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Tractor Pulling Discussion Forum

Big chain - Little chain - 2 or 4

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Ohio puller

09-19-2005 18:18:53




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Lot of talk about chains and binders. Should it be 5\16 or 3\8 chain to hold those tractors on the trailer and what about the binders, rachet or pull over. I haul my two pulling tractors on my trailer, one 4500lb and one 5500lb. People are telling me that the law is fining us little guys for insecure loads if we don't have a chain and binder on each corner of each tractor. Also the chains must be minimum 3\8 grade 70 and the binders can only be minimum grade 70 rachet binders. One story I was told about a puller hauling his tractor in Pa. ( Farmal M ) and was pulled over for a insecure load because of wrong chains, binders, and only three on the tractor. They say he had one 5\16 chain to each side in the front and one 3/8 chain from center rear of tractor to each rear corner of the trailer with a snap over binder on each chain. As the story goes he was not only fined, but was'nt aloud to move the tractor till he had correct chains and binders to secure the load. Now my opinion and view is I would'nt have a problem chaining down this size of tractor this way and would'nt think twice about it. The cost for me to change to all grade 70 3\8 chains and rachet binders is about $300.00 per tractor. Would like to get other opinions and views about this.

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720Deere

09-21-2005 05:48:21




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 Re: Big chain - Little chain - 2 or 4 in reply to Ohio puller, 09-19-2005 18:18:53  
The problem that you run into is that each state is enforces their own laws. I will give you a link to the Federal regulations, but your state may be more stringent. I have heard of people having problems with the PA DOT because they didn't criss-cross their chains. The feds don't require this.

In a nutshell, mobile equipment weighing 10,000 lbs or more is required to be restrained with a minimum of 4 chains, 1 at each corner. Below 10K, the requirement is one chain per 10 feet of length. So, technically you should be okay with 2 chains on a small tractor, but your local law enforcement may not agree.

The rule for what size chain you need is based on the load limits of the chain. 5/16" grade 70 chain is rated at 4700 lbs working load limit. The sum of the WLL of the number of chains used must equal or exceed the weight of the vehicle being secured. 5/16" will be more than adequate for your tractors, but it must be grade 70. I am not a fan of the pull over binders, but they are legal if they are rated for the load.

Check out the document in the link that I provided and look at page 24 of 25. 393.28 would apply to your tractors. Read it carefully. It only requires 2 tie downs, but states that they must be capable of preventing movement in all directions. 1 chain run through a clevis will not meet this requirement. That's where they get you. To comply with that requirement, you really need 4 chains. I always use 4 chains and binders because it's the only way that I feel safe. Chains and binders are a small investment for the protection that they provide. One accident will cost you far more than all the chains and binders you will ever need in your lifetime.

1st Chain Supply has working load limit charts on there website along with a .pdf file of the latest Federal regs. Good luck.

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