Tie down attach points for show tractors

I am getting close to sending the M out for paint. What kind a brackets or shackles do you guys attach to you tractors for tying down a tractor for transport? I would like to put something on that doesn't look too bad so I can just leave it on there. Any suggestions for front and back? Pics would be great.

Front: I use a plate bolted to each frame rail on each side with a hole for my hooks on my straps. (You are bolting your plate to the frame holes that you would have used to mount the cutivators or other implements.


Rear: I go thru the slots between the rim and the hub with my straps(My rear straps have a "wear sleeve" on them that lays against the rims)

I should have added that I want to do this to avoid scratching the paint after it is painted.

Some of my friends have attached 12 inch long peices of transport chain to the frame rails on h and ms secure using a spacer grade 8 bolt ect. As far as the rear a pair of shackles one on each corner of the u drawbar has always seemed to work fine. As long as you have 4 tie down points secured with binders (ratchet style) you should not have any problems. Jim.

Mike has a good idea there, but you should check your state law regarding transport and securing the load. In md you can't use straps to secure tractors under 10k minimum of 2 binders and chains, over 10k 4 binders on opposing corners. Just an added thought. I do like the idea of the flat plate and straps,alot easier that carrying alot of chain and binders. Jim

Here are the front ones i was talking about.

I am making a set like these.

Here is what I do. I have seen some that use eye bolts into the frame in the front also.

Better hope DOT doesent see those straps as objects on wheels need chains.

That setup would get me a fine from the DOT. You must use chains.
I got some old fire hose(for free) from the fire department. Cut it into 3 or 4 foot sections and run the chain through that to protect the paint.

I haul a tractor with steel wheels and use straps. Never had a problem with DOT...

I agree, use chains.

I HATE to be "high jacking Bailee's post,but is NOT using straps TRULY a DOT thing,or just a state thing???? I have some heavy straps that have a weight rating stamped on them and are WAY larger than what is required.


We use them on ALL of our race cars as well.Been pulled over and NEVER questioned about them.

I am in Indiana,but wondering if things vary from state to state???

(quoted from post at 19:32:28 01/08/13) I HATE to be "high jacking Bailee's post,but is NOT using straps TRULY a DOT thing,or just a state thing????

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I don't think it is either one. DOT allows straps and most states copy DOT. Every state I've checked has their regs on line. I'd like to see a pointer to any that prohibit straps.

I spent some time on the Federal DOT site today and didn't find anything that specified chains. Only thing that was mentioned was 'working load limit' as far as what tie down system was used. A tractor under 10,000# which a H or M are were in the automotive category and nearly everyone in that game use straps. My straps are rated at 10,000#s well above a 4000# H.
Looked at Washington and Oregons regs and both referred to the Federal.
I definitely prefer legal but haven't found any reason to change yet.
Dennis

That's a sharp setup...


I'm pretty sure it would not draw attention from law enforcement, other than the fact you've exceeded everything I've seen pulled down the road.

D.

(quoted from post at 16:47:35 01/08/13) I spent some time on the Federal DOT site today and didn't find anything that specified chains. Only thing that was metioned was 'weight load limit' as far as what tie down system was used. A tractor under 10,000# which a H or M are were in the automotive category and nearly everyone in that game use straps. My straps are rated at 10,000#s well above a 4000# H.
Looked at Washington and Oregons regs and both referred to the Federal.
I definitely prefer legal but haven't found any reason to change yet.
Dennis

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The working load limit on a 2 inch 10,000# strap is 2000# but your still good, 4 straps add up to 8000# or at the 1.5 safety factor good for a 5,333# load. Straps are prohibited on equipment over 10,000#. Its all here
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/truck/vehicle/cs-policy.htm

I use a plate that bolts to the front bolster, use a clevis and chain there to both corners on the front of the trailer, I use clevis(s) on the rear drawbar holes & use chains there in the rear.
Never had one move, the trick is to bind it down tight, then recheck & re-tighten after 20 mins of driving, this is usually where it will "settle" & remain tight afterwards.
I beleive you will get a differing response from each individual. The above method worked going from Missouri to Indiana with a 45 H.

I make a strap of 3/8 x 2 in a "U" shape that mounts to the frame rails just behind the front tires. One leg of the "U" is bolted to each frame rail, or side of the bell housing, and then a chain/binder can be hooked to each side of the trailer. At the rear I bolt a 3/8 thick plate with a hole in it big enough to allow a 2 grab hooks to be inserted. That allows 2 chains/binders to be used on the rear. I realize that by law the tractor must weigh over 10,000# to require 4 chains, and none of mine do, but having a very secure tiedown system may prevent a stop from the DOT, which you DO NOT want. By using added tie down points the finish on the restored tractor is not damaged.

