Chains vs Straps (yes, again)

SpringHollow · Jan 28, 2008

I have chain hooks welded to my tractor (easy to do when the tractor is made out of thick plate steel) and do like RobertN. As he said, it eeps the chains long for other uses and with 4 binders, the tractor is very secure (another chain and binder on bucket or other implement).

Ken

bx23barry · Jan 28, 2008

I have never really understood using 4 binders. What good is a binder on a corner when all the other corners are loose? I guess a crawler is pretty tough to move with a binder but any wheeled thing is pretty easy to tighten up with binders on only one end (Put the chains on loose, release the brakes, Tighten the chains then reset the brakes). And ya really do want to try and pull the load apart if ya want it to stay in one place. Chains should X on two opposing sides. At least that is the way I taught it for Calif dept of Trans.

Farmwithjunk · Jan 29, 2008

"The law" is more about how officers INTERPRET the written law than the printed words themselves. Over the years, I've managed to befriend a couple Ky Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers. From time to time, I'll give them a call and request their "opinion". I also believe in "over-kill" securing loads. Forget bare minimum requirements. With the blessing of "THE MAN", and more than adaquate chaining, there's little to worry about.

Even if you're NON-commercial, the "DOT" guys are well versed in the laws regarding trailering, hauling, ect. They are tasked in keeping the highways safe for the purpose of interstate commerce. That usually includes close monitoring of ALL vehicles that share the roads with commercial vehicles. Many local police departments will offer a citizen the same free advice too. If they aren't prepared to give their "ruling", generally, they'll be able to point you in the right direction to get that information.

Police respond well to being asked what it takes to keep them satisfied. Never met one yet that wasn't willing to help when they had the opportunity. While it isn't my goal to "kiss up" to them, it goes a long way towards finding out what it takes to get along with the first line of enforcement.

In the end, MY opinion, or YOUR opinion of what the law says matters little if the POLICE and JUDGE don't agree. You may "beat the rap" in court, but isn't it better to simply avoid conflict with the system?

SpringHollow · Jan 29, 2008

Here in NY, I know someone who was ticketed by DOT for not having 4 chains and binders on his JD 770 and a chain and binder on his 3 pt backhoe. Did not get a ticket for not having a chain and binder on his loader. It cost him a lot of money because they decided he needed DOT #'s as well since he was going to do work for a friend even though he was not charging for the work.

Ken

john_bud · Jan 29, 2008

ksimolo,

Yeah, I am pretty sure NY and CA are two of the states that require 4 binders on all wheeled loads. There are probably others, so it's wise to check.

There has been a lot of chat about the USDOT # deal. My opinion is that the state politicians are using it with a "generous" interpretation of revenue to generate lots and lots of money. Not having the numbers can run upwards of $1500 depending on what all you don't have that they are whacking you for. A nice officer will give you a fix it ticket and give you time to comply. (That's another strong reason to ALWAYS be nice to the blue uniform.)

I haven't had any run ins with the vehicle enforcement officers, but have had them run up on my bumper and eyeball things real good. Using transport chain and rachet binders gives them a warm and fuzzy that you may actually know what you are doing. An old timer I know always says that you should at least LOOK like you know what you are doing. Chain holding equipment looks better than yellow straps - IMHO.

RobertN · Jan 29, 2008

bx23barry said:
I have never really understood using 4 binders. What good is a binder on a corner when all the other corners are loose? I guess a crawler is pretty tough to move with a binder but any wheeled thing is pretty easy to tighten up with binders on only one end (Put the chains on loose, release the brakes, Tighten the chains then reset the brakes). And ya really do want to try and pull the load apart if ya want it to stay in one place. Chains should X on two opposing sides. At least that is the way I taught it for Calif dept of Trans.

My take on it, is that is what CHP told me when I contacted them. And, if the tractor is chained and bound at all four corners, if on corner fails, the other three should hold. There could be a beak at two opposing corners, and still it would hold.

The local tractor shop here was transporting a customers tractor a year ago. A guy lost control on a corner, and t-boned the trailer real bad. Broke the axles on one side of the trailer. Broke one of the binders. Came up on the trailer, and did a job on one rear wheel of the tractor. The other three chains and binders held the load securely to the trailer. The trailer, rear quarter of the F450 did not fae so well, but the load held.

And, as I mentioned above, it is really cheap insurance. Wehn I tow my Kubota, I have about $35k of rolling stock on the road. A couple extra binders and chain is $100-150. Cheap insurance when the bad stuff happens.

I have to look at home for the email; I have posted it here before. CHP replied to my email request for information; they said the tractor had to be restrained on all four corners.

gemini5362 · Jan 29, 2008

I agree with all the posts here. I also use chain. But to be honest the load ratings of the wide straps are higher than any of the common chain ratings ( 3/8 or 5/16) I also believe that straps are used by airlines to put things in plain. Perhaps someone with air force experience could help me out here but do they not use straps to tie things down in transport planes.

RobertN · Jan 29, 2008

RobertN said:
I have to look at home for the email; I have posted it here before. CHP replied to my email request for information; they said the tractor had to be restrained on all four corners.

Dear Mr. RobertN:

The California Highway Patrol (CHP), Commercial Vehicle Section received your e-mail regarding the proper way to secure your small tractor to a trailer.

Section 29004 (a) (3) of the California Vehicle Code (VC) states in part, any vehicle transported on a conventional trailer shall be secured by at least four tiedown chains, straps, or an equivalent device. In addition, it is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is safely secured for transportation on the highway. The type of securement device you use is only limited to its ability to safely secure the load. Therefore, a ratchet style cargo strap may be utilized to secure your load.

Thank you for the opportunity to assist you in this matter. Should you desire further information, please do not hesitate to contact my staff at (916) 445-1865.

Sincerely,

Commander
Commercial Vehicle Section

Mahana79 · Jan 29, 2008

gemini5362 said:
I agree with all the posts here. I also use chain. But to be honest the load ratings of the wide straps are higher than any of the common chain ratings ( 3/8 or 5/16) I also believe that straps are used by airlines to put things in plain. Perhaps someone with air force experience could help me out here but do they not use straps to tie things down in transport planes.

Everything that we put on a C-130 is fastened to the pallet with 10k cargo straps. We do have chains availabe but the loadmasters dont like them. The reasoning i have been told on many occasions is that the loadmasters can cut a cargo strap if it gets hung up during a cargo drop. the drop continues on schedule. takes too long to free up a stuck chain and the mission gets aborted. Not good for the number crunchers.

john_bud · Jan 30, 2008

RobertN said:
Dear Mr. RobertN:

The California Highway Patrol (CHP), Commercial Vehicle Section received your e-mail regarding the proper way to secure your small tractor to a trailer.

Section 29004 (a) (3) of the California Vehicle Code (VC) states in part, any vehicle transported on a conventional trailer shall be secured by at least four tiedown chains, straps, or an equivalent device. In addition, it is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is safely secured for transportation on the highway. The type of securement device you use is only limited to its ability to safely secure the load. Therefore, a ratchet style cargo strap may be utilized to secure your load.

Thank you for the opportunity to assist you in this matter. Should you desire further information, please do not hesitate to contact my staff at (916) 445-1865.

Sincerely,

Commander
Commercial Vehicle Section

RobertN,

Careful you don't get a large ticket for failure to secure. Some officers will judge "its ability to safely secure the load" the same way the coast guard or DNR judges a life jackets ability to save your life. That is any cut or tear or signs of visible wear or even oil contamination -- DISQUALIFIES -- it.

That's my biggest knock against straps, they are only good until you get a teeny tiny cut or some fraying. Then they are no longer up to rated capacity and are deemed junk by the man in blue. Some may let you slide where others won't. Sort of like playing the lottery. A chain can be dirty, oily, even have surface rust and still have "its ability to safely secure the load" intact. So, yeah, you can use straps, but you have to watch them like a hawk!

jb