Have just been borrowing chains and binders to transport tractor to local show but want to go to a few more this summer and need my own equipment. Am considering G70 3/8 " and adjustable lever binders. Both have a working load limit of 6600 lbs. Is this sufficient to trailer a 3500 lb tractor or would you spend the extra money and go to 1/2"?
- Thread starter jd36a
- Start date
Dean Olson
Well-known Member
3/8" is more than enough. I run 5/16" G70. Separate chain on each corner. Easier to handle. I cut them down to 10' lengths so it's even easier. When I was young I never noticed the difference in chain weight. Now I do.
Wheat Farmer
Well-known Member
Can't find my notes, but a Colo State Trooper spoke at one of our tractor meeting. a two inch strap is also legal but I don't remember up to what weight. I know they work great at 3000lbs. You also have to have one across a loader, or any attachment.
Bryce Frazier
Well-known Member
We use those heavy duty straps for a lot of stuff. Before I started collecting tractors, my dad used them to haul his cars to shows (72 El-Camino, and 73 Z28 Camaro). The straps we have are something like 6000 lb max load, with a 10000 Emergency Stress load. They are 2 1/2 inch straps, I think! We just put one on the front of the tractor (left to right) and the one on the back (again, left to right) A buddy of ours, who is a Bonner County Sheriff, actually helped us tie everything down one time, and he commented on how oddly large the ratchets on them were!
However, this year Santa brought me 4 binders, and a 20foot chain, so thats what we now use to haul un-restored stuff! I actually have three plows on a trailer all ready to go to a tractor meeting tomorrow, should take a picture to show to you guys.... Bryce
However, this year Santa brought me 4 binders, and a 20foot chain, so thats what we now use to haul un-restored stuff! I actually have three plows on a trailer all ready to go to a tractor meeting tomorrow, should take a picture to show to you guys.... Bryce
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Only if the load is over 10,000 pounds.
rustyfarmall
Well-known Member
That depends on the weight of the being strapped down. Most of the tractors being transported to shows need only 3 tie down points. One chain and binder from each corner at the front, and just one chain through a clevis on the drawbar, and one binder to make it tight. Pull over to the side of the road after about 2 miles and check those binders. Most likely they will be loose.
Super-H-Mike
Member
3/8 is good, I dont trust straps. I personally dont like the ratchet binders either, the over center type is better IMO.
Hmm, OK, I thought it was if the GVWR of the trailer was 10K or over.
I recently had a 23000 pound motor grader transported. He only tied it in two places. The idiot drove his loaded lowboy 80 miles an hour too so being ticketed for not tieing it down properly might have been the least of his problems.
Larry NEIL
Well-known Member
Hauled lots of machines in my excavating business.
One chain on the front pulling forward and one through the hitch pulling rear is fine. 3/8' chain is ample. I never cared for the throw over binders, had a laborer pulling on with a pipe on it , when it slipped it broke his jaw. With a ratchet binder it is easy to crank it up if you notice the chains getting loose. Keep them oiled and they work great. To open the up simply hold the hooks in each hand and stretch your arms out and twirl the binder. You can loosen it up in seconds.
One chain on the front pulling forward and one through the hitch pulling rear is fine. 3/8' chain is ample. I never cared for the throw over binders, had a laborer pulling on with a pipe on it , when it slipped it broke his jaw. With a ratchet binder it is easy to crank it up if you notice the chains getting loose. Keep them oiled and they work great. To open the up simply hold the hooks in each hand and stretch your arms out and twirl the binder. You can loosen it up in seconds.
gotta agree there - if I'm in front of the tractor - the only direction I don't ever want that thing moving is forward.
That said - ... if you're putting three on anyways, what's one more? Might be overkill, but, it's just a chain - I don't get what you're saving, 2 minutes of work?
And finally - personally I prefer 4" ratchet straps.
They're rated close enough to 3/8 chain. Use at 4 corners and you'd be fine for that tractor.
Straps are a whole lot easier on the paint.
That said - ... if you're putting three on anyways, what's one more? Might be overkill, but, it's just a chain - I don't get what you're saving, 2 minutes of work?
And finally - personally I prefer 4" ratchet straps.
They're rated close enough to 3/8 chain. Use at 4 corners and you'd be fine for that tractor.
Straps are a whole lot easier on the paint.
colekicker
Member
I think to be legal in most areas, you need four point tie downs.
This does not mean four hooks on the trailer. This means four independent chains to the tractor. All four corners.
This does not mean four hooks on the trailer. This means four independent chains to the tractor. All four corners.
rustyfarmall
Well-known Member
How is it possible to hook 4 chains to the tractor without hooking those same 4 chains to 4 places on the trailer?
