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Chaining the blade

ramheadjim

Active Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2011
Messages
41
Location
georgia
what about how much chain to use? I was always under the impresion that it was that all your chains should add up to 150% of the load.

Minimum Working Load Limit for Cargo Securement Devices and Systems
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 the weight of the article or group of articles. The aggregate working load limit is the sum of: One-half the working load limit of each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle to an attachment point on an article of cargo; and The working load limit for each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle, through, over or around the cargo and then attaches to another anchor point on the vehicle.

This is from the FMCSA regs
 

Dozerboy

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2006
Messages
2,232
Location
TX
Occupation
Operator
Minimum Working Load Limit for Cargo Securement Devices and Systems
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 the weight of the article or group of articles. The aggregate working load limit is the sum of: One-half the working load limit of each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle to an attachment point on an article of cargo; and The working load limit for each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle, through, over or around the cargo and then attaches to another anchor point on the vehicle.

This is from the FMCSA regs

There is another section that contradicts this. The safest thing is to count all of then at 1/2 the WLL
 

ramheadjim

Active Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2011
Messages
41
Location
georgia
I allways used more chains than was needed. When it comes to tying down a load more is better, in my opinion.
 

monster truck

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
267
Location
cali
How about not even setting the blade down? I have hauled larger dozers (8's and 9's) with the blade all the up in the air on occasion when I knew I would be on a tight road. The advantage is being able to clear mile markers, guard rails and bridge railings, as well as being able to see your trailer axles in the mirrior under the blade. Whenever I have done this I have always used 1/2" chain to hold the blade up, more for looks than anything else. With the smaller dozers (6's and down) on my beavertail trailer I chain the blade down but leave the rippers all the way up, I have crossed quite a few scales including the infamous cordelia scales with both methods and never had a problem.
 
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waynej

New Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Messages
1
Location
jefferson, La.
Occupation
Saferty Officer
According to the Case Operator’s Manual Loader Backhoe 580 Super M, The machine with loader bucket and with universal backhoe bucket has weight ranging from 14, 285 to 17,545 lbs depending upon configuration. The length of the machine is 22’ 10” to 22’ 8” with loader bucket down and backhoe bucket curled inward fully.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations states that:
393.106 What are the general requirements for securing articles of cargo?
(a) Applicability. The rules of this section are applicable to……vehicles. The rules of this in this section apply to the cargo types covered by the commodity-specific rules of 393.116 through 393.136.
393.110 What else do I have to do to determine the minimum number of tiedowns?
(a)When tiedowns are used as part of a cargo securement system, the minimum number of tiedowns required to secure an article or group of articles against movement depends on the length of the article(s) being secured, and the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. These requirements are in addition to the rules under 393.106.
(c) If an individual article is blocked, braced, or immobilized to prevent movement in the forward direction by a headerboard, bulkhead, and other articles which are adequately secured or by an appropriate blocking or immobilization method it must be secured by at least one tiedown for every 3.04 meters (10 feet) of article length, or fraction thereof.”
393.130 What are the rules for securing heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery?
(a) Applicability. The rules in this section apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery which operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors and powered shovels and which individually weigh 4,536 kg (10,000 lb.) or more. Vehicles, equipment and machinery which is lighter than 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) may also be secured in accordance with provisions of 393.100 through 393.114
(b) Preparation of equipment being transported.
(1) Accessory equipment, such as hydraulic shovels, must be completely lowered and secured to the vehicle.
(2) Articulated vehicles shall be restrained in a manner that prevents articulation while in transit.
(c) Securement of heavy vehicles, equipment or machinery with crawler tracks or wheels.
(1) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, heavy equipment or machinery with crawler tracks or wheels must be restrained against movement in the lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical direction using a minimum of four tiedowns.
(2) Each of the tiedowns must be affixed as close as practicable to the front and rear of the vehicle, or mounting points on the vehicle that have been specifically designed for that purpose.

With these regulations in mind, drivers are to secure the backhoe to the trailer by:
1) Placing the Loader Bucket (Front Bucket) against the trailer bulkhead,
2) Four chains and four ratchets that use the Backhoe’s mounting points on the vehicle that have been specifically designed for that purpose.
3) A chain and ratchet that goes across the trailer bed and is placed on top of the Backhoe Bucket (Rear Bucket). This will be done avoiding any contact with the machined and polished surface of the hydraulic actuator.

As of this time, I do believe that this method of securement complies with federal regulations and surpasses all applicable safety concerns. Any comments?
 

