The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

No, that's not normal in any trailer world. That should be removed and relocated. Good way to get stranded.

 

If you look closely there are crossed chains on the track frame. Front and back. So that takes out any inch movement. If that were my load, I'd a used binders on the track pads pulling toward the lowboy. I run equipment too, and I have seen plenty of tracked machines slip off the side of the trailer, that's one of my biggest worries. Now I would do that in such a way that any side to side movement wouldn't be taken out on the tracks, but if the other chains failed mid transport for some reason, well, there's your backup until you can get off the road to fix it. When I strap or chain I always put a backup on just in case. I don't think that over tracks binding like he had is smart. It's not going to stop side to side and it's going to allow it to roll in the tracks a few inches.

 

@Oxbow I'll try and remember to take some pics of all the broken pads at the quarry. D8 has some gaps in it's smile, those are pretty tough pads too.
That tiedown would probably be a good idea moving excavator we have down there- it'd keep the tracks from falling off in the road!

 

If you zoom in on that picture it’s already got rubber pieces all over the winch from rubbing. That’s one of the first things they told me when I started pulling flatbed, never have a strap winch over a tire. That’s when you use a ratchet strap if a strap needs to go there.

 

Ha, lol.

 

Never occurred to that someone would use chains on soft cargo like palleted cartons of whatever, but I suppose that if you were careful enough with the tightening and used corner boards it would be ok. I think very few loads were entrusted to sheets/tarps alone though.

Not sure if it started that early, the tidal wave of Brits to drive in Canada, but if you did come across them what did they think of that method?

Nowadays with curtainsiders I understand many drivers trust to the curtains to keep everything where it should be, but it is illegal not to use some form of internal restraint.

I was briefly introduced to the Aussie method when I lived there ( cows would not have appreciated chains. ), but they used their short ropes with light metal side gates, effective for all but the highest loads, but I naturally politely disagreed that it was better than our way.

 

@JolliRoger

 

Referring to "Spardo's" post refer chains/cattle. Not a real problem if you are versatile.
Boy MT with a flatbed in El Paso. Only thing coming East is cows. Line them up 3 across. 8 deep, nail hooves to floor with 60 p nails, put cheap $store sunglasses on the leading 3 (to keep bugs/debris out)
and roll. Hose the deck pre scales to preclude sanitation queries...

 

If only it was that simple, they never keep their feet still enough.

 

Yeah, they do tend to tromp.. Tossing soiled bedding out in your face while you are just trying to insure their comfort an safety...