securing attachment/implement

[JCoastie]

To begin, on rare occasion I move non-commercial <5000# tractor over the road 10 or 15 miles, so my understanding is DOT rules don't necessarily apply.

I live in Alabama and have been told by multiple people that I only need to use 2 chains for the load, they recommend 1 chain side to side through a shackle on the drawbar and another side to side through the FEL torque tube.

I am not comfortable with that picture, so I use 4 attachment points, one on each corner and also one over the FEL bucket, and that leads me to the title question.

When they say you need to have a separate tie down for each attachment or implement, do they mean just the bucket, or would that really be the FEL as a whole?

 

[bcp]

I always wonder why some people think a non-commercial move or a short moves needs fewer tie downs. Physics doesn't care.

Anyway, two chains "through" the tractor isn't very secure. I would use 4 chains or straps even on short, private moves.

Bruce.

 

[i7win7]

 

[seville009]

I always use more than I think I need. May be overkill, but I'd rather take the time for an extra tie down or two versus dealing with an accident later. If I've got the chains/straps in my trailer box, might as well put them to use.
Also need to make sure you are using tie downs/chains with excess capacity. It's scary when I see equipment tied down in trailers with those thin little 200lb capacity straps.......

 

[JCoastie]

that video didn't really answer the bucket vs FEL question, but it was good regardless. I had no idea that connecting to the load and trailer cut the tie down WLL rating in half. Very interesting.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
I live in Alabama and have been told by multiple people that I only need to use 2 chains for the load, they recommend 1 chain side to side through a shackle on the drawbar and another side to side through the FEL torque tube.
<snip>

Technically that is 4 secure attachment points. As shown early in the video.
Yes, technically you only NEED 2 chains or straps of sufficient strength.
I was taught on here to chain the equipment, strap the attachments.
Early on (<2015) I bought a lot of HF tow chains (linky) at the royal price of about $15@. They are now $50@ before discount !YIKES!

 

[Gee Ray]

2 chains are enough to hold a 5000 pound tractor. However the front chain needs to attach to the tractor not to the front end loader. You will then need a third strap or chain on the front loader. The minimum number of straps or chains for your load is 3. If you add a bush hog on the back that would require another chain or strap. 4 chains are required on the tractor when the tractor is greater then 10,000 pounds. Plus chains or straps for any attachments.

Make sure the WLL adds up to be at least 1/2 of the load weight.

 

[Fallon]

I use 4 chains rather than 2 chains. If 1 brakes 3 will hold things ok enough. If 1 of 2 chains brakes things aren't going to be secured much at all. Machine will go forward or back a bit, then loose lateral support as well as front to back support. Don't cross chain either as the machine can twist & slack all the chains if one comes loose.

I'm a bit more lax on chaining down impliments that are firmly attached to the tractor though. Unattached implements, definitely get chained. But for short 1-5 mile runs I often don't throw a chain over the mower or loader.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Chains and binders on all 4 corners here, 2 in front go to front of tractor frame, 2 in back go through shackle on draw bar. Also make sure your chains are tight. They should not be flapping around or moving as you go down the road. The chain should vibrate and "hum" like a tuning fork when you smack it, not wiggle or wobble.

 

[seville009]

Was driving on the NYS thruway a few days ago around dusk; in a busy section with three lanes. Saw brake lights and swerving in the left hand lane ahead.

Got up there and saw an eight or ten foot step ladder fully opened in the left hand passing lane. Obviously fallen off of someone's truck.

doesn't matter how big or heavy the load is.......secure, secure, secure......

 

[bigtiller]

I learned the "secure" lesson when I was 16.

At a summer job at a lumber yard, a co-worker lost an entire pallet load of plywood on a busy intersection in downtown Des Moines. It was not strapped down. My job was to drive the 1 ton flatbed there and load up the plywood with the help of a short, skinny old guy that ran out of juice pretty fast.

 

[civilian]

I learned the "secure" lesson when I was 16.

At a summer job at a lumber yard, a co-worker lost an entire pallet load of plywood on a busy intersection in downtown Des Moines. It was not strapped down. My job was to drive the 1 ton flatbed there and load up the plywood with the help of a short, skinny old guy that ran out of juice pretty fast.

What happened to the co-worker that, he didn't go pick them up? Just wondering. Jon

 

[bigtiller]

What happened to the co-worker that, he didn't go pick them up? Just wondering. Jon

It has been over 50 years ago but I think he was running out of time. I think he had a couple more stops to make load on more material before the end of the business day and head home to get unloaded.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I use 4 chains rather than 2 chains. If 1 brakes 3 will hold things ok enough. If 1 of 2 chains brakes things aren't going to be secured much at all. Machine will go forward or back a bit, then loose lateral support as well as front to back support. Don't cross chain either as the machine can twist & slack all the chains if one comes loose.

I'm a bit more lax on chaining down impliments that are firmly attached to the tractor though. Unattached implements, definitely get chained. But for short 1-5 mile runs I often don't throw a chain over the mower or loader.

I would add that if you happen to have a less than 10k backhoe with a "dipper" with a locking device then the dipper can remain up and need not be chained down.

 

[azbinder]

I would add that if you happen to have a less than 10k backhoe with a "dipper" with a locking device then the dipper can remain up and need not be chained down.

From having hauled more TLB's than I can count, I've never hauled one with the backhoe in the air. Even on a "lightweight" backhoe, the tractor will bounce on the tires if the backhoe is not set on the deck.

 

[Have tractor did travel]

From having hauled more TLB's than I can count, I've never hauled one with the backhoe in the air. Even on a "lightweight" backhoe, the tractor will bounce on the tires if the backhoe is not set on the deck.

My Kubota's owner's manual says to transport the bucket on the deck.