Oxbow

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
1,201
Location
Idaho
I use at least 4 chains for everything, crossed when possible, and tightened in opposing directions. Also, with the new regs I always throw one over excavator buckets, and rippers, and two on a dozer or loader bucket. It always looks counterproductive to see one chain on a dozer attached to the top of one side and tightened to the other. It may be legal but it is stupid (IMHO), balance the chaining is better.

I have been told by others that you get as much credit for one chain (for example going over both track frames on an excavator) that is secured to anchor points on each side of the trailer as you do two chains that are cross chained with one end to the machine, and the other to an anchor point. Dozerboy highlighted this in post #22. Legal or not I do not do that. Cross chaining is much more secure to me.
 

Swamp rat

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
114
Location
La / Ga
I have the privaledge of having a DOT officer as a neighbor , yes - he is one of the good ones - he will help as much as possible. We had this discussion on a few occasions and here is hie description.

1) Each corner of the track must be chained.
a) each chain and binder needs to be cross binded towards the center of the machine.

2) Any attachment that can be removed from the machine - must have chain and binder and resting on trailer. This includes on my big dozers a chain for the blade and also one for the ripper.

3) One thing he also cleared up - if you are using a long chain to do both points of the track , the chain MUST have slack between the two binders, or use individual chains. I have a assortment of short chains with one hook for each binder.

Hope this helps !
 

coalroller

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Messages
46
Location
wisconsin
Occupation
heavy haul
i chain the blade of every dozer, loader, stick on every backhoe, and boom of rock drills. but i also have enough chain for tie down to be able to pick the machine. so a 100k lb machine i have enough chain for over that weight all rachet binders no snap over binders. snap overs are still legal here but i have been told they have to be secured shut tie wire
 

tjcoogan

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2011
Messages
20
Location
Australia
Interesting topic I have recently moved away from using the old over centre dog style load binder and now use Ausbinder Loadmax Series 3 ratchet binders it is a combination of the old style dog and ratchet tie down. Not sure if they are available or approved for use OS buy here is a link with an instruction manual download to show how they work. They aren't cheap but are way safer you can get them for less than $100 if you shop around I used this site as a example because of the download manual.

http://www.tiedownsdirect.com.au/products/Ausbinder-Series-3-8mm.html
 
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Shenandoah

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Messages
205
Location
Virginia
Interesting topic...one thing I'm curious about is if you guys who regularly haul heavy loads (I don't) are concerned with the angle of the chains in the 'front to back' relation to the centerline of the trailer. Because the closer the chain is to straight across the trailer the less forward or rearward load the chain can handle reletive to its' rating.

In other words, if the chain is rated for 6,600 pounds, as an example, and the angle is less than 30 degrees perpendicular to the centerline of the trailer, the forces applied by the load could be effectively multiplied because of the 'load angle factor'.

For instance, in rigging a load to be hoisted by a crane the angle of the sling legs plays a big part in how much weight the sling can support. As the sling angle between the load and vertical becomes smaller it increases the forces on the sling dramatically. So a 10,000 pound weight will excert a 10,000 pound load on each leg of a two leg sling (think crossed chains) if the angle is at 30 degrees, but if the angle decreases to 10 degrees each leg of the sling will see 28,735 pounds of force to support the 10,000 pound load.

So using the DOT formula of 0.8 Gs for forward motion, a set of two crossed chains at 10 degrees perpendicular to the centerline of the trailer will not hold back as heavy a load as two crossed chains at 30 degrees. Simple physics, and no doubt incorporated into the regs, but I'm just curious to see if anyone actually goes through the mental exercise of using 'load angle factors' when chaining down a load.

Sorry if this is long winded or unclear, but sometimes I see loads where the chains go almost straight across the trailer and I tend to tie my loads down with some thought as to what load the tie downs will see if I'm hard on the brakes.
 

Oxbow

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
1,201
Location
Idaho
I may chain perpendicular to the centerline of the trailer, but only if they are additional tie downs to the four corner chains. I try to balance the angle pulling forward and back and not go too flat (perpendicluar to center) on any of the four corner chains.

One thing that many people do that I don't do is to run a chain through a tie down point and then back to the binder. I prefer to hook the chain back to itself on both ends and then bind in between the two loops. I don't like pulling the chain through the tie down point upon tightening as it is hard on the chain and tie down point. Others like that it gives a reduction and you can tighten more, but I prefer to adjust where the chain hooks back to itself to get the 1/2 link adjustment.
 

JDOFMEMI

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
3,074
Location
SoCal
Interesting topic...one thing I'm curious about is if you guys who regularly haul heavy loads (I don't) are concerned with the angle of the chains in the 'front to back' relation to the centerline of the trailer. Because the closer the chain is to straight across the trailer the less forward or rearward load the chain can handle reletive to its' rating.

