Securing an excavator to a stepdeck

this trailer is rated at 64933 minus the 13000 ish emtpy weight. so 51000 isn't quite as bad as I thought. I never thought to look at that, was told that these fontaine steps were good for 48500.

 

Although that may be just for a single coil in the center

 

I feel like an idiot for never considering that even though it was right under my nose. This is my first piece of large construction equipment, and my first non divisible load that put me over 80k so it has been a learning experience.

 

Wilson told me warranty is void unless I position the weight over the main beams. Yeah right might as well make a 4 ft wide step deck then.

Anyway there are step decks and then there are step decks. Transcraft seem to have a reputation for building a light duty trailer.... Not sure because I've never had one. Some trailers have thick cross members spaced closer together and they have more knee braces and the knee braces are connected together by tying everything together with a stiffener between the main beams.

 

These fontaine trailers seem pretty stout although they had some issues with the beams cracking near the pin holes for the sliding axle. The new Manacs they are getting seem nice too.

 

In Canada for anything over 10k with tracks or wheels you need to do the following:

- Direct tiedowns only, indirect do not count!
- WLL needs to be above 5000, no 5/16 chain. Again they do not count.
- Anything hydraulic needs to be secured. Even the smallest cutting edge on the front of a mini-excavator needs a strap.

 

Really? I didn't know that.

 

I remember someone used to brag about running tall loads out of Florida on a step , didn't permit them, didn't take out any bridges so its all good. Wrong! It drag's rates down. Make the shipper / broker pony up for oversize or let it sit. Or they can find a rgn/double drop.