TIE DOWN locations on tractor for towing???

[Wishbonez51]

So far the D-Rings up front on the brush guard maybe our best bet. However, reading the DOT regulations for tying down our equipment causes for more concern and questions. I have added all the regulations by the number so we can look up all the different aspects for completing the tie down requirements. I believe this will help all of us learn, and more importantly be "SAFE" while driving our loads down the road.

But to start with, I thought discussing where to tie down and what to use was a good place to start. I did purchase chain, and the correct ratchet boomers yesterday. My dump trailer has the 4" D-Rings which are more than enough for my size tractor.

I have read from many sites stating, the tractor must be tied down via kriss cross and the chains cannot be touching. This will cause the D-rings to be bolted on the front of the brush guard and not the sides. This will also mean the D-Rings would have to be offset on bolted height so the chains will not touch each other during transit.

One of the simple things we can do to minimize movement forward and back is to chock the tires. Since my dump trailer is metal, I will need to get a couple more rubber chocks. But if you had a wood deck, you could bolt the chocks down which would make things a whole lot easier.

I have copied directly from the source you can copy link. 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.


PART 393 Subpart I Protection Against Shifting and Falling Cargo
393.100 Which types of commercial motor vehicles are subject to the cargo securement standards of this subpart, and what general requirements apply?
393.102 What are the minimum performance criteria for cargo securement devices and systems?
393.104 What standards must cargo securement devices and systems meet in order to satisfy the requirements of this subpart?
393.106 What are the general requirements for securing articles of cargo?
393.108 How is the working load limit of a tiedown, or the load restraining value of a friction mat, determined?
393.110 What else do I have to do to determine the minimum number of tiedowns?
393.112 Must a tiedown be adjustable?
393.114 What are the requirements for front end structures used as part of a cargo securement system?
393.116 - 393.136 Specific Securement Requirements by Commodity Type
393.116 What are the rules for securing logs?
393.118 What are the rules for securing dressed lumber or similar building products?
393.120 What are the rules for securing metal coils?
393.122 What are the rules for securing paper rolls?
393.124 What are the rules for securing concrete pipe?
393.126 What are the rules for securing intermodal containers?
393.128 What are the rules for securing automobiles, light trucks and vans?
393.130 What are the rules for securing heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery?
393.132 What are the rules for securing flattened or crushed vehicles?
393.134 What are the rules for securing roll-on/roll-off or hook lift containers?
393.136 What are the rules for securing large boulders?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Vehicle and Roadside Operations Division (MC-PSV)
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Publication No.: MC-P/PSV-04-001
Updated: Wednesday, April 2, 2014
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[George2615]

Technically, being under 10K only requires 1 front and 1 rear chain securement but I use 2F and 2R chains and they don't have to be crisscrossed as long as they pull on approx. a 45 degree angle. Plus 1 chain or strap for each attachment.

I pulled into a rest area one time (for a pit stop) and the DOT was there doing truck inspections with portable scales. They didn't give me a second look. In fact they told me to drive through as I didn't have to pull in. I let them know I did have to pull in for my pit stop. When I came back out I had two DOT guys looking over my tractor. When I asked if I secured it wrong they told me no. My tie down method was correct and more than required. They were looking at the tractor and started asking questions about it having never seen an LS.

 

[aczlan]

Does the loader on my TLB count as an attachment? It’s not optional equipment.

Yes, it can move separately from the tractor body (up and down) so it needs to be tied down just like the bucket on an excavator or the blade on a dozer.

Aaron Z

 

[4570Man]

Yes, it can move separately from the tractor body (up and down) so it needs to be tied down just like the bucket on an excavator or the blade on a dozer.

Aaron Z

Can I use a 400 pound rated ratchet strap since the chains on the machine already equal nearly double the machine weight? I’ve yet to find clear instructions on chaining down attachments.

 

[4570Man]

Technically, being under 10K only requires 1 front and 1 rear chain securement but I use 2F and 2R chains and they don't have to be crisscrossed as long as they pull on approx. a 45 degree angle. Plus 1 chain or strap for each attachment.

I pulled into a rest area one time (for a pit stop) and the DOT was there doing truck inspections with portable scales. They didn't give me a second look. In fact they told me to drive through as I didn't have to pull in. I let them know I did have to pull in for my pit stop. When I came back out I had two DOT guys looking over my tractor. When I asked if I secured it wrong they told me no. My tie down method was correct and more than required. They were looking at the tractor and started asking questions about it having never seen an LS.

I guess if DOT gave you the pass than keep doing it, but you should have angled the D rings. D rings are not rated for a sideways pull. And your D ring fasteners appeared to be grade 5 3/8 shaft bolts.

 

[ruffdog]

Here are some pics:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/319079-so-how-do-you-fasten.html

 

[aczlan]

Can I use a 400 pound rated ratchet strap since the chains on the machine already equal nearly double the machine weight? I’ve yet to find clear instructions on chaining down attachments.

I suspect that it needs to have a strap heavy enough to restrain the weight of the bucket and frame, I wouldn't go smaller than a 2" 3300# WLL ratchet strap.

Aaron Z

 

[4570Man]

The loader of my TLB isn’t falling off so I only care about being legal. I can’t find any regulation on what is required for an attachment. If the loader is supposed to be strapped why a free pass for trailer ramps?

 

[George2615]

I guess if DOT gave you the pass than keep doing it, but you should have angled the D rings. D rings are not rated for a sideways pull. And your D ring fasteners appeared to be grade 5 3/8 shaft bolts.

My D-rings are 1/2" dia, 11,000 break strength, 3,666 lb WL attached with 3/8" grade 8 hardware. WL for each is more than 1/2 tractor weight. They are solid rings with no gap. I could have angled them and may still do so. They are more than capable for securing my tractor but thanks for noticing. In my pic showing them on the brush guard they were attached with 3/8" SS hardware which was I assume are grade 5. I later moved them back to the tractor frame and changed the hardware to grade 8. Not sure if you can see that on the first pic with it on the trailer.

 

[Wishbonez51]

This is directly from the source once again.

Special Circumstances: Securing Heavy Vehicles, Equipment, or Machinery with Crawler Tracks or Wheels (Section 3.8.2.1)

Tiedown requirements

Restrain cargo using a minimum of four tiedowns, each having a WLL of at least 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.).
Prevents cargo movement in the side-to-side, forward, rearward, and vertical directions.
Attach tiedowns:
Either at the front and rear of the vehicle.
Or at the mounting points on the vehicle designed for that purpose.

We need to have 4 tie downs min. To secure our loads and or tractors. As well as the weight/ length rule of thumb.

As for attachments. It clearly states each attachment must be tied down separately. So to answer 4570man, the regulation states any load with a weight of 1100lbs or lighter AND 5' or less, requires 1 rated tie down to 50% of that loads weight. So if your attachment weighs 500lbs, you need a tie down strap equal to 250lbs. However, if you are only using 1 tie down, you would need a tie down that would equate to the full weight of the attachment.So in your case, you would need a tie down to be rated at 500lbs. If the attachment such as our backhoe is more than 5' but less than 10' and weights less than 1100lbs, it requires 2 tie down straps. So in my case I need 4 tie downs for the tractor, 2 for the backhoe, 1 for the FEL when transporting with the backhoe. That is a total of 7 tie downs. Not to mention, the regulations clearly state you should also have something to stop the forward and aft movement such as using wood, chocks or other means. Since my trailer is metal, I will use rubber chocks.