failed locking pin on locking chain grab hook - am i doing it wrong?

[CausticUrbanCoast]

What problems did you have with these binders (and I'm using two styles - a "standard" (red), and the yellow folding peerless brand)?

The yellow speed-binders, not sure the name on mine, I can check later today when I take my chains and straps out for the winter (get too much condensation in the box).

The problems I generally get are with the direction toggle, they tend to get stuck with the least amount of dust, dirt, or mud. unsure if it is the toggle lever itself or the detent bearing in the handle. As long as I give them a good shot of penetrating oil everytime I tighten or loosen them they seem to be okay ( hoping that is all they need for the problem ). I tried other greases and oils but they tend to be more of a problem than help as the dust sticks to em and then beating on it to get it to either switch direction or at least into the free spin position. If you cant get them to switch position, you cant loosen or tighten them.

They are great when they work and a cause of a lot of cursing when they dont.

Edit: I'd also reccomend keeping your hooks facedown (open end being the face), that way if you get sudden slack they will not not fall off (yes, that is what the pins are for, but why fight gravity?). In your last image, both of the yellow speed-binders look to have one up and one down. If one can't get the hook facedown, they should face away from the strain of the load (the left one closest to the trailer faces towards the tractor it looks like), if they are faced away both the chain and hook should drop together instead of the chain falling out of the hook.

Your chains will also stay together from loose on pickup if facedown or away from the strain. As you pull the chain into the hook from slack.

 

[KenP]

pretty new to chaining anything. For my grade70 chains i dedicated to my tractor's trailer, i bought 'locking' style clevis grab hooks

• because it makes setup a tiny bit easier (no dropped hooks before i get it snug), plus
• theoretically in a "bad event" where there was a some momentary slack (broken chain on a different corner, collision, etc) the locking pin might keep the hook engaged until the (shifting - again, SHTF situation) load finds a new position. Theoretical, border case; but I drive an undivided winding two lane highway that has zero barriers, a 15' embankment to a river, and a bunch of idiot drivers - so I'll take anything i can get

Anyway, two of my four hooks, after just one use, clearly have had some load put on the pin (and the pin can obviously take *zero* load - one locking pin cannot be operated at all, even with pliers, and the other one is very tight now but still hand-operable.

Here's a picture of how I have them bound: This one is undamaged, has ~1/16" gap to the pin in this setup. Of course i didn't know the pins were damaged before i loosened the load the first time, so I don't have any pictures of the 'bad' engagement - but I was pretty careful and it was set up exactly the same way.

View attachment 716449
View attachment 716450

Here's the hook that is still 'barely operable' (I've left the pin open where it stays by friction now)
View attachment 716454

View attachment 716455

Can you think of anything i could be doing wrong here? About the *only* variable i can think of is 'loop length' before i grab the hook to its chain; mine are short, maybe 6" here. Thanks!!

Change tractor to a 2 points tie down instead of just 1. Most securely is typically at axle.

 

[CoyPatton]

Let me emphasize that although i have a technical background, i know nearly nothing about the "right" way to transport.

The first points in my OP are that standard grab hooks obviously work fine, but given the option for "standard grab hook" -plus- "retainer clip" i'll choose the lock/retainer - it makes it slightly easier to chain up as everything stays in position no matter the orientation, and it could, maybe/theoretically, help in a severe incident (without having any safety draw back AFAICT).

I agree that by the axles would be ideal, but as I found earlier in nOOb to chaining down - is this sufficient? (I'm the OP) that was not possible. It's really inexplicable to me that this major-brand tractor does not have dediciated transport points, at least as an option.

What problems did you have with these binders (and I'm using two styles - a "standard" (red), and the yellow folding peerless brand)?

There are safety reasons, why orientation is something to be educated about. A few quick points on this. You want the force to be pulled into the throat of the hook, regardless of what style hook. If you orient the hook so the force is into the tip and not the throat of hook, you have set the hook up for failure (it only takes one failure) and you have a bad or worse day!
Hooks falling off chains is frustrating—probably why you went with these hooks to begin.
A loose chain is dangerous as is a loose load.

 

[ljjhouser]

The speed binders do, over time tend to get a little hard to use. There is a ball in the direction changing lever and I spray it and the threads with wd40 about every loading trip. And they are always ready to use because I unscrew them all the way when I remove them.

