Chains, hooks, binders, straps 10,000lb+ load

[mtwashingtonhunter]

I'm about to purchase a tractor that's going to weigh between 10k-12k... My biggest fear is making sure I get this tied down properly. My farm is about 60 miles from my house... Plan on making this trip about 8-12 times a year hauling the tractor.
Anyone have some advice they'd like to share, examples of what not to do? Pics would be great.
It will have loader and cutter... I'm guessing I can get away with 4 chains and a couple-few straps?
I'm sure I'll overdo it the first few times, but would love to hear where I can buy the best chains and binders.
Does Harbor Freight offer ones that are reliable?
Home Depot or Lowe's?
Should I look at places that sell trailers? Tractor dealers sell them?
Appreciate any and all advice.
The tractor will be delivered soon and I'm hoping I can see how it was tied down upon delivery and take pictures and learn from that as well.
Thanks

 

[farm boy00]

I'm about to purchase a tractor that's going to weigh between 10k-12k... My biggest fear is making sure I get this tied down properly. My farm is about 60 miles from my house... Plan on making this trip about 8-12 times a year hauling the tractor.
Anyone have some advice they'd like to share, examples of what not to do? Pics would be great.
It will have loader and cutter... I'm guessing I can get away with 4 chains and a couple-few straps?
I'm sure I'll overdo it the first few times, but would love to hear where I can buy the best chains and binders.
Does Harbor Freight offer ones that are reliable?
Home Depot or Lowe's?
Should I look at places that sell trailers? Tractor dealers sell them?
Appreciate any and all advice.
The tractor will be delivered soon and I'm hoping I can see how it was tied down upon delivery and take pictures and learn from that as well.
Thanks

Been using my harbor freight chains and binders for a while. That are nice and heavy duty for my application

I wouldn't go to any sort of dealer unless you want your money raped from you. You might try northern tool

 

[George2615]

Anything over 10K requires 4 tie down points, 2 front & 2 back plus each implement such as loader or 3 pt. equipment must also be tied down.
I just took my tractor off the trailer or would have snapped some pics. My tractor with loader, loaded tires, and 3 pt. implement only weighs about 5600 or so but I still use 4 tie downs plus implement tie downs. I use 5/16 grade 70 chain and ratchet binders. For your tractor weight you may need 3/8". Some people cross the chains but I don't. As long as they pull at an angle the tractor doesn't move. I always put the tractor in the lowest gear range and set the parking brake. I bolted 2 D-rings to the front frame of the tractor for chains tie points and use a twisted clevis in the draw bar for rear chains.
Chain can be bought at any of the places you mention as long as its grade 70 (gold color chain). Others may use wide ratchet straps but I found they tend to fray and get cuts over time which compromises their integrity.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Agree with the above. 4 tie downs on the tractor, grade 70 transport chain from your choice of stores, make sure the hooks are grade 70 as well. Ratchet binders are safer and easier to tighten than boomers. Your choice of chains or straps for thr loader and mower. 2" HD ratchet straps work very well, just protect them on the corners.

 

[Silvic]

As to grade 70 chains. Look at the links for the stamp. Gold or not in color; if DOT looks at them and they do not see the grade stamp then they classify them not as 70 or 43 but 30. A lot of the HF chain is marked as 43 but has no stamp on the links. I have seen HF "grade 70" chain without the grade stamp as well. Some has it some does not. Buyer beware!

I will repeat DOT considers it grade 30 unless they can find the stamp on the links. Every 3rd link or so is often where it is found stamped.

 

[mtwashingtonhunter]

Thanks so much for the replies.

 

[wmonroe]

Like the others have mentioned use grade 70 chains. With that said this is what I would do, four chains and binders for the tractor, one over the loader, and one or possibly two over the cutter depending on size. A 10-12k pound tractor plus a cutter is quite a load what truck and trailer aren't you using?

 

[mtwashingtonhunter]

20k rated gooseneck trailer, '15 F250.

 

[crashz]

I'm echoing the other posters:

Grade 70 chain, ratchet binders and 4 independent tie towns on the tractor (frame or axles, not loader or 3 pt hitch arms!) as well as a minimum of one tie down (I use 5000 lb rated straps) for each implement. The requirement is that the implements be secured, even if attached to the machine.

Even for a short run, pull over during the trip and check the tension on the binders. They will loosen as the tractor bounces around.

 

[mtwashingtonhunter]

Thanks crashz! Picking up tractor Friday...have until then to get all my tie downs together.

 

[mtwashingtonhunter]

Stopped at a Lowe's, no 70 grade chain... Next stop...

 

[farm boy00]

Stopped at a Lowe's, no 70 grade chain... Next stop...

Just got a magazine for harbor freight.

Grade 70 i think 20ft for $40


Rachet binders were $40 or $50. I'm almost sure on $40

 

[mtwashingtonhunter]

That's pretty good pricing from what I see...I have one local...will have to see if they stock it. Thanks

 

[mtwashingtonhunter]

Looked at Harbor's website, found out there's one close to where I work that I knew nothing about...called them...seem to have everything in stock, headed there after work to purchase...thanks again everyone.

 

[lutt]

Check the quality of your ratchet binders also. Load limit and the like. Grade 70 chain won't do a bit of good if you have failure there. LUTT

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[crazyal]

When I transport my 12k backhoe I use 3/8" grade 70 chains. I chain the front using things like shackles that can't easily come undone then back up to tighten it and then use Dixie brand lockable lever binders. DOT will allow you to not use binders in all 4 corners as long as the operator of the two vehicle has access to start and move the equipment. The idea is that the driver needs to be able to tighten up any chain while transporting. I use 5/16" gr 70 chain on the loader and backhoe. I've seen 5/16" gr 70 chain at Lowes for a good price but never 3/8". If I was going to buy anything from Hf it would be the ratcheting binders. I've seen people wrap chains around the levers in hopes to keep them from releasing but I prefer the lockable type.

 

[mtwashingtonhunter]

Ratcheting binders at Harbor are rated 5400 each

 

[Deere Dude]

What about the length? I just tied down and moved my smaller tractor but hooked the chain to the front wheel hub and then to the side rail on the tractor. The chain was hitting the tire. Now that I think of it, I should have hooked the right chain to the left side of the tractor and the left chain to the right side of the tractor in a crossing pattern. Does that make sense. The chains would cross and not hit the tires then.

 

[George2615]

What about the length? I just tied down and moved my smaller tractor but hooked the chain to the front wheel hub and then to the side rail on the tractor. The chain was hitting the tire. Now that I think of it, I should have hooked the right chain to the left side of the tractor and the left chain to the right side of the tractor in a crossing pattern. Does that make sense. The chains would cross and not hit the tires then.

Crossing the chains as you describe is perfectly acceptable.
For length I bought 2 - 20' lengths of 5/16" grade 70 chain and 4 extra grade 70 grab hooks. Cut the 20'ers in half and added grab hooks giving me 4 - 10'ers. The 10' lengths are perfect for chaining my tractor to the trailer. I use ratchet binders rather than the boomer style.

 

[Will_C]

I often cross chains and straps to get the right angle when I tow. It actually my difficult for me to fasten my little Kubotas than it is for my brother to chain his 10 ton excavator-tougher to get the right angle on my trailer using the 4 D-rings I have.

Will