Chain Binders

[PA452]

Might be a silly question, but after much searching I'm not really finding it. What weight capacity do I need for a ratchet binder?

I'm towing a Kubota BX23, around 2700#. I picked up some 5/16"-3/8" binders and some 5/16" chain. It all works great, but I was thinking those smaller sized binders out there might be more convenient. The binders I have currently have a WLL of 5400#. The smaller 1/4"-5/16" binders I see out there have a WLL of 2600#. Obviously the WLL doesn't need to match the weight of the load, so what's the rule of thumb for figuring what WLL I should have for the load I'm carrying?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Kudos for using binders on a BX. They are not necessary but you will never have any issues with the capacity. Here is everything you need to know about tie downs.

Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement - Chapter 1: Heavy Vehicles, Equipment, and Machinery | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

 

[Utopia Texas]

I see a lot of illegal tying down of machinery on the road here in Texas even by commercial businesses that should know better. Dinky tie down motorcycle straps used on tractors and cars on trailers, chains with too small of ratings etc. The most common while trailering is just using one chain across the front of a tractor and one across the rear end. There should be four separate chains, two on the front and two on the rear. That way if one were to come loose there are still three to do the job. Even my local tractor dealership only uses two chains for convenience......

 

[aczlan]

I see a lot of illegal tying down of machinery on the road here in Texas even by commercial businesses that should know better. Dinky tie down motorcycle straps used on tractors and cars on trailers, chains with too small of ratings etc. The most common while trailering is just using one chain across the front of a tractor and one across the rear end. There should be four separate chains, two on the front and two on the rear. That way if one were to come loose there are still three to do the job. Even my local tractor dealership only uses two chains for convenience......

As long as the tractor weighs less than 10,000 lbs, they are legal tying it down with only two tie downs.
If it's 10,000 lb or more, you have to have four tie downs plus one for the bucket and one for the implement or backhoe.

Aaron Z

 

[sandman2234]

As long as the tractor weighs less than 10,000 lbs, they are legal tying it down with only two tie downs.
If it's 10,000 lb or more, you have to have four tie downs plus one for the bucket and one for the implement or backhoe.

Aaron Z

The correct info as far as I can tell. My tractors do not weigh in at over 8K, so I can continue chaining them down with 2 chains.

David from jax

 

[Sysop]

My tractor has nice little tie-down chain hoops on the underside from the factory. I put a big twisted clevis in the drawbar to use for a second chain. I then use a big ratchet strap on the loader and whatever is on the 3 point.

 

[PA452]

Kudos for using binders on a BX. They are not necessary but you will never have any issues with the capacity. Here is everything you need to know about tie downs.

Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement - Chapter 1: Heavy Vehicles, Equipment, and Machinery | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Thanks, that graphic at the end of Chapter 1 I think may be what I need. And if so, sounds like the 2600# WLL binders would be fine to use for my tractor.

 

[screamin400]

My 2538 has to weigh in around 5000 with loaded tires and loader. I use heavy tie downs but have often wondered if I should use chain. I guess if I have to wonder I know what I should be doing. Can heavy straps handle what I am tying down?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Thanks, that graphic at the end of Chapter 1 I think may be what I need. And if so, sounds like the 2600# WLL binders would be fine to use for my tractor.

Your welcome and I'm happy to help.

My 2538 has to weigh in around 5000 with loaded tires and loader. I use heavy tie downs but have often wondered if I should use chain. I guess if I have to wonder I know what I should be doing. Can heavy straps handle what I am tying down?

If your straps are rated high enough and you take precautions against them rubbing through I don't see a problem with straps. I have 3300lb rated straps that I used for pallets of cargo and some attachments but I use edge protectors (sometimes it's a leather glove to be honest).

 

[Xfaxman]

I have the folding handle style.

More info in this thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...on/348731-ratchet-chain-binders-they-all.html

 

[LD48750]

Might be a silly question, but after much searching I'm not really finding it. What weight capacity do I need for a ratchet binder?

