Chain and binder advice

• 49 CFR Parts 392 and 393

I can't vouch for Indiana's laws, but it would not be the first time that an officer of the law issued an invalid citation. According to part 393.130a, "Vehicles, equipment and machinery which is lighter than 10,000 lb may also be secured in accordance with the provisions of this section, with 393.128, or in accordance with the provisions of 393.100 through 393.114." Part 393.128b1 states that "Automobiles, light trucks, and vans must be restrained at both the front and rear to prevent lateral, forward, rearward and vertical movement using a minimum of two tiedowns."

By the federal regs, the only thing he could have written you up on was that your skidsteer is longer than 10 feet and requires at least 3 tiedowns.

Only gray area I can see in your post is the 10ft rule. It say you can use 393.128 OR (NOT AND) 393.100-114 If I use 393.128 to tie down equiptment less than 10,000# it says nothing about the 10ft rule.

The problem with webstraps is people want to use those 2" ones with the ratchet in the straping. These will not hold a load and are hard to use with out cutting on the tractor. The 4" DOT straps are much better but require more expensive ratchets that bolt/weld to trailer.

Chains have many different ratings; Grade-30;43;70;80;100. If it is not marked by the manufacturer then it will be considered grade 30. All loads should be tied down at 1 1/2 times its weight or 9000# in this case. The weight ratings for 3/8 chain are...
Grade30..1,200# G43..2450# G70..2990# G80..3200# G100..4000#
Now you can see why you need 4 tie downs. Even with grade 100 chain 2 tie downs would not be enough 4000X2=8000# you need 9000# So you will need 4 grade 43 3/8 chains and binders. Remember they must be marked with grade or weight ratings. All chains must have hooks on each end as no knots are allowed. (You could also use 4 grade 100 5/16 chains to do this but think the 3/8 would cost less because of the grade)

The snap type binders are cheaper to buy but let me say I have seen broken cheek bones; arms; ECT from their use. Just spend the extra and get the ratchet type binders of a grade to pass your weight requirement.

Hope this helps.
John

I can't argue with most of what you said. It pretty much reflects the Federal regulations with the exception of tiedown strength. According to 49 CFR part 393.106d, "the aggregate working load limit of any securement system used to secure an article or group of articles against movement must be at least one-half times the weight of the article or group of articles."

I have included a link to the Federal Register so anyone interested in getting it from the horses mouth can do so. There are alot of "heresay" interpretations out there.

The 4 corner tie-down requirement applies only to mobile equipment weighing 10000 lbs or more.

Link

That is the main trouble with the DOT rules. You got to be a lawyer to under stand them. Even the DOT don't under stand them.

It says basically that the total strength of all tiedowns must equal 1/2 the weight of the load being secured. If you have a 10,000 lb load secured with 4 chains, each chain and binder would have to be rated a minimum of 1,250 lbs.

Best advise ever given to me was that if the trailer hitch broke that tractor better still be on the trailer when Hiway Patrol and/or DOT arrive on the scene, be it upside down, sideways in the ditch etc. If not, I would be considered the liable party.

I usually run chain to four corners. Hooks are down thru the stake pocket and hooked back to the pocket with the open end facing down. I use snap over binders.

Seen some loads going down the road on private and commercial rigs that scared the shutt out me! I hurried to get around them cause I did not want that load coming off in front of or on top of me.
FWIW