Add to Cart. In this vid. On September 27, 2002, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published new cargo securement rules. The rules for the transportation of logs are applicable to the transportation of almost all logs with the following exceptions: 393.118 - Dressed Lumber and Similar Building Products Rather than take those serious and expensive risks in the interest of getting it done quicker or in the name of only transporting short distances, its important to make sure you know and follow all the federal and state rules that are in place for transporting equipment. Its also important to be aware of all of your options. When the cargo has been moved onto the trailer, make sure the load is balanced, front to back and left to right, and is properly positioned over the axles. Some rules apply to all cargo, but there are also separate sections dedicated to additional requirements for specific types of cargo like heavy equipment. DOT Tie-Down Requirements for Heavy Hauling These rules apply to the transportation of roll-on/roll-off or hook lift containers. General regulations specify that when loading heavy equipment over 10,000 pounds, the FMCSA requires a minimum four tie-downs to be used on independent corners. Tiedowns must be attached to the vehicle correctly (with hooks, bolts, rails, rings). for travel on the commonwealth's highways. Logs that are unitized by banding or other comparable means may be transported in accordance with the general cargo securement rules. Indirect tie-downs (none anchor) should be rigged at a minimum angle of 30 degrees to the deck. Load securement is a blanket term covering all the factors you need to consider if your fleets transport heavy loads or pieces of equipment: All parts of the vehicle that provide restraint against movement, including headboards, bulkheads, posts, steaks, and anchor points. The transportation of automobiles that are flattened or crushed in a crash or accident, as opposed to being intentionally flattened or crushed in preparation for transportation to recycling facilities, is not subject to these requirements. The purpose of a tie-down is to keep your piece of equipment in place during transportation, so its no surprise the DOT tie-down laws say each tie-down needs to be attached and secured so that it does not become loose, unfastened, open or release during transport. The requirements for intermodal containers cover the transportation of these containers on container chassis and other types of vehicles. Articles that are likely to roll require chocks, wedges, or a cradle. 46.48 - Transportation of Hazardous Materials. Also, the 1999 version includes working load limits for a new grade of alloy chain, grade 100. Learn how our cutting-edge technology is redefining modern fleet management. Fleet maintenance software for vehicles and equipment, Everything you need to keep your fleet compliant with the DOT, Vehicle inspection software that keeps you compliant and cuts costs, Access the vital data you need to optimize the performance of your fleet. Checking for rocks and small debris may not seem like a big deal, but it can make a big difference. Booms must be lowered and properly secured - preferably with an . On September 27, 2002, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published new cargo securement rules. *Disclaimer: This information is not provided by legal professionals and is intended only to complement, and not to replace or contradict, any local, state, or federal laws or information provided by legal professionals. Proper tie-down equipment must be used, including ropes, straps, chains, and tensioning devices (winches, ratchets, clinching components). Per the Michigan Vehicle Code, for example, the business entity or individual transporting the equipment would need to apply for a permit if the vehicle exceeds: An oversized/overweight permit comes with a specific set of restrictions for transporting equipment in Michigan. They only indicate the breaking strength. If any of the load securement items are damaged, or are not rated properly for the load, they must be replaced before transport. Understand how telematics technology works to help fleets improve their operations, safety, and compliance. The video below does a good job of explaining this concept you can check out: As always, be sure to refer to the FMCSAs Cargo Securement Rules here for more detailed information on working load limits. Hoist-type equipment should be considered separate and distinct from roll-on/roll-off equipment and, therefore, not subject to 393.134. The edge protection must resist abrasion, cutting and crushing. We have secured military loads, energy applications, oversized and heavy equipment, one way transports, and many more. Once the cargo is loaded, it is time to secure it for transport, and you should follow these steps to make sure you are as safe as possible during travel: Several commodities have specific requirements for their transporting, including: Examples of special requirements include: The most important factor is abiding by the load securement standards of the North AmericanCargo SecurementStandard and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). There are several tie-down requirements outlined by the FMCSA to know about in order to stay compliant in addition to commercial motor vehicle inspection requirements you may already be familiar with. These must be fastened by special methods due to additional complexities caused by their size, shape, or weight. Seat Belt Law 49-673. