Proper way to bind tractor onto trailer?

QRTRHRS · Dec 14, 2005

( From what your are describing in the quote below.. the chains should not be hooked to itself but to the stake pocket? Is a binder used
only in the middle to take up slack or is it to be used as one end and attached to D ring or Stake pocket?

"Chains should be "fed" either down through the pocket and up either side with the hook hanging on the either side. They can also feed down outside the pocket and come up the inside with the hook hanging on either side. ) )You have little choice with a D ring but to hook the chain to itself. With pockets, if you hang the hook over the top, even if it slacks, it will not drop off. Even a loose chain is better than one unhooked. Of course the same thing could happen to a binder hook which is why you tighten them correctly and stop periodically as required to check the load.

Binders don't have enough slack to hook to the pockets or D rings directly.

QRTRHRS · Dec 14, 2005

[quoteI would like some stout D-rings but really the stake pockets seem to do the job well and I drop the hook through from above and then hook from the outside to the top of the pocket. )If you have a rub rail then DOT does not want to see chains outside of it. I have seen "integral" stake pockets with no rub rail so then there is no choice.

Highbeam · Dec 15, 2005

No rubrail for me but I could see how it would help to have the hook between a rubrail and the trailer. As it is with my exposed stake pockets, the hook could move around the pocket.

rk246 · Dec 15, 2005

What thickness of chains are you all using? do you think 5/16ths is enough?

RonR · Dec 15, 2005

rk246,

Depends on how heavy your tractor is.

I'd look at the specs for Grade 70 chain and get double or triple what your tractor weighs. The extra will account for any sudden loads on the chains. Make sure you binder is rated that good also.

ron

rk246 · Dec 15, 2005

okay thanks...

Dargo · Dec 15, 2005

( rk246,
Depends on how heavy your tractor is.

I'd look at the specs for Grade 70 chain and get double or triple what your tractor weighs. The extra will account for any sudden loads on the chains. Make sure you binder is rated that good also.
ron )

Yes, you will get sudden loads when your trailer flexes. I assure you that a trailer made with 6" channel will flex (some are only made with angle, and they will flex big time). It's not a lot, but with with only a 7500 pound tractor on a trailer that is made with 12" I beams using 6" channel only for supports, there is still some flex. Even if your tractor doesn't roll any, you will still get load spikes. Getting chain that is substantially stronger than your attachment points would be a waste though.

TimP · Dec 15, 2005

HIGHBEAM,

Thanks for the info AND the pics. Nice trailer !

Tim

rk246 · Dec 16, 2005

So to show my lack of knowledge one more time, Is there different strengths of chain in the same size? ie 5/16 inch chain with 5/16ths, hooks is there different grades in the same size? I always just thought chain was chain?

HarleyBob · Dec 16, 2005

rk, Oh boy, you should not have said that. Now were in for another
couple of pages of details. From what I understand each size chain can have MANY grades and materials. There is proof coil, high test, high tinsel, galvanized, stainless steel, grade 70, grade 43 etc.
Each one will have a rated working load and breaking strength.
Working load is the key number. There is also Chinese chain (much cheaper) and USA chain. There is also chain that is approved by the CHP that must be coated with gold. The Chinese chains, sold by Harbor Freight etc, are still rated
at Grade 70 and Grade 43 and are legal. The hooks also vary greatly in their working strength for a given size. The binders
also come in different strenghts for a give size. A general rule of thumb is that cheaper means lower working load.
Hbob

rk246 · Dec 16, 2005

sorry to open the box... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, I am learning every day... I have always just used whatever rusted up chain I could find laying around, for whatever I need to do... My new chains are gold coated type, but I thought that was just to help keep them from rusting as quick....

HarleyBob · Dec 16, 2005

I believe the coating is indeed to prevent corrosion. Corrosion
would lessen the diameter of the chain and thus weaken it.
If anyone has a link to the CHP rules, I would love to get it.
HBob

HarleyBob · Dec 16, 2005

I found some of the CHP data. It is hard to find and not at one link.
I copied the info on chain binding below. Basically it states that the chain and binders you use must have stamped ratings on the device. Grade 43 and 70 chain is stamped on each link as such. Same for hooks. It sounds like only chain made by a manufacturer that provices the CHP with samples of their chain and markings
are authorized for use in California. Most chain sellers will
indicate if they are CHP approved
. Here is the relevant info from the CHP site

I did not find the portions on how to attach to trailer or
item to be bound)

(g) Binder attachments shall have a design strength or load rating not less than that required of the binders to which they are attached.

(h) Chain hooks (Fig. 2) shall be of the clevis-type except as follows:

(1) Closed-eye chain hooks of the appropriate size and grade may be used when the hook grade is identified by the manufacturer's permanent and distinctive mark.

(2) Chain binder assemblies with chain hooks joined by flash- or butt-welded connecting links shall bear the manufacturer's permanent and distinctive link grade mark.

(3) Manufacturers shall provide the department with a list of the marks of identification used on closed-eye chain hooks and chain assemblies.

