How to load an excavator on your trailer safely

Kubota KX-080-4
2017 f550
2018 Suretrac 30k trailer

[@nathan00campbell]

i'm going to have to weld tie down points to my excavator. Damn thing is just shy of 20k and has no tie down points at all. Running the chain over the tracks is out of the question. I dont care what anyone where has to say, the tracks themselves are not tie down points and should never be in contact with any chain. It can and will damage the tracks if the machine shifts at all. It also can easily tear off on of the plates if the machine tried to fall off the trailer. That is not the correct way to do it. You are correct to not run the chain over the tracks. Looks good man. One of the few times ive see it done correctly.

[@alittlebitofeverything5090]

Good explanation! The load securing can become confusing. If someone is interested please read. If a machine and its attachments weighs 18,000lbs, then 9,000 pounds of it needs to be secured to the trailer. The chain or binder on each connection is rated at the lowest rating of either the binder or the chain. Heavy machinery needs 4 anchor points and any hydraulic attachment secured as well including the dozer blade unless like you secured it because the chain is holding it pinned from the machine to the deck to the anchor point. One chain that is run from one anchor point through the machine and directly to the other side is considered a full working load of that connection towards the 9k that needs to be secured. A chain and binder that is directly attached to the machine and then to the edge of the trailer is considered half towards the 9k. There's more to it but now I'm babbling!

[@jonyemm]

One thing that never made much sense to me was in regards to if you have the chain A. Driver side of trailer -machine B. DS of trailer-through machine-DS Or C. DS-through machine-passenger side. With A and B only half the WLL counting but C it's full WLL counts. Maybe if B and C both counted in full it would make more sense. But considering chains are rated(to my knowledge) by pulling them straight(not like a lifting strap where you have sling, cradle, choker ratings) to give their rating then A should give you it's full WLL counted towards your required amount. And B and C should give you a higher rating. Then again, the stress is still only on that 1 link, which is no longer really being pulled straight but now almost being folded while being under tensile stress.

[@alittlebitofeverything5090]

@@jonyemm I understand what you are saying. If someone had only one chain and binder connected to the corner of a 10k machine then it would not be securing at least half of the weight. If there were 2 chains on the front connected directly from the machine to the anchor point it would still not meet half the weight of the machine. The point is to make the machine secured by at least 4 points because you could put a 20k chain and binder on a corner and say that it is securing half the weight, but that one chain and binder would not hold the machine if the trailer rolled or the truck pulling it was involved in an accident.

[@alittlebitofeverything5090]

@@jonyemm It is definitely confusing differentiating between working load limit, direct attachment and full working load coupled with working load limit of the weakest part.

[@Utah_Samson]

Nice video.Great information on securing the load.

[@truckeralvarez5932]

No it is not a great video to any stretch of the imagination, in on minute 00:46 I already noticed a MAYOR FLAW in his preparation for the load. The Stabiliser legs at the front of his trainer were NOT deployed so he had only the rear axle of the trailer plus the ONE contact in his truck, that is a three point of contact to load the machine, IS THAT NEGLIGENCE OR WHAT!!!!!!!!! Pure laziness not deploying the stabiliser legs to the ground. To have more space in the center of his trailer, he could have loaded the machine withe the blade on the opposite side and that way he can move the machine further back.

[@jimtillinghast9584]

@@truckeralvarez5932 He actually loaded the machine correctly. The legs at the front of the trailer are the landing gear for unhooking only and the machine was perfectly positioned on the trailer for proper tongue weight.

[@sirkingdra]

Great video. I actually prefer the lever chain binders more myself as I personally find they stay tighter compared to ratchet binders. Plus they typically can't be over tightened where as the ratchet binders can be over tightened which could cause damage over time. It's totally personal preference though. Would you ever consider using a Binkly 5th wheel hitch to pull your trailer instead of a turn over gooseneck ball? The Binkly 5th wheel is rated at 32,000 lbs where a goose ball underbed is capped at 30,000 lbs.

[@workplaytv]

sirkingdra Yeah I would consider that but would require some changes. This seems to honestly be perfect right now. Thanks for watching.

[@echutch]

I like to chock the trailer so it takes most of the rocking back and forth off the truck.

[@workplaytv]

Yeah for sure thats a good idea. I hade the park brake in the truck and I loaded this a bunch of time for feel comfortable. Guess they call that complaisant on my part! haha

[@truckeralvarez5932]

By you saying that you like to chock your vehicle it shows that you also don't use stabiliser legs. The rocking was caused by not stabilising the trailer and the load uses the axle as only means to climb or descend, making it very UNSAFE. The axle should NOT have the need to suffer the loading or unloading of any machine, else it is not fit for purpose. Also he did not use the front stabiliser legs, that was just CowBoy attitude.

[@dougforr4704]

What's your trailer rated at, axle weight? Thanks

[@workplaytv]

doug forr 16 k axles . 30,000lb gvwr

[@nathanmaltos8562]

What truck is that? 3500 of 4500 Trying to buy This machine but I’m worry about my ram 3500

[@workplaytv]

550

[@monicahstar9318]

Am a female operator and I would love to work up country