Interpreting PA Tie Down Regulations

[4570Man]

IMO WILL being equal to half the machine weight isn’t enough. By that requirement I could use four 1/4 grade 70 chains or four 2” straps to secure my backhoe and I wouldn’t trust either setup. I’m using four 6800 pound chains tightened with four 9500 pound binders and I made sure the chain hooks were heavy enough for the chain. Low grade hooks should be banned. I paid $5 each for certified grade 70 hooks rated 11k WILL. How much does a grade 30 death trap hook save?

 

[4570Man]

And like here, the "Anchor Point" could be some loop stuck on with a blob of snot from someones buzz box.

Another big problem I see is throwing straps across brush guards, over box blades and whatever else with no strap protectors. I recommend avoiding the practice of using only 2 straps. Using 4 an not contacting anything else really reduces fraying.

 

[prof fate]

My concern isn't the normal driving - but an emergency situation. Sure, 2 straps may hold it down, but if you gotta slam on your brakes or someone hits you, then is htat enough to keep it in place? Will the loader, hoe, attachments stay put as well?

I like to be sure it's held vertically, fore and aft and side to side, and take wind into consideration as well as distribution of load. Many seem to pay no attention - and I suppose they arrive alive. the trailer is supposed to sit level when you're ready to go...not tilted fore or aft, yet I see that all too often.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

If I tied my backhoe down with four 6800 WILL chains and it weighs 16.5k what does that leave for the loader and boom? I知 pretty sure they have to be tied down but since my other chains far exceeded the requirements can I just throw a really cheap 400 pound rated strap over the boom and the loader?

Read my post above.

Ron

 

[4570Man]

Read my post above.

Ron

If you are in a crash bad enough to separate the loader from the machine than the 400 pound strap vs the 10000 pound strap doesn’t make any difference.

 

[strum456]

Can anyone help with interpreting the PA regulations?

Common sense dictates that if using a single chain to span the cargo, said chain would need to have 2x the capacity than if using two separate chains. Am I correct in my interpretation that the PA regs. do not align with this logic?

 

[Reb954]

My impressions are as follows,

First, this rule only applies to the WLL of the tie downs, it does not appear to directly address the proper methods of tying down a load but it does tend to lead a person in that direction.

The aggregate WLL of tiedowns must be at least
one-half the weight of the article or group of articles
and is the sum of:

The above is just a general rule of thumb to be used and is pretty straight forward. Keep in mind, this rule applies to the overall load, not just one piece of the load. As an example, picture a tractor with a FEL and mower, that is three pieces. Yes they are all attached to each other but I suspect, under this rule, they will be viewed as three pieces. The WLL of the tie downs must be equal to at least one-half the weight of the overall load and is subject to the following refinements that apply to each piece of the load.

1/2 the WLL of each tiedown that goes from an
anchor point on the vehicle to an anchor point
on an article of cargo.

The above is a refinement of the general rule and applies to only one piece of the load, ie "an article of cargo". What I get out of it is, if you are cross chaining a load, the combined WLL of the tie downs must be at least equal to the weight of the load. To me this makes sense in that if I am hauling my tractor with 2 cross chains on both front and back and I have to hit the brakes hard, I don't want an inferior chain on one side in the back to break. If it did the tractor would possibly be jerked off the side by the other chain.

1/2 the WLL of each tiedown that is attached to
an anchor point on the vehicle, passes through,
over, or around the article of cargo and is then
attached to an anchor point on the same side if
the vehicle

Same as above.

The WLL for each tiedown that goes from an
anchor point on the vehicle, through, over, or
around the article of cargo, and then attaches to
anchor point on the other side of the vehicle.

Using the tractor example above of the tractor, FEL and mower, this refinement would apply to the FEL and mower. The WLL of the tie down used for the FEL or mower must be equal to or exceed the weight of that item. To me that is pretty straight forward.

As an example, say I am hauling my tractor with the FEL and mower attached. The tractor weights 6,000 lbs, the FEL is another 1,500 lbs and the mower is another 1,000 lbs. bringing the total weight to 8,500 lbs. I use grade 70 5/16 chains so the combined WLL of the tie downs is roughly 16,000 lbs., which is well within limits for the overall load. Except, each item has to be tied down so for the FEL and mower I can use tie downs whose WLL is equal to the weight of only the item being tied down.

 

[4570Man]

I bought some more chains and binders. I got everything in the picture for under 270 shipped to my door all grade 70 chain and hooks. I didn’t realize how big a 1/2 slip hook is. I should have bought 3/8 slip hooks but for a dollar more I was thinking bigger is better.

 

[dnw64]

My concern isn't the normal driving - but an emergency situation.

Yeah, I've seen guys drive off with a 40,000# excavator just sitting on the trailer, no tiedowns whatsoever, because he was "just going 1/2 mile". Well, nothing unforeseen happened, so he arrived uneventfully...

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, I've seen guys drive off with a 40,000# excavator just sitting on the trailer, no tiedowns whatsoever, because he was "just going 1/2 mile". Well, nothing unforeseen happened, so he arrived uneventfully...

I have a relative that dropped a Case 580 off of a trailer after he drove without chaining it down. It landed on it's side in the street and they had to bring in a crane to pick it up. He said he didn't have to go that far.... YIKES!