So how do you fasten down

[Oiltech]

your tractor to a flat bed trailer?

I have a 35' gooseneck trailer w/ the ratchet straps mounted on the side of the trailer which never seem to be in the right place. Anyway I put one strap across the loader arms near the FEL bucket and another across the 3-PT in the rear. The edges on these points are rough and are ruining the straps. I also believe 2 straps are really not enough to properly hold down a L3540 or M7060. To put chains across the same points would tear up a lot of painted surfaces on the equipment. Does anyone have pics of how they tie their tractor down to their trailer?

 

[cre10]

Take old inner tubes to put under the straps to pad it. I use chains and binders.

 

[soilsailor]

In the rare event that I haul my tractor, I use two chains and binders for my L3540 with FEL. One through the brush guard where it attaches to the tractor frame and another through a clevis on the hitch. I use 2 screw binders per chain, one on either side of tractor to take out all the slack.

Rick

 

[JDgreen227]

Used to handle cargo for a living on both flatbed and box trucks....we used fabric ratchet straps and depending on the load to be secured we used carpet scraps folded over numerous times to protect the cargo....when a chain was required to secure a forklift or other equipment we used a chain binder and ran it through a clevis on the rear attachment point. With no attaching point, the fabric ratchet straps were used. I am sorry to tell you this, but for most situations it's a no-brainer as to what protection should be used.

 

[herringchoker]

Some may consider this overkill, but this is how I chain down my B7800. It weighs much less than 10,000 lbs. (I'm guessing about 3200 lbs.) but I secure it as if it did weigh 10,000 or more. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement is active around here and I don't want any fines, not to mention I don't ever want to lose a load. I have chains and binders from when I used to own and operate heavy equipment. All chains are G70 (all 3/8" except one 5/16") and all ratchet binders are 3/8" with the appropriate working load limit (WLL) for the G70 chains. All tie downs on the trailer are WLL rated to match the chains and binders.

At the front I secure both sides through the FEL tower mounts, using a single chain acting as two with a binder on each side, plus an additional chain and binder over the loader. At the rear, I secure to the TPH cross shaft, using one chain and binder on each side with the chains crossing (left to right and right to left), plus a single chain and binder over any implement mounted on the TPH. All loose chain is wrapped around the binders and secured with rubber tarp straps to prevent accidental release. I also cover the SMV sign while in transit.

I do have two ratchet straps mounted permanently to the trailer, but I never use them to secure the tractor.

 

[Sterff]

I use chains. One on each corner, and one for each attachment.

 

[George2615]

I use chains (2 front and 2 back) and ratchet binders. On the front I bolted a D ring on each side of the tractor frame that I drop the chains thru. On the back I added a large twisted clevis to the draw bar under the tractor. I can feed the chains thru the clevis, one to each side. Loader and implements usually get strapped down. I'm way under the 10K limit that requires 4 tie downs but I want it to be secure.

 

[Xfaxman]

Re: So how do you fasten down the Toolcat?

I use 4 chains and ratchet binders from the trailer to the tie down loops on the Toolcat. :thumbsup:

 

[Xfaxman]

Re: So how do you fasten down the Versahandler?

I use same 4 chains and ratchet binders from the trailer to the tie down holes on the Versahandler. :thumbsup:

 

[Bigfoot62]

. . . I have a 35' gooseneck trailer w/ the ratchet straps mounted on the side of the trailer which never seem to be in the right place. Anyway I put one strap across the loader arms near the FEL bucket and another across the 3-PT in the rear. The edges on these points are rough and are ruining the straps. I also believe 2 straps are really not enough to properly hold down a L3540 or M7060. . .

Ratchet straps are not legal for that load. For mobile equipment, the law requires a 4-point tie down with chains and binders. PLUS, each attachment requires an additional chain and binder. So, technically, legally, a TLB would require two chains and binders on the tractor, one on the loader, and another for the backhoe. Note: hardly anybody does that, but that's the law.

Friend of mine is a captain for the La State Police Truck Safety Enforcement. I've had this conversation with him. Now understand, it is perfectly legal to just put two (very large) ratchet straps across a 29 ton load of logs on my double bunk log trailer, but not my 4 ton farm tractor. It may not make sense to you, but that's the law. (BTW, many of the laws in this country don't make sense to me either)

Some may consider this overkill, but this is how I chain down my B7800. . . Commercial Vehicle Enforcement is active around here and I don't want any fines, not to mention I don't ever want to lose a load. . .

You're right. It is overkill. But, you should NEVER have to worry about a ticket or your tractor falling off that trailer!

Take old inner tubes to put under the straps to pad it. I use chains and binders.

If you really want something that will work, and you don't have to worry about losing either, use an old piece of fire hose. Run the chain through it and slide the hose to where you need it.
BTW, all fire hoses are periodically tested and eventually have to be discarded. Local fire departments, even volunteer departments, are a good source for old hoses.