clever idea

[Herbert Johnson]

Sold my Ford yesterday and in addition to tying each corner the buyer brought along these blocks which he secured to the floor with 3" deck screws.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Not to cause an arguement as this has been discussed many times on this forum, but he wouldn't have to do that if he used proper chain and binder tie downs in the first place.

 

[Anonymous-0]

some guys are just too stupid to haul equipment

 

[Herbert Johnson]

He used 4 tow straps (nylon) but did not want to spend the money for chains and binders for a one time deal.
The guy was far from stupid and the remark was not called for. You could have turned the trailer upside down and not lost the tractor. His straps were also approved by the Michigan State Police before he left home. My only idea here was to show the blocks I guess I should have shown the whole thing.
The only thing stupid here was the stupid remark.
Im done now.

 

[Anonymous-0]

(quoted from post at 12:18:40 10/24/10) He used 4 tow straps (nylon) but did not want to spend the money for chains and binders for a one time deal.
The guy was far from stupid and the remark was not called for. You could have turned the trailer upside down and not lost the tractor. His straps were also approved by the Michigan State Police before he left home. My only idea here was to show the blocks I guess I should have shown the whole thing.
The only thing stupid here was the stupid remark.
Im done now.

Don't let the village idiots that don't have enough a$$ to post other than anonymous get to you. Thanks for the tip.

Dave

 

[Janicholson]

Not stupid at all. But far from experienced.
Nylon straps of some types (in some states and jurisdictions) can be used. What ever they are, they need to be powerful enough to smash down the tires to some degree.
The tire looks to be not loaded from the binding.
The straps might hold the tractor to the trailer if inverted, but it would not retain the tractor on the trailer if it impacted another vehicle or object at highway speeds. The block should have been screwed down, then the tractor compressed into it a little, then a second block installed behind , then the tractor pulled rearward until the pressure on the blocks was equal, indenting the tire somewhat front and back.
There is no reflection on you, just a clear experienced based concern that the load was just not secure. Nylon and poly stretch as much as 30% of their length when under the stress of maximum strength. The motion this provides is deadly. Chains can stretch, but only at some where near twice their rated load. Until then they do not allow the vehicle to move at all!
This is not a flame, it is reasonable and prudent information. Jim

 

[Gun guru]

I am no expert in hauling equipment, but those straps look to cheesy to hold down a utility tractor that weighs 3500 pounds.

A few months ago a guy from my church that has a 40HP deere 4320 tractor came over and did some work and when he left he used steel chain to secure the tractor to his trailer---Front and back.

I would only haul a utilty tractor with nylon straps if you are not going over 15mph on the back roads to drive a few miles.

As far as the wood blocks, I would have used a 4x4.

 

[Herbert Johnson]

The buyer did use 4 x 4s attached to 2 x 6 for a flange to drive the screws through into the trailer floor. The photo was just to show one block. There were 8 of them used altogether by the time he was done. 2 blocks for each tire. Again this was for a one time short hall so I think he did just fine.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I'm STUPID, I use 4 straps that say DOT APPROVED I can flatten the tires with them too.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I agree, selling a ford, IS a good idea. Just kidding! Those straps are only good for holding brush onto a mini pickup. Real straps don't cost much ($14.00 for a 2" X 26'long ratchet strap @ Sam's Club), and are rated close to what a tractor weighs.

 

[Anonymous-0]

After looking at the straps, again, they do look like 2" straps, just look loose.

 

[larry@stinescorner]

why did you sell your Ford? Sounds like a sad day to me!! lol

 

[Anonymous-0]

the clever idea was to attach the 4x4 to the piece of 2x to anchor to the deck,so it didn't move out from under the tire...do you know that he was done tying down?In NY state you are not allowed to use straps to tie down anything on wheels....I've hauled alot of equip with straps and with chains and never lost anything

 

[Tech 7]

she can still go sideways!

 

[oldart]

if you ever have a 10k piece move unexpeted you become a believer of tyeing down with chains. longago steel hauler

 

[RandyB(MI)]

Save your breath (fingers) George , some will never use the auto darken weld helmets either. Rather flip their heads into oblivion and neck problems than entertain a different way of doing something. If you take a hit at highway speeds , you better hope that trailer comes off your tow vehicle or you may not live to brag about your tie-down prowess. And whether the tractor and trailer stay tight together is immaterial since they are both loose from the tow vehicle at this point and they are going to hit something. Bottom line is , if you get hit at highway speeds , the weak link is the hitch ball and safety chains , not the straps and / or chains tying the tractor down. If that happens , I want my truck with me in it as far away from a tumbling trailer as possible. There is no idiot proof way of tying down equipment! If some idiot hits you hard enough or at the right angle it is gonna be ugly no matter what. There are stronger things than steel and sometimes a little "give" is a desirable thing. The strongest tree in the woods is the one that wont break when bent over to the ground!

 

[Herbert Johnson]

They were 2" by 26ft ratchet.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I forgot to add I also have two chains bolted to the end of the trailer. I connect them to the tractor and tighten by pulling forward. Then I use 4 straps. The two chains are for Newton's first law of motion. Something in motion tends to stay in motion. In an accident, I'm hoping the tractor won't hit my fingers. You are right, things can get ugly.