Proper way to bind tractor onto trailer?

[RobertN]

I posted an email I had from CHP about this a few months ago. I can not find my old email or that old post...

CHP said to use four independant tie points, with binders on each. A chain and binder should go across each implement. They did indicate that by the law either chain and binder, or ratchet strap was ok. They based this off of the Fed regs.

Highbeam and Farmwithjunk have stated the Fed regs, which Calif uses.

I will look some more in my old email, and in my olds posts for that CHP letter.

In regards to using one chain, or two chains and one binder, don't do it. Sure, you can. Some folks do. I used to till I researched this more. I didn't lose my tractor from the trailer. But, I did have it slack a little. And, I thought I had had it tied pretty dang tight.

Get the extra chain and binders. I figure it this way. What is $100 of extra chain and binders, compared to, in my case, $12k worth of tractor, $1.8k worth of trailer, and $30k+ of truck. That extra $100 is well worth the added safety.

If you are still in doubt, contact your local State Trooper office. Ask them. I did; CHP was nice to deal with; thier commercial division had me an answer in a couple hours. I followed thier recomendations, which are as tough as any in the US.

 

[Wildbill34]

Gentlemen: Based upon what I have read here, I have completely rethought how I was planning on tying down my tractor. In addition, I am wiser based on the stories I have seen here. While light compare to those on here, I still need to be concerned. I am going out tomorrow and buying all new chains and ratchets. They will all be 70 or better. I figure it is a cheap investment for protection. No more straps for me! If nothing else, you probably have saved someone a serious accident or someone hurting an innocent bystander.

If it takes me a little more time to sucure it properly, I figure so what. Better than dealing with a horrible problem because I didn't take the time.

Thank you!

 

[RickS]

Possibly a bit off topic here, but as a young lad I helped my dad boom down his Cat D4 and/or D6 dozers, along with other heavy equipment. The dozers did not have any "squish" to them, and the chain we used was very heavy, although I don't ever recall seeing or hearing anything about a Grade. Mater of fact, I don't know where the chains came from. They were just always there. Anyhow, when it came time to get out the boomer (country talk for binder) he would pull out the Big Bertha of the lot. This think weighed about as much as me and was very massive. Dad carried a cheater pipe to use that must have been four or five feet long. When he got it hooked up just right he would have at it. Once tight nothing moved off that trailer. He would always wrap the slack chain around the body and handle of the binder just for added security. I think he still has two of those huge binders. I'll have to look next time I'm visiting him.