Chained ???????

393.128 reads:
§ 393.128 What are the rules for securing
automobiles, light trucks and vans?
(a) Applicability. The rules in this
section apply to the transportation of
automobiles, light trucks, and vans
which individually weigh 4,536 kg.
(10,000 lb) or less. Vehicles which
individually are heavier than 4,536 kg
(10,000 lb) must be secured in
accordance with the provisions of
§ 393.130 of this part.
(b) Securement of automobiles, light
trucks, and vans.
(1) Automobiles, light trucks, and
vans must be restrained at both the front
and rear to prevent lateral, forward,
rearward, and vertical movement using
a minimum of two tiedowns.

Read part b.1 carefully. Eventually you will be asked to prove how 2 chains prevent movement in all directions.

Here is how we secure our Old Iron.

The H weights about 4100 pounds. We use four 10,000 pound straps, one at each corner. We put gloves on rub spots.

The first time we hauled this tractor, we put the strap thru the back rims. The sharp edge of the rim cut the (brand new strap) in just a few miles!!

Dave Olson - East-Central Illinois

Many people give that 4 point rule as true for any size tractor but federal law says 4 chains for over 10,000 lbs. Your state rules may differ but it is hard to say.

Straps can be used on tractors BUT you MUST use edge gaurds and this is the point that most forget about.

Flip over binders while dangerous are legal.

One point to remember is your chains must be marked grade 70. If the tag falls off or the paint wears off they will be considered grade 30 in which case they are only good for 2650 lbs or a 5300 lb tractor.

For your 5500 lb tractor you can use..... ....
7/16 grade 30..... 3700 lbs
5/16 grade 43..... 3900 lbs
or 1/4 grade 70..... .3150 lbs

Too many times I have seen guys pull into shows with only two chains and maybe one binder on a tractor and the tractor is bouncing up and down with plenty of slack in the chains. Luckily their big turbo diesel pickups don't have enough brakes to cause a serious shift in the load. The guys that I've been around with rollbacks and semis usually have their stuff chained down right. MD DOT has gotten wise to the pickups. Our cops will pull over just about any pickup that they see towing a skidsteer. Most of these guys do not have the required Class A license or the combination tags required for their load. They usually get them for trailer brakes out of adjustment, non-functioning breakaway, dead breakaway battery, lack of proper safety chains for the trailer, etc. The minimum fine seems to be over $1000! If your load is secured properly, they are less likely to look for other things to pick on you for.

You can read the law and interpret it any way that you feel comfortable, but when the time comes the only opinion that counts is "the man". Just as the tractor vet posted, they dictate how the laws are enforced and they usually lean to the more stringent enterpretation. Chains and binders are cheaper than the fines that they will give you.

As to cleaning tracks, I have always wondered how some of the guys I see get away with it. I see D8s packed with mud flying down the highway on a trailer and I cringe. I wouldn't get 2 miles and I would either get busted or would bust a windshield. The other thing they pick on us for is leaving the chains in a pile in the middle of the floor. I have even seen them gripe about chains and binders laying in a boxed in area between the frame rails. We have set all our trailers up with satisfactory securements for the chains and binders.

If you think that chains and binders are expensive for a 5000 lb tractor, try buying 1/2" grade 100 chain and binders to secure a 75000 lb excavator. Still cheaper than the fines or worse yet a lost load.