[AT] Chain grades

[robinson at svs.net]

	When I chain a load down it generally has lot more chains on it than DOT would ever 
require. I have a lot of chains and an extra chain or two is extremely cheap insurance. I 
pay little attention to chain grade for tying down a load. Here the DOT is a branch of 
the Indiana State Police and they only press details on commercial hauling. Now if they 
see an obviously unsafe load (or driving) as police officers they have a duty to make a 
stop. Otherwise they ignore private haulers. When one passes me I want him to say in his 
mind "that load is tied down well". I do use the strongest chains to tie the load back 
from moving forward in a panic stop or collision. While I am allowed 8' 6" of width 
without flagging, if something sticks past the edge of the trailer it gets a flag.
	I see guys lock a boom and walk away but I "ALWAYS" wire a boom shut or use a tarp strap 
on it. I use a number of tarp straps to keep the loose ends of chains under control. 
Often I wrap a loose end around a boom several times then tarp strap it down.
	When I sold my wrecker years ago I kept the two main chains I carried. They are grade 70 
with extremely tough "J" hooks on one end and a grab hook and a "T" hook on the other. 
Very handy... I want to pick up some more "J" hooks but I don't want to buy any of those 
soft short cheap ones. 
	Chains are one of those wandering items. I have a section of wall on the back of the 
shop where I hang most of them but I do keep a tow chain in the trucks and several of the 
tractors. First thing you know one tractor has 4 chains in the tool box and the rest have 
none. Or I will look at the wall and see missing chains and find 5 or 6 in one of the 
trucks... I try to keep heavy clevissss... clevis' ? Clevi ???   :-)    on hand to chain 
from the tractor drawbars etc.

-- 
"farmer", Esquire
At Hewick Midwest
      Wealth beyond belief, just no money...

Paternal Robinson's here by way of Norway (Clan Gunn), Scottish Highlands,
Cleasby Yorkshire England, Virginia, Kentucky then Indiana.


Francis Robinson
Central Indiana USA
robinson at svs.net