Because as you said, I am doing my research, and do not see where many folks, and I guess particularly you, are coming up and saying Grade 70 chain is required.
I'm really confused. No where in any of my posts have I said that the use of Grade 70 chain is mandatory. If I have, please direct me to the post in which I said that.
In fact (and for the THIRD TIME) what I've said is:
READ CAREFULLY->>
But, by all means -- do your own thing. Use marked chain, unmarked chain, webbing straps, ropes --- whatever you want as long as you can meet the miminum requirements.
You see - what
I've said is USE WHATEVER YOU WANT - as long as you can meet the minimum requirements.
The point I am trying to get across too you, and am doing pretty poorly at, is that even if you have grade 70 chain, that does not mean it is rated at what it needs to be.
Please define "...rated at what it needs to be."
Each grade of chain has its WLL that is associated with the size of the chain. For example: 5/16 Grade 70 is rated for a WLL of 4,700 pounds. 3/8-inch chain is rated at 6,600 pounds WLL. If you use multiple attachments, the load is devided by the number of attachments.
Luckily, I know how to add, subtract, mutiply AND divide....so I can add up the weight of everything I'm securing and then add in a SAFETY FACTOR. I use 15% as a safety factor --- meaning when I bind something down, I use the weight of the aggregate load and then multiply by 1.15. I use that as my final binding weight and use the size chain and NUMBER of individual securements required for that weight.
If you had 1/4" grade 70 would it meet the requirements? I don't know, and honestly, neither does anyone else unless you have something (what I referred to as a "weight ticket" on your peice of equipment, configured as you are hauling it)
My lord you want to make this complicated. 1/4-inch Grade 70 chain has a WLL of 3150 lbs. I would not use that to bind my CUT with a bucket and one attachment - as you have to factor in the G-loading (as described in the publication) in addition to the total weight load. So, what's your point?????
Multiple, individual tie downs are important. You're dividing up the working load on each chain. When I bind down my load, it will resist 13,200 pounds in any direction. Given that the maximum load I can put on the trailer is tractor + loader + backhoe - I'm far, far under the total load I can restrain - including my safety factor + G-force loading.
The reason I asked the question, and continue to ask, is I too tend to not like to disagree with the inspectors, I would rather they look and send me on my way with a smile.
Then why the "prove it to me" attitude? Use Grade 120, Grade 100, Grade 80 - go beyond Grade 70. I frankly DON'T CARE what you use.
But so many folks, much like what you have done the last couple posts, seem to throw the "grade 70" into the equation that I am thinking I have missed reading some part of the book, or there is some little proviso somewhere that says
"All tractors tied with chains must have grade 70 chains" or something to that effect and I would much rather someone on a tractor bulletin board point it out too me then the DOT enforcement guy on the side of the road.
Once again, I've NEVER SAID YOU MUST USE GRADE 70 CHAIN. Please read what I have said. Do not fabricate something I have NOT SAID.
In the FWIW I use 5/16 grade 70 and 3/8 grade 43 chains, and normally do it too 4 corners.
Then why did you even post your question - did you just want to hang out and be contrary?
But then again, I hook into welded on chains on the deck. I have yet to see many trailers with the weight rating on the deck attachment points, which, on many trailer's I see I would be more suspect of then any chain I have.
FWIW - READ the FREAKING publication carefully - there's actually a REASON you don't see the attachment points rated. The manufacturer's AREN'T REQUIRED TO RATE THE ANCHOR POINTS.
FMCSA cargo securement rules do not require rating and marking of anchor points.
Also, FWIW - my attachment point rings on my trailer are rated at 40,000 lbs.
Now what do you want to argue about? The steel in the trailer, the welds on the rings.....? You really have a need to try and prove some kind of point - just what is it?
