Tractor towing 101 - how to load and secure?

[Jerry1]

Back to the basics. I've towed my skid steer enough to be comfortable with towing heavy equipment, but anything different about loading and securing a tractor? The trailer is a newer PJ 14,000# equipment trailer so we're good there. Truck is a 3/4 ton Chev. Tractor weighs around 6,000# with FEL and normal 3 point set up.

Questions = back it on? Where should I or shouldn't I secure the chains on the tractor? It's easy with the skid steer because the machine provides points to connect chains, but I'm hauling the tractor for a friend and want to avoid problems.

Thanks for your help.

 

[JasG]

Back to the basics. I've towed my skid steer enough to be comfortable with towing heavy equipment, but anything different about loading and securing a tractor? The trailer is a newer PJ 14,000# equipment trailer so we're good there. Truck is a 3/4 ton Chev. Tractor weighs around 6,000# with FEL and normal 3 point set up.

Questions = back it on? Where should I or shouldn't I secure the chains on the tractor? It's easy with the skid steer because the machine provides points to connect chains, but I'm hauling the tractor for a friend and want to avoid problems.

Thanks for your help.

Nothing really different, most I have seen are driven on and backed off and that is how I have hauled mine. Each tractor is different depending on size and set up. I've seen tractors tied to the frame rails for front hooking, while some tractors don't have frame (the engine is the frame). I've seen people go straight to the axles both front and rear. I've also seen people go through the drawbar support on the rear of the tractor. IMO it is a judgment call based on the machine and when in doubt add more tie downs.

Things I have seen that I don't recommend is a clevis on the draw bar and 1 chain through that on the rear. Chaining to the front grill guard, the 3 pt arms, over the operator platform (that was the only tie down I saw on that load).

I do believe you need a chain over the loader bucket and if there is a rear attachment it needs to be lowered and chained also.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Well said JasG.

Having hauled any one of 5 tractors avalible to me over the years on a regular basis, each one has it's own chain-down isssues. Most of them I haul facing front. The exception was my 60's commander 6000 that I agreed to deliver when I sold it, it went on the trailer backwards due to proper weight distribution on the short trailer I was using.

Loader frames and rear axles are common places. Kubota L2850 has a nice tie down hook that makes the front really easy. I will be adding a hook to the front loader mount on my jd 3005 to make it more chain friendly both on the trailer and in the woods. Already added a bolt-on D-ring to the draw bar as close to the axle as I could get in some existing holes. DOT regs call for loader and rear impliment to be bound separately from tractor even if attached to said tractor. I chain the tractor and use HD ratchet straps (NOT 500# atv straps) on the bucket and brush hog, 1 each.

Good luck with your haul adventure... really not a big deal. Just think about the force applied to that yer attaching to and you'll be fine.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I use ratchet straps so don't scratch mine all up. They are good for 5K,one on loader,one front(pulling slight angle forwards)on axle,one rear(pulling slight angle rearward)beside draw bar. If an attachment it gets one also. I center rear tractor tire,with the tandom on trailer.

 

[LD1]

Forward or reward all depends on weight distribution. If the trailer is big enough, you could probably do it either way. But on a shorter trailer, especially if you have loaded tires, backing on might put too much weight on the tongue.

Things I have seen that I don't recommend is a clevis on the draw bar and 1 chain through that on the rear. Chaining to the front grill guard,

That is exactally how I tow mine. What is wrong with that? The brush guard is held on with like 6 large bolts directly to the frame. It isnt going anywhere. And there isnt much choice on the rear other than the drawbar. Wrapping the axle, there is too much wiring and small linkages (3PH feedback, 4wd, etc) that could be easily damaged.

 

[econometrics]

I use ratchet straps so don't scratch mine all up. They are good for 5K,one on loader,one front(pulling slight angle forwards)on axle,one rear(pulling slight angle rearward)beside draw bar. If an attachment it gets one also. I center rear tractor tire,with the tandom on trailer.

+2 here. I use two 10K straps so I don't end up with a scraped up tractor.

I've towed my old 5103 + MX6 down the road on a GN with the tractor just in PARK and the FEL and MX6 dropped onto the deck - no straps or chains. Of course, I do not recommend this at all (I kind of had no other choice at the time).

With the weight of your tractor, it will pretty well stay put if you are on normal highways with responsible stopping and starting if you have it fastened down reasonably with straps or chains. :thumbsup:

 

[Peacock]

I go thru the drawbar bracket with 2 straps. Then use 2 more at the weight bracket/grill guard bracket.

