Why four binders?

[RobertN]

Just curious: If I was hauling 2 tons of stone (heavier than my tractor), why aren't we having a discussion about the overwhelming need to "bind" that load?

Just trying to keep it real.

Ha ha Been there, done that (Note )

Two pallets of Keystone Country Manor fit my trailer; I have more room, but not wieght capacity.

A strap over each pallet, with cardboard against the stones so it does not damage the straps. Chain would damage the concrete block. See same with big rigs running locally.

If you want to talk about loose loads, I see a lot of pickups hauling big loads of hay/alfalfa. Only problem is, most pickups have no rope hooks..... I also see what is left of hay bales on the side of the road all too often.

 

[Iowachild]

Seems like the only one with a quandary is you I believe it was mentioned earlier that these regulations vary by state so all that really matters is what is required where you live and where you will be using your trailer. Four tie down points w/separate chains are required in PA not sure about the binder portion of your concern but for the record I use four. Happy towing!

HI JDGREEN4ME, Can you tell me where in PA code this regulation lives? I have searched PA Title 67 Transportation Codeand cannot locate this reg.

Thank you!

 

[George2615]

OMG!!! I was in so much shock that I didn't get my cell phone camera out in time to get the picture. On the way back from my other property I was following a guy with a new looking JD110 TLB on what appeared to be a 7k utility (had the side rails as part of the strength - i.e. a lawn mower trailer) and it looked like it was moving on the trailer. As we were stopping for a light on Highway 41S I saw for sure that the tractor was moving a bit. I hit the power window on my passenger side to tell the guy that his load was loose but the light turned green and he took off. That is when I noticed that the only thing he had keeping the tractor on the trailer was one of the 1" wide, pull to tighten - like for a dirtbike, strap on the rear and one on the front.

At the next stop light I again tried to get his attention and let him know his new looking tractor appeared to be moving even more on his trailer. Of course, when I got his attention, he flipped me off. That was when I noticed that he had a new temp tag on both his 2009 F150 and his trailer. Based on that, I assume that he had just bought the whole shooting match and was completely new to everything. I just went ahead and powered by him just in case he lost his new tractor off his new trailer.

I mention this because it's for guys like that that I think these laws are in place. I don't know what a JD110 weighs, but I'd venture to guess that it's too heavy for a 7k trailer. I'd bet his straps were rated for about 300 pounds max. He likely figured that with the front bucket down and the brake set that he didn't need to secure his new tractor. It's people like that guy why scare me. Heck, I wonder what towing rating his F150 has for that matter. I was pulling about 15k and I was able to easily drive away from him with my slightly juiced F350 6.0.

For anyone interested, TractorData lists a 110TLB at 7280 lb.
Slightly overweight for a 7K trailer by about 2200 lb.
I'm glad you got far enough away from that accident waiting to happen.

 

[George2615]

Well, ya!

Kidding.

For me (remember...3,000# Kubota BX TLB) it isn't a matter of it being HARD, it is just a real PITA to have long enough chains (or short enough binders in my case) on all 4 corners for the widely varying conditions under which I tow my tractor. Just yesterday, I moved my tractor rearward on my trailer 4 feet to offset 1,000# of landscaping material I picked up.

With a 2 chain 2 binder system, it was slick as snot to move everything back a notch. Didn't miss a beat.

Just curious: If I was hauling 2 tons of stone (heavier than my tractor), why aren't we having a discussion about the overwhelming need to "bind" that load?

Just trying to keep it real.

Just for any ones info, some states require a loose load such as stones or mulch or whatever to be covered by some sort of tarp.

Not so here. California requires four independant ties, one on each corner, adjustable. I have posted it here before. I contacted CHP directly for an answer; got one by phone, and one by email. They do not care if it is a chain/binder, or a ratchet strap. They do, however, want each corner secured independantly, and adjustable(binder on a chain, rachet strap). The chain or strap does need to meet strength requirements.

Ca DOT regs are more stringent than US DOT rules.

So... if you traveled cross country(Interstate) the rules may change when you cross state lines.

By all means everyone hauling equipment check with their local law enforcement or DMV as to proper securement procedures since some states are more strict than the Federal guidelines.

 

[KeithInSpace]

...some states require a loose load such as stones or mulch or whatever to be covered by some sort of tarp.

Virginia only requires a tarp if you are hauling the load for commercial purposes. A resident can tow mulch, sticks, grass, stone, whatever, without a tarp or cover.

Not the point, though. The "4 binder" discussion revolves around the certain death imparted by a tractor held down by only 2 properly loaded and bound chains rather than 4. I'm not talking about 2 chains, center front and center rear to one point on the trailer (simple connection)...I'm talking about tying all 4 corners to 4 discreet and seperate points on the trailer, just having the slack taken up somewhere in the loop and load tightened to the trailer.

My point in bringing up the stone was simply to demonstrate the point that 2 tons of unrestrained stone liberating itself from my trailer in an accident isn't going to feel any better than my properly (2 chains and 2 binders on 4 corners) restrained tractor. Tarp ain't doing squat.

 

[JB4310]

So now we have a quandary, TBNers say four binders and the lowly Motor Carrier Officer ( the person who will be the one to issue any citations for violations) says that what I have is correct. What to do, what to do? I'm going to make a choice but I will let you guess whom I'm going with on this.

Photos showing what was inspected.

n8586m,
You started an interesting thread here, but now you changed the rules in the middle of the game. In your OP you said "I don't care what the law might say" now you've gotten a legal determination and are going by the letter of the law.

IMO, regardless of the law, 4x4 is the easier and safer way to go.

Your machine looks ok the way it's secured especially in the closed in trailer, if you have a back gate then even better. Can't really see where that front chain goes around? why 2 binders on the back chain? isn't that just one chain looped on the draw bar. if you had the back corners independently tied to then 2 binders would be needed.

This is what mine looked like today, brought my tractor to a church to clean up and spread gravel in their overflow parking area.
Putting it on backwards had light tongue weight on the way home I put it forward, didn't notice much difference.

Should have timed it but I didn't, though it couldn't of taken more than 2-3 minutes to secure this tractor this way, that was with 2 of us, (helper and me) but that's with driving it on the trailer, setting brake and chaining/strapping down as seen.


Good luck, JB.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Mr. JB4310, FWIW, I'd use 4 binders on your tractor also. There just isn't the room (or point) on a runt of a tractor like mine.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Dargo

The new truck and trailer plus a new tractor reminds me of the first weekend of spring at the boat ramp. There is always a guy with a new boat and a new truck and a wife he is about to divorce. I wish I could sell seats.

Chris

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Just curious: If I was hauling 2 tons of stone (heavier than my tractor), why aren't we having a discussion about the overwhelming need to "bind" that load?

Very simple.....your stone ISN'T on wheels. (Aplicable laws being discussed to this point are directed at wheeled vehicles being loaded/hauled)

 

[KeithInSpace]

...your stone ISN'T on wheels.

Of course...laws aside, I was playing devil's advocate on the safety aspects of having a tractor tied to a trailer either REALLY well or REALLY, REALLY, REALLY well (basically what we're discussing here). That's all.

It is common practice to carry some of the HEAVIEST loads essentially untethered. The heaviest load I've ever carried is stone. The second heaviest is mulch. The third heaviest is sand. The fourth heaviest is my tractor.