I'm towing a Kubota BX23, around 2700#. I picked up some 5/16"-3/8" binders and some 5/16" chain. It all works great, but I was thinking those smaller sized binders out there might be more convenient. The binders I have currently have a WLL of 5400#. The smaller 1/4"-5/16" binders I see out there have a WLL of 2600#. Obviously the WLL doesn't need to match the weight of the load, so what's the rule of thumb for figuring what WLL I should have for the load I'm carrying?

My advice would be worth just what you pay for it so, instead, I'll tell you what I would do.
Keep the heavier binders. You never know when you might want to transport something bigger.
Buying an extra set of smaller ones is good too.

 

[bdog]

Your 5/16" chain of grade 70 has a WLL of 4,700 lb. I would use binders with at least a WLL of that. No sense in making your binders the weak link even if the chain is overkill. I have some 1/4" chain and binders we use on UTVs and I have 1/2" chain and binders we use on heavy equipment. The chain gets darn heavy and cumbersome but the varying binder sizes never bothered me. A 5/16"-3/8" binder is not hard to work with at all I actually prefer messing with them than the tiny 1/4" ones.

 

[TMGT]

I have the folding handle style.

View attachment 515639


More info in this thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...on/348731-ratchet-chain-binders-they-all.html

I have the folding handle type also, worth the money and honestly not that much more then a decent non folding handle type.

 

[PA452]

I'll definitely be keeping the ones I have. I was just considering getting the smaller ones for ease of handling when working with a lighter load.

 

[Fallon]

I have the folding handle type also, worth the money and honestly not that much more then a decent non folding handle type.

I have some of the cheap ratcheting ones & recently picked up some yellow folding ones as pictured. I have lost track of where the cheap ones are hiding & don't care. Only using the nicer folding ones now.

Personally I chain the front bumper to some D-rings up front. Put the tractor into 4wd& low range. Backup until the tires spin then jam on the pinned parking brakes. Chain the back of the tractor to 2 more D-rings & then use the chain binders on the rear 2 chains. No binders on front, but everything is TIGHT.

I do slack a bit chaining or strapping the loader & attached impliments. I rarely tow more than 15-20 minutes though. If it's any kind of distance I chain or toss a strap over.

I recently chopped some of my 20' chain in half. Makes it so much nicer having things about the right length. Slip hooks on one end to attach to clevises is better than chain hooks. I'm also a recent convert to the twist lock chain & slip hooks from Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Home>>. really nice to have a beefy metal tab keeping the hooks from dropping loose as opposed to that tinfoil clip on most slip hooks or nothing on chain hooks.

Having enough of the right length chain with good hooks & binders makes an annoying job a lot easier.

 

[Gary Fowler]

For a lightweight BX, if I had a place to attach a strap without cutting, I would use heavy duty straps to tie it down. It doesn't make any difference what you use as long as the WLL is sufficient. Ratchet straps are much easier to work with than chain and binders.

 

[Soldier415]

I run a 5/16 grade 70 chain through behind the brush guard in the front, then a 3/8 grade 70 chain through a clevis on the drawbar. Tighten down with ratchet binders and use HD ratchet straps for the bucket and an implement if attached

 

[Xfaxman]

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Ratchet straps are much easier to work with than chain and binders.

Not for me. I have 4 short chains and 4 ratchet binders.

 

[bdog]

Not for me. I have 4 short chains and 4 ratchet binders.

I agree. If you cut chains to the right length they are easy to use. Easier than straps I think and they sure last a lot longer. Straps fray, wear, and break. I recently had a good quality name brand strap break at the sticking with no obvious signs of wear. I carry straps in the truck for light weight things but use chains on anything bigger. I will agree throwing around a 20' chain when you only need 3' of it is no fun but sized properly they are great. I even have some things set up where I don't even need a chain and just use a ratchet binder.

 

[PA452]

For a lightweight BX, if I had a place to attach a strap without cutting, I would use heavy duty straps to tie it down. It doesn't make any difference what you use as long as the WLL is sufficient. Ratchet straps are much easier to work with than chain and binders.

I used to always think I would prefer straps. I have and still use them for quads, things like that. But I must say after having used the chains on the BX this past weekend, I think for tractors of the BX size and up, I really like the chains. I actually found them less of a hassle to use than straps.