TRAILERING A TRACTOR

WHAT IS EVERYONES OPINION ABOUT NYLON RATCHET STRAPS -VS- CHAINS AND BINDERS. I'VE ALWAYS USED CHAINS. I FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THEM BUT AM CONSIDERING SWITCHING. NYLON IS LIGHTER, EASIER TO USE AND EASIER TO DRAW UP TIGHT.

I usually use nylon for machinery and chains for wheeled vehicles with some exceptions.

I run the 2" wide versions, some with the double "J" and some with the wide flat hook depending on what's going on.

Most important IMHO is that you attempt to make 4 independent straps (instead of looping over and using friction). Sometimes I'll use 6 if that feels right to me...I don't ever want to lose a load...

Next important when using nylon is that you use chafe-resistors. I have some cordura sleeves I got on ebay which work great for this. Even the vibration from the wind can wear out and cut thru a nylon strap in short order. There are also "axle straps" which emulate the way one can use a chain to hook back onto itself with a grab hook, with a pair of "D" rings on a short strap.

Not sure what the DOT police have to say about these types of issues, I believe chains for wheeled vehicles attract less visual attention although from an engineering standpoint, either one is as good as its rated working load.

A lot of class 8 flatbeds use nylon straps BUT they use heavy 4 inch straps I personaly would not trust the light duty ratchett straps.

You dont' say how heavy a tractor. If a lightweight, like an A or B, you could get by and as far as I know be better than legal with a 3300# nylon strap on each corner, but be careful to use a chafe guard (either a sleeve over the strap, or one of the plastic/nylon/whatever-they're-made-of gizmoas over the corners.

My own rule is that if it's on wheels it's chained. Straps are for my loads that sit flat on the bed and don't roll.

For stuff on wheels, I don't know that straps are any easier to use. Dealing with the extra length is a pain, and they stretch more than chains shift, requiring a couple extra stops to tighten them back down and an even closer eye than you would keep on chains.

As a rule I don't trust either, but I put more faith in chains. I'd stick with chains and binders as long as you have them.

Good way to have your tractor wind up inside your cab. You get in a front end accident even chains are going to have a hard time holding. Just lost a local tractor puller that way.

You make a good point. As far as chains are straps letting go, it's far more apt to happen if you run into someting than if you get hit from behind.

Just because I still labor with the old flip-over binders (I'll have ratchets one of these days) I've been known to use a strap to pull a tractor (or car or whatever) forward to get another link on the chain to tighten things up, but the chains do the holding underway.

My ideal comes from the story of a wreck where the trailer went up on its side, and the tractor on it stayed chained to the deck.

My ideal comes from the story of a wreck where the trailer went up on its side, and the tractor on it stayed chained to the deck.

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Exactly what I shoot for in machinery tie-downs and having the 4 independent chains or straps instead of relying on friction. So instead of having to slip, it has to break in axial tension (or break off the tie-down points).

Ask a state cop I bet you will be using chains!
We NEVER use straps when tieing equipment down.
jim

I recently posted about this as well. I had always been under the impression that chains were required for any load on wheels, ie. tractor, car etc. Recently I have been seeing the semis hauling new cars use a nylon strap over the tires. Tow trucks have been using these for years. The Consensus I received from professional drivers is that: Straps are ok if and only if they are clearly labeled with a strength or weigh rating, and sufficent number of straps to exceed the load weight are used. Straps should also be checked frequently for wear, cuts, abrasions etc.

Rocky in MO

Chains or straps will work but do not use chains and straps on the same piece of equipment. The straps will stretch and put extra strain on the chains.

Probably my story last summer when I got my 2606 with backhoe in Indiana. Got about a half mile down the highway before it flipped over on its side. Barely got over 30 mph before it fishtailed. 5 chains and boomers held it tight and the back wheels just slid over a litle against the fender bending the fender into the wheels.

Tow truck just pulled it back over and pulled the trailer and hoe together all boomed down onto the tow truck trailer. Ended up having them ship it to me and they just winched the trailer (flat tires and all) and 2606 still boomed down onto their semi trailer. They hauled it to me about 800 miles and all they did was unchain the hoe to extend it out to lay down on their trailer.

We had Iowa DOT put on a presentation to our tractor club about a year ago. Either chains or nylon straps are legal in Iowa. It is important with both systems to ensure that the equipment is in good shape. There are some differences between the states so it doesn't hurt to ask ahead of time. I had heard rumors that nylon straps were going to be illegal but that wasn't true according to Iowa DOT. It also makes a difference (legally) on your restraining system whether you are a "hobby" hauler or if you meet DOT requirements. The main thing is that it never hurts anything to "exceed" the requirements.