Dargo · Dec 16, 2005

Okay, for all chain related questions, look here Steel Chain Specifications (More info on chain than you'll likely want to know)

This is a link to the National Association of Chain Manufacturers specifications. The information listed above apply only to those members of the NACM. The specs and manufacturing requirements listed therein may not apply to chain made by other producers. There are many world wide chain manufacturers and, some countries are generally known for having consistantly better quality chain than others. However, for example, not all chain made in China is junk. The issue with Chinese made chain is that some of their manufacturers make very high quality chain and others make rather poor quality chain. So, if your links say "China" on them, it may or may not be of good quality. Since I'm not smart enough to know the quality difference by looking at the chain, I felt that I had to rely on quantitative data that was available on specific U.S. made chain. Your needs cerainly may differ, and you may well be able to tell chain quality better than I can. I am only listing what I could verify and how I chose the chain I felt was appropriate for my needs.

I do not sell chain nor endorse any manufacturer over another. I have simply looked into chain and chain specifications at length because of a near disaster I had. Be smart, be informed. Your best decisions will be made when you are best informed as to what you need. Only you know what you need. Be safe.

HarleyBob · Dec 16, 2005

And here is a link to the acco chain catalogue which has good charts on all the grades they sell, which is most of them. It even has some nice drawings of binding applications. It notes, as does the above link, that Grade 70 is the least that should be
used for binding. I did not even know there was Grade 80 and 100.

http://www.accochain.com/Chain-Catalog.pdf

I am glad I started this "link" (pun only noticed during edit) and thank all that contributed. If it helps us go down the road with a little more safety and confidence then it was one of the more worthwhile threads I have read here. I started knowing nothing
about binding a load and know I have an understanding of
what is required. Anyone know where to buy good chain at a decent price? I have Grade 70 and 43 chains from Harbor Freight and Costco of unknown quality.

Hbob

Highbeam · Dec 16, 2005

Always look for the Working Load Limit. WLL, that is the key.

I use 3/8" chain grade 43 made by some kid in China I presume. The WLL was very adequate and I have yet to have a failure, the way I bind is very forgiving of the failure of a single chain. The binders I use have an even higher WLL and were also made by the same kid or his younger brother. 5/16" chain was also available and adequate but the ratchet binders that I had acquired were made for 3/8" chain so I had to go 3/8".

Be sure to price out the premade lengths of chain with hooks on each end. I have always been impressed with how much cheaper the premade chains are than if you bought the hooks and chain by the foot and made your own.

I have yet to see a chinese chain fail when a USA chain would have done the job. I buy lots of china stuff. Even my tractor is from Korea. If I didn't trust foreign products then I would be in big trouble.

Dargo · Dec 16, 2005

I understand that you are comfortable going with things that others are not. However, it is clearly noted in every printing I've seen that grade 43 chain is not recommended for load securement. If you're comfortable with Chinese chain, great. I'd just be careful recommending to use chain for securing a tractor that is clearly not designed to do so and may even violate DOT regulations. Not everyone reading this realizes that you are using chain that specifically states is not designed to be used for the purpose you're using it.

Feel free to read up on OSHA for the reasons that Chinese made chain is not allowed in most work environments where there is any overhead lifting by chains. As I previously stated, not all Chinese chain is inferior in quality. The issue is that there is no quality control measures to let you know what you're getting. I'm more comfortable making recommendations based on verifiable facts and by staying within manufacturers guidelines. But, hey, that's just me.

I only point this out because it is not very responsible to advise people to use equipment in a manner in which the manufacturer and regulatory agencies specifically state is not advisable. Grade 43 chain is not recommended for load securement per the National Association of Chain Manufacturers and OSHA.

Bob_Skurka · Dec 16, 2005

Be really careful with chain. I'm not sure that grade 43 is even legal to use for use on securing loads for transport. There is work load and there are other types of load, namely shock. I'd suggest you go to AW Direct and buy from them, or from someone else who specializes in securing loads. JMHO.

Highbeam · Dec 16, 2005

"The Chinese chains, sold by Harbor Freight etc, are still rated
at Grade 70 and Grade 43 and are legal."

This was posted earlier... is it not true?

I will admit that I may not know everything about specific chain laws. Maybe G43 chain is not appropriate, maybe it is. I don't live in CA so the CHP rating is of no value to me. I am mildly amused how it is assumed that Chinese products are not worth the metal they're made of compared to US products.

Show me a law that requires grade 70, US chain. I have only seen WLL requirements.

Dargo · Dec 16, 2005

( Show me a law that requires grade 70, US chain. I have only seen WLL requirements. )

C'mon, you can look this up as easily as anyone else. Here is one from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; which is national. Grade 70 chain required Look at item 5.9. You'll find this same requirement in almost all printed material regarding securing loads. I'm not trying to lecture you, use anything you want. Really. I did not know better until I nearly had a major screw up. It probably bothers me more that I could have killed someone else on the road due to my ignorance. That would have been a tough pill for me to swallow. I'd have to bet that you're a pretty darn decent guy as well and you would be pretty hard on yourself if such an unspeakable disaster were to befall you.

That's all. I'm not trying to be "smarter" than you. Sorry if I have come off that way. I just came so close to such a major screw up when I thought I knew what I was doing. If I tick off 100 people but end up saving 1 life or preventing one major accident, it is worth it. Hopefully no offense taken.