Stopped by DOT

[LHS Inc]

Well instead of dinking the poor guy around, here is the answer;

First of all I would ditch the straps. They are rated for 10,000 lbs, but I am willing to bet that is not indicated anywhere on the strap itself. That disqualifies it immeadiatley in the eyes of the truck police. Plus a length of chain is really usefull on a day to day basis.

I am assuming the tractor with all of it's gear bolted to it weighs less than 5000lbs.

Because it is under 10000 lbs, you can use the same regs as specified for transporting a car or light truck. However, it is much easier to go by the rules for heavy equipment, as follows.

#1: you must have a minimum of 4 tie down points to the deck of the trailer.

#2: Take the weight of the tractor and divide by 2.

#3: Take the Working load rating of each of your tie downs, and divide by 2. ( that is not the ultimate breaking point, which is what those nylon straps are usually rated at. )

#4 Sum all of the tie downs in item #3. This number must be equal to or greater than item #2. If not, add more tie downs until it is.

So I would use two lengths of 5/16" G70 chain, run through the frame of the tractor in such a manner that it cannot be pulled through, with two lever binders rated at the same strength as the chain.

All tie downs must have an angle on the load, so that the machine cannot move forwards or backwards, or from side to side. Imagine drawing an X through the tractor from above.

Any binder or chain not marked with a rating is automatically disqualified by the DOT officer.

So I assume the two chains with two ends = 4 tie down points or do I need a single chain for each tie down point? Tractor and Imps should be under 5000 lbs. Is a two lever binder a chain tightner? I'm just used to strapping down grasscutters.

 

[tcartwri]

So I assume the two chains with two ends = 4 tie down points or do I need a single chain for each tie down point? Tractor and Imps should be under 5000 lbs. Is a two lever binder a chain tightner? I'm just used to strapping down grasscutters.

The 5/16 G70 is rated for a 4700 lb Working Load limit. If you pass it through and around the frame so that it cannot be freely pull through, it will be considered 4 separate chains. For a binder, you can either use a lever action, or a ratchet action. With the ratchet binder, you can put a lot of force on the equipment, and potentially damage it.

http://www.scc-chain.com/PDF/Cat_pg_60.pdf

 

[firedog]

So I assume the two chains with two ends = 4 tie down points or do I need a single chain for each tie down point? Tractor and Imps should be under 5000 lbs. Is a two lever binder a chain tightner? I'm just used to strapping down grasscutters.

I prefer a single chain. For instance: 4 chains @ 5000# working load limit = 20,000# / 2 = 10,000# capacity. If you were to use only two chains crossed through the equipment, be certain the chains are secured across the trailer from each other and not on the same side. refer to FMCR 393.106 108 & 110
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.106

 

[Diamondpilot]

The 5/16 G70 is rated for a 4700 lb Working Load limit. If you pass it through and around the frame so that it cannot be freely pull through, it will be considered 4 separate chains. For a binder, you can either use a lever action, or a ratchet action. With the ratchet binder, you can put a lot of force on the equipment, and potentially damage it.

http://www.scc-chain.com/PDF/Cat_pg_60.pdf

In my area that does not fly. You can use 2 chains but what they want you to do is this.

Say you have 2 20' chains. Hook both ends of the chain to the trailer. Now you have one in front of the tractor and one in the back with a bunch of slack. Now take your binders, 2 for the front and 2 for the rear, and hook them to the tractor and bind it down.

The fear is if one came loose or broke the chain could pull though.

As for binders and chains not being marked they are legal here, they just use the lowest value the manual states for that size.

Chris

 

[tcartwri]

In my area that does not fly. You can use 2 chains but what they want you to do is this.

I think you are correct.

 

[Soundguy]

Actually you would have to combine chapters 2 and 10 to be compliant. Chapter 10 alone, would get you in a lot of trouble.

see what I mean. my answer looks less crazy all the time.

state reg books are like a maze...

soundguy

 

[Ford tractor]

Actually you would have to combine chapters 2 and 10 to be compliant. Chapter 10 alone, would get you in a lot of trouble.

Remember he is discussing a wheeled vehicle under 10,000 pounds. 2 chains are all the feds require.

5-7 years back the WI DOT started enforcing USDOT numbers and all big rig specs on 1 ton trucks with gooseneck trailers. They are already down to 1/2 ton trucks with small trailers holding only personal stuff. In WI, 10,001 pounds total truck, trailer, gas and gear is the cut off for "commercial" enforcement if there is any hint of compensation. Mowing your lake house is seen as increasing the value of the property and counts. Yeah, revenue enforcement

 

[Harold_J]

Remember he is discussing a wheeled vehicle under 10,000 pounds. 2 chains are all the feds require.

5-7 years back the WI DOT started enforcing USDOT numbers and all big rig specs on 1 ton trucks with gooseneck trailers. They are already down to 1/2 ton trucks with small trailers holding only personal stuff. In WI, 10,001 pounds total truck, trailer, gas and gear is the cut off for "commercial" enforcement if there is any hint of compensation. Mowing your lake house is seen as increasing the value of the property and counts. Yeah, revenue enforcement

Is WI looking for you to have the DOT numbers on the half-ton trucks with trailers, or are they just cracking down on safety inspctions?

 

[Duffster]

Is WI looking for you to have the DOT numbers on the half-ton trucks with trailers, or are they just cracking down on safety inspctions?

Yes if used in commerce.

 

[Lt CHEG]

while I'm 100% for road safety.. I get the feeling this was 'revenue' enforcement.. not safety enforcement. and I'm not a fan of that. there are proactive ways to encourage safety involving open citizen training fliers, websites.. IMHO.. the goal should be to let people know what they need to be compliant for whatever they are doing.. vs a myriad of selectively enforced codes that is difficult for the layperson to understand, and periodic military style stops and revenue enforcement...

soundguy

Soundguy, as current LEO and a former local uniformed LEO, I can tell you that you are absolutely 100% correct. The only reason behind increased commercial vehicle enforcement is the revenue that it can generate. Commercial vehicle enforcement is all about justifying the grant money you received for new vehicles and overtime. It's also about the money that the tickets bring in.