which chains and binders should i use?

[bjess8]

I am sure this has been asked a million times but i can not find anything in the search field,so here goes
i just bought a trailer to haul my L3130 Kubota on and was wondering what is the pro's and con's about buying a 3\8 grade70 chain vs a 5\16 grade 70 other than I know the 3\8 has a lot more holding power.just wondering if I really would need to buy A 3\8 or not.For the money it is not that much more to go with a bigger chain.I would like some feed back on this just to help me make up my mind.Thanks for any and all replies.
p.s the trailer is a 18ft 10,000 lb equipment trailer made by interstate.

 

[jayste]

I personally wouldn't have a problem putting the 5/16" on there and boom it down. One on the front and one on the back but that's just me. 5/16" will be lighter to handle.

 

[KeithInSpace]

I agree with Mr. Jayste. Though my tractor is considerably lighter, I couln't fathom the situation where my 5/16" G70 chain breaks. That is some TOUGH STUFF. Put another way, whatever anchors you have your chain attached to will probably eat themselves before the chain will break.

5/16" chain is a good handling size. Though it doesn't seem like much of a jump on paper, pick up a 16' or 20' section of 3/8" chain vs. 5/16". For a 20' run, 5/16" is a little over 20# and the 3/8 is a little over 30#. I regularly carry 3-16' sections of 5/16" G70 chain along with a couple binders in the back of my truck.

 

[20 20]

Not sure about your laws but in this state they want to see 4 contacts, each corner. I know last year they were being real sticklers about it.


5/16
4700 rated lbs


3/8
6600 rated lbs
DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING.

Do not exceed working load limit.

 

[toxic]

I trailer my L4330 cabbed kubota pretty much every day and have never used anything but 5/16 G70. Chain on each corner, crossed on the front, not usually possible to do on the back because of the hitch and a good quality binder on each chain. I prefer the lever types myself, ratchet style is to slow when your loading/loading 6 times a day. Also don't forget to strap down any attachments you got on even if its attached to the tractor and over the fel.

 

[bjess8]

OK thanks for the replies I bought a 3/8 g70 16ft the other day before I posted this and now I think I will get a 5\16 g70 not sure if I need a 20 footer or 16 footer but atleast reading the posts I feel better about a 5\16 chain. thanks

 

[Diamondpilot]

What I would do is get 2 20'. Lowes has the best price, $32, and they are quality chains. Have them cut them in 1/2 and get 2 more grab hooks and now you are covered on all 4 corners.

Many of us here have gone that route with the Lowes chain and 4 10' pieces. Works great with not a lot of slack. If you need to pull or bind something with a longer chain just hook 2 together.


Chris

 

[Iowachild]

What I would do is get 2 20'. Lowes has the best price, $32, and they are quality chains. Have them cut them in 1/2 and get 2 more grab hooks and now you are covered on all 4 corners.

Many of us here have gone that route with the Lowes chain and 4 10' pieces. Works great with not a lot of slack. If you need to pull or bind something with a longer chain just hook 2 together.


Chris

I just bought some of the Lowe's chains myself. Campbell made in USA, 5/16" grade 70, 20' foot chains. They are $35.96 here, but still an excellent buy!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I just bought some of the Lowe's chains myself. Campbell made in USA, 5/16" grade 70, 20' foot chains. They are $35.96 here, but still an excellent buy!

Yea, I just went back and check my price on line and they were $32.25 give or take a few cents. Cheaper here in Indiana I guess. We have a Lowes distribution center about 60 miles away so maybe that is the reason, not as much trucking???? Either way its a good chain at a good price.



Chris

 

[davygp38]

Not sure about your laws but in this state they want to see 4 contacts, each corner. I know last year they were being real sticklers about it.


5/16
4700 rated lbs


3/8
6600 rated lbs
DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING.

Do not exceed working load limit.

When I chain my tractor L4400, I use two chains. I run from the rear corner of the trailer, over the BH frame, to the other rear corner of the trailer, same with the front.. Now I consider each corner as being two points of contact. Are you saying that I need a separate chain, and binder for each corner? As far as chain size goes, Bigger is always better. You never know what crazy situation you might find yourself in while using your machine. If you can afford it, go bigger, just like when you are buying a trailer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

When I chain my tractor L4400, I use two chains. I run from the rear corner of the trailer, over the BH frame, to the other rear corner of the trailer, same with the front.. Now I consider each corner as being two points of contact. Are you saying that I need a separate chain, and binder for each corner? As far as chain size goes, Bigger is always better. You never know what crazy situation you might find yourself in while using your machine. If you can afford it, go bigger, just like when you are buying a trailer.

For a private individual you are ok. For commercial transport this would NOT be ok. Any wheeled item must have 4 separate chains and binders plus each attachment like a FEL or BH must also be secure. The attachment can be done with a strap but chain is still preferred.

The reason is in your situation lets say the back chain breaks or comes loose and you stomp on the brakes its coming at your truck. With 2 at the front and 2 at the back you have the chance only 1 would break and the other would still secure the item until you could get stopped and reset the chains.

If you chains are long enough now you can just cut them and buy 4 hooks to make up the 4 you need. I only use 2 binders. What I do is drive the tractor up on the trailer, secure the rear chains, pull the tractor forward to snug them up, shut down and secure the front chains with binders then set the parking brake.


Chris

 

[20 20]

When I chain my tractor L4400, I use two chains. I run from the rear corner of the trailer, over the BH frame, to the other rear corner of the trailer, same with the front.. Now I consider each corner as being two points of contact.

That is what I do and so far no troubles but.......

Are you saying that I need a separate chain, and binder for each corner?

From my understanding they want 4 seperate chains connecting each corner 2F 2B. That way if one breaks there is still another connected whether it be front or back{obviously there will be 3 left all together}.

As far as chain size goes, Bigger is always better. You never know what crazy situation you might find yourself in while using your machine. If you can afford it, go bigger, just like when you are buying a trailer.

Completely agree 100 % :thumbsup: What some folks don't take into account is a sudden stop or accident that might happen. A chain may easily hold the weight of what is being hauled. The question is can it take the force of the weight when it suddenly shifts???? :shocked: Overkill may cost more but under load limit may cost lives{just a thought}

 

[Duffster]

That is what I do and so far no troubles but.......



From my understanding they want 4 seperate chains connecting each corner 2F 2B. That way if one breaks there is still another connected whether it be front or back{obviously there will be 3 left all together}.



Completely agree 100 % :thumbsup: What some folks don't take into account is a sudden stop or accident that might happen. A chain may easily hold the weight of what is being hauled. The question is can it take the force of the weight when it suddenly shifts???? :shocked: Overkill may cost more but under load limit may cost lives{just a thought}

If it shifts it wasn't chained down right. Just saying.

 

[bjess8]

I was wondering when i go to lowes why don's I just buy four 10 foot chains there instead of two 20 foot chains and cut them?or is it cheaper to buy it longer?I am asking I do not know...and thanks for all the replies this is really helpfull.

 

[20 20]

If it shifts it wasn't chained down right. Just saying.

I probably should have wrote force instead of shift.

 

[ihuntbear]

I called DOT yesterday.They said it must be chained down on all four corners with chains and binders only ( no Straps ).He said if the tractor is over 4700 lbs I have to use 3/8 70 chain.He also said it had to be chained down to the trailer at a 45 degree angle.Attachment can be strapped down

 

[Diamondpilot]

I called DOT yesterday.They said it must be chained down on all four corners with chains and binders only ( no Straps ).He said if the tractor is over 4700 lbs I have to use 3/8 70 chain.He also said it had to be chained down to the trailer at a 45 degree angle.Attachment can be strapped down

Boy, your Canada rules are tough. Are you commercial?

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

I was wondering when i go to lowes why don's I just buy four 10 foot chains there instead of two 20 foot chains and cut them?or is it cheaper to buy it longer?I am asking I do not know...and thanks for all the replies this is really helpfull.

Its much cheaper. If you buy it by the foot its about $3 per foot so by the time you add the 8 hooks it would cost you $100. Get 2 20' chains and cut them and add 4 more hooks and you are at $80.

Just have them cut it. The chain is hardened so its tough to cut at home. Just take the time to lay it out on the floor, get it flat, and measure it off even.

Chris

 

[buckle97]

I also use the Lowe's chain being discussed and it really is quality chain for a great price.

 

[davygp38]

For a private individual you are ok. For commercial transport this would NOT be ok. Any wheeled item must have 4 separate chains and binders plus each attachment like a FEL or BH must also be secure. The attachment can be done with a strap but chain is still preferred.

The reason is in your situation lets say the back chain breaks or comes loose and you stomp on the brakes its coming at your truck. With 2 at the front and 2 at the back you have the chance only 1 would break and the other would still secure the item until you could get stopped and reset the chains.

If you chains are long enough now you can just cut them and buy 4 hooks to make up the 4 you need. I only use 2 binders. What I do is drive the tractor up on the trailer, secure the rear chains, pull the tractor forward to snug them up, shut down and secure the front chains with binders then set the parking brake.


Chris

I can't believe I did not think of that. I will always use a seperate chain from now on. I also use the Lowes chain by the way.