2538 where/how do you hook chains on front when trailering.

[mike35549]

For you guys that have a 2538 how do you tie it down when hauling it somewhere. On the rear I just put a large clevis on the draw bar and attach chain to that. But on the front end there is really no good way to attach chains. I have been using two axle straps but would rather not use them and just attach the chain without breaking something or scratching all the paint off the axle. Wondering how everyone else is doing it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I wrap the chain around the front axle if no other place is available. I would rather have a little scratched paint than lose my tractor.
My B26 has welded loops front and rear on which I hook my chain tie downs. I then run a strap over the FEL arms and one over the backhoe bucket to complete the tie down. I use 4 chain ratchet binders, one for each attachment point. I know some folks will tie off the front and then back up to tighten the chains. I don't approve of that way of doing things since if the rear chains get slack then your front is also subject to getting slack.
On my LS there is nothing on the front other than the bumper guard and I wont take the chance of it holding so around the axles goes the chain. On the rear, I tie off to the drawbar swing steel (not the drawbar itself) that holds up the drawbar. The left side of the swing steel gets anchored to the right side of the trailer and the opposite for the other side (cross chaining). Same with the front chains over the axles, they are cross chained. I welded on 4 D lugs to my trailer in the exact spot needed for this to chain up and balance my load. I can use the welded on standards for the B26 if needed since the load is so much lighter. When using the standards, the chain is dropped thru from the top then brought back up the outside and hooked in on the top. This makes sure the chain wont come loose should it somehow become slack, the weight of the chain will always keep it hooked in place.

 

[bhstovall]

My son is a wrecker driver and has been to several seminars and he's says that according to DOT the chains have to be cross tied to the trailer. You also must have a ratchet strap over each attachment to keep it in contact with the trailer. If it is done correctly, the tractor will still be attached to the trailer even if it rolls over. I always go around each side of the rear axle and cross it over to the opposite side & through the fel brackets with a "J" hook & cross them to the opposite sides as well. Tighten everything down with load binders, then I put a 2000 pound ratchet strap over the fel, & she is ready to go! I would never depend on just 2 points as most any cut will weigh in at a ton or more! My 2565 weighs over 2.5 tons! Look on YouTube, there are several tutorials. If you are new to tractors search for "Tractor Mike", he has a lot of great advice!