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

[pemad]

I use a Rachet Winch to hold my tractor in place. Real easy and dependable.

 

[buppy69]

I use 4 come-alongs. One on each corner.

Eugene

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

For my tractor I chain the front axle just using the clevis hooks then, with the tractor in neutral, I attach axle straps to the rear and use ratchet straps there. That allows me to get the load really tight and secure. Then I put the tractor in gear and engage the park brake. If I'm going a great distance I might throw an extra chain on each end just to be safer. NEVER have any portion of your ratchet straps touching anything. That's a task for your axle straps or chains. If you don't see a way to avoid that, get straps with chains on one or either end. For a good selection of high quality chains, straps, binders and just about anything else you could ever imagine related to towing or hauling check out <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.awdirect.com>AW Direct</A>.

Whatever you choose, make certain you stop a few miles down the toad and recheck your tie downs. As many years and as many vehicles as I've towed and hauled not a month goes by that I don't find something that's not as tight as I'd like when I do that little check. Would it really matter if I didn't re-tightne it? Probably not. Am I going to save that 5-10 minutes a trip by not stopping to check? Not in this lifetime. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[hosejockey2002]

I vote chains, definitely, You need a couple for dragging logs, and lifting heavy objects with your FEL anyway, and like the other guys said, the chains are not subject to environmental damage like straps can be. I prefer ratcheting binders over the lever type although they take a little longer to hook up.

 

[Kodiak]

Chains are also not subject to mouse damage like straps occasionally do.

Pro or con, what are your toughts on ratchet chain binders versus conventional chain binders?

 

[DK35vince]

Kodiak,
ratchet binder
Pro.-safer to use and don't flip open
con.-take more space to use,and take a little longer.

conventional binder
pro.-faster,
con.-can be more dangerous,a freind of mine moved equipment with a truck pulling a low boy trailer.
When releasing a conventional binder that was very tight,the handle flipped open pinning his hand between the binder and a dozer track crushing his hand.

 

[bgott]

I went to ratchets. It was durn near impossible to tighten the conventional binder between the tractor and box blade and then there was a time or two I found the binder on the rear flipped open. At the angle it set at the chain would slide off the handle and I wired it once and the wire broke. With the ratchets if it loosens up it doesn't come undone and I don't have to fight it.

 

[Ozarker]

I use conventional binders but have considered changing to ratchet type.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I feel the same way. I only use chains on the front end and don't use them for anything requiring me to tighten them down so binders aren't an issue. The ratchets make tightening so much easier I can't even imagine why I'd want to do it with chains and binders now.

 

[bubenberg]

we are in the lanscape business and have three trailers onthe road for most of forty weeks each year. we like a combination of straps and chains. they have both excellent and unique qualities.

across the motor block where your feed go we always use a strap with a thick rubber matt to smoothen the corners. the four corners we secure with chains and come alongs.

good luck