Securing a Tractor to a Trailer

Welcome to Part III of my video series on how to securely attach a tractor to a trailer. Today we're going to show you how to attach the chains and what the finished product will look like.
I'm securing the tractor at the drawbar, I could use the rear axle, but I want to go to a part that's all metal and designed to tolerate the pull of the chains and the drawbar is easy to get to and film. I absolutely don't want to pads over any rubber components or hydraulic or fuel lines, anything that could be damaged or could compact once we're headed down the road. By law, I need four chains on my tractor, one at each corner. The proper way to do it is have each chain pulling either backwards or forwards, and from side to side. I think it'll be clear in the video. So, I run a chain around the left side of the drawbar to the right side of the trailer and cinch it up, then run the other chain around the right side of the drawbar to the left side of the trailer. Then I'm done at the rear of the tractor. The chains are pulling rearward and side-to-side.
On the front of the tractor I'm going around the axles, I'll go from the left axle to the right side of the trailer and from the right axle to the left side of the trailer. I mention in the video, I could attach at the weight carrier, but this tractor has tabs cast into the axle that prevent the chains from moving inboard and possibly getting loose in transit, plus I like having them low on the load, so I went with the axle attachment. Once I get two chains pulling forward and to opposite sides I'm done.
This all looked real easy because the tractor has no loader or rear attachments on it. If it did, then it gets complicated. By law, all attachments have to be secured to the trailer. So, if there was a loader, even though it would be attached to the tractor, it has to be secured to the trailer to be in compliance. Any rear mounted attachments would have to be secured as well. I know it seems like an awful amount of extra time to get that done, but if you want to follow the letter of the law, that's what you have to do. Sometimes when a loader or implement is in the way it makes it real difficult to get from the preferred attachment point on the tractor to the trailer. You may have to get a little creative to get it secured right. I spent a day with MODOT in studying for this series and those guys are EXPERTS and they struggled with how to attach a skid loader with a huge attachment on the front because the good tie down points were obscured. Trust me, it's not always easy to get it perfect like it was in this video.
The last video in the series will provide ten tips on how to make this process easier and safer, I strongly urge you take the time to watch that video after this one if you plan to haul a tractor down the road.
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[@stayzero4667]

8 years later and it’s still helping beginners. Thank you

[@sonofatlas1372]

Thanks Mike you’re helping flatbedders out here

[@stephenbennett6079]

It should also be noted that either a loader attachment or any attachment behind the tractor (brush hog, disc, etc) requires extra tie downs.

[@mikecurran468]

Crossing chains as you did in the front is unstable during a side impact. One chin will loosen while the other will lift in the air. Test it out yourself with a toy wagon. Cross the chains on both front and back of the wagon and you can roll it with very little effort.

[@danielscott9769]

You NEVER push a binder away from you. Please correct this video. People will lose teeth and break their jaws if they follow this procedure.

[@danielscott9769]

You never want to push away with the handle on the over the center binder. I see stitches or dental appointment in your future.

[@dennispumphrey1006]

Mike, thank you. I am starting a new adventure into heavy hauling tractor and other heavy equipment. I am looking forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@tilmangreenjr2365]

I took a heavy equipment class at Texas A&M a couple years ago. The instructor stated that in Texas you are required to turn your Triangle Slow Moving Equipment around while being transported on a trailer. He stated that it isn’t enforced but it is the law.

[@captainedc]

Great video. Just want to add that lever binders can pop off. I only use them for small machines, short runs and as a spare. Always pull TOWARDS you not PUSH. Unless you don't like your teeth. Lol. And don't cross them or let them touch. GOOD ratchet straps are better for small machines and light loads.

[@chipchopngrind5798]

Mike, thank you very much for the many great videos you put out! Im new to tractoring and had watched a ton of your videos before purchasing my used Mahindra 4110 loader with BH which I now use most days out of the week in my landscaping business. I would love it if you could you do a DIY video on giving your tractor a full servicing and the frequency of it and what that should include! Keep the vids coming, thanks!!

[@MrKen-longrangegrdhogeliminato]

Yep, if that slipped my friend, in a split second you be singing higher notes for the rest of your life. :-)

[@born2flyau]

Mike, As this is a video on the correct and SAFE way of securing a tractor to a trailer I would have thought that after you realised that installing that over centre binder the wrong way around you would have reshot that section. Attaching an over centre binder that way you are risking getting hit in the face if you were to slip. As for securing it with tape I would have thought that wrapping the excess chain around the handle several times would have been more than enough to hold it in place. But as you say rules are rules. Another great video, keep them coming.

