Chains VS Straps

[Georgia Swamp]

What's everyone's opinion on this? I am new to hauling a tractor but not new to hauling, I have hauled plenty of cars/trucks, atv's stuff like that. I never used chains or bucks until I hauled my tractor home from the dealer. Just wanted some opinions on this.

 

[newbury]

Chains on tractors, straps on implements is my GENERAL rule. But the main thing is to have everything securely fastened so they won't move around.
Spider webbing would probably do if you could get a big enough spider.

 

[Scotty Dive]

When I got first got my tractor and a Jeep that I needed to trailer around I went with the 10,000 pounds straps. What I found was that one of my straps frayed one time when I was trailering another tractor with a brush hog. The thing to remember when using straps is that they should have an unobstructed path from the attachment point to the trailer. Otherwise they will wear and fray. To that point, I am now switching over to chains for most of my towing applications.

 

[ModMech]

I use straps only when a chain would do damage to the load. For me, chains are just easier because you have more securement options at the ends and can more easily get them exactly where you want them.

 

[crashz]

I've had straps fail on heavy equipment. Something about the elastic properties and sharp steel edges. So I stick with chains on everything except very light items or items I strap down in the bed of my truck.

 

[newbury]

When I got first got my tractor and a Jeep that I needed to trailer around I went with the 10,000 pounds straps. What I found was that one of my straps frayed one time when I was trailering another tractor with a brush hog. The thing to remember when using straps is that they should have an unobstructed path from the attachment point to the trailer. Otherwise they will wear and fray. To that point, I am now switching over to chains for most of my towing applications.

Straps need to be "rewound" or coiled up by a responsible person who will ensure any "frayed" are immediately replaced. However they are less damaging to paint and equipment.

I've had straps fail on heavy equipment. Something about the elastic properties and sharp steel edges. So I stick with chains on everything except very light items or items I strap down in the bed of my truck.

Any place a strap is used and there is an edge protection is required. I'll often shove a piece of folded cardboard between the strap and the surface. I'd like to get some fire hose but so far prices and quantity were to great at the local auctions. I don't need 300 feet of hose.

 

[xzcVAbc5]

I'm a strapper, however, I've never transported anything bigger than a truck on my car trailer. Recently, I upgraded my straps and ratchets.

QTY 4 of these: Amazon.com: Keeper (04228) 36" x 2" Premium Axle Strap with D-Ring: Automotive

and

QTY 4 of these: Amazon.com: Erickson 58504 Blue 2" x 7' Car/Machinery Ratcheting Tie-Down Strap: Automotive

So far I haven't needed to transport with my new straps yet, but I do like them. The axle wrap has a protective sheath to prevent the strap from being frayed.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I'd like to get some fire hose but so far prices and quantity were to great at the local auctions. I don't need 300 feet of hose.

In my case the strap was new but wore itself 90% through within a couple of hours. I got lucky, replaced the webbing and now know better.

Go to your local fire department. They usually have a few rolls of hose that has failed and will give it away....great for all sorts of things and there is an inner layer that looks like fiber glass or Kevlar and an outer layer that is vary thick and durable.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I use straps for stuff under 6K. 5/16" G70 for heavier.

Chris

 

[farm boy00]

Use chains for tractors and any trucks. Only own trucks so no worry about that

 

[Tomtint]

Straps on my tractor and chains on the skidsteer

 

[George2615]

I use straps for stuff under 6K. 7/16" G70 for heavier.

Chris

Chris must be a weight lifter using 7/16" chain. I prefer 5/16" or 3/8" for tractor or vehicles.

 

[Will_C]

I use straps from Macs-they have double thickness where they loop onto the tractor.

Will

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris must be a weight lifter using 7/16" chain. I prefer 5/16" or 3/8" for tractor or vehicles.

You are right. I mistyped. I use 5/16"

Chris

 

[QRTRHRS]

WLL and allowable items as determined by the DOT (no crushed cars), easily damaged vs not followed by personal preferences are called for. If you are not fortunate enough to have access to fire hose, leather sleeves are usually sold by industrial sources but not your HD or Lowe's or HF.

IMHO, the biggest issue with straps are that most are bought with either "J" hooks or those bent ~5/16" hooks. The bent hooks will not generally go through a stake pocket and while the "J" hooks will, the usually accute angle will have them rubbing the sharp corner of the side of the trailer. The larger widths are available with a short length of chain which will properly drop into a stake pocket. That leaves the other end. Honestly, I am not sure if this type of strap is available with the same short length of chain or not. All I ever used were permanently mounted sliding winches.

Webbing users need to stop and check the load more than with chains. Equipment is not so bad but building materials will keep settling in, loosening the straps. Barn tin is bad, standing seam terrible. Think eggshells.

I remember fueling next to a flatbed one time. Driver had a bunch of big diesel engines on. Cutouts so they were frame mounted, each held by one four inch strap. This was in northeast PA, driver said he was headed on down to Mexico. Guess he could tell that I was "amused" as he chucked and said that he did this all of the time.

 

[QRTRHRS]

WLL and allowable items as determined by the DOT (no crushed cars), easily damaged vs not followed by personal preferences are called for. If you are not fortunate enough to have access to fire hose, leather sleeves are usually sold by industrial sources but not your HD or Lowe's or HF.

IMHO, the biggest issue with straps are that most are bought with either "J" hooks or those bent ~5/16" hooks. The bent hooks will not generally go through a stake pocket and while the "J" hooks will, the usually accute angle will have them rubbing the sharp corner of the side of the trailer. The larger widths are available with a short length of chain which will properly drop into a stake pocket. That leaves the other end. Honestly, I am not sure if this type of strap is available with the same short length of chain or not. All I ever used were permanently mounted sliding winches.

Webbing users need to stop and check the load more than with chains. Equipment is not so bad but building materials will keep settling in, loosening the straps. Barn tin is bad, standing seam terrible. Think eggshells.

I remember fueling next to a flatbed one time. Driver had a bunch of big diesel engines on. Cutouts so they were frame mounted, each held by one four inch strap. This was in northeast PA, driver said he was headed on down to Mexico. Guess he could tell that I was "amused" as he chucked and said that he did this all of the time.

 

[crashz]

I've tried the carpet and cardboard protection with very poor results. Usually resulted in loosing that piece somewhere on the road, as it would break down a little under pressure, get caught by the wind and out it would go.

Never tried a sleeve, as we always have chains around anyway. But, I don't have new shiny paint to protect either.

 

[bdog]

Chains all the way. With me anything larger than a four wheeler gets chains. Yes I use chains on my UTV's.

A big pet peeve of mine is people refering to straps as 10,000lb. They are not rated for that the WLL is most likely 3,333lb but people all the time say " I have 10k straps it will be fine"

If chain guys did this those with 5/16 G70 chain could say I have 18,800 lb chain. The WLL is the number to look at not the breaking strength.

 

[ModMech]

For me, I consider the OTHER motorists and wish they did as well. If I would not be comfortable allowing my children to stand UNDER the object supported only by what I am securing it with, it needs more

 

[charles todd]

I use both.

For tractors and almost any other piece of equipment, I only use 5/16" G70 and ratcheting chain binders (no man killers).

I'll use straps on lawn mowers, golf carts, lumber ect... When I do its 2" binders.

CT