I use 10k straps.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Yeah my straps are around 5k load limit,15k rated. The 10k rated are around 3k load limit,if can remember right.

 

[case245]

I use 3 chain binders 2 on loaders mounts on back of loader and the drawbar on d ring and a rachet strap on torque tube I broke a rachet strap had 3 on my 7040

 

[namyessam]

Back to the basics. I've towed my skid steer enough to be comfortable with towing heavy equipment, but anything different about loading and securing a tractor? The trailer is a newer PJ 14,000# equipment trailer so we're good there. Truck is a 3/4 ton Chev. Tractor weighs around 6,000# with FEL and normal 3 point set up.

Questions = back it on? Where should I or shouldn't I secure the chains on the tractor? It's easy with the skid steer because the machine provides points to connect chains, but I'm hauling the tractor for a friend and want to avoid problems.

Thanks for your help.

Go to the massey ferguson vintage classic forum and go to page 2 Look for massey 65 field find by porkchopsmnn. Go to page three of this thread post #28 and read from there. This will be give good and bad examples how to haul a tractor. Be Safe.

namyessam

 

[JasG]

That is exactally how I tow mine. What is wrong with that? The brush guard is held on with like 6 large bolts directly to the frame. It isnt going anywhere. And there isnt much choice on the rear other than the drawbar. Wrapping the axle, there is too much wiring and small linkages (3PH feedback, 4wd, etc) that could be easily damaged.

My advice is legal no matter the weight. Once you get to 10K LBS as I recall you must use 4 points and all I listed. Also keep in mind rules are open to interpretation by a LEO should you get stopped. I sold a Deere 850 compact tractor a few years ago. The guy that bought it hired a contractor close to him to truck it to his home. I helped the contractor load and strap the tractor. While we were doing this he told me he had a Deere 755 and was ticketed for doing what you describe. He had a chain through a clevis and the strap from one side to the other dropped over the base of his brush guard. While below the weight limit (like I said I believe it's 10K lbs)s, the ticket was just for improper securing the load. It did not give a model of the tractor or any weight. There was no way this guy could prove the tractor he was ticketed for, was the tractor he was ticketed for. Since then he said he strapped everything as I described

Also keep in mind this is general information, brush guards come in all shapes and sizes. Not all could or would hold up to being tied down. The clevis through the drawbar with a single chain while not legal above a certain weight. It would give a very low angle on the chain. I have always been told to try and keep the angle between 30 and 45 degrees. Anything over the size of an ATV, my dad, my cousin, both who have CDL's and moved all kind of construction equipment, and I. We all treat it like its a large machine, 4 points plus one over each attachment. It's just a lot less trouble that way. In NY you are just a likely to get pulled over now in some areas with an F-150 as a big rig.

 

[LD1]

I guess when in doubt, use plenty of straps.

I have towed many tractors, and my tractor several times. I guess location has alot to do with it too, as I never see private people stopped for anythign when towing, unless that have something like a load of scrap that is ready to fall off or something.

Believe me, I dont need someone to stop me and tell me how to secure my tractor. It is a large investment on my part. I certainly aint gonna let it get off the trailer. For my sub-5000lb tractor, I strap just the way you mention the guy got ticketed for. G70 3/8 chains and ratchet binders. Never had anything ever come loose.

 

[JasG]

I guess when in doubt, use plenty of straps.

I have towed many tractors, and my tractor several times. I guess location has alot to do with it too, as I never see private people stopped for anythign when towing, unless that have something like a load of scrap that is ready to fall off or something.

Believe me, I dont need someone to stop me and tell me how to secure my tractor. It is a large investment on my part. I certainly aint gonna let it get off the trailer. For my sub-5000lb tractor, I strap just the way you mention the guy got ticketed for. G70 3/8 chains and ratchet binders. Never had anything ever come loose.

Here in NY I don't even think it's about safety, it's all about money. I have several friends that are LEO's (My grand father was a sheriff to but he passed away some time ago) and they have told me that there is a lot of pressure on them to write tickets for anything and everything. My father in-law got his 1st ever ticket at age 72 a few months back. He always drives between 5 mph under and the posted speed limit. Well a local village changed a 40 MPH zone to 30, he didn't see the changed sign and he got a ticket. Officer said he could work as much over time as he wanted as long as he paid for it with tickets. NY now is even, around Albany, writing tickets for anything that blocks your plate in any way. This could be the ball hitch you left in your bumper, or bike rack, etc. If it breaks the plane of the plate in any way, you could to get a ticket. Seems like every LEO car I see now has not one, but 2 plate readers mounted either on the trunk, or roof of the cars. Our local village stopped publishing the fines each month because people have started to complain about bogus tickets and it about government greed. The village has doubled ticket income in the last couple of years.

