Best methods of Keeping a SCUT on on the trailer.

[tractorshopper]

I believe it depends on the weight of the load as to what DOT requires.

For towing around here, I use two heavy duty ratchet straps typically. One from one side of the trailer to the other over the grill-guard (in between it and the front of the tractor where it is tightened down directly over the front frame where the grill guard attaches) and one from one side to the other either through the 3PH or around a ball I have attached to the back of the tractor down low in a stationary spot where the draw bar attaches. I pull it down tight and as bigtiller mentioned, I have my straps cut to length with a couple feet of excess instead of 15' of excess and marked for front and rear.

If I go on longer trips, I may add another strap over the loader and another over the box blade or tiller. I usually have my grapple on and actually clamp it shut over the front bar of the trailer every time whether I do extra straps or not. For a small tractor I've got way more WLL rating than this thing should ever need.

My advice to you having ~the same size tractor would be to get an 18' to have plenty of extra space on the trailer to take an extra attachment or whatever. I have a 16' and it is fine, but I'd like to have an 18' instead.

I'd have to research, but I don't think my tractor weight even with grapple/loader and tiller on back would hit the register of DOT. But since you brought up this thread, I'm now curious enough that I may have to look. I've seen people haul basically the same tractor as mine with a single 1" strap over the floor board. That's substandard IMO, but I haven't ever seen anyone get pulled over for it.

 

[sidecarist]

I'll use ratchet straps on something smaller, but make sure they are rated high enough, there are lots of 2" straps out there and some are rated 1000lb, others 3500lb. The hardware on the strap is an important consideration will it hook on to a convenient point on the tractor?

I always use 4 straps on the tractor and they never run across or chafe on anything! These straps are used only for that purpose and nothing else. One of the biggest differences between chain and straps is durability. Its unlikely that you will chafe a chain through even with years of use, a strap can chafe through in minutes. Even a slightly frayed edge on a strap reduces its strength considerably. Sunlight will also weaken the strap over time. store them out of the sun.

Also secure the tractor at all four corners first, then secure the implements. Never use an implement to secure the tractor. I have added weld on rings to my trailer at the right points for connecting the straps so they don't contact anything anywhere on the webbing. Its rare that a trailer will have tie down points in all of the correct locations.

Good luck.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Tracked equipment definitely requires chains per DOT Regs. The biggest problem with straps on wheeled equipment is getting then tight enough to prevent movement of the load. Tires are resilient and need to be compressed down to take out the normal movement. That constant movement is what chafes the straps. Just a few broken strands will destroy the load bearing capacity. Insurance policies require compliance with the laws to remain in force. A lost load due to not conforming to DOT requirements could allow an insurance company to deny a claim. Your tractor is not the only thing at risk; Pretty hard to avoid a tractor rolling off a trailer at 70 MPH on the freeway. This all applies through the whole load bearing system including the hitch assembly. Know the rules and break them at your risk, and potentially those around you.

The life you save may be me behind you.

Ron

 

[bspeedy]

I could be wrong but I thought DOT requires one strap/chain on each wheel/corner plus one for everything attached(loader + attachment).

Not trying to sound jerk-ish here, but... Do you guys REALLY worry about the DOT? Do you avoid towing or stress out over it?

I've towed tractors and equipment a lot. Over many states, on many different trailers, for many thousands of miles. I've had some loads that looked really stacked up with equipment. All were safe. All were tied down sufficiently. I don't use chains - only straps. I have never, ever had an encounter with the DOT. I do have farm tags on my pickup so that probably helps if I were to get stopped.

From my observation, most people towing are more at risk of damage / disaster from the condition of their trailer or pickup than from their choice of tie downs. I keep my equipment in top condition with frequent inspection and tire replacement. I replace my straps when they don't pass my common sense visual inspection.

Be smart, use common sense. Go and do the things you want to do.

 

[Soldier415]

I err on the side of caution. For my L3430 I run a 5/16 G70 chain through the frame of the brush guard for the front, a 3/8 G70 chain chrough a drawbar mounted clevis on the rear. For the bucket and implements I use a HD ratchet strap.

hadn't put the strap on yet in this photo

 

[kirkawilson]

I use two - 2" straps with chain leads attached to the trailer, one over the FEL and the other over the base ROPS mounts. The chain leads on the straps prevent rub-wear on the edges of the trailer. I bought the straps with chain leads from Northern Tool a few years ago but I think they have discontinued them. I bet Amazon has them.

 

[vvanders]

Not trying to sound jerk-ish here, but... Do you guys REALLY worry about the DOT? Do you avoid towing or stress out over it?

I've towed tractors and equipment a lot. Over many states, on many different trailers, for many thousands of miles. I've had some loads that looked really stacked up with equipment. All were safe. All were tied down sufficiently. I don't use chains - only straps. I have never, ever had an encounter with the DOT. I do have farm tags on my pickup so that probably helps if I were to get stopped.

From my observation, most people towing are more at risk of damage / disaster from the condition of their trailer or pickup than from their choice of tie downs. I keep my equipment in top condition with frequent inspection and tire replacement. I replace my straps when they don't pass my common sense visual inspection.

Be smart, use common sense. Go and do the things you want to do.

No offense taken, at the risk of totally derailing the OP's initial thread I've generally found that if there's rules/regulations around (heavy) equipment they are there because something happened that could have been prevented. With respect to 2 vs 4 tie-downs with two you don't have any redundancy, all it takes is for one of them to snap and then you have a load that can pivot around the other tie-down.

There's a saying that the FAA regulations are written in blood. I think anything that has the potential to kill you or other people gets treated with the same respect(and I totally agree with you on people using beat-up equipment).

 

[sandman2234]

Some of the things I know about tying down a tractor...
According to a post on here, a link showed that a tractor over 10,000 pound must have all four corners secured.
So... it is assumed that less than 10K means two straps are sufficient.
Now this is where my "trucking" background comes in.
Anything on an open trailer must be secured with at least two straps or chains, and that is for every 20 foot of length. So if your tractor is 20 foot long, and less than 10,000 pounds, two straps or chains should suffice.
Longer than 20 foot or over 10,000 pound, four have to be used.
There is a restriction of how much weight you can hold down with each strap or chains. The capacity of the straps has to be able to hold the weight of what your holding down. Can't buy 300 pound capacity straps and hold down a 9,500 pound tractor.
David from jax

 

[white cloud]

I could be wrong but I thought DOT requires one strap/chain on each wheel/corner plus one for everything attached(loader + attachment).

I believe you are correct. I asked S.C. DOT and they told me four plus one for each implement and all implements needed to be "on the deck". In any event, I have had straps come loose. I was really glad I had four points secured. I am not sure how much my L2501 weights but I use two transport chains with binders on the rear. I am a bit rusty on my physics but there has to be a lot of inertia at work when you stop with tractor on an equipment trailer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am friends with about a half dozen Cops. I asked them about proper tie downs. They all say the same thing, if its tied down and the truck and trailer look safe they dont bother.

If its a POS you are going to get picked on.