Securing Bobcat to trailer

TriHonu said:

I use 4 chains with 4 ratcheting load binders. The load must be secured to prevent forward, backward and sideways movement. I want DOT to be able to easily see the load is secured. I don't wish to give them any reason to stop me. If DOT observes your loader moving on the trailer, you can get stopped for improperly secured load.
Minnesota follows the Federal Motor Carriers Cargo Securement Rules.
I attended a Trailering Class at Lano Equipment this spring. DOT conducted the class to cover common questions concerning: licensing, driver requirements, cargo securement, inspections and common issues the inspectors identify during routine stops.
They stated it takes a minimum of 2 tie-downs for the loader plus you have to secure any articulating parts (loader arm). So their answer was minimum of 3 tie-downs. Each tie-down must be adjustable so each chain must have a load binder.
If you carry any thing in your bucket (like another bucket), those items also require their own tie-downs.
They discouraged the use of nylon straps, but if you use them you have to place strap protection where a strap crosses any edge that could damage the strap. They also must be properly sized for the load. A 2" wide strap has a working load limit of 2000 lbs, 3" is 3000 lbs and 4" is 4000 lbs. I still occasionally see Bobcats secured to trailers with the 2" ratchet straps and wonder how long until DOT pops them. A single Grade 43 3/8 chain has a higher working load limit (5400 lbs) than a pair of 2" straps.
In my opinion, $200 for chains and binders is nothing compared to the cost of the loader or a DOT stop or a lawsuit from losing part of a load.

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73Eldo said:

Cool link, a normal person can almost understand it. I always go the obvious overkill method also just in hopes that they wont stop me. I have been using chains for the big stuff. Things I move regularly I make up custom chains so its faster to hook up. For misc. stuff I bought some 7" hooks and put the grabber hooks on them so they can easily hook and adjust to standard chains. Those large hooks have saved me hours of crawling under stuff trying to find a place to wrap chains. They were not cheap but are sure handy. Straps seem to rub through too easy especially when they catch the wind. I pretty much only use them in my enclosed trailer or for quick trips with lumber and such.

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perry said:

I welded hooks to all my attachments, connect short chains to attachment and one long chain through the back of bobcat and tighten with chain ratchet.
Fast and secure.....

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Chandler said:

Thanks for the good info. I think I will go with 3/8" chain and binders or rachets.

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sterlclan said:

Ratchet binders work waaaaay better and are less likely to bust your teeth when removing them get good chain and hooks round here they don't like Chinese or Japanese hooks and chain. Better to spend a little now instead of more later.......my 2c....Jeff

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Chandler said:

Know where you can find American made chains and hooks?

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TriHonu said:

There is a safer version of standard load binders called Safety Lever Load Binders. The handle is hinged and works like a normal load binder when you close it.
When you open it, the handle swings freely until it is pointed away from the chain. As you continue to push the handle forward the binder releases without the handle having to move any further forward.

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skidsteer.ca said:

Thanks for the link on the load binders, I have been looking for some more of that style and no one carries them. My father set up our lowbed back in 85 with those and slowly we keep losing one etc and I have never been able to find any more. And the screw ones don't last one the salted roads up here.
Ken

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Chandler said:

Good info on the binders. Just need to find some good ol American made chains now. I looked at Tractor Supply and they were $69.95 for a 20' long by 3/8" link with hooks with about a 6000 lb. load rating. Don't know if it is made in the u.s.a. I might get one of this size and two about 10' long to boom the Bobcat down.

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mllud said:

I tried to find a chart on chain working load limits. You have to be careful with D.O.T. rules.The good chains have the grade stamped on them. You need at least a grade 7. It will be stamped on the chain. Mike



Most Common Types Of Chain
Stainless Steel Chain
Uses: Food processing, chemical and marine applications, and wherever non-magnetic, electrically welded, corrosion resistant chain is needed. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Minimum elongation 15%. Proof tested.
Proof Coil Chain (Grade 30)
Uses: Excellent general purpose chain of standard commercial quality for all ordinary applications not requiring high strength-to-weight ratios. Frequently used for fabricating tow chains, binding or tiedown chain and logging chains. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Minimum elongation 15%. Proof tested.
High Test Chain (Grade 40)
Uses: Designed for use in load binding, towing, logging and other applications requiring higher strength-to weight ratios than System 3. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Minimum elongation 15%. Proof tested.
Transport Chain (Grade 70)
Uses: Designed for use in load binding, towing, logging and many applications requiring higher strength-to weight ratios than grade 40. grade 70 meets stringent DOT regulations with smaller chain that is lighter in weight and easier to handle. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Minimum elongation 15%. Proof tested.
Aluminum Chain
Uses: Chemical processing, explosives manufacturing, petroleum refining, food processing, landscaping and crowd control, wherever a non-magnetic non-sparking chain is needed. Ideally suited for applications requiring optimum strength-weight ratios and maximum resistance to atmospheric and salt water corrosion. NOT TO BE USED FOR DYNAMIC LOAD CONDITION. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Proof tested. STANDARD MATERIAL: 5056 aluminum-magnesium alloy.
Grade70 Fishing Chain
Uses: Designed to accommodate all types of chain need s in the trawling industry. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Minimum elongation 15%. Proof tested.STANDARD MATERIAL: High strength heat treated steel which resists shock loading and corrosive elements.
System 8, Alloy Chain
Uses: SPECIFICALLY RECOMMENDED FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING and applications which demand a combination of minimum weights and high working load limits. Elongates in excess of the 15% minimum requirement. Proof tested. STANDARD MATERIAL: Alloy steel, heat treated.
Grade 100
Uses: 25% Stronger than Grade 80 Alloy, Allows downsizing of chain and components resulting in less sling weight and increased mobility. Grade 100 chain Components are avaiable for supply. For detail please contact us by email: [email protected] or tel:86 532 88668543 or fax:86532 82737869
Straight Link Machine Chain
Uses: General utility farm and animal. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING.