 

[JasG]

I almost forgot.

One local village has what has become to be known as ticket Tuesday. They set up road blocks, a different location each Tuesday on the main road through town. Stopping every vehicle and checking them over. If you live local, you will be let go, but from out of town, chances are good they will get you for something. It's even made the paper a few times. They even passed a local law, so the tickets aren't a DMV violation, so they can keep 100% of the money. Otherwise the state would get a large chunk. So instead of a speeding ticket or a towing violation or past due inspection you get written up for "disorderly conduct".

Just a warning to anyone who want to visit NY.

 

[aczlan]

I almost forgot.
One local village has what has become to be known as ticket Tuesday. They set up road blocks, a different location each Tuesday on the main road through town. Stopping every vehicle and checking them over. If you live local, you will be let go, but from out of town, chances are good they will get you for something. It's even made the paper a few times. They even passed a local law, so the tickets aren't a DMV violation, so they can keep 100% of the money. Otherwise the state would get a large chunk. So instead of a speeding ticket or a towing violation or past due inspection you get written up for "disorderly conduct".
Just a warning to anyone who want to visit NY.

Cute...

Aaron Z

 

[newbury]

I almost forgot.

One local village has what has become to be known as ticket Tuesday. They set up road blocks, a different location each Tuesday on the main road through town. Stopping every vehicle and checking them over. If you live local, you will be let go, but from out of town, chances are good they will get you for something. It's even made the paper a few times. They even passed a local law, so the tickets aren't a DMV violation, so they can keep 100% of the money. Otherwise the state would get a large chunk. So instead of a speeding ticket or a towing violation or past due inspection you get written up for "disorderly conduct".

Just a warning to anyone who want to visit NY.

Well tell us the name of the village so we can be aware!

 

[LD1]

THat sucks. Glad I live in the rural midwest state of Ohio

 

[JasG]

Well tell us the name of the village so we can be aware!

Chittenango is the one with ticket Tuesday. Some weeks its road blocks, others speed traps. A couple of my co-workers live there, the village collects between 12K and 15K per month in fines.

Auburn NY there was a story this year about ticket quotas.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/auburn_police_union_chief_end.html

I had a dump truck, dozer backhoe and trailer and did side work. I sold all of it a few years ago. It just wasn't worth going through all the crap. I would only move my equipment on Sundays to avoid getting pulled over.

 

[JasG]

I guess when in doubt, use plenty of straps.

I have towed many tractors, and my tractor several times. I guess location has alot to do with it too, as I never see private people stopped for anythign when towing, unless that have something like a load of scrap that is ready to fall off or something.

Believe me, I dont need someone to stop me and tell me how to secure my tractor. It is a large investment on my part. I certainly aint gonna let it get off the trailer. For my sub-5000lb tractor, I strap just the way you mention the guy got ticketed for. G70 3/8 chains and ratchet binders. Never had anything ever come loose.

One more thins I didn't say what your doing is against the law, just in my original post I didn't recommend it.

I don't remember when the 4 point rule when into effect for over 10K. I do remember in the early 1990's a machinery dealer hauling a dozer, I think a Cat D5. They ran a single chain on the front and rear and the rear binder came loose. From what I remember that allowed the rear of the dozer to start sliding on the trailer and ended up some how flipping the trailer going around a curve. I was taking a heavy equipment class at the time and the instructor went over the some of what he knew with us a few days after it happened.

This website has the rules, if you read through you can see some areas that are not real clear or can be taken in more than 1 way. Kind of like the CDL rules, so some is left open to interpretation.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Cargo Securement Rules - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

 

[compact]

I drive on until my ball sinks about 4" which is 800 on the tongue. Chain front frame to trailer d rings in an "x", back tractor up until 5/16" 70 chains are tight, hook 2 more to rear d rings / drawbar support, and ratchet bind rear. 2 more 1/4 gr 43 from toplink boss to stake pocket, lever bind, duct tape binder handles. Pull up 800lb load bars on trailer and it's good.