[@kirkerickson1591]

wraps can jiggle loose, unless you tape the wraps

[@wagontrack]

Thanks for the post. it's folks like you that make youtube a great place.

[@TANGO22222222]

Be careful hooking the over center binders that way as it is dangerous. If you turn it around it is much safer.

[@robboudreaux2010]

Tractor Mike. from a truck driver who normally hauls construction equipment. the lever binder should never be used, although if used you should have it set where you pull towards you to tighten. the exact opposite goes for the ratchet binder. there is less chance of it snapping your hand again the deck if you push away from yourself when tightening.( As where you can push the handle of the ratchet binder against the deck of the trailer with out your hand between the binder handle and trailer deck)

[@michaelzurcher2337]

You also have a couple of what's refered to, in the oilfield, as "worm hooks". Always put the load, stress or pull towards the body of the hook and not towards the opening.

[@lcee6592]

I’ve hauled numerous cars trucks over the years and I always crossed the straps or chains to opposite sides. That is the preferred method if possible. (Straps will loosen with over the road miles so they need to be checked regularly during your run.)

[@kirkerickson1591]

why is crossing preferred?

[@travelinthru9519]

per dot chain can't come in contact with other chain

[@bobcole9274]

Mike; With your influence with dealerships and through them factory's Suggest they add tie downs to the front of the tractors, a pet peeve but one shared by many with compacts and ruining paint and possible damage to lines that run near the axle. Thanks for videos. Bob

[@TractorMike]

I'm not sure I have that much influence, but I TOTALLY AGREE!!! New Holland actually did that for a while, they had a big loop you could tie to that keep from ruining the paint. Seems like the manufacturers could figure that it would be a real selling feature and it wouldn't cost much. I'll plant a seed next time I'm around the movers and shakers and we'll see what happens. GREAT IDEA!

[@donmcmannamy3409]

Mike 2 things I was truck driver and 1 as some one els said you can't cross the changes as you did on the front of the tractor 2nd you attached both changes 2 the same place on the tractor both a no no

[@inherentnature5938]

Thanks for the help! Wonderful video!

[@stevek4449]

Another technique to help prevent tractor stress on the chain in sudden stops or turns is to cross chain. Left front point pulls to the right and rearward right front pulls to rear and left. Rear draw bar left chain can point forward to the right and right rear can point left and forwards. Basically an X pattern the. Example in a forward quick stop in your method the front chains can loosen. In other method its harder because the front chains are pulling it backwards before and after a sudden stop. Less likely to loosen. Same for other points in directions. Basically its a counter pull opposite directions of movements at all times.

[@kirkerickson1591]

Why does cross chain lessen stress?

[@Skyhawk945]

Well done, thank you!

[@mr.redneck2715]

I think you are the only person that knows how to tie down a tractor properly!

[@Drew6709]

Mike, it would be better to chain to the weight bracket rather the axle. Not ALL tractors have steering components behind the axle, Kubota for example. Best to chain to frame of machine instead of axle housing. You could chain to the weight bracket, cross chains forward and bind to front trailer hook points. (best done without a loader.)

[@travelinthru9519]

you put ur binder on backwards .

[@daveseiver]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@marksleeper3752]

great vid

[@arlingtonguy54]

If you read comments on any video showing how to tie down equipment you’d think you’d see tractors flying off trailers as they go down the roads. Why is it that only people that don’t know how to tie down properly make videos and all the arm chair experts don’t make videos? Just wondering.

[@judybookout31]

Trailer makers say stake pockets should not be used to secure a load.

[@britttillmon8421]

Thanks….good job!👌🏾

[@ejm6492]

That’s the way we did it in the Marines

[@gag1025]

Mike I use 3" wide tie down ratchet straps with hook ends. Are these safe to use? I like them instead of chains because they do not booger up the paint.

[@TractorMike]

Oh yeah, as long as they meet the weight requirements. A lot of people prefer chains, but good straps work well also. I use them a lot myself when I'm hauling something that needs to stay pretty.

[@erob1950]

putting a snap binder on you need to pull towards you not push it down

[@Drew-in-NoDak]

great video

[@mbtx1055]

Mike, what is the proper way to secure the front of a tricycle type antique tractor?

[@TractorMike]

I don't know...I have several antique tractor guys who watch, maybe one of them will respond. I've never hauled one. Ever.

[@lauromanriquez6705]

Do you put tractor in or natural.

[@mandulele]

Anyone have good ideas to prevent paint damage from the chain when wrapping it?

[@TractorMike]

High quality straps or shop rags under the chains.

