The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

Do u guys trust those chain pop ups ? I have those all down my trailer. Never used em. Different trailer, i had one break on me. Ever since then , i dont touch em

 

Hauled many, many coils using chain pop ups and never had an issue. With a hidekit, I mean sidekit, there's not much choice but to use what is in or on the floor. Honestly, I had much more faith in those than I do the j hooks in my reitenour, but the j's are infinitely better for having a tie down right where you need it. Catch 22 I guess.

 

Just a bit of a securement test. I was being vague on purpose. Wheeled vehicles over 10,000 lbs must use direct securement. Meaning from vehicle to trailer. This guy had used indirect like strapping down pallets. I imagine that was why he was getting the rocking from the truck before. Hopefully he stopped the rocking with the new securement. I couldn't find an air dump on the HEMTT anyway.

 

That load wasn’t secured correctly but nothing in the regulations say 10k vehicles must use direct securement.
393.130 What are the rules for securing heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery?
(a) Applicability. The rules in this section apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery which operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors, and power shovels and which individually weigh 4,536 kg (10,000 lb.) or more. Vehicles, equipment and machinery which is lighter than 4,536 kg (10,000 lb.) may also be secured in accordance with the provisions of this section, with §393.128, or in accordance with the provisions of §§393.100 through 393.114.

(b) Preparation of equipment being transported.(1) Accessory equipment, such as hydraulic shovels, must be completely lowered and secured to the vehicle.

(2) Articulated vehicles shall be restrained in a manner that prevents articulation while in transit.

(c) Securement of heavy vehicles, equipment or machinery with crawler tracks or wheels. (1) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, heavy equipment or machinery with crawler tracks or wheels must be restrained against movement in the lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical direction using a minimum of four tiedowns.

(2) Each of the tiedowns must be affixed as close as practicable to the front and rear of the vehicle, or mounting points on the vehicle that have been specifically designed for that purpose.

One could even argue that the load was even secured legally.

 

I can't find the rule. I swear it was there, but I guess I was wrong.

 

I suppose that the side to side securement cannot be properly done with indirect going over from one side to the other as it's possible to slide or shimmy within the securement. Can't say exactly where I read direct securement. Though I can't say I've ever seen an excavator with a chain over the tracks from one side to the other.

 

In paragraph c above it mentions vehicles with crawler tracks , in addition to the vehicles mentioned previously, requiring 4 binders. So does that mean a 6k mini excavator needs 4 binders??

 

I think it's 10k and up. Under 10k can be secured the same way but not required.

 

Use them everyday. Once in awhile break a bolt in the mount to I beam. But thats a corrosion issue I'm having on my old trailer. I have never had on fail entirely. Hardest thing on them are careless forklift drivers.

 

I’ve seen fellas use straps on the front and back of the rubber tracks. I thought to myself they are just asking for trouble. So I inquired “said fella told me it was legal in the states he was traveling”. Our company policy is four points of contact on mini x. So I’ve always used four chains. Yeah you run out of room real quick when there’s five on the deck. This is one of the few times I’ll use J-hooks.