In other words, if the chain is rated for 6,600 pounds, as an example, and the angle is less than 30 degrees perpendicular to the centerline of the trailer, the forces applied by the load could be effectively multiplied because of the 'load angle factor'.

For instance, in rigging a load to be hoisted by a crane the angle of the sling legs plays a big part in how much weight the sling can support. As the sling angle between the load and vertical becomes smaller it increases the forces on the sling dramatically. So a 10,000 pound weight will excert a 10,000 pound load on each leg of a two leg sling (think crossed chains) if the angle is at 30 degrees, but if the angle decreases to 10 degrees each leg of the sling will see 28,735 pounds of force to support the 10,000 pound load.

So using the DOT formula of 0.8 Gs for forward motion, a set of two crossed chains at 10 degrees perpendicular to the centerline of the trailer will not hold back as heavy a load as two crossed chains at 30 degrees. Simple physics, and no doubt incorporated into the regs, but I'm just curious to see if anyone actually goes through the mental exercise of using 'load angle factors' when chaining down a load.

Sorry if this is long winded or unclear, but sometimes I see loads where the chains go almost straight across the trailer and I tend to tie my loads down with some thought as to what load the tie downs will see if I'm hard on the brakes.

This is perhaps the best response to the issue I have seen. It would do for all who haul heavy to get a riggers handbook to study. I continually think of the angles and stress involved both with the chain, and also of the attachment points. I try to school my employees in thinking things through like I do as well.

Over many years I have seen and learned from the misfortunes of others, without any serious incidents of my own, and try to make sure I do nat have any. I chain things like my children will be riding in the car in front, beside, or behind me. As a general rule, I try to pull to the rear much harder than to the front. brakes create much more force trying to move your load than the throttle ever will. The exception is when runniong steep uphill grades, especially if the roads are rough.

Another important point is to remember the tire flex and bounce. The heavier the machine, the bigger the problem. A large bump in the road can compress the tires, leaving slack in the chains. When the tire rebounds, the force can break even good chains and binders. I once had two out of six binders break on a Cat 980 loader after 30 miles of slab damaged CA freeway travel. These were 1/2" grade 7 binders on 3/8" grade 100 chain, so it was good gear. If it is rough, your chains will loosten due to flex of the trailer, load, etc. You need to retighten them when on bad roads. Before I get criticised for the 3/8" chain on large machines, I use grade 100, and it has very near the same rating as grade 70 1/2", plus it is easier to use and actually fits through most tie down holes.

We used to have a 988 A with no park brake. That is a bad load to haul. It got the normal chains, plus 4 extra 1/2" grade 80 chains pulling to the rear. We started this after breaking 4 rearward pulling 3/8" chains once in a panic stop. In other words, know your load, and if it has issues, put extra effort into making it stay. Properly chained we have hauled it up and down grades in excess of 25% in the local mountains. It does make for a tense trip though.

The perpindicular chains are only to secure side to side movement of an attachment or such for me. I run the main securement at as close to a 45* angle as I can in both up and down as well as forward and back.

I also find it easier to use 4-10 ft chains than 2-20 ft chains. It is easier to handle and most tie downs are close to the corners. I have longer chain, but it rarely gets used.

Always do your best to get to where you are going with the load still exactly where it was when you started out.
 

tjcoogan

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2011
Messages
20
Location
Australia
I wasn't aware you could use lifting grade chains for load restraining. Don't they meet different standards and are rated according to the intended use i.e. Working Load Limit or Lashing Capacity. How do you go using 1/2" binders on the 3/8" chain are the clevis/grab hooks loose in the chain link?
 

JDOFMEMI

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
3,074
Location
SoCal
tjcoogan

You can use lifting rated chain for load securing, as it is rated far beyond what is required, but you should never use load chain to lift with. A good rigging handbook will show capacities of different size chain in each grade. Most chain manufacturers have it on their website as well.

1/2" binders work with 1/2" or 3/8" chain with no problem. The only exception I have found to that is that when using poor quality transport chain, the links can deform enough to pull through. I have never had that problem with grade 80 or 100 chain, and I test my chain to the limits. I have had good 1/2" binders break the connecting link from the screw to the hook, with not even a bent link on the 3/8" chain. I quit using 3/8" binders after 2 of them broke at the same time with only a 12H blade on. The bounce from a bridge approach that I did not realise was so rough did them in. With that being one of the lighter loads I haul, I decided the 3/8" binders had to be relegated to only tying down small items and accessories, never machines. Especially rubber tired machines since they bounce so hard.
 
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