Flatbed & Equipment

Each state will have various rules.
The state of Il. states in their provision sheet the booms and buckets also must be chain as well.
Even though it is attached to the main unit.
They have had booms move and buckets come unhooked some how I guess.

 

If the bucket and booms are attached to the equipment then a little common sense applys. I hauled mostly dozers and we never chain the blade unless it was seperate from the tractor itself. You have to look at what if a hydraulic line burst where would the boom go? FMCSR's cover what you need as far securing devices starting # §393.102. Remember if you load dozers, backhoes, or any equipment backwards besure to tape the exhaust stack closed.

If you're loading equipment that is heavy ,like I did, then all the attachments must come off. Even if you're getting a permit. The states will tell you that you need to reduce the load if you can. Some of my loads I would have to make 2 trips, 1 for the dozer and the other for the blade. Make sure nothing can fall off the equipment while in transit. A lot of operators stash coke cans, greese guns, and whatever that you wouldn't see unless you went looking. Be extremely careful if you're loading on a steel deck when it's wet. I've seen guys turnover a small dozer on a tilt trailer becaujse it was wet and steel. Steel on steel does not stick very well and will slide in a heart beat. You should drive like you're hauling a smooth bore tanker full of nitro glycerin. Go slow and steady and avoid going too fast on ramps.