 

[ljjhouser]

What Does This Section Cover? (Section 3.8.1)

The requirements in this section apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment, and machinery that:

• Operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors, and power shovels.
• Individually weigh more than 4500 kg (10,000 lb.).

Note: Vehicles, equipment, and machinery that are lighter than 4500kg (10,000 lb.) may also be secured in accordance with the provisions of this section, as well as with the general cargo securement requirements (Section 2) or Section 9, Automobiles, Light Trucks, and Vans.

Preparing Equipment To Be Transported (Section 3.8.2)​

Requirements

Lower and secure to the vehicle all accessory equipment (hydraulic shovels, booms, etc.).
Restrain articulated vehicles to prevent articulation while in transit.

Parking Brake

Set the parking brake on the equipment being transported.



Special Circumstances: Securing Heavy Vehicles, Equipment, or Machinery with Crawler Tracks or Wheels (Section 3.8.2.1)

Tiedown requirements

• Restrain cargo using a minimum of four tiedowns, each having a WLL of at least 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.).
  • Prevents cargo movement in the side-to-side, forward, rearward, and vertical directions.
• Attach tiedowns:
  • Either at the front and rear of the vehicle.
  • Or at the mounting points on the vehicle designed for that purpose.

What Does This Section Cover? (Section 3.8.1)

The requirements in this section apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment, and machinery that:

• Operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors, and power shovels.
• Individually weigh more than 4500 kg (10,000 lb.).

Note: Vehicles, equipment, and machinery that are lighter than 4500kg (10,000 lb.) may also be secured in accordance with the provisions of this section, as well as with the general cargo securement requirements (Section 2) or Section 9, Automobiles, Light Trucks, and Vans.

​

 

[Hall00]

And almost nobody here is running a 10k lb tractor so FMCSA regs do not apply.

 

[mini14]

There is a reason I've never ever seen those hooks with the pins being used. They are practically impractical. You could hook everything up correctly but still have everything move on you

 

[ljjhouser]

And almost nobody here is running a 10k lb tractor so FMCSA regs do not apply.

And nobody said they did. That is why I highlighted the part about LIGHTER. BEING Optional The point was directed more about the 4 point locations. It did not specify anything specific - such as draw bar being only one point. If two separate chains with binders were used..

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

And almost nobody here is running a 10k lb tractor so FMCSA regs do not apply.

How about a skidsteer with playhouse?

5 point tie-down not counting the strap to the forks. .... the notorious thomas...

 

[Gee Ray]

View attachment 716617
View attachment 716617

What Does This Section Cover? (Section 3.8.1)

The requirements in this section apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment, and machinery that:

• Operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors, and power shovels.
• Individually weigh more than 4500 kg (10,000 lb.).

Note: Vehicles, equipment, and machinery that are lighter than 4500kg (10,000 lb.) may also be secured in accordance with the provisions of this section, as well as with the general cargo securement requirements (Section 2) or Section 9, Automobiles, Light Trucks, and Vans.

Preparing Equipment To Be Transported (Section 3.8.2)​

Requirements

Lower and secure to the vehicle all accessory equipment (hydraulic shovels, booms, etc.).
Restrain articulated vehicles to prevent articulation while in transit.

Parking Brake

Set the parking brake on the equipment being transported.



Special Circumstances: Securing Heavy Vehicles, Equipment, or Machinery with Crawler Tracks or Wheels (Section 3.8.2.1)

Tiedown requirements

• Restrain cargo using a minimum of four tiedowns, each having a WLL of at least 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.).
  • Prevents cargo movement in the side-to-side, forward, rearward, and vertical directions.
• Attach tiedowns:
  • Either at the front and rear of the vehicle.
  • Or at the mounting points on the vehicle designed for that purpose.

What Does This Section Cover? (Section 3.8.1)

The requirements in this section apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment, and machinery that:

• Operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors, and power shovels.
• Individually weigh more than 4500 kg (10,000 lb.).

Note: Vehicles, equipment, and machinery that are lighter than 4500kg (10,000 lb.) may also be secured in accordance with the provisions of this section, as well as with the general cargo securement requirements (Section 2) or Section 9, Automobiles, Light Trucks, and Vans.

​

This set of rules is for a machine 10,000 pounds or more. A smaller machine can be tied down this way or the same as general freight as far as the number of chains according to weight and length.

That manual is so hard to read and then try to apply it.