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mllud said:

I tried to find a chart on chain working load limits. You have to be careful with D.O.T. rules.The good chains have the grade stamped on them. You need at least a grade 7. It will be stamped on the chain. Mike



Most Common Types Of Chain
Stainless Steel Chain
Uses: Food processing, chemical and marine applications, and wherever non-magnetic, electrically welded, corrosion resistant chain is needed. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Minimum elongation 15%. Proof tested.
Proof Coil Chain (Grade 30)
Uses: Excellent general purpose chain of standard commercial quality for all ordinary applications not requiring high strength-to-weight ratios. Frequently used for fabricating tow chains, binding or tiedown chain and logging chains. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Minimum elongation 15%. Proof tested.
High Test Chain (Grade 40)
Uses: Designed for use in load binding, towing, logging and other applications requiring higher strength-to weight ratios than System 3. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Minimum elongation 15%. Proof tested.
Transport Chain (Grade 70)
Uses: Designed for use in load binding, towing, logging and many applications requiring higher strength-to weight ratios than grade 40. grade 70 meets stringent DOT regulations with smaller chain that is lighter in weight and easier to handle. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Minimum elongation 15%. Proof tested.
Aluminum Chain
Uses: Chemical processing, explosives manufacturing, petroleum refining, food processing, landscaping and crowd control, wherever a non-magnetic non-sparking chain is needed. Ideally suited for applications requiring optimum strength-weight ratios and maximum resistance to atmospheric and salt water corrosion. NOT TO BE USED FOR DYNAMIC LOAD CONDITION. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Proof tested. STANDARD MATERIAL: 5056 aluminum-magnesium alloy.
Grade70 Fishing Chain
Uses: Designed to accommodate all types of chain need s in the trawling industry. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Minimum elongation 15%. Proof tested.STANDARD MATERIAL: High strength heat treated steel which resists shock loading and corrosive elements.
System 8, Alloy Chain
Uses: SPECIFICALLY RECOMMENDED FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING and applications which demand a combination of minimum weights and high working load limits. Elongates in excess of the 15% minimum requirement. Proof tested. STANDARD MATERIAL: Alloy steel, heat treated.
Grade 100
Uses: 25% Stronger than Grade 80 Alloy, Allows downsizing of chain and components resulting in less sling weight and increased mobility. Grade 100 chain Components are avaiable for supply. For detail please contact us by email: [email protected] or tel:86 532 88668543 or fax:86532 82737869
Straight Link Machine Chain
Uses: General utility farm and animal. DO NOT USE FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING.

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mllud said:

There are two companys I know of that sell d.o.t. chain.
http://www.awdirect.com/
http://www.zips.com/

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sterlclan said:

my local napa sells u.s. chains........we have a large logging population around here and they are set in their ways...... they stock what sells...... Jeff

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skidsteer.ca said:

The Grade 70 chain has a flat spot on the side of the link every few links and is stamped "g7" or "g70" I have never seen any that is stamped where its made and if it marked g7 it meets the requirement. Here if the stamp can't be read they will downgrade you to the lowest rating for that size of chain as the grade is then unknown.
Same with the hook, g7 should be A ok, but the dot may be predjudice against off shore stuff from china etc.
Ken

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Chandler said:

I found and purchased at least one hundred feet of grade 70 transport chain at a local Farmers Co-op supply store yesterday. They were wanting to get rid of it because their hydraulic cutter broke down, so thankfully I got a good deal on it. So I'll just need to buy some hooks to make up some lengths of chain. I have a question about cutting. Would I be able to cut the chain with a metal cutting blade on a disc grinder?

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skidsteer.ca said:

It will cut that like butter. Its not that grade 70 is that tough, its more like grade 30 is about as soft as lead (almost)
Try to think what lenghts would be handy. For the low bed I use mostly 15' chains, the bocat mostly 10'
But its always good to have one or two longer and shorter. If you have yoour equipment and trairer, Park it on there and measure between the tie down points.
Ken

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Chandler said:

Thanks! That's what I'll do. The next thing I'll need to do is get or build a box that goes between the gooseneck vertical beams to put the chains and binders in.

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