Help Support SkidSteer Forum:
US DOT requires at least 2 rated tie downs minimum. . http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.106 . That would be 1 across the front and 1 across the back. I prefer a 4 point tie down 1 at each corner. . I have never worried about covering the exhaust outlet. . sstec
TriHonu
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There is a lot of confusion by law enforcement concerning interpretation of the rules.
You should download and read the "Understanding the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Cargo Securement Rules PDF" . Once you think you understand the rules ask your local DOT for their guidance.
I took a class back in 2008 given by MNDOT at my Bobcat dealer. The inspectors stated that the minimum number of chains for a skidsteer loader is actually 3. The third chain is required to secure the loader arm/bucket to the trailer. As stated in the regs:
"Accessory equipment, such as hydraulic shovels, must be completely lowered and secured to the vehicle."
They also specified that if you carry a second bucket in the bucket attached to the loader the second bucket must also be secured with its own chain. The officers told us they cite a large number of drivers that have the skidsteer secured properly but have additional improperly secured cargo.
On the front center should I go over the bucket and Ty down or use a separate chain for the bucket?
Some pic would be cool
TriHonu
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I use 3 chains.
One at rear from one side of trailer looped through rear loop on loader to binder attached to other side of trailer.
Second chain from one side of trailer looped though the front loop on loader to binder attached to other side of trailer.
Third chain from one side of trailer up the side of the bucket over a hook welded to the bucket on the middle top of the bucket and then to a binder and down the other side of the bucket to the trailer. Without a hook or shackles added to a bucket it is difficult to secure the bucket so it can't slide out from under the chain.
I have seen people use 4 separate chains; two on rear and two on front that go from the loader over the bucket and to the tie downs. I don't know of anyone getting cited for this method. One could argue that one of the front chains is for the loader and the other is securing the loader boom/bucket.
I had a friend hauling commercially that has six chains and binders permanently attached to his trailer. His bucket has two chain hooks welded to the top corners of the bucket. So 4 chains on loader and two on bucket. His comment was DOT has never questioned his setup and he keeps the binders painted bright red. DOT can easily see he is in compliance at 65 mph.
As you are finding there is much confusion on the enforcement of this law. A call to the local enforcement officials is the best method to make sure you are meeting the requirements enforced in your area.
Thanks
mrdeere1959
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I see some customers leave without any tie downs. they just load and go.
How anyone could do that is beyond me. If it comes off the trailer it won't be the truck driver that gets hurt just the family in the car behind them. More proof that evolution is still at work and some people are not quite up to par. A little sand on that trailer deck and anything will slide right off when you would not think it possible.
in CA. you must have four separate tie downs on vehicles ( CA vehicle code basically say any thing with a motor that moves is a vehicle) so a single chain running from machine thru d ring across trailer thru d ring and back to machine counts as only one tie down .i used to tie down with two chains using this method , one on the front and one on the rear , then the ticket ...who know when they changed the law? for awhile it was the ticket of the day ...every other chp was pulling you over and counting your chains. The law also says any boom that can reach up in such a way so as to exceed the legal height limit must be restrained . so technically if your boom cant reach fourteen feet above the roadway it doesn't need a chain . it does not say the boom restraint can't also be your machine tie down .i currently (and have not had a inspection problem with ) use four 10,000 lb ratchet straps one each side on the rear, where the machine has tie down slots ,and one each side on the boom, where there are tie down rings provided .
Rachet straps???? Are you serious? Those things are worthless in a crash! I saw a guy who 4 ratchet straps holding a car on a trailer and he got hit head on and the car on his trailer went through the cab of his truck and then hit a third car killing everyone in it! I use nothing but chains for securing anything on a trailer. Just too risky doing it any other way.
RJS
system seven 3/8 chain working load limit 6600 lbs... dot approved 3inch ratchet straps 10,000 lbs working load limit i'm not using some harbor freight motorcycle tie down straps ..if a 10,000 lb strap won't hold it i don't think a 6600 lb chain will..just my thoughts ...and d.o.t. approved them for a reason ??
DOT isn't too bright either and allowing straps is one of those dim bulbs! I have seen a 6600lb chain survive in tact where a 10,000 lb strap didn't. A trucker had his load of pipe, about 4,200lbs held with alternating chains and straps. The chains stayed together on the truck, not one strap held. Also your machine, in a crash at 35mph is going to accellerate quickly and it's going to act as if it is double the weight. The straps allow stretching, giving the machine more chance to move. When you hit bumps straps stretch, they loosen when they stretch! The looser they are when you hit something the more the machines going to move and the more likely the strap will fail.
I saw an excavator that was being pulled by a dually and the driver fell asleep. He hit a highway overpass. It had 5 chains, one across the bucket and one to each corner of the machine. The guy lived and a DOT inspector said if he didn't have it chained the way he did the excavator would have killed him. As it was the excavator moved enough to hit the tailgate but it didn't keep going as it could have with straps or fewer chains. They figured he was doing 45 to 50 when he contacted the bridge pillar. There is a reason they say to use a specific number of chains.
One racing organization will not allow it's members to use straps to tie down their race cars even in enclosed trailers, doesn't matter what the straps are made of or rated at, straps stretch and FAIL!
BTW, this is one reason my old machines getting updated with more chain attachment locations. I use chain rated at 12,000 pounds for my 5700lb machine but with 5 chains it's plenty safe. This is an 85 and it has, basically three tiedown points. Two in the rear and one hook on the bucket. Not sure yet how I will do the two additional front locations, thats one thing I am working on while I am repowering the thing. If I really wanted to deal with I could find a way to utilized a 30,000lb dozer chain I have here but it's too heavy to mess with!
well i'm going to assume the dot didn't use anecdotal evidence to determine weather or not to approve any particular tie down system..in a crash situation i don't know what is going to cause my machine to accelerate , everything is going to slow down, maybe at different rates. You are correct that inertia is going to have an effect on the loading of the tie down system. The straps do stretch but they do not stay stretched they are elastic and stay taught as you go over bump and dips..In an accident they can provide dynamic holding ..a little give rather than try to hold a load statically. In most loading applications a dynamically applied braking system is superior to a static loading of the system In your overpass accident how did the excavator move ??? with the static chain system for the excavator to move either a chain had to break or a d ring had to fail there should not have been enough slack in a chain for the machine to move all the way to his tailgate you are also correct that straps can fail ..so can chains, there are some accidents that you just aren't going to walk away from unscathed. Both systems are approved and who can tell how the forces are going to be applied to them in any given accident in some cases one might be superior to the other ....if only we could plan our accidents !!
Another issue with straps is they fray and cut easily, and many times in areas not noticed by the user unless they actually check them each use. I have seen 10,000 lb straps fail brand new. Chains are easily inspected and repaired, you can't repair a strap. Another issue with straps is, and why they fail new is the fact they deteriorate even when sitting on a shelf! But that deterioration is tripled by weather. Heat and cold affect the rating as well, and a hot weathered strap or a frozen strap or wet strap will break under much less stress than the rate it has on it. Those things do not affect chain nearly as much. Add to it straps are not made to withstand a pulling force. Just ask the guy killed last winter who thought he's pull a lightweight car out of the snow with his brand new 10,000lb strap. It snap and flew through the rear window of his truck hitting him in the head killing him instantly, while his young daughter sat next him. Straps shouldn't even be sold, they are dangerous!
