Rate my Haul job - 1st time hauling heavy equipment

[john in la]

There is only one load that requires chains instead of straps. That is rocks as in huge blocks of granite.

I want to say without looking it up.
Crushed cars fit in that group.
Also logs need side poles higher than the top log and two cradles made of wire rope plus the tie downs.

 

[ThreeEdwardsM]

This is the recommended method: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/PPP/PPP-75.pdf

That is one heck of a resource! Saving. Thanks!

 

[showcrop]

I have at least a half dozen "transport" chains, running the grader I used to sweep them out of the grass where drivers had lost them- that, and the short- handled 4lb hammers that the temp fence guys use. I would have to disagree that I wasn't required to use proper chains to tie down those D8 dozers- pretty sure a CHP would have a cow if he saw straps tying down a big dozer. Personally, I have never seen anyone tie down a big dozer with straps

Generally you want to go by the FMCSA driver's load securement handbook rather than, "pretty sure a CHP would have a cow if he saw straps tying down a big dozer. Personally, I have never seen anyone tie down a big dozer with straps"

 

[john in la]

Generally you want to go by the FMCSA driver's load securement handbook rather than, "pretty sure a CHP would have a cow if he saw straps tying down a big dozer. Personally, I have never seen anyone tie down a big dozer with straps"

It’s legal to tie down a dozer with a strap but they are not strong enough when it comes to big dozers.
One 1/2 inch chain will hold more weight than two four inch straps.

 

[MeanGene1]

Generally you want to go by the FMCSA driver's load securement handbook rather than, "pretty sure a CHP would have a cow if he saw straps tying down a big dozer. Personally, I have never seen anyone tie down a big dozer with straps"

Not going to play one-upmanship games here, just have quite a bit of experience with CHP officers, weigh stations etc. The outfit I was working for had four full time transports running, 3 at night and one during the day- in addition to running transport as part of my job for 3 different companies. None of them kept any straps on the heavy transport trucks. If a Chippie saw you going down the road with straps on a D8 or big excavator, he would instantly want to have a not so friendly conversation with you. I have many sizes and specs of straps, but for other purposes- not heavy equipment. Just a little useless trivia, this is a fun project from a few years ago where I ran the 14 grader and 330 excavator- demolition and replacement of the Eastbound Interstate 80 Scales in Cordelia, CA, where we would hire CHP support for night work and worked closely with them. Next time you haul a big dozer in CA, please go ahead and use straps to tie it down as you go down an Interstate in CA, and pull thru the Scales, see how you do

 

[showcrop]

Not going to play one-upmanship games here, just have quite a bit of experience with CHP officers, weigh stations etc. The outfit I was working for had four full time transports running, 3 at night and one during the day- in addition to running transport as part of my job for 3 different companies. None of them kept any straps on the heavy transport trucks. If a Chippie saw you going down the road with straps on a D8 or big excavator, he would instantly want to have a not so friendly conversation with you. I have many sizes and specs of straps, but for other purposes- not heavy equipment. Just a little useless trivia, this is a fun project from a few years ago where I ran the 14 grader and 330 excavator- demolition and replacement of the Eastbound Interstate 80 Scales in Cordelia, CA, where we would hire CHP support for night work and worked closely with them. Next time you haul a big dozer in CA, please go ahead and use straps to tie it down as you go down an Interstate in CA, and pull thru the Scales, see how you do

I would be going by the FMCSA handbook as I have already posted, and using the correct chains for a machine over the weight threshold as John had already posted.

 

[lolbell]

Curious how y'all think I did, and what I should do different next time.

I probably over-did it, honestly, but I had my whole family in the car for a 12 hour drive, so I didn't want to risk anything. And, to be honest, I'm not sure you can over-secure a load, at least by my philosophy. I was probably most of proud of how balanced I got the load with both a trailer and with a load I was unfamiliar with.

The tractor had sat for years, and was in a packed, dark barn on a 95 degree day, so I opted to haul it out and get it running after. Used chains and a chain hoist to get it on the trailer, then chocks and brute force to get it positioned on the trailer.

I got it running on the trailer the next day, actually - drained and replaced the fuel, cleaned the sediment bowl, filled the radiator, filed the points, cleaned and checked the spark plugs, checked all the wiring connections, and replaced the battery. Fires right up now.

Tow vehicle is 2017 Lexus GX 460 with a 6,500 pound towing capacity, a Curt tri-ball hitch (used 2"), and a U-Haul toy hauler that weighs 3,155 pounds empty. The M weighs 2,600 pounds.

As for tying it down, I put the widest, thickest ratchet strap I had over the bell housing, initially just to pull the load straight into the trailer and hold it steady while I secured it. It's got a 5,000 pound break strength.

I have a grade 80, 3/8" chain in the front, with axle straps rated to 3,333 pounds over both sides of the front axle and a binder rated to 9,200 pounds. My original plan was a chain and binder on each side of the front axle, but the chains and tie down angles I had to work with didn't really make that the most feasible. I prefer chains to straps, but I also wanted at least 4 tie down points, and since the front axle chain was technically only one, I opted for front tire bonnets on both sides rated at 3,333 pounds as well.

Then in the rear, I put axle straps rated at 3,333 pounds over both rear axles, and then ran a grade 43, 3/8" chain down to each corner of the trailer, and used 9,200 pound-rated chain binders to tighten. The orange ratchet strap was just there to hold the seat on.

Once it was tied down tight, I put a little more air in the tires.

I've got a few loose filler caps, so I taped those down, then I checked the load and the axle and brake temps on both the tow vehicle and the trailer every 150-200 miles.

Towed really well overall.

Looks like you did a fine job securing and balancing the load. Unless you live in California I would not worry about what CHP thinks or does. In my home state that load is legal as it gets. Just be aware of the state laws of load transportation in the state you are in.

 

[farmersamm]

YOU DID FINE.

The most important aspect of hauling this stuff is FORE AND AFT chains. Binder chain pulling from the front, and back. Not only sucks the load down to the trailer, but keeps the load from rolling to the front, or back.

Fore, and aft, is all you need to know with a rolling load. This configuration sucks the tractor down, keeps it from tipping to either side, and keeps it from rolling in either direction. Like I said.........you did fine.