Where/How to Secure Cub to Trailer?

[buddylindsey]

So I have never hauled a tractor before but I am on my way this afternoon to pick a cub up.

Where is the best place to hook chains onto the cub? There are other tractors I have seen with places in back that are easy to hook to, but unsure on the cub.

Also is it still best to hook left side of tractor to right side and vice versa?

Feeling a bit nervous and just want to travel well.

[SONNY]

I just toss chains wherever they land and slap on a binder and go! lol! You are not dealing with weight here so it dont take much to hold them down.
IF you want to do dot tie-down,---- 4 corners --4 chains,--4 binders make it legal in all states! 1/4" chains and small binders are plenty on cub!
dont cross the chains! thats a no-no! --- it can cause the item to twist out from under the chains.---also use CHAINS and not straps! Straps can get cut and break, plus they dont look good in the eyes of the dot guys!
I used to be a heavy equipment hauler, and you wouldnt believe some of the tie-downs I had to do! LOL!

[buddylindsey]

Thanks!

dont cross the chains! thats a no-no! --- it can cause the item to twist out from under the chains

Really? I have had several people tell me that is the only way to do it right. It seems weird to me, but that is what I have been told.

[Eugene]

I use the large binder straps but chains with load binders work well.

The general idea is to keep the Cub from sliding sidways and front and back on the trailer. How you do is up to you.

With loaded trailer, I check the load within a short distance, mile or two. Again after 1/2 hour travel and at each rest/gas stop.

[Super A]

If it's not a restored tractor, I put a chain over the front axle, pulling towards the rear of the tractor. I then put a chain around the drawbar, pulling towards the front of the tractor. If an implement prevents this, I run the chain through the spaces between the rear rim and wheel center--being careful of the valve stem. I like my front binder on the driver's side and the rear binder on the passenger side.

If a restored tractor, I still use the drawbar. For the front, a 1/4" chain will thread through the hole on the front bolster where the front cultivators normally attach, this can help save pretty paint.

I use 5/16 chain, grade 70, which is way overkill. Some 1/4" chain would be fine and easier to handle.

The 4 corners, 4 chains, 4 binders rule is when your machine is over 10,000 lbs. Nothing wrong with doing it but not necessary.

Once we're done here, let's talk about the best motor oil!

Al

[Jim Becker]

I read your question as how to connect to the tractor, not straps/chains etc. On the strap/chain question, I prefer chains, with some exceptions. If you use straps, make sure they are rated high enough and are in good condition.

Back to the original question, the thing i routinely see that scares me is the use of eye bolts screwed into a bolt hole in the tractor. Many eye bolts are only rated for a straight pull and NONE are rated for anything beyond 45 degrees. Most I see used for tie downs are closer to 180 degrees. A lot of them barely qualify as decoration. A chain or strap can be fished through the rear rims making a good rear tie-down point. You also can loop a chain around the standard drawbar or you can put a clevis on the drawbar. If you are tying forward from the back and have a Fast-Hitch, you can loop around the large bail.

On the front, a pair of axle tie-down straps can be looped around the center of the front axle and a chain or strap can be attached at the D-rings of the straps. (On the rear, axle straps can be used the same way on the Fast-Hitch bail.) You can also fish a chain through the square implement socket just behind the steering gear. Either this or the axle straps can be used to hitch forward or toward the rear. If you have a very long trailer (probably not applicable) do not hitch to the front axle and run a very long nearly horizontal chain to the end of the trailer. You want to maintain a substantial angle down.

If you have an attached implement, it may make it harder to reach a good anchor point. In most cases, you still need to attach directly to the tractor. Don't depend on the implement to be a good tie-down for the tractor.

I see Al just jumped in with some similar comments.

[SamsFarm]

Might not be "regulation", but I throw a strap over the torque tube just behind the dash, crank it down and go!

There are as many ways to tie a Cub to a trailer, as there are Cubs...... Maybe more!

[Bob McCarty]

Might not be "regulation", but I throw a strap over the torque tube just behind the dash, crank it down and go!

If that's all you're doing, I'd say it's very inadequate and a safety hazard both to yourself and other drivers. JMHO

[Don McCombs]

[4thGen]

My trailer is barely wider than the Cub at 60" and is around 2-1/2 feet longer. I drive it on the trailer until the front wheels are almost up to the front rail. I run a tight chain through the rear wheels to anchor brackets on the frame (sheared off tire valve stem this way last year, so be careful) then I use a come along up front to pull the wheels tights to the front rail. Once in place I use a super heavy duty ratchet strap it around the front axle to the trailer anchor points and leave tension on the come-along.

[staninlowerAL]

Might not be "regulation", but I throw a strap over the torque tube just behind the dash, crank it down and go!

If that's all you're doing, I'd say it's very inadequate and a safety hazard both to yourself and other drivers. JMHO

Lots of good advise, better to err on the side of safety. In case of an incident you might not get a "do-over" and in case of an accident linked to tiedown you are likely to be liable. Not the place that I would want to be. Stan

[SamsFarm]

I once brought a 24,000# John Deere 8630 home without using straps or chains & binders.

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/0/8/88-john-deere-8630-dimensions.html

Only used one rubber tarp strap!

[Nosparkplug]

I would tie the rear to the drawbar. Not the right axle tube. I had a 9N that someone got heavy handed with the chain binders and cracked both axle tubes. I also wouldn’t tie to the front axle or you could end up with this:

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2AEC7264-AC39-4F6F-95ED-11F262E0334F.jpeg (37.83 KiB) Viewed 308 times

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B263C8A7-A259-45CB-A995-66D0A49BE039.jpeg (30.96 KiB) Viewed 308 times

Cast iron is brittle!

[buddylindsey]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I just got back with the tractor and it made it to its new home without falling off.

Going to check the front axels tomorrow to see if we did any damage hopefully not.

I tried to post a picture, but they are too large on my phone so I need to figure that out.

[Nosparkplug]

As far as pictures, email them to yourself and you should be able to size them down. At least you can on my IPhone.