Help me understand WLL requirements for hauling small tractors.

[John Fitzgerald]

What about a 2,000 pound tractor? Are 2" nylon straps OK for that? That's what my dealer told me.

 

[TractorNH]

So since the law says 4 tie downs for vehicles under 10k lbs, this is technically illegal right?

 

[TractorNH]

I know people like this as well....

 

[Fallon]

Straps are easily cut. I put a 3-4" strap over the bumper on of my old L3200 (3klbs). Bumper was made out of bar stock & the corners were nowhere near sharp. After the 15 minute test drive (new trailer) the strap was cut almost in half from that not remotely sharp corner on the bumper. After that I got chains & ratchet binders.

I vaguely recall something about needing chain for metal loads over 10k lbs. I can guess why based on my experiences. Somebody with a CDL might correct me though.

I've thought about moving back to straps for the front of my machine (5klbs L4060) as they are faster. Up front the straps would only touch at the hooks on the ends, unlike the rear of my machine that always has as an impliment on it. Chain is still likely to be safer so I may stick with that.

 

[sixdogs]

Straps are easily cut. I put a 3-4" strap over the bumper on of my old L3200 (3klbs). Bumper was made out of bar stock & the corners were nowhere near sharp. After the 15 minute test drive (new trailer) the strap was cut almost in half from that not remotely sharp corner on the bumper. After that I got chains & ratchet binders.

I vaguely recall something about needing chain for metal loads over 10k lbs. I can guess why based on my experiences. Somebody with a CDL might correct me though.

I've thought about moving back to straps for the front of my machine (5klbs L4060) as they are faster. Up front the straps would only touch at the hooks on the ends, unlike the rear of my machine that always has as an impliment on it. Chain is still likely to be safer so I may stick with that.

Good points. I'm the OP and what I decided to do is go with a 5/16", gr 70 chain and hook clevis' for the back of the tractor. That's where the potential for rubbing is. I'm not horsing 3/8" chain around for a small farm tractor.

Up front I'm going to have two options. The first is simple hauling straps with safety clevis ends. They are easy to hook up and won't rub anything. I'm also going to have the option of one or two pieces of gr 70 chain with one grab clevis and one hook clevis. I'll put the hook into my tractor clevis and ratchet tighten. I may use grade 100 hook clevis ends. I'm not going to use the log choker clevis I originally asked about. I think it's strong enough since it's grade 8 but I just there's some doubt about practicality so I'll skip it.

I also have some 1/4" (9/32") grade 100 or 120 European alloy chain that is much lighter and would be easier to handle but that's for another day.

 

[Jcoon]

I vaguely recall something about needing chain for metal loads over 10k lbs.

No, straps are ok for any load as long as they meet the the requirements, you just have to use edge protections on non round edges.

I See 100 hp tractors with straps, and also full loads of I beam and structural steel with straps all the time, chain is actually used a lot less often than you think in the trucking industry. Probably cuz there to heavy and bulky.

 

[TractorNH]

chain is actually used a lot less often than you think in the trucking industry. Probably cuz there to heavy and bulky.

Straps are also a lot less dangerous to other drivers if they come undone and the trucker doesn't notice right away. A strap flapping in the wind is far different than a chain swinging about.

 

[ruffdog]

Here is a chart saying how many chains, what grade(WLL), what size, for the load you are carrying.
https://tulsachain.com/images/shopping_cart_images/binder_chains/binder_chain_chart.pdf

 

[newbury]

When I first came on TBN the mantra was "chain the equipment (tractor, dozer, etc.), strap the attachment".

I've had new straps "rub through" due to wind and just hitting a piece of wooden furniture the wrong way. Over the last 10 years I've had 1 chain that showed wear, when it was dragging between the asphalt and a 15' x 12" log down a 1/4 mile of highway.

 

[sixdogs]

Here is a chart saying how many chains, what grade(WLL), what size, for the load you are carrying.
https://tulsachain.com/images/shopping_cart_images/binder_chains/binder_chain_chart.pdf

That is a handy chart to have on file.