Securing shotgun coils

Belly wraps, huh? What is that? Fred, my trainer, never showed me how to do that. I just make/find a forklift lift it so I put some belly straps on.

 

Laziness can get you killed real quick doing flatbed

 

Belly wrapping steel pipe, or any round stock, has a distinct purpose. If that load were to shift to the front or rear, a properly done belly-wrapped strap will actually tighten down on the pipe, preventing (hopefully) further movement. Always belly wrap steel pipe, bar stock, and similar. The life you save most likely will be your own.

 

And you'd be right.

As was mentioned in another thread, you need to understand all the regulations that applies to cargo, and it can often be found in separate sections. For instance start at § 393.100 and work your way down to commodity-specific rules.

So even though the horseshoes aren't mentioned specifically, you can see by the following items, that it solves a number of requirements.

The horseshoes suggested can actually fulfill multiple purposes. When getting a coil, shotgun, you want to quickly get it secured and move out of the way of other drivers so you can finish securing and/or tarping your load, weather permitting and mill rules not withstanding. Shotgun is inherently more work intensive so getting out of the way as soon as possible makes you a good neighbor.

The Horseshoe also helps fulfill § 393.102 (a),(1),(iii) and (2),(iii) requirements by meeting lateral (side to side) requirements. Because of torsional forces, however, a horseshoe isn't really a good idea as a sole restraint method, nor is it legal, according to regulations as you point out.

Horseshoes also fulfills

The wrap around of the horseshoe "wraps" the coil and helps to prevent it from moving longitudinally as well as helping to prevent telescoping of the coil from the inside and side to side movement.

But if you read all the rest of the information from the beginning you'll notice that § 393.106(d) Aggregate working load limit for tiedowns. states this:

Because a horseshoe is classified as 2, it's WLL value is cut in half when adding the amounts for the total aggregate WLL value to equal one-half weight of the cargo. i.e. a 5,000 lb coil with only two horseshoes to hold it, rated at 5400 WLL each, both will only total 5400, and although that may be enough for a 5,000 lb. coil, it will quickly be dwarfed by larger coils and you are still required to do an X and an over the coil tiedown. The numbers of chains will change with the weight of the coil.

Since the Horseshoe is still useful, and it helps to oversecure it, just add the rest of the chains through the eye, and a strap or 2 over top and you have a well secured coil, that should meet all the criteria for a shotgun loaded coil. Just make sure you have plenty of edge protection for the chains as per:

Good Luck

 

There is no such thing as too much when it come to securing a load. It has been a while since I have been in a truck, but used to drive flat for Falcon. Had almost 2 years under my belt and received the one year safe driving award my first year out. I never lost a load. Always best to use at least one extra chain or strap, and always check the load when you stop to make sure the chains and straps are still tight.

 

Choke wrap is more descriptive term than belly wrap because it also describes the action of the chain.

Some folks need all the help they can get.

 

Here's something you never do. Use all your straps for 1 bundle of lumber