Straps are not legal for anything with wheels. So if you get stopped get ready depending on the boy in blue could cost a bunch. There was a post on here a while back peoplr saying straps were OK on tractors. Then another posted telling how the use of the straps cost him 800. Chains and binders will keep you out of trouble.

That seems to be the big issue who says what. Contractor here in IA City was told chains and binders. Maybe being in eastern IA its different that Western IA.

Your last sentence is right on the mark, and I think you and Gene and I would agree on it.

DOT regs for machinery under 10,000 pounds require restraints rated for at least half the weight of the machine on EACH end. Over 10k requires restraints at each corner, rated to handle half the weight in each direction, plus additional for any buckets or hoes and the like.

In other discussions, it seems there is some variance between states as to whether straps are allowed vs. chains. You see cars strapped down all the time -- whether that's done under the 10k weight break I wouldn't dare to venture.

The usual 2 or 2-1/2" straps are usually rated for 3300#, and should be more than adequate for going down the road with a small tractor like an A. But I dont really trust them to handle the shock of an accident. I'll stick with my chains, thanks.

One thing for sure, you don't want to get into a discussion with a diesel bear on the side of the road as to whether you're commerical or a hobbyist. To an extent, I can agree that all the rules (books full of them!) start with a preface that they aply to vehicles engaged in "commerce", and thus wouldn't apply to a hobby hauler. But you can trust that if you oen that can of worms, DOT will ticket you or red-tag your rig and leave it to you to go to court to prove that you're not commercial. The tickets they write are for civil offenses, and innocent-until-proven-guilty doesn't apply.

Still, geting back to your last statement, my approach is that the DOT regs for restraints and other things are there for a reason, and there's no good reason not to meet or exceed their requirements.

I always use steel chain, over rated for the load, and break-over binders. I use a clevis or shackle, also over rated for the load, to run the chain thru if maring paint is an issue. I then bolt the clevis/shackle to the tractor. I tie the tractor DOWN to the trailer, not side ways, and adjust the binders as tight as I can get them. This helps to take the bounce out of rubber tires. I position the binders so I can see them in my mirror and keep an eye on them. I also tie the handles down with wire or plastic ties so they can't come loose. If I'm going a long way I stop after a few miles and recheck the chain tension. I have found them loose, much to my surprise! Be sure the chain is not twisted or kinked also. Maybe over kill, but I feel better about it. Dave

(quoted from post at 02:59:31 03/12/09) I recently posted about this as well. I had always been under the impression that chains were required for any load on wheels, ie. tractor, car etc. Recently I have been seeing the semis hauling new cars use a nylon strap over the tires. Tow trucks have been using these for years. The Consensus I received from professional drivers is that: Straps are ok if and only if they are clearly labeled with a strength or weigh rating, and sufficent number of straps to exceed the load weight are used. Straps should also be checked frequently for wear, cuts, abrasions etc.

Rocky in MO

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Thats probably true, you have seen them with the straps "over" the tires, it is holding down a pretty much immovable object when it is applying the force over the tires straight down to the tiedown,,

unlike strapping from frame to frame where it is not immovable, the wheels and suspension rock,,

Here is a handbook.
http://www.jjkeller.com/browse/product.html?group_id=19043

And a handbook with a device to help figure out what you need.
http://www.jjkeller.com/browse/product.html?group_id=19043

If you pull out the book and say, "well, isn't this is what it says here?", it'll sound better than "well, this is what I heard on the internet".

Keller makes all the log books and safety brochures and stuff for the trucking industry so they know what is going on.

For tie down rules do google search for...cargo securment rules-federal motor carrier safety administration. Wheeled or tracked load rules are under 393.128 and 393.130 near bottom of list. The four chain rule does not apply to machinery under 10,000 lbs.

For tie down rules do google search for...cargo securment rules-federal motor carrier safety administration. Wheeled or tracked load rules are under 393.128 and 393.130 near bottom of list. The four chain rule does not apply to machinery under 10,000 lbs.

All of you are right depending on which state you are in. I manage a heavy haul business in Arizona and use straps frequently on different smaller items. For all my larger items, I use chains and rachet binders (you will not find a break over binder on any on my loads!) Federal law requires that you use enough straps/chains to exceed the weight of the load being tied down. With rolling machinery of any kind you will be required to tie down in a minimum of 4 places. Straps are excellent tie downs because they strech a little. If you stretch a chain it weakens and may become illegal. The key is to be sure you have enough to handle the load. You should never get a tractor in the back of your truck if you tied down properly to the tractor and the trailer.

Steve