Post flatbed load photos here V2.0

60 ft beams from Albany to Schenectady, 2 times. I’ve repositioned my straps to be right over the dunnage

 

Many younger drivers have not got proper training with snap binders, here is a couple hints for you and some others.
1- Try to have at least one end of the chain looped around so that by moving the hook up or down one link you effectively change the chain length by a half link.
2- take the time to straighten the chain so that the links run in a line, twisted chain is under more stress and shock loads can crack or even break a link.
3-when using snap binders don't pull more than about 100 degrees from closed with a bar, if the handle is almost at 90degrees by hand it is just right .
4- secure your handles, 2 wraps of chain held in place by a tarp-strap works or get some 3/4X1/8 inch flat steel and some spring pins and build some of these:Load Binder Locks
here is a drawing of the angle the binder should be at for tightening with a pipe.

I prefer these binders:
Durabilt 5/16"-3/8” Recoilless Lever Load Binder - Trison Tarps Inc.

 

You da man, booley .

 

Bar joists to E. Hartford Ct. This was a load I wished I carried a bunch of light chains for…
Placing all those corner protectors was a pita!

 

Mafia block tent weights for Monday

 

The last time I hauled steel joists (1979?) I was 3rd load into a warehouse project and the first to arrive with them all standing as they were loaded.
I ran 2 25ft 5/16 chains "Xed" on the bottom layer tying the top layer to the bottom and 2 30ft 5/16 chains "Xed" on the top layer as well as 7 straps over all and 2 shortys locking the bottom in place

 

I hauled things just like those but they were warehouse racks. While waiting to be loaded a guy in front of me came back to the shipper after just like 20 minutes. The bottom stack leaned left and the top leaned right. They had to unload him and reload him. After seeing that fiasco I always throw a strap through the middle of the bottom layer, then back over the bottom of the top layer, then back through middle of the bottom layer like a choke strap to keep the two layers together.

Load I have now is just 48ft steel squared tubes. It was loaded by one of those warehouse cranes on tracks. They picked them up using chains on both ends so when they set down the 4 bundles they left a space to undue the chain. So all 4 bundles were each spaced 3”. I fought with them for 45 minutes explaining why all the bundles need to be snugged against each other or to put a spacer block of wood so they can be secured properly. They said they always do that. I had to get the manager and everything before they finally agreed to push the bundles against each other with a big forklift. All the other trucks left with the gap in the bundles. Terrible shipper.

 

Todays fun.

 

A lot of places will pull that trick. They usually have the spacers, but it adds another task for them to do, so they'll just try to load you if you don't say anything. When they're going to be unloaded the same way, receivers will specify to space them. The shipper wanting them to go like that is just cheap and lazy and all of the trucks that leave like that are equally guilty in reinforcing the DGAF attitude. Worse comes to worse, you can weave the straps and alternate tops and bottoms, but it's not ideal IMO.

 

Problem is too many idiot drivers just put up with it.

I got a neat trick too. It's called get your #### off my trailer.

I've left loads before because they wouldn't make them safe or legal. "We ship them like that all the time" doesn't make it right.

For my good paying local customers I'll work with them to make it right. Usually we can come to an agreement to make the load safe to haul.

For the random broker junk I get to get me back home I will try to fix it but as soon as they start pushing back I'll just leave.