(reply to post at 20:47:37 01/08/13)

That page has some formatting problems, makes it a bit hard to see what applies to what. I believe the entire heavy equipment section is as below. The formatting runs on into secion 132, Crushed Vehicles, which does prohibit synthetic webbing.

sect;393.130 What are the rules for securing heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery? a. Applicability. The rules in this section apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery which operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors, and power shovels and which individually weigh 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) or more. Vehicles, equipment and machinery which is lighter than 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) may also be secured in accordance with the provisions of this section, with & sect;393.128, or in accordance with the provisions of & sect; & sect;393.100 through 393.114.
b. Preparation of equipment being transported. 1. Accessory equipment, such as hydraulic shovels, must be completely lowered and secured to the vehicle.
2. Articulated vehicles shall be restrained in a manner that prevents articulation while in transit.

c. Securement of heavy vehicles, equipment ormachinery with crawler tracks or wheels. 1. In addition to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, heavy equipment or machinery with crawler tracks or wheels must be restrained against movement in the lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical direction using a minimum of four tiedowns.
2. Each of the tiedowns must be affixed as close as practicable to the front and rear of the vehicle, or mounting points on the vehicle that have been specifically designed for that purpose.

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Section 108 of the regulation also states the well known adage about weakest links. The eye bolts I see at most shows are no doubt the weakest links when they are used. They have very low load limits. Look into the details before using them!

The working load limit (WLL) of a tiedown, associated connector or attachment mechanism is the lowest working load limit of any of its components (including tensioner), or the working load limit of the anchor points to which it is attached, whichever is less.

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most tow trucks now use a web type strap over the tires to hold them on the truck. This is towing cars.

Too many folks read the sections which describe the motor carrier safety regulations as far as equipment is concerned, but miss the parts that explain WHO is subject to those regulations..

Let me try to put this to rest.

First of all, I am a 26 yr. M/Sgt with the Illinois State Police. I was, at one time, a supervisor for a platoon of CVEO's (commercial vehicle enforcement officers) which is the equivilant to any DOT officer in any state. They work under the same universal FEDERAL guidelines as all commercial vehicle officers do. I also oversaw two scale houses and one portable scale.
I have been restoring and hauling tractors for nearly 30 yrs. I don't want to get crossways with my superiors by doing anything that would be considered illegal, so I've done a fair amount of research on this topic.
Okay... FEDERAL motor carrier safety regulations ONLY apply to units that BOTH

1. weigh over 10,000lbs singly or in combination

AND

2. are in "commerce" (hence the term, "COMMERCIAL" motor vehicle regulations)

SO.. if you are hauling your H to a local show, even it it exceeds 10K in weight, as long as you are not being compensated for your efforts, you are not subject to MCS regulations.
"Compensated" includes any prize moneys or other payments received and would even include being traded something.. eg, if you have a steam engine and the club is giving you coal for your boiler in return for your bringing your engine to their show, as an example.
You still have to comply with applicable license classifications as far as the weight is concerned, both on your DL and registration, but NO federal statutes concerning tie down points or numbers, chain strength, strap condition etc are applicaable.
YOUR state may have their own statues that do apply, and they MAY have adopted federal regs in that pursuit, but few states have.
In Illinois, the ONLY sections that apply to folks like me, hauling my Farmall H or John Deere B anywhere in this state or any other, including on the interstate, are state statutes. Those include lighting, brake, tire, fender, coupling, dimensional, registration and state inspection sections. The only section that really applies to my loading practices is:

(625 ILCS 5/15-109) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-109)
Sec. 15-109. Spilling loads on highways prohibited. (a) No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any highway unless such vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent any of its load from dropping, shifting, leaking or otherwise escaping therefrom, except that sand may be dropped for the purpose of securing traction, or water or other substance may be sprinkled on a roadway in cleaning or maintaining such roadway.
(b) No person shall operate on any highway any vehicle with any load unless said load and any covering thereon is securely fastened so as to prevent said covering or load from becoming loose, detached, or in any manner a hazard to other users of the highway.

In other words, you don't get in trouble unless you spill a load...

Most states are similar in regulation.
Just remember.. if you are stopped by an officer, you are NOT in commerce.. if you indicate you are, AND your rig weighs more than 10K, THEN you'd better have your equipment and paperwork in order.

That being said, SAFETY should always be your first concern, and by using federal laws as guidelines, you will help indemnify yourself and protect others.... But there is no law that will replace good common sense in hauling things safely.

FYI.

Thank You for the info sgtbull,
I'm sure the original poster is plenty undecided what to do by now.
This thread has been a learning experience for me and I'm sure for others also.
Dennis