Trailering a B3030

lawn_king · May 8, 2008

I was towed off the highway by the dot back in 2005, it cost me a couple hundred for the tow & screwed up my day. I learned my lesson the hard way and now im 100% compliant with MA law.

bx24 · May 8, 2008

Lawn King-

What the trooper a pr--k or did you get mouthy? That seems awfully drastic? (but not completely unbelievable ... sometimes you just never get a break)

One other thing I have heard is that the machines need to be tied down at four separate points (rather than running a chain or strap through the frame or around the bucket etc). I towed heavy equipment for years using only a "front chain" and a "rear chain" ran through the frame and never had a problem, but I guess the theory is that if one of the chains broke, you would be SOL.

Here is what I came up with for my little toy ....

Ductape · May 8, 2008

BX24, i can't answer for Lawn King, but as someone with real world experience, i can say that it takes neither to get a ticket (or worse) for this type of thing. Its just how law enforcement is trained today. If there is anything they can write a ticket for, they have got to do it. The officers on the street want to keep their job, and the state wants their revenue. Unfortunately, its really about the revenue. I can't tell you how many times i've heard this in casual conversation with LEOs. In a previous life i owned a towing service, and might have been the guy the law called to tow away your improperly tied down/inspected/loaded/registered trailer with tractor on it. Of course...... i was also harassed/ticketed/fined for the same infractions / grey areas myself. Unfortunately...... for everyone who says they see unbelievable junk going down the road, with crap on board not even tied down....... i see it too and very rarely do you see law bothering those people. Again.... it comes down to economics. If you are driving a nice truck with a nice trailer with a nice kubota on it........ you can afford a ticket !! Plain and simple. I've even heard officers in scale houses say (as a particular truck rolls through) .... hey, we haven't given so-and-so a ticket for anything in a long time, go out there and find something to write him up for !

Your set-up looks good. I would make sure your front straps are permanently marked by the manufacturer with the working load limit(either with tags sewn into them , or printed right on the strap itself). I would also recommend you put a strap (or a chain through your center hook) over the bucket. And........ since your backhoe must pin in the upright position (always have it pinned/locked in place), if it doesn't pin or lock in place side to side.... i would chain it or strap it from being able to swing.

I know eighty percent of the members on this site read this tie-down stuff and think "this doesn't apply to me / they will never bother with me / this only applies to commercial vehicles", but i can assure you today there were officers in your state being trained to write tickets on this stuff TODAY.

bx24 · May 9, 2008

Ductape said:
I know eighty percent of the members on this site read this tie-down stuff and think "this doesn't apply to me / they will never bother with me / this only applies to commercial vehicles", but i can assure you today there were officers in your state being trained to write tickets on this stuff TODAY.

Ductape-

I know you are right and like everything else that has to do with government policy, your best bet is to smile and not dig yourself a hole.

One quick note, the reason I used the chains in the back and the straps in the front is because I figure 99% of the time there will be more stress on the rear (especially when stopping). With the price of gas now days, at least in my case, I will rarely be "taking off fast" pushing the limits of the straps (even thought they are rated for it)

Good tips guys

lawn_king · May 9, 2008

I may have failed to mention that my trailer brakes were not working when i got towed, like i said, i learned my lesson the hard way, now they would have a hard time getting me on anything, t i have my health card, first aid kit, triangle kit, fire suppression,msds for lawn chemicals, dot approved chains & binders, roll tarp, good rubber, new battery in my trailer (break away) state & federal truck inspection stickers, and so on!

Ductape · May 9, 2008

bx24 said:
Ductape-

I know you are right and like everything else that has to do with government policy, your best bet is to smile and not dig yourself a hole.

I'm not trying to scare anyone into not trailering anywhere...... but everyone needs to have an idea what you are facing on the road these days. I should have given my disclaimer : Go with the odds....... and odds are you will never be bothered. But.... don't be shocked when it does happen. Stay safe out there !