[@shanesherwood5512]

They make straps designed to go around the axle they work great used them many times

[@brucebannerman6848]

Carry

[@brucebannerman6848]

Spray paint to match tractor

[@vicpetrishak1077]

Old 4 inch cargo winch straps cut into 12 inch lengths . You will find these on the highways that have fallen off trailers .

[@lsthreehundred]

You shouldn’t have the snap binder away from you it should be towards you then you could use the cheetah bar and push up. Cuz now u have all that force coming toward you instead of away from u

[@donmcmannamy3409]

Don't hook the chain to the stake holder point on the trailer, run it though than hook the hook onto the chain than titan

[@donniebargo964]

You know if you only have 2 chain ratchets .I can show you how do it safely and just as secure as your method.

[@awakentruth1116]

I honestly don't get it... you clearly did this in an unsafe and incorrect manner, especially with the center binder. Why not reshoot the video correctly? Or just remove it altogether since doing this method could cause someone harm?

[@justinwall7185]

You're gonna make the er rich with the way you use your binder.....its the same as using a knife cut away from yourself not towards your self .....same with e binder never put yourself in a position where the binder will bust at you

[@pnq8787]

Can anyone explain to us why you cross the chains rather than go to the same side?

[@stephenbennett6079]

I believe it is thought that it provides greater resistance to the load moving side to side.

[@tractorboy31]

pnq8787. Chains are not supposed to touch each other. I do right frame to right trl and right drawbar to right trl so my chains dont cross never had a problem and i have some snap and some ratchet. I do 2 snap on front or rear then do 2 ratchet opposite works great. I prefer snap things that have some give like rubber tire tractors and ratchets on solid loads like non wheeled implements

[@Shovelups]

Thank you for doing this video. Do you or anyone else have a brand of chain and binder they prefer? Made in China stuff OK or spend the extra money on an American brand? Thank you.

[@vicpetrishak1077]

Spend the extra money on American Chain . China and India chain ratings are mostly counterfeit ratings .

[@WheelchairLiving1]

Should be titled, "How NOT to secure tractor to trailer. " Don't cross chains and don't push binder handle.

[@thomas25082]

Did you use 4 chains or 2?

[@TractorMike]

I use 4, but you can use two if they're long enough to have a separate length of chain on each side.

[@bobmel3272]

bad advice - never cross chains on purpose, plenty of training videos on this, so why it's suggested to do it in this video is pretty troubling

[@benjamincuevas199]

I haul heavy equipment for a living. Mostly oversized loads. 130,000 pounds sometimes more sometimes less. I mean no offense but the way you secured that subcompact was wrong. Your chains can’t touch each other.

[@danaharris503]

Hi Mike, What grade of chain do you use?

[@TractorMike]

Grade 70 is what the folks at MODOT use and so that's what I get. I figure if it'll hold their big stuff on it'll work on my little stuff.

[@drivin379]

Move tractor back Bout middle to end of trailer fender. Pull and drive better

[@dsruddell]

get a real binder bar and you wont be scared

[@scummybagger4213]

As I expected, the guy chaining down the tractor wasn't that good. First the two chains on the front CANNOT touch each other when they cross each other. You must alter steak pockets so chains don't touch or pad them,,, no metal to metal contact. When you chain to steal pocket you must keep chain INSIDE rub rail so you won't break chain loose if you rub trailer against something. Second any veteran machine hauler that uses a snap binder will ALWAYS hook it up so you are pulling on it, not pushing, to lock it down. This way if you slip you wont fall into something and break teeth or knuckles. Also, you DO need to "Tie" the binder so it cannot pop open . But I always wrapped the chain around it and rubber bungeed it so it could not come loose. Worked just fine, cops no problem.

[@Silversmith925]

I wouldn't even own an over-center binder. I personally know two drivers who both have lost an eye and severely damaged their skulls. I have been driving since 1975 and these were the worst cases I have personally seen and have heard of many more injuries. Do yourself a favor, shitcan those things.

[@robertmatthews4821]

No no no!

[@suicidaljell]

Your voice over booth has some echo

[@YNORUM]

Mike, I've seen you push a binder away from yourself in multiple videos now.... as others have said, NOT SAFE. Complacency gets people hurt. If you want to make videos, and have people following you be safe themselves, please take a minute to think through your actions, this is yet another thumbs down video....

[@clintmercer1159]

What a mess. Breakover binders on rubber tired equipment, breakover binders used upside down, crossed chains at such a low angle that equipment could easily roll sideways from trailer. Please stop telling people you are going to show them the proper way to secure equipment.