He lost his load

wklopf · Apr 18, 2002

A while back on the Yahoo site there was a thread about the importance of properly fastening down your equipment while hauling on the highway, so I thought I'd pass on what happened at my place last Sunday afternoon. We live on a two-lane state highway where the average speed is considerably above the posted 55. We had just been home about 5 minutes when my wife said, "What are you doing with your tractor out front in the ditch?" Since I hadn't had any of my tractors out for several months, I was fairly sure it wasn't mine. When I looked out, there was one of the large John Deere garden tractors setting over the end of the culvert in our driveway. As we went out for a look, my wife asked where it had come from. I told her that I thought it must have come off of a passing truck or trailer. She said, "You mean that someone lost this and doesn't know it?" That question was quickly answered when a Dodge dually pick up with a flat-bed trailer (empty) came up the highway and turned into the drive. The guy was a contractor. He said that he had set the tractor brakes, but that the tilt bed had tilted and the tractor had rolled off! My only damage was a destroyed mailbox and post. He tried for a while to start the tractor, finally succeeding. However, the tractor wouldn't move. It was a hydrostat and one wheel was in the air, but it wouldn't move the wheel. I offered to get one of my tractors to pull him out, but he drove over to a buddy's place and they came back with a Kubota with a FEL. They had the tractor out in no time, but the JD was still immobile. They finally manually pushed the tractor back onto the trailer. This time they got out a chain and fastened the tractor to the front rail on the trailer and made sure the tilt bed was locked. He will be paying me for replacing my mailbox and post, but he is getting off very cheaply. Had that tractor veered into oncoming traffic instead of into my ditch, I hate to think what might have happened. I know I'm going to make doubly sure that my equuipment is securly fastened when I haul!

spencer200 · Apr 18, 2002

This happens more than you think. I see customers drive out of our yard all the time without the load being chained. You would think for the investment that is made in equipment most people could afford a couple of chains and binder, or at least take the time to use them if they have them.

EFC · Apr 18, 2002

Spencer200 is right; I wish I had a dollar for every customer that showed up with baling twine to tie their tractor down with.

ket · Apr 19, 2002

so are motorcyle tie downs good enough to use on a yanmar that wieghs in at around 2300.. each strap rated for 1250 I have about 10 of them

Anonymous Poster · Apr 19, 2002

The only thing I love more than people who don't properly secure their load are the a$$wipes who have to bust my chops for using so many straps.
People who leave auctions with their truck piled high with their new toys, held in place by that clothesline they got out of a box lot are real special too. I once watched a Bridgeport milling machine loaded onto a Dakota pickup, and tied down with clothesline pulled around the sharp edge of the body.
His headlights were pointed at the tops of the poles as he went down the road. There are never enough straps.

hosejockey2002 · Apr 19, 2002

You could probably use good motorcycle tiedowns, one on each corner. I prefer chains and binders, I mean you probably need a chain or two anyway. I've never seen anything else used for heavy equipment, so I know its probably the best thing to use.

TonyC · Apr 19, 2002

Northern Tools (among many others) carry a good tie down. Go <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.northerntool.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=12102&prmenbr=6970>here</A> to read about them. They'll handle up to 10,000#. For 18 bucks why take a chance./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

EFC · Apr 19, 2002

Ket if you put 10 tiedowns on that are rated at 1250lbs each that should be ok. In reality each strap on a piece of equipment should be able to bear the total weight. I use 4 10,000lbs straps on each tractor. Chain is best if you have any sharp edges. We use pieces of fire hose between ruff/sharp edges and the straps. I strap it down with the idea that if I am going sideways down the road out of control will the load stay on the trailer. Strap the rear of the tractor the best so that it can’t move forward. You always stop harder than you accelerate. As soon as the straps start to fray or you cant read the load label get rid of them and never leave them out in the rain or sun except when hauling.

LMTC · Apr 19, 2002

The greatest danger in hauling a tractor, or any large equipment, is that of an emergency stop that puts the equipment on top of you if not properly fastened. The second most likely is losing it, and the danger of course is that it ends up in traffic and kills someone. My motto has always been "One more chain". MINIMUM of TWO tie downs per tractor, at least one being proper CHAIN and BINDER. We use plenty of the 10,000# straps, even on tractors, but ONE has got to be CHAIN on the tractor.

JCooper · Apr 19, 2002

Lmtc you're exactly right. Damaging you equipment is one thing, but hurting someone else is another. I know of a lawsuit going on right now where a contractor's ladder fell off his truck at high speeds. This small ladder caused a death. Just something to think about. STRAP STRAP AND MORE STRAPS
JCooper