Binding Tractor to Trailer

[Tractor Seabee]

Both when I was in the Navy and then worked as a civilian for Navy Public Works; we had to load test all weight handling and binding equipment/materials annually. This is a destructive test with actual weights. When the tested less than design load they became garbage, scrap, or down-graded to a lower value. Everything had a load value on a tag or stamped on in it. 50 combined years and never saw or heard of a failure when rated loads or test were applied. Every item had a load rating and a failure value.

Ron

 

[aczlan]

Thing is the tractor doesn’t weigh 7k...closer to 4K without attachments. Would you trust it now?
-Chris

No, I would tie into something stronger, you are still putting the bolts into tensile load and I have seen too many pictures of people who have had bolts tear out of castings.
Yes, grade 5 bolts are good for 2400# each, but are the castings going to hold that? I doubt that the castings are grade 5.
DOT rules for rolling stock under 10,000# are "The sum of the working load limits from all tiedowns must be at least 50% of the weight of the cargo." (Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement - Chapter 9: Automobiles, Light Trucks, and Vans | FMCSA )
I like to have it so that I meet that with any 2 of the 4 tiedowns that I use to attach the tractor to the trailer.
I will have to post a picture of what I use on the back of our L3830 which is similar in size.

Aaron Z

 

[BOB_UK]

I go to lots of shows over here in England and sometimes I am appalled at some tractor owners turning up with their pride and joy hardly fixed to their trailer bed, I saw one last week and just had to tell the owner that if he was stopped by the police they would fine him for an "unsecured load" after explaining my experience on a motorway being pulled in to a testing station by VOSA who police the motorways lorry's etc. in England
Although I had 4 straps holding my tractor down the officer explained that if in the case the trailer came adrift that the load should stay fixed to the trailer and stated it should have 4 straps IE. one or each wheel and be positioned so no forward or reward movement should take place, the one I saw last week had only two one front and back and when I explained that if the trailer tipped over his tractor would just pivot on them and would come off, he thanked me for bringing it to his attention and I noticed when he left the show it had been strapped down with four straps plus his existing two.
As the DVLA officer explained "if it has four wheels all four must be fixed
I was trying to find out if there was any legal requirement over here in England but could not find anything definite, but I did come across this photo which proves what could happen

 

[3Ts]

The tractor I used to trailer weighs about 3000# with implements. There is a front tow hook and the rear drawbar. I've been using those to chain my tractor down so that the tires have a little squish, or more recently the axle. It's my understanding that there is a weight limit in the DOT rules that when you're under that (which i think is 10k#), only 2 chains are required. The load still isn't allowed to move though. So, I'm using (2) 5400# chains on a 3000# load. Am I missing something here?

 

[Rebeldad1]

From the research I performed it appears the rear housing and two lower bolts are sufficient to withstand the forces being applied.

Thanks,

Chris

the bolts may be strong enough but is the threads and housing strong enough? I have seen many disappointed tractor owners who have broken their housings doing what they thought were bullet proof.
Personally I'd use the pin and drawbar.

 

[bindian]

The tractor I used to trailer weighs about 3000# with implements. There is a front tow hook and the rear drawbar. I've been using those to chain my tractor down so that the tires have a little squish, or more recently the axle. It's my understanding that there is a weight limit in the DOT rules that when you're under that (which i think is 10k#), only 2 chains are required. The load still isn't allowed to move though. So, I'm using (2) 5400# chains on a 3000# load. Am I missing something here?

Each attachment has to be secured also. Loaders and backhoes are always forgotten about. Or 3pt attachments. They all need to be secured to the trailer. DPS will pull you over if they see them not secured.
hugs, brandi

 

[aczlan]

The tractor I used to trailer weighs about 3000# with implements. There is a front tow hook and the rear drawbar. I've been using those to chain my tractor down so that the tires have a little squish, or more recently the axle. It's my understanding that there is a weight limit in the DOT rules that when you're under that (which i think is 10k#), only 2 chains are required. The load still isn't allowed to move though. So, I'm using (2) 5400# chains on a 3000# load. Am I missing something here?

As @bindian said, you only need those two chains on your tractor but the loader bucket will need another one as well anything on the three-point or a backhoe if equipped.

Aaron Z