American-made Grade 70 Chain & Binders???

[pekabu]

Interesting since I have never been to Brentwood. The sales guy in Milford said that Brentwood had a very limited chain and accessory selection compared to Milford. The B-B chain store in Milford takes up about 1/3 of the floor space of the new building. There is a lot there.

I really need to get to Milford. But I bet Brentwood probably had 50 or so chains out front 5/16, 3/8 in different lengths with some binders below on the sales floor. More stuff then I ever saw at MB in Tilton.

My Dad bought chains at BB back when it was in the cellar of someones house. His first "Skidder" was a Kubota, then he moved on to a pair of Clarks. A 664 and a 666 Ranger.

 

[Dougster]

Interesting twist in the chain saga: After unsuccessfully trying to figure out the apparent derating of certain tiedown "systems" (from full chain WLL) and then being told that the Mass State Police apply different standards from Federal in terms of number of tiedowns required, I decided it was time to call them and ask before I buy. Turns out that while they *do* claim to use the Federal standards, they apply an interesting interpretation re: TLBs.

The good news is that... consistent with Federal law... I only need two tiedowns for my under 10,000 lb. tractor (not four) to be legal here. The bad news is that I need two more tiedowns... one for the FEL and one for the BH. So in a sense, the guy who originally told me to use four tiedowns in Massachusetts was actually correct!
While I see no way my FEL or BH are going to come flying off my properly tied-down 4110, it looks like the cops here could make a violation out of this if I don't chain them in some way. Since the weights of the FEL and backhoe are relatively low, I probably don't need more than 1/4 inch chain (or maybe even nylon straps?) for these legal/nuisance tiedowns. It didn't matter to the trooper than the FEL bucket rides up against the front trailer frame or that the BH is mechanically latched up.

I suspect I will just run a 1/4 inch chain over the FEL bucket... no big deal, really... but how does one chain up the BH to suit The Man? The trooper's recommendation to drop the boom until the BH bucket rests on the trailer seems silly and even potentially dangerous.

Does anyone else chain up their BH when trailering? And, if so, how?

Dougster

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I've also been told to tie down the FEL with a separate chain and the tractor requires its own chain. Only had to trailer the BH one time, long long ago, don't recall how it was tied down, its not been off the property since it arrived.

But to the point of the FEL it is really important not to use straps on the FEL, especially if your bucket has sharp corners. The corners or top edge of many of the bucket designs will rip right through a strap. Chain is almost a must when looping over a FEL bucket.

 

[Dougster]

But to the point of the FEL it is really important not to use straps on the FEL, especially if your bucket has sharp corners. The corners or top edge of many of the bucket designs will rip right through a strap. Chain is almost a must when looping over a FEL bucket.

Good point Bob. The Mahindra 4110's bucket is not particularly sharp on top... but I'm planning on adding some reinforcement steel and hooks soon. Chain does make more sense... I can tell you all about frayed nylon straps... although I still think this whole attached implement tiedown thing makes about as much sense as wings on pigs.

Dougster

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I can tell you all about frayed nylon straps... although I still think this whole attached implement tiedown thing makes about as much sense as wings on pigs.

Dougster

Hey, how dare you question the wisdom of the guv'ment workers. They are just trying to make things safe for everyone. Heck I think some of them wear a belt and suspenders just to be safe

 

[Dougster]

Hey, how dare you question the wisdom of the guv'ment workers. They are just trying to make things safe for everyone. Heck I think some of them wear a belt and suspenders just to be safe

I could tell from my conversation with the trooper that he didn't want to talk common sense... i.e., the difference between an implement utterly integral with the tractor vs. a separate, unsecured implement. I have no problem whatsoever separately tying down *anything* on my trailer that is not 100% secured to the tractor. But if he thinks my FEL or BH is suddenly going to break off my tractor and launch itself into traffic... well... what do you say to something like that? The approach is no-think... one size fits all... common sense out the door.

But I went directly to the guys who will be pulling me over and inspecting me. They are the ones I must satisfy. If separate, supplementary chains on my FEL and BH keep my record clean, then so be it. Who am I to question their interpretations of Federal law.

Dougster

 

[Bob_Skurka]

. . . and launch itself into traffic. . .

My encounters with the DOT enforcement officers is that they have no sense of humor. Fortunately I've never had a problem.

 

[Dougster]

My encounters with the DOT enforcement officers is that they have no sense of humor.

Yep! And it does me no good that I am a degreed, 30+ year professional mechanical engineer with a copy of Federal law and precise loading calculations in hand. If they want to give me a ticket, they will find a way. Hence my quest for the most simple way to make sure they are satisfied.

I may be paranoid, but I am not stupid!

Dougster

 

[LarryRB]

The only strap I have and use, is the one I wrap around the hoe bucket and back to each side rail of the trailer. Unless staying in Connecticut, then a grade 70 with binder is used,

 

[Dougster]

The only strap I have and use, is the one I wrap around the hoe bucket and back to each side rail of the trailer. Unless staying in Connecticut, then a grade 70 with binder is used,

Hi Larry - I'm not sure this qualifies as a true load tiedown in the Federal law sense... but if it keeps the troopers off my back, I'm with ya! Funny how every time I try to streamline trailer loading and unloading, a new issue comes up that adds to turn-around time.

Incidentally, I called St Pierre today and had a nice chat. Nice folks, but the bottom line is that they really weren't too interested in my small amount of retail business. I may stop by there on Wednesday anyway just to see if an in-person appearance makes any difference!

Dougster