Transport Chain

[strum456]

What are the DOT requirements for chaining down non-commercial loads?

Is a certain grade of chain required no matter what (such as grade 70)?

Is it legal to use grade 43 chain, as long as the load is within the working limits of the chain being used?

Can the total weight of the load be divided by the number of chains holding down the load to determine the chain strength needed? Or does each chain need to be rated equal or more than the total load?

 

[Diamondpilot]

In general none really till something goes wrong. For loads less than 10K in the commercial world or non wheeled straps appropriately rated are fine. Over 10K it must be chains. No real rule on grade just that they are in good working order and rated for the load.

Chris

 

[strum456]

Why is grade 70 chain commonly referred to as transport chain? I was inferring that g70 must be what some athority wants you to use. I guess that is not so, based on your anwer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Why is grade 70 chain commonly referred to as transport chain? I was inferring that g70 must be what some athority wants you to use. I guess that is not so, based on your anwer.

Could not answer that. One difference is weight. G70 is much lighter per # of strength.

Chris

 

[George2615]

Grade 70 is the most common chain used to secure loads. Transport chain is usually grade 70 or higher. If you are over 10K it should be grade 70 or higher. For lighter loads I have used grade 43 chain which was well within the working limits of the chain. Currently I used 5/16" grade 70 for anything I haul over 1000 lb. I also carry several lengths of 3/8" chain for backup. For loads under 1K I have used ratchet straps.

 

[WM75Guy]

The name comes from the National Association of Chain Manufacturers WELDED STEEL CHAIN SPECIFICATIONS which is referenced in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Cargo Securement Rules. The Rules have requirements for tiedowns based on weight but do not require Grade 70 Transport chain as a minimum.

The grades are:

Grade 100 Alloy Chain Premium quality, highest strength alloy chain, heat treated, used in a variety of sling and tie down applications. For overhead lifting applications, only Alloy Chain should be used.

Grade 80 Alloy Chain Premium quality, high strength alloy chain, heat treated, used in a variety of sling and tie down applications. For overhead lifting applications, only Alloy Chain should be used.

Grade 70 Transport Chain A high quality, high strength carbon steel chain used for load securement. Not to be used in overhead lifting.

Grade 43 High Test Chain A carbon steel chain widely used in industry, construction, agricultural and lumbering operations. Not to be used in overhead lifting.

Grade 30 Proof Coil Chain General purpose, carbon steel chain. Used in a wide range of applications. Not to be used in overhead lifting.

Machine Chain Short pitch straight link or twist link, general utility chain made of carbon steel. Not to be used in overhead lifting.

Coil Chain Long pitch straight link or twist link, general utility chain made of carbon steel. Not to be used in overhead lifting.

Passing Link Chain Short, wide link chain which resists kinking or tangling, made of carbon steel. Not to be used in overhead lifting.

Stainless Steel Chain A corrosion-resistant chain manufactured from stainless steel, used in food processing, chemical, marine, and high temperature environments.

http://www.truckntow.com/productspecs/NACM_Welded_Specs.pdf

 

[WM75Guy]

Bigger is not always better. I compared the working load limits table for each grade

For 5/16" chain

Grade 43 - 3,900 pounds
Grade 70 - 4,700
Grade 80 - 4,500
Grade 100 - 5,700

For 3/8" chain

Grade 43 - 5,400 pounds
Grade 70 - 6,600
Grade 80 - 7,100
Grade 100 - 8,800

It would seem you are wasting money to step up to 5/16" Grade 80.

 

[JIGBUILDER]

Having towed much of the time (off and on) for a living since the early '60s I've always wondered about the term non commercial vs commercial.
I know how a load is chained/tied down to satisfiy DOT in the states around me so being curious I asked DOT if there is a different set of regs regarding non commercial . The answer was there is no difference regarding how a tractor is tied down if the rig has a DOT number and working for a living or just a private owner taking his 2000 lb or 12000 lb tractor to the repair shop or to do some work on another place for himself. The same tie down rules apply.

Now the question is what can we get by with when it comes to using straps or chain tie downs on wheeled vehicles. Your state DOT has the answer and having gone through as many different state scale houses as I have hauling my different type of wheeled construction equipment I wouldn't tell anyone what your DOT folks will say.

My tractor/FEL/7' mower or BB weighs around 7800 lbs and is always chained down at 4 cornors with 5/16 grade 80 alloy 5300 lb rated chain and hardware. My local DOT guy likes it.

 

[bdog]

Chain is the only way to go for anything that moves. I even use chains on my ~800lb Rhino UTV. I have seen straps fail too many times. Also straps wear out fairly quickly if you use them a lot due to weather, fraying, nicks, etc. Chains and boomers last a long time.

I always use GR70. Note the 5/16" GR70 is stronger (and lighter and easier to handle) than 3/8 GR43 and the price is about the same.

If you are using a pickup to haul it and a chain on all four corners 5/16" GR70 should cover just about anything. I have equipment hauled on 18 wheelers all the time and they use 3/8 GR70 for pretty much anything. Personally I think the 3/8" is small when they are securing Dozers and such but that is what I have seen most of them use. Sure there are exceptions though.

 

[sparc]

Cargo Securement Rules - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

As far as I can tell a load does not know if it is a commercial load or a non-commercial load; when it breaks away it does not care and it kills, injures, or causes damage with no preference.
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Note that the above rules state that UNMARKED rigging should be given a load rating equal to the lowest rating for rigging in that class. So unmarked 3/8 chain gets a rating the same as 3/8 Gr30 proof coil chain, even if what you paid for is Gr70 Transport chain.
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Use of Unmarked Tiedowns
The new rules do not prohibit the use of unmarked tiedown devices. Although many of the participants in the public meetings and numerous commenters to the rulemaking proposal argued the rules should include such a prohibition, FMCSA believes it is inappropriate to prohibit unmarked tiedowns at this time. However, in view of the potential safety hazards of motor carriers misidentifying unmarked tiedowns, there is a provision that unmarked welded steel chain be considered to have a working load limit equal to that of grade 30 proof coil, and other types of unmarked tiedowns be considered to have a working load limit equal to the lowest rating for that type in the table of working load limits.

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Secure your loads like you were a long haul trucker taking a stab at the NY to LA coast-to-coast time record in the middle of winter and you'll be fine.
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A little extra rigging never hurt, but a little less can kill.