I need help chaining down the tractor

[Bob_Skurka]

Being conscious of your load, being somewhat oversafe and you're fine.

I am constantly amazed with the illegal, fool-hardy, and dangerous advice given in the towing threads. Seems like so many people just want to do it as cheaply as possible and see what they can get-away with.

 

[laurencen]

Hi Bob, where did you purchase the hook in the first picture, sure would be handier than what Im using now

Laurence

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I am constantly amazed with the illegal, fool-hardy, and dangerous advice given in the towing threads. Seems like so many people just want to do it as cheaply as possible and see what they can get-away with.

Amen! There's "enough" and then there's safe. But why just be safe when it's just about as easy to be OVER-KILL safe. I don't secure a load to be safe 99.99999% of the time. I go overboard and secure my loads for that other .000001% Loose a load and kill someone and they don't give you a mulligan. No do-overs. No second chance to do it right the first time.

I hear oh so many people talking about "I drive just a bit slower and take my time when hauling a tractor". Or "I'm a safe driver". It's not always YOU that causes the wreck that flings your pride and joy onto someones car. There's always that imbecile in the suv that cuts you off changing lanes without warning, or the teenager who pulls in front of you and slams on the brakes to make an unsignalled turn. And what about that unexpected chuck hole that slams your trucks suspension beyond it's limits. Saftey isn't a game.

When we're talking about a $25,000 tractor on a $4000 trailer being towed with a $45,000 truck, what's another $100 for GOOD chain? Or another $50 for ratchet binders instead of lever types? I get a laugh sometimes when I hear someone talking about NOT using chains because the "scratch the paint". What sort of scratches do you think you'd end up with after your tractor slid down the highway at 55mph ON IT'S HOOD?

If you can't afford to operate with-in the limits of saftey, don't even try. You only get one life. And you don't have the right to temp fate with someone elses life.

OK, I'm done with the soapbox.......NEXT!

 

[john_bud]

When we're talking about a $25,000 tractor on a $4000 trailer being towed with a $45,000 truck, what's another $100 for GOOD chain? Or another $50 for ratchet binders instead of lever types?
QUOTE]


I suppose that they are just penurious....

jb

 

[jayhaitch]

I'm looking at my GC2310 (only 2650 lbs) and can't see where I'd be able to wrap a chain around the fat 4wd axles without really torquing on the tires to attach the chain to the D-rings on my trailer.

Has anyone used axle straps, then chain from the D-ring to the axle strap?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Hi Bob, where did you purchase the hook in the first picture, sure would be handier than what Im using now

Laurence

AW Direct Towing Recovery Service Vehicle and Wrecker Accessories - 1-800-243-3194


.

Loose a load and kill someone and they don't give you a mulligan. No do-overs. No second chance to do it right the first time.

I hear oh so many people talking about "I drive just a bit slower and take my time when hauling a tractor". Or "I'm a safe driver". It's not always YOU that causes the wreck that flings your pride and joy onto someones car. There's always that imbecile in the suv that cuts you off changing lanes without warning, or the teenager who pulls in front of you and slams on the brakes to make an unsignalled turn. And what about that unexpected chuck hole that slams your trucks suspension beyond it's limits. Saftey isn't a game.

I've seen landscapers who don't strap or chain down their ZTRs on their trailers, they just turn them so they are wedged together. That may be fine for preventing them from sliding during normal starting and stopping, but in any sort of panic situation those are going to go flying.

I've seen tractors held down with one strap over run across the operators floorboards from side to side.

I've seen more trailers than I can count without the safety chains hooked to the tow vehicle and with the emergency brake actuator left dangling but not connected.

But as bad as all that is, some of the stuff I read on these forums about 'going slow' and 'taking it easy' is just people admitting that they intend to do things that could kill someone!

 

[firemanpat2910]

I suppose that they are just penurious....

jb[/QUOTE]

I had to look that one up also. John bud did you get a new dictionary for christmas? LOL

 

[john_bud]

I suppose that they are just penurious....

jb

I had to look that one up also. John bud did you get a new dictionary for christmas? LOL[/QUOTE]


No, but I did get a new Zarf.... quite nice in the morning...
My grandmother always said that people judge your intelligence by the vocabulary you use. It was true then and is still true today.


Speaking of towing -

The worst job of load attachment I have ever seen was a person taking two cars to the junk yard for scrap metal (I assume). They were on a 16 or 18' trailer that looked like a 7k max unit, so it was overloaded by a bunch. But that's not the bad part. The two (yes count them 2) cars were one on TOP of the other. The bottom car was not strapped at all. The top car had one nylon strap across the hood and one across the trunk. You could see it teeter tottering as the trailer hit bumps as it was being pulled by the clapped out rust bucket of a 1/2ton truck on the highway at 75 mph. Thankfully, I was going the other direction....


Jay - a buddy has an enclosed trailer and he uses over the axle nylon straps at each corner for cars and tractor (JD790) and uses the 8 D-rings in the floor.

 

[schiker]

clipped....

For equipment under 10,000 pounds (like your tractor), you only are required to use 2 chains by Fed DOT. Individual states may be more restrictive, but not less.

I read recently for motorized vehicles with (4) or more tires requires (4) chains; one at each corner of the vehicle. I don't know if that is weight determined but I don't think so.

Also make sure chain/clevis grade and binder strength is marked. Strength of sum of chains should be minimum 1.5 times the weight of the load.

No I am not 100% sure (4) chains are required and maybe the above quote is true. But personally I don't like to see (1) chain front and rear just run fairly perpendicular to the trailer length looped over or through an attachment point pulling down. I prefer to run from the "corners" of tractor to trailer so the chain tries to stretch the tractor and pull it down. Then look at implement and tie it down as well.

As someone already said its all about safety remember this is a free forum so advice is suspect (mine included) if in doubt look up the regulations.

Don't flame me but asking some troopers is not a bad idea but don't even take thier word as gospel. The next DOT man/woman may have a different interpretation of the letter of the law. Pay attention and see how the truck drivers tie down. Don't just go by one or two examples but notice several. They have to obey the most demanding guidelines and pass weigh station checks therefore are generally the best example.

 

[schiker]

clipped....

For equipment under 10,000 pounds (like your tractor), you only are required to use 2 chains by Fed DOT. Individual states may be more restrictive, but not less.

I read recently for motorized vehicles with (4) or more tires requires (4) chains; one at each corner of the vehicle. I don't know if that is weight determined but I don't think so.

Also make sure chain/clevis grade and binder strength is marked. Strength of sum of chains should be minimum 1.5 times the weight of the load.

No I am not 100% sure (4) chains are required and maybe the above quote is true. But personally I don't like to see (1) chain front and rear just run fairly perpendicular to the trailer length looped over or through an attachment point pulling down. I prefer to run from the "corners" of tractor to trailer so the chain tries to stretch the tractor and pull it down. Then look at implement and tie it down as well.

As someone already said its all about safety remember this is a free forum so advice is suspect (mine included) if in doubt look up the regulations.

Don't flame me but asking some troopers is not a bad idea but don't even take thier word as gospel. The next DOT man/woman may have a different interpretation of the letter of the law. Pay attention and see how the truck drivers tie down. Don't just go by one or two examples but notice several. They have to obey the most demanding guidelines and pass weigh station checks therefore are generally the best example.