Chained Tractor down for first time. Assess and Critique please.

[prichard]

I agree with FatTire.

My Son works for a Tow Service. In Missouri it's 4 chains required to secure the tractor. For example, driver's side front chain binds to the passenger side front of the trailer. Makes two X's, one at each end. Then the attachments are required to be chained down to the trailer floor to prevent bouncing. The clevis on the drawbar is definitely a no-go.

For me, I don't worry about it so much. But for legal, I'd chain it down and then visit the local State Operated Hiway Scales. They'll tell you how you are doing. Take plenty of extra chains/binders.

Why is clevis on the draw bar a no go? That's the way the dealer delivered mine.

 

[aczlan]

Why is clevis on the draw bar a no go? That's the way the dealer delivered mine.

If the chain at either end loosens at all, now there is nothing keeping the tractor from moving from side to side.
If the chains go to separate attachment points and the chains go off to the sides, you don't have that issue. You can lose any one chain (or two if they are kitty corner) and the tractor will stay put.

Aaron Z

 

[prichard]

So where can they be attached if not the draw bar and not damage the tractor?

 

[bcp]

I saw a small road roller on a trailer a few days ago. It was tied down very well, but each of the 4 chains had to be wrapped around the frame and hooked back on itself. Why don't equipment manufacturers build in tie down points? It would be so much easier to do good transport chaining then.

Bruce

 

[4570Man]

My guess is liability.

 

[Deere Dude]

Does it matter or work to hook the binder directly to the stake pocket or should the binder just be hooked onto the middle of a chain somewhere?

 

[ovrszd]

All good andwers to the 4 cross chain concept. Most primary reason is to control lateral movement of the load. One chain looped thru clevis does nothing to control that. Construction equipment have tie down loops built in.

 

[aczlan]

Does it matter or work to hook the binder directly to the stake pocket or should the binder just be hooked onto the middle of a chain somewhere?

I have seen it both ways. I would use a chain in the pocket as then you can drop it into the pocket and hook it over the top so that if it loosens slightly, it stays hooked.

Aaron Z

 

[QRTRHRS]

If you are worried about scratching the paint (and I can see it if you have a nice new or restored tractor), try to find either some used fire hose or leather sleeves to run your chains or webbing through. Either are also good for protecting webbing from sharp or blunt edges.

Crossing chains? Someone doing heavy hauling chime in but to the best of my knowledge, crossing or not is up to the individual, in state rules aside. I see pretty big equipment not cross chained but then the chains have a pretty clear path. If at all possible, I crossover but have done it both ways as needed. FWIW, there is alot of freight moving where the fasteners run vertical up and over the material. Don't think for a moment that this would keep the material from sliding sideways on the trailer deck in a bad situation.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have seen it both ways. I would use a chain in the pocket as then you can drop it into the pocket and hook it over the top so that if it loosens slightly, it stays hooked.

Aaron Z

What Aaron said. I would like to add this about binders. I may be old school but prefer the fold over type over the ratchets. I have always used a piece of pipe on the fold overs. Not to torque it until the cows come home, mind you but to make it easy to latch down. The final act is to take my pipe and give the lever a little "whack" to seat it. I have had them release if I neglected to do so but never on one that I seated.

I think the "old school" desire to use the fold over binders comes from having to truss up some loads like I was lacing up a stuffed chicken for roasting. LOL!