freight aircraft loadmaster (on a Hercules) Tiedown was a critical aspect of loading.
We followed the rules carefully. A summary of those goes as follows: Forward restraint 5 G's, Aft restraint 3 g's,
Vertical restraint 2 G's Lateral restraint 2 G's.. (where G means the weight of the object being tied down)

We used 10,000 lb turnbuckle certified chain..and 5.000 lb certified ratchet straps....Lives depend upon it being done right!

In a collision, loads are subject to forces well in excess of 30G's BTW

 

[George2615]

Why would you be running your tractor while it's tied down?

If you're worried about a hot shackle just after running the tractor onto the trailer, just attach to that shackle/tiedown the last of the four, it should be cooled by then.

Having said that, tying down to the brush guard will work as well.

Good luck!.

I wouldn't be running it and not worried about a hot D-Ring. Just don't want to get burned by the hot exhaust pipe being that close to the D-ring.