Any tips for hauling tracked equipment?

Discussion in 'Heavy Haul Trucking Forum' started by jrscott1970, May 3, 2015.

  1. jrscott1970

    jrscott1970 Light Load Member

    53
    24
    Apr 24, 2015
    0
    Can anyone share some tips and tricks for hauling tracked equipment. Securing, ect?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

    5,869
    27,419
    Feb 28, 2014
    0
    What are you hauling it on?
     
  4. jrscott1970

    jrscott1970 Light Load Member

    53
    24
    Apr 24, 2015
    0
    RGN double drop, 2 and 3 axle
     
  5. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

    15,442
    24,743
    Mar 31, 2013
    sarasota, fl
    0
    Put good hard wood 2x10s down to give you better traction, and not tear up your deck. Nothing is slicker than steel on steel. Also always strap yourself into the machine when leading and unloading. If the factory belt isn't still there, use a 1 inch strap to make a seat belt. When dealing with dozers, and crawler loaders, it's not a matter of if you slide off, it's a matter of when. Oh, and when that day comes. Don't ever jump off it. Just ride it out and keep your arms and legs inside. inside. It's better to get banged up than to have a thirty thousand pound machine land on you. Track hoes are much easier. No need to split your trailer, use the boom to lift it on.

    Always check to make sure the left and right brakes are not sticking. Do this BEFORE you start up the ramp. And ready on the throttle. Too much throttle and if one track starts to spin while the other is still gripping, you're going off the side
     
    281ric, rank, dclerici1 and 1 other person Thank this.
  6. jrscott1970

    jrscott1970 Light Load Member

    53
    24
    Apr 24, 2015
    0
    Good tips there. Thanks. Do you have any tips on securing. I know using the inside of the tracks to the trailer is common but frowned upon. Where are the best spots on these types of equipment.
     
  7. Mudguppy

    Mudguppy Degenerate Immoralist

    1,657
    4,063
    Apr 28, 2014
    Wooley Swamp
    0
    What is it exactly you're hauling? Most excavators/dozers/etc. have tiedown points near the "corners" of the body of the machine. I will throw 1/2" binders on all four corners of the tracks to trlr rail, then 3/8' chains crossing from tiedown points to opposite D-rings. Then (if applicable) one or two 3/8" chains securing the boom and you're GTG.
     
  8. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

    15,442
    24,743
    Mar 31, 2013
    sarasota, fl
    0
    At the rear and front of most machines is a hook point used for pulling. It doubles as a nice spot to put your chains. I'm sure you know it needs to be secured in four directions. Much like an X pattern. Any implements, bucket, booms, forks, etc must be secured also.

    And yes, a lot of guys hook to the track. I'm surprised more of them are not put out of service for that and issued insecured load citations. The tracks are not fixed to the machine. Any one that had ever operated a shower knows they can come off very easily. Give me two pry bars and five minutes and I can pop the tracks off just like a tire guy changing a tire on your truck.

    Be careful to route chains away from any hydraulic cylinders and lines.

    Also while you didn't ask about them, chances are you are going to get some loaders on occasion. Articulated machines MUST have the locking bars in place during transit. Found that out the expensive way courtesy of the Roanoke scale. Had to leave the trailer to go get some made up for my case.
     
  9. jrscott1970

    jrscott1970 Light Load Member

    53
    24
    Apr 24, 2015
    0
    Thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate all the help.
     
  10. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

    5,869
    27,419
    Feb 28, 2014
    0
    Here are some photos. if you blow them up you can see some of the securement. On excavators I route the chains over the frame and under the upper portion of the track. On dozers you have to use securement points or frame. Also, any attachments must also be secured separately from the machine.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    "semi" retired Thanks this.
  11. 201

    201 Road Train Member

    11,166
    22,648
    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
    0
    Hi jrscott, an old timer told me once to make sure the chain links all line up, the chain isn't twisted, and it will hardly ever loosen up. I did some heavy equipment hauling, and I liked it. Loading and unloading can be a little tense, especially in the rain. We cut the tread off a car tire(s) and laid and secured them to ramps and that helped a lot. I've cross chained tracked machines from the track, as on some older machines, there were no securing points. Good luck and remember, the most important thing with heavy equipment is, easy does it.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.