Straps over rubber tracks

A few years ago I hauled these 4 small excavators from iowa to Kansas. I dicked around for an hour with chains. Next time they are getting two straps over each one. Over 3 times the required securement and perfectly legal. If that makes me a hack than i guess I’m a hack.

BTW they were driven into a dry van, doors closed, and down the road then went when they were picked up from the factory.

 

I remember my very first day in my own truck. Was handed straps. I actually asked “what are those for?” Coming from heavy equipment background, never really noticed flatbeds much for some reason. Of course I realized they have their place, but never on machinery imo

 

That’s not a great example, nearly every new car or pickup hauled today is secured with straps over the tires. Basically exactly what his asking about.

 

I'm aware. I was being sarcastic however.

But they are normally a basket type, or rim loop.

In 4 directions.

 

Yep. That tie down point in the middle between the tracks is awful but if you’re creative you can make it work.
Isn’t there a reg stating that any tracked vehicle requires 4 binders? I know I don’t use 4 on a 6k machine and if we all did it would be almost impossible to put several of those machines on a truck. But I do think there’s a reg.

 

John Deere said no straps across the tracks.

 

At the plant in North Dakota, the loaders run them up on the truck at full speed, then turn and put them side by side. That's the Bobcats. Apparently John Deere had a problem because at the Dubuque plant there was a sign that specifically said no straps across the tracks

 

I’ll add 1 non traditional way of securement that beats straps on tracks for anyone who cares.

Use 2 chains as horseshoes. Basically go from one end on side rail around machine under cab back to the same rail. Choke it. May require additional room,

Not perfect for forward/rear movements. But better than straps

.

 

Used these on the small machines. They had slots for them underneath.

 

You might get lucky with using straps, but chains are the safest way to secure these. Straps over the tracks won’t prevent front or backwards movement like chains do.