Hauling

I'm going to be hauling an unstyled JD A. I was just curious about chaining it down to the trailer. It has rear cast wheels, so I figured it weighs about 4,500 lbs. I was going to put a clevis on each side of the frame just behind the front wheels and put a chain on each side through a clevis. I was also going to put a clevis in the back drawbar and have a chain on each end through that. So, 2 chains up front and 2 chains in back.

I am renting the trailer, chains, and binders (unfortunately they only have the snap binders).

Does my setup sound safe for a long haul? Also, the rental company can't tell me the grade of the chain they have. Is there a quick way to tell the grade on a 43 or 30? Worse case, would 4 Grade 30 chains suffice? In a sudden braking situation?

Thanks for your respectful replies.

Look at the links on the chain and you should find some that are stamped with the rating (usually about 1 link per foot is stamped). Different manufactures use different marks. Most guys prefer to use grade 70 chain which is typically marked G70, GR70, P70, etc depending on mfg. G43 would be grade 43, etc. DOT will assume proof coil / grade 30 if no marking is visible.

DOT minimum is for .8g forward, .5g lateral(side to side) and .5g rearward. Remember chain strength is in the direction of the chain so angle is important. Find chain and binder with WLL greater than required force for each chain.

WLL Chart
Size G30 G43 G70
1/4" 1300# 2600# 3150#
5/16" 1900# 3900# 4700#
3/8" 2650# 5400# 6600#
7/16" 3700# 7200# 8750#
For Example:
4500 lb tractor would need 3600# capacity to keep from moving forward, and 2250# for lateral and reward movement. If chain is at 30 deg front centerline, 3600# load divide by 2 chains is 1800# per chain times 1.73 (sqrt 3 remember geometry a^2 + b^2 = c^2) would require chain strength to be 3120# for forward and 2200# for lateral and rear ward. FWIW 32 deg from centerline maximizes chain capacity in both forward and lateral. Chart shows that 7/16 Gr30, 5/16" Gr50, and 1/4" Gr70 would work for chains holding from moving forward and lateral and

Your setup sounds safe so long as the binders and clevises are rated to work with the load. Drive safe and enjoy your trip.

Thanks for the detailed information. Glad to hear that this setup should work and safety shouldn't be a problem.

That setup sounds good. I would drive about 5 miles and recheck the chains for tightness. I also wrap baler wire on the binder to be sure it don't come undone.