Chains Straps or Chains (or is this too personal?)

[rstcso]

Now that my tractor has been delivered and I have purchased an appropriate trailer, the question of whether to use DOT approved straps or chains has been haunting me. I have both, but would prefer to use the straps, but would like your opinions, thoughts and experiences. I have a FEL, rotary cutter and box blade. The cutter and box blade will be living on our property about 75 miles away, so they will make the trip once, but the tractor w/FEL will be making the trip and living at home with me. The roads are great, but there's about a 30 mile stretch of hills and twists and turns (posted 65mph, too).

 

[Will_C]

Brent; I use the 10,000lb rated straps. The advantage is that do not scratch or gouge the paint, so you can attach them anyplace. They are prone to fraying over time, so you need to keep an eye them. I think you will find most people are divided on this issue, some even using straps on one end of the tractor and chains on the other.
Will

 

[BigDave]

<font color=blue> The roads are great, but there's about a 30 mile stretch of hills and twists and turns (posted 65mph, too). </font color=blue>

<font color=purple> DEFINITITY CHAINS!!!! </font color=purple>

IMHO, of course. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[rstcso]

I did a search on this subject before I posted and found this to be very true. I didn't see as much on the straps, though, so that's why I did the post. I did find a lot of difference on how many tie points, where to locate them, etc. I guess I just didn't want to let the evening go by without somebody stirring up some kind of debate. Thanks to all. This is a great forum.

 

[DK35vince]

If you use straps,make sure they are not tightened over anything sharp.
I use chains because they just seem faster and easier for me.
But I always chain down at the same place on my tractor.
My bumper-grill guard and around the toe bar where a few scratchs don't really matter.

 

[dgood1]

Brent,

When I see the new tractors on the flat bed trailers going down I-20 they are all chained. If it's good enough for the truckers then it's good enough for me.

 

[Turfman]

Take a look at what the pros use. I bought straps and quickly converted to chains with binders. Everything I see on construction trucks and trailers is chained down. Don't forget to wrap the free end of the chain over the handle of the binder to keep it from popping open.

 

[RanchMan]

I've used both. Personally I like to use ratchet straps with axle loops (like race car drivers use) - one on each corner just inside the knuckle/drum assembly, along with a heavy chain on the back end of the tractor just for "backup." The axle straps work GREAT and are easy to get on/off with the ratchet.

I'll second the comment though about not having them near anything that can "chew" through them. Doesn't have to be sharp - any right angle can act as a blade or even something rough will "sand" through them. I've only lost 1 strap due to that (learning curve) in all the time I've used them.

Straps are great - I personally think they are easier to secure than chains but they do require a bit more thought - can't just wrap them around anything every-which-way and expect them to hold up (chains don't have this issue.)

I'd say in the end, it's 6 or 1/2 dozen - straps and chains can work equally well (I've seen truckers use both straps and chains) - both have +'s & -'s. For me though, due to convenience, I use straps when I can, chains when I must.

 

[Ozarker]

I use chains and binders. Straps can be cut by the vibration of the road if you inadvertently place them over a sharp edge. And it doesn't have to be a real sharp edge.

 

[Will_C]

I second the concern about the straps fraying. I am using plastic protectors on the strap and can be adjusted to ride where the strap contacts the metal.
Of course, I am hauling a BX. That does not have the weight of the tractors many of you are hauling. I probably would upgrade to chains with a larger machine.
Will