Hope you are right Larry as that is the set up I have been using . One chain from the back corner of trailer through clevis on back of drawbar and over to the other back corner with one binder. One chain from front corner of trailer back to a clevis hook mounted to front of drawbar and back to the other front corner with one binder as well. So 2 chains, 2 binders. Worked well but did not travel much distance.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
5/16 grade 70 chain is what I use 2 on the rear 2 straps on front, Be SURE to get GRADE 70 for transport on the highway!!!!
Super Trucker
Member
Grade 70 is a must!!!!! I would spend the extra money for screw type binders. I Do NOT run flip binders as they can and DO break . Usually when your trying to cam it over . I have the scar to prove it above my eye.. cut every one up with a torch.
rustyfarmall
Well-known Member
One chain at each end, with binders, will definitely keep the machine from moving forwards or rearward, but will do little to prevent the side to side motion that could be encountered during an emergency manuever. One chain at the rear, and 2 chains on the front, tied to opposite corners of the trailer, will prevent ALL movement.
Shetland Sheepdog
Well-known Member
That's the same way I've always done it, except the front chain is attached to some point on the front of the tractor! From all I've read, that's perfectly legal as long as the tractor does not weigh over 10,000 lbs, and mine don,t! To be completely legal, if I understand correctly, any attachment to the tractor must also be chained! (loader, backhoe, 3 point equipment, etc)
Smart As$ answer.... if your D-rings were say half way between the front and rear wheels you could cross chain both left front and rear to the right side ring and likewise cross chain the right front and rear to the left side ring. Not such an easy thing to do under the tractor when using over center binders... but it could easily be done with ratchet binders.
Rod
Rod
I have Fords. So small and not over 3000 pounds. I hook all 4 corners, the 2 fronts no binders, the 2 rears cross corners with 2 binders. When I tork the rear binders all 4 tires flatten some. With all 4 grade 70 chains the tractor stays where it belongs. If one just loops the chain over the axel,clevis, or drawbar it can slide left to right (some), if you loop the chain put a twist so it cannot slip sideways. Just think what force would be applied with a T-Bone hit on trailor. Is hard to describe and cannot post photo. joe
I don't use screw binders because the hook end will turn the chain. I just use a 2' pipe on the flipover binders. When I haul larger tractors or equipment, I half hitch the chains where I tie off of the equipment so it can't slide very far. I use 5/16 chain on my Bs and 3/8 on the bigger ones.
T in NE
Well-known Member
- Location
- Cambridge, Nebraska
Get the cargo securement handbook from JJ Keller. Spells it all out for you, gives the WLL of different size and grades of chain and straps, etc.
I'd get the 5/16 grade 70. They are plenty. Get an extra chain and binder.
5/16 inch gr 43 has a WLL of 3900# which would be sufficient for your 3500 pound tractor.I'd go with the grade70 though, never know what you may end up tying down down the road.
I don't use ratchet binders. If you don't use them often and have a lot of dust you end up cleaning them up and oiling them before you can think about using them.
cargo securement handbook
I'd get the 5/16 grade 70. They are plenty. Get an extra chain and binder.
5/16 inch gr 43 has a WLL of 3900# which would be sufficient for your 3500 pound tractor.I'd go with the grade70 though, never know what you may end up tying down down the road.
I don't use ratchet binders. If you don't use them often and have a lot of dust you end up cleaning them up and oiling them before you can think about using them.
cargo securement handbook
john in la
Well-known Member
Grade 70 is a must!!!!!
Can you give me the regulation number for that rule so I can look at it myself???
Can you give me the regulation number for that rule so I can look at it myself???
Check your state laws for private, non-commercial use.
Chain grade and size is specified, as are safety chain sizes.
Flip over binders are no longer legal here, but they haven't
been pulling people over for using them. They'd probably
cost me dearly in the event of an accident though.
Chain grade and size is specified, as are safety chain sizes.
Flip over binders are no longer legal here, but they haven't
been pulling people over for using them. They'd probably
cost me dearly in the event of an accident though.
Paul from MI
Well-known Member
I use 4 3/8" chains, 4 over center binders. All my tractors are under 10,000#, never had a problem. I think if you are heading down the interstate with a rotted out truck, pulling a rusty trailer with no working lights you are just asking for the DOT to look for something. The equipment doesn't need to be new, just look well maintained.
CenTex Farmall
Well-known Member
I like 4 chains, one at each corner. 5/16 G70 is plenty strong for a JD A, M Farmall etc.
One thing I will add: There are a lot of binders on the market from different sources that are imports. They are cast and not forged. I would not trust or buy any of them. Spend the extra to buy Forged Steel that is made over here, whether you buy ratchet or over-center binders. You only have to spend on one set and your Grandkids will use them someday.
One thing I will add: There are a lot of binders on the market from different sources that are imports. They are cast and not forged. I would not trust or buy any of them. Spend the extra to buy Forged Steel that is made over here, whether you buy ratchet or over-center binders. You only have to spend on one set and your Grandkids will use them someday.
Similar threads
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.
Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy