Menards shopping

Never seen those wide ratchet straps before at Menards. I see nothing about DOT approved.

Not sure how these
Compare to Rural King.

that looks similar to what truckers use for hauling lumber or hay bales, but they have a separate winch that attaches to the side rail, I think. That would certainly hold you Kubota on the trailer and not scratch the paint, but maybe not satisfy the DOT!

Straps are good for tying down lumber and sheet goods like plywood. Chains are far better for rolling stock like tractors, and equipment. Especially when tie down points have abrasive edges or small diameter anchor points like a drawbar bracket, or rubrail on a trailer. Also when straps are drawn tight over abrasive edges such as the edge of a loader bucket they will chafe and get cut. I also see lots of guys who wrap the end of a strap over lets say a front axle of a tractor and then hook the hook over the strap, totally deforming the strap causing uneven stress on width of the strap.
Use chains on your farm and construction equipment and the straps on boards and the old refrigerator that you are taking to the scrapper.------------Loren

Russ.
Some might go onto cardiac arrest when I say I'll be looking for DOT straps for Hota (Kobota's name).
I already have G70 chains.

When I find the sweet spot to park Hota with loader on the trailer I'll make chains long enough to stop her at the sweet spot. May need different length for Hota without loader and with mower.

King. With your permission I'll use chains and straps for additional safety. I secure my tractors 8 different ways. 4 chains and 4 straps. One time I was glad I used 8. Almost rolled trailer into lake. Tractor stayed attached. Had trailer went for a swim, the truck would have gone for a swim too. 30 feet below road. Terramite would have gone swimming too. Don't know how I would have explained that to my insurance agent.
George

[b:654c4848f0]I see nothing about DOT approved[/b:654c4848f0]

HUH.
What is that suppose to mean???

While straps are legal Loren gave you some good reasons not to use straps.
Some could get you a ticket.
If you want to use straps at least look for the straps with a short piece of chain on each end.

By the way....
Unmarked 4 inch straps are good for 4000 lbs no matter what the box says.

John
I had straps that said DOT approved. I thought that was required if I used them to secure loads. Am I wrong?
George

On the harvest I saw a few guys tie combines down with a strap around the circumference of all four wheels. The wheels sat in saddles and a 6"wide strap went around the wheels front to back. These guys mainly moved from south to north through the harvest states and traveled roads around the scales. I have a hunch they didn t get away with it forever.

They're even yellow.

Yes you are wrong George. As a matter of fact you could use rope to tie down your tractor if you used enough of it to handle the weight.
See point number 1 in the picture below.





But to tell you the truth it becomes pointless and frustrating to post DOT rules on this site.
Take the post below from Loran.
He gave you good reasons not to use straps.
Your response was I use 8 tie downs.
I do this I do that.
You fail to see the point made trying to defend what you feel is right.
So I will show it to you in pictures.
Read point 2.
Now look at your picture with your 8 tie downs.
Do you now see the two abrasion points.
That is considered a ticket able offence by the DOT.

Securement devices do not need to have ratings on them. Though if they don't they will be rated at the lowest rating for that device per FMCSA regulations.
These are the current regs per FMCSA website for tiedown ratings and how it's done.
?393.108 How is the working load limit of a tiedown, or the load restraining value of a friction mat, determined?

(a) 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.

(b) The working load limits of tiedowns may be determined by using either the tiedown manufacturer's markings or by using the tables in this section. The working load limits listed in the tables are to be used when the tiedown material is not marked by the manufacturer with the working load limit. Tiedown materials which are marked by the manufacturer with working load limits that differ from the tables, shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to the value for which they are marked.

(c) Synthetic cordage (e.g., nylon, polypropylene, polyester) which is not marked or labeled to enable identification of its composition or working load limit shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to that for polypropylene fiber rope.

(d) Welded steel chain which is not marked or labeled to enable identification of its grade or working load limit shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to that for grade 30 proof coil chain.

(e)(1) Wire rope which is not marked by the manufacturer with a working load limit shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to one-fourth of the nominal strength listed in the Wire Rope Users Manual.

(2) Wire which is not marked or labeled to enable identification of its construction type shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to that for 6 ? 37, fiber core wire rope.

(f) Manila rope which is not marked by the manufacturer with a working load limit shall be considered to have a working load limit based on its diameter as provided in the tables of working load limits.

(g) Friction mats which are not marked or rated by the manufacturer shall be considered to provide resistance to horizontal movement equal to 50 percent of the weight placed on the mat.

Tables to ?393.108

[Working Load Limits (WLL), Chain]
Size mm (inches) WLL in kg (pounds)
Grade 30 proof coil Grade 43 high test Grade 70 transport Grade 80 alloy Grade 100 alloy
1. 7 (1/4) 580 (1,300) 1,180 (2,600) 1,430 (3,150) 1,570 (3,500) 1,950 (4,300)
2. 8 (5/16) 860 (1,900) 1,770 (3,900) 2,130 (4,700) 2,000 (4,500) 2,600 (5,700)
3. 10 (3/8) 1,200 (2,650) 2,450 (5,400) 2,990 (6,600) 3,200 (7,100) 4,000 (8,800)
4. 11 (7/16) 1,680 (3,700) 3,270 (7,200) 3,970 (8,750)
5. 13 (1/2) 2,030 (4,500) 4,170 (9,200) 5,130 (11,300) 5,400 (12,000) 6,800 (15,000)
6. 16 (5/8) 3,130 (6,900) 5,910 (13,000) 7,170 (15,800) 8,200 (18,100) 10,300 (22,600)
Chain Mark Examples:
Example 1 3 4 7 8 10
Example 2 30 43 70 80 100
Example 3 300 430 700 800 1000

Synthetic Webbing
Width mm (inches) WLL kg (pounds)
45 (13⁄4 ) 790 (1,750)
50 (2) 910 (2,000)
75 (3) 1,360 (3,000)
100 (4) 1,810 (4,000)

Wire Rope (6 ? 37, Fiber Core)
Diameter mm (inches) WLL kg (pounds)
7 (1/4) 640 (1,400)
8 (5/16) 950 (2,100)
10 (3/8) 1,360 (3,000)
11 (7/16) 1,860 (4,100)
13 (1/2) 2,400 (5,300)
16 (5/8) 3,770 (8,300)
20 (3/4) 4,940 (10,900)
22 (7/8) 7,300 (16,100)
25 (1) 9,480 (20,900)

Manila Rope
Diameter mm (inches) WLL kg (pounds)
10 (3/8) 90 (205)
11 (7/16) 120 (265)
13 (1/2) 150 (315)
16 (5/8) 210 (465)
20 (3/4) 290 (640)
25 (1) 480 (1,050)

Polypropylene Fiber Rope WLL (3-Strand and 8-Strand Constructions)
Diameter mm (inches) WLL kg (pounds)
10 (3/8) 180 (400)
11 (7/16) 240 (525)
13 (1/2) 280 (625)
16 (5/8) 420 (925)
20 (3/4) 580 (1,275)
25 (1) 950 (2,100)

Polyester Fiber Rope WLL (3-Strand and 8-Strand Constructions)
Diameter mm (inches) WLL kg (pounds)
10 (3/8) 250 (555)
11 (7/16) 340 (750)
13 (1/2) 440 (960)
16 (5/8) 680 (1,500)
20 (3/4) 850 (1,880)
25 (1) 1,500 (3,300)

Nylon Rope
Diameter mm (inches) WLL kg (pounds)
10 (3/8) 130 (278)
11 (7/16) 190 (410)
13 (1/2) 240 (525)
16 (5/8) 420 (935)
20 (3/4) 640 (1,420)
25 (1) 1,140 (2,520)

Double Braided Nylon Rope
Diameter mm (inches) WLL kg (pounds)
10 (3/8) 150 (336)
11 (7/16) 230 (502)
13 (1/2) 300 (655)
16 (5/8) 510 (1,130)
20 (3/4) 830 (1,840)
25 (1) 1,470 (3,250)

Steel Strapping
Width ? thickness mm (inches) WLL kg (pounds)
31.7 ? .74 (11⁄4 ? 0.029) 540 (1,190)
31.7 ? .79 (11⁄4 ? 0.031) 540 (1,190)
31.7 ? .89 (11⁄4 ? 0.035) 540 (1,190)
31.7 ? 1.12 (11⁄4 ? 0.044) 770 (1,690)
31.7 ? 1.27 (11⁄4 ? 0.05) 770 (1,690)
31.7 ? 1.5 (11⁄4 ? 0.057) 870 (1,925)
50.8 ? 1.12 (2 ? 0.044) 1,200 (2,650)
50.8 ? 1.27 (2 ? 0.05) 1,200 (2,650)

Go get Farmers Insurance. They have seen everything!!!!!
Loren

Yes. Close to Dewalt yellow or is it JD yellow.

Thanks for explaining abrasion points.

Look at those straps. I used G70 chain on end of straps so they wouldn't rub when I use them on Jubilee and terramite. Is that modification legal? Is strapping down bucket even necessary?
George

I have Indiana Farmers. I'll call agent and ask if they have seen everything

caterpillar guy,
Thanks, That's an overload information for me to get my mind around.
Geo

I can not see the connection point between strap and chain to tell if it is legal.

The tractor needs to be tied down.
Then any attachments need to be tied down ie loader and brush cutter.
So you would tie the tractor down with 4 chains and then need 1 chain across the loader bucket and 1 chain across the brush cutter.