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. An additional tie-down is required for any attachments, such as a loader bucket. The transported vehicle must be attached to the wheel lift with an adjustable tie down, or as otherwise required by the equipment manufacturer. These measurements will guide much of the process especially when you combine them with the dimensions and weight of your vehicle and trailer to determine total dimensions and weight. Limited time offer. Get Price. Making the requisite stops (miles / minutes) to reassess the loads. Secured on a vehicle-The cargo must be secured by tie-downs, which can be accompanied by: Immobilized-The cargo can be immobilized by structures or a combination of the following: Fully contained-In this case, the cargo must not be able to shift or tip, and it must be restrained from sideways movement either by other cargo or a vehicle structure. Tire Equipment (Chains) 49-948. Indirect tie-downs (none anchor) should be rigged at a minimum angle of 30 degrees to the deck. The rules in this section are applicable to the transportation of any large piece of natural, irregularly shaped rock weighing in excess of 5,000 kg (11,000 lbs) or with a volume in excess of 2 cubic-meters on an open vehicle, or in a vehicle whose sides are not designed and rated to contain such cargo. To satisfy federal regulations, as long as tie downs have a weight rating, you may use chains or straps. Placed in direct contact with each other, or. All guidelines in this brochure apply to both open and closed cargo trailers. In recent years, due to safety concerns and regulations, the industry has begun to differentiate between various materials and grades of chain and the . I have been stopped and checked at scale houses before and always passed. While the agency encourages manufacturers to rate and mark anchor points, the new rules do not include a requirement for ratings and markings. If you have a truck but need a specific trailer,you can rent one from a MacAllister Rentals location in Indiana and Michigan. Not only do we offer a competitive price, but you can also depend on our quality service and selection. Subscribe today and stay up to date with the latest Whip Around product updates as well as informative fleet maintenance and industry news. if not you have to add more tie downs. (1) Tiedowns and securing devices must not contain knots. Texas has specific requirements and exemptions for GPS, ELD, and IFTA laws. MacAllister Outdoors The rules in this section apply to the transportation of automobiles, light trucks, and vans which individually weigh 4,536 kg. When youre following the rules, damage can still occur if you want to know how to avoid damage in equipment transportation, thats even more reason to review the DOT Drivers Handbook on Cargo Securement. Just remember that if you are running the TC or higher plates that the trailer has to be safety inspected every 6 months. 5/16 G70 is allowed in the US. DOT Tie Down. These rules were created for and ensure cargo does not: In order to avoid any of the above situations, load securement systems have minimum force, requirements in all directions, including forward, rearward, sideways, and sometimes, upwards. In addition to non-specific tie down regulations that apply to most motor carriers, there are also commodity-specific tie-down regulations to be aware of, like in the case of heavy construction equipment. Requirements There are commodity specific requirements for logs, lumber, metal coils, paper rolls, concrete pipe, intermodal containers, passenger vehicles, heavy equipment, crushed vehicles, roll off containers, and large boulder in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. 393.120 - Metal Coils While it may not seem harmful sitting still, rocks that dislodge during travel can end up flying through the air and into someones vehicle. For vehicles like excavators, the appendage will also need an existing tie down when lowered. For heavy equipment, this information usually can be found in equipment manuals. In addition to these financial penalties, your Compliance, Safety and Accountability rating with the DOT goes down, as does the drivers record. or more. Loads that are over 10 feet require a tie-down every 10 linear feet. All Rights Reserved. Periodic ex-amination should also be made every 3 hours or 393.136 - Large Boulders The rules for securing paper rolls are applicable to shipments of paper rolls which, individually or together, weigh 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) or more. A flat chain doesn't offer much strength, so although it may prevent the load from moving sideways, it may not clamp it down very well over a long distance. The maximum safe force that can be applied to any component, as determined by the manufacturer. VULCAN Chain and Binder Kit - Grade 80 - 3/8 Inch x 16 Foot - 7,100 Pound Safe Working Load. Proper load securement guarantees the safe immobilization and transportation of cargo. Generally, the working load limits are the same as those in the 1991 publication. For direct tie-downs, the AWLL must be at least equal to the cargos weight. eBook: Fleet preventive maintenance: Why (and how) to prioritize it, eBook: Creating a preemptive culture of safety, compliance, and preventive maintenance, FMCSA Compliance for Commercial Motor Vehicles: A Beginner's Guide, Unlock the power of a digital fleet maintenance solution with Whip Around. Specify when North American Cargo Securement Standard applies, List the three methods of load securement on a motor vehicle, Define working load limit (WLL) and aggregate working load limit (AWLL), Describe how the number of tie-downs required to secure a load is determined, List safety guidelines related to cargo securement, Identify when vehicles and load securement devices should be inspected during transport, List commodities that have special load securement requirements, Blow, fall or otherwise dislodge from the vehicle, Shift in a way that adversely affects the vehicles stability or maneuverability. The goal is to have all cargo including heavy equipment remain secured on or within the transporting vehicle. In simplest terms, your piece of equipment cannot roll, tip, slide or fall from the vehicle during transportation. Any piece of equipment that may shift or fall as a result of not being secured properly could cause other vehicles to swerve, causing an accident. It all depends which DOT inspector you talk to, and how his day is going. Know the laws and regulations for every jurisdiction through which you will travel. Whip Around. will require four tie-downs, each with a WLL of 5,000 lbs. Failure to prevent shifting/loss of load (Section 393.100) Prevention against loss of load: Every CMV must be loaded and secured to prevent the cargo from leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling from the motor vehicle. We help protect more than 4,800 clients and 1.6 million drivers across the globe. The information were providing is specific to heavy equipment that does not require a permit to transport.