Steven
Gold Member
I use chains that i put through an old piece of fire hose so that it does not scratch up the contact points on the tractor and tighten down with binders.
Chains Straps or Chains (or is this too personal?)
- Thread starter rstcso
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Anonymous Poster
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One of the new straps lasted 15 minutes from the dealership before it got cut by a sharp edge. Dealer gave me another one, but I use come-alongs on the front and the back. They work fine for my short distance travel from storage to property. I installed a ring loop under the front of the tractor and attach the hook to this. In the back the come-along goes over the mower bracket and then is cinched down. Not a burp going down road. I will not use straps anymore.
Thanks to all. Gary in Indiana, I bookmarked the AW Direct web site and will take a look. I took the tractor out last night and got back a couple of hours ago. FYI, chain on the front and strap on the back. I like the idea of the fire hose to keep from scratching the paint. I have a conventional load binder, but will probably be getting the ratcheting style. Of course, my wife has told me that since she bought me the tractor, I can't say "Now I need (/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif) this...". How realistic is that?
Gary_in_Indiana
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Not realistic at all! Buying a tractor is kind of like buying a membership at one of those warehouse club stores. It's merely a license to go spend more money. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Phred
Veteran Member
I agree with the chains and ratchet binders. The fire hose idea is a good one. I have seen canvas chain covers that would achieve the same effect.
I have used all of the above and never have a problem with the ratchet binders and chains.
The straps are enticing since they are so easy, but I do not use them for anything that weights more than a couple hundred pounds. Just not safe in my opnion.
The convetional binders can come loose on rough roads even if you wrap the chains around them.
Fred
I have used all of the above and never have a problem with the ratchet binders and chains.
The straps are enticing since they are so easy, but I do not use them for anything that weights more than a couple hundred pounds. Just not safe in my opnion.
The convetional binders can come loose on rough roads even if you wrap the chains around them.
Fred
Inspector507
Super Member
Inspector507
Super Member
radar54
Bronze Member
I trailer my tractor every week. I use chains and load binders that need a pipe cheater to get closed due to being so tight. Never had a binder flip open or any other problem.
Whatever you use, never unolad the tractor on any grade other than perfectly flat ground.
Jeff
Whatever you use, never unolad the tractor on any grade other than perfectly flat ground.
Jeff
Gary_in_Indiana
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<font color=blue>"I do not use (straps) for anything that weighs more than a couple hundred pounds. Just not safe in my opnion."</font color=blue>
I'm not sure I understand why you don't think straps are safe for something heavy. A very high percentage of flatbed loads on the interstates are held down by straps. I use ratchet straps for vehicle tie downs all the time. In any situation I find I can get straps tighter than I'd ever be able to get chains and binders. There are so many more adjustments available with the ratchets as opposed to binders. Binders have to adjust by no less than one chain link while ratchets can make many incremental adjustments in that same space.
As far as working load limits (WLL) you can certainly get the same WLL with straps as you can with even grade 80 chains. I can't imagine what any of us will be hauling that might need any more than that. The only possible advantage to chains that I see is that chains are more difficult to cut or damage. There are a number of ways to eliminate those problems with straps. They're certainly far less likely to damage the load you're securing, too.
I'm not sure I understand why you don't think straps are safe for something heavy. A very high percentage of flatbed loads on the interstates are held down by straps. I use ratchet straps for vehicle tie downs all the time. In any situation I find I can get straps tighter than I'd ever be able to get chains and binders. There are so many more adjustments available with the ratchets as opposed to binders. Binders have to adjust by no less than one chain link while ratchets can make many incremental adjustments in that same space.
As far as working load limits (WLL) you can certainly get the same WLL with straps as you can with even grade 80 chains. I can't imagine what any of us will be hauling that might need any more than that. The only possible advantage to chains that I see is that chains are more difficult to cut or damage. There are a number of ways to eliminate those problems with straps. They're certainly far less likely to damage the load you're securing, too.
Gary_in_Indiana
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Jerry,
I'm not trying to 'one up' you here, but for about half that money will sell you a 36" axle strap made of 12,000 lb. rated latex webbing in a protective sleeve with a 10,000 lb. rated 1/4" Delta ring. All of their 5,000 lb. straps, sleeves or not, are under $10 each. They're primarily a supplier to the racing industry and have a variety of tie downs. Between them and <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.awdirect.com> AW Direct, a great source for towing and recovery equipment accessories, I can cover about any of my towing and tie down needs. /w3tcompact/icons/clever.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif I've had excellent service from each and feel confortable recommending them. I hope this helps. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
I'm not trying to 'one up' you here, but for about half that money will sell you a 36" axle strap made of 12,000 lb. rated latex webbing in a protective sleeve with a 10,000 lb. rated 1/4" Delta ring. All of their 5,000 lb. straps, sleeves or not, are under $10 each. They're primarily a supplier to the racing industry and have a variety of tie downs. Between them and <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.awdirect.com> AW Direct, a great source for towing and recovery equipment accessories, I can cover about any of my towing and tie down needs. /w3tcompact/icons/clever.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif I've had excellent service from each and feel confortable recommending them. I hope this helps. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif