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.
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. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Third Brush Generators - by Chris Pratt. While I love straightening sheet metal, cleaning, and painting old tractors, I use every excuse to avoid working on the on the electrics. I find the whole process sheer mystery. I have picked up and attempted to read every auto and farm electrics book with no improvement in the situation. They all seem to start with a chapter entitled "Theory of Electricity". After a few paragraphs I usually close the book and go back to banging out dents. A good friend and I were recently discussing our tractor electrical systems when he stated "I figure it all comes back to applying Ohms Law". At this point
... [Read Article]
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.
