Re: best way to chain down a tractor ?

Posted by Paul in MN on November 26, 2008 at 21:00:16 from (207.224.91.41):

In Reply to: best way to chain down a tractor ? posted by 780 prairieboy on November 26, 2008 at 20:09:09:

There are a lot of new DOT rules related to chaining down your load. Chains and binders have to be identified with strength labels. Generally, chains must be Transport grade 70 and binders have to be rated the same. There can be no damaged links in the chain, no nichs from previously hooking back on itself. Then there is a bunch of calculations as to how much force is needed to restrict forward motion, sideways motion, and rearward motion. The weight of the tractor must be known before any of the calculations can be done.

Now to get practical, most farm tractors we haul can be safely hauled by using 3/8" T70 chain and binders. You should use 4 chains, 2 at front and 2 rear. I buy 20 ft T70 chain and split it into a 12 ft and 8 ft length and buy T70 hooks. The shorter chains are usually easier to work with. Modern equipment has chain tie down holes or rings already made into its frame. With our older tractors we have to get creative and find places to hook to that are not going to break loose in a crash. Some guys make up substancial "D" rings on the tractor frame so the tie down chains are not messing up a nice paint job by chaining on the front axle.

The geometry of how the chains are rigged is also part of the DOT formulas. But again it is probably sufficient to think of attaching a chain to a right front ring on the tractor and pulling the chain to a stake pocket forward of the tractor on the left side of the trailer. And likewise on the back of the tractor, except the rear chains go even further back on the trailer. By the DOT regs, the greatest strength needs to keep the tractor from coming forward in an accident.

A few years ago, a big drop center semi tractor trailer was hauling a big hydro hoe excavator on our county road when some idiot with cell phone in her ear pulled out right in front of the truck. He dynamited the brakes, saved her life and skidded dead center with his Peterbuilt into a 3 ft diam tree. The excavator stayed on the trailer because it was properly chained down, saving the truck driver's life. The truck was totalled. As I chain down my tractors/bobcat, I think about that accident, fully believing that I could be saving my own life by doing it right.

Paul in MN

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