Safety: True or False

[PA Cub]

Hello,
I took the “Cub Circle of Safety Badge” “Tractor Safety Quiz.” The quiz will not let me pass because it marks my answer for question number 17 as incorrect. Question 17 states:

17. United States Federal law requires tractors over 5,400 pounds to be secured at all four corners when hauling.
True
False

My answer to this question is “false.” My answer is based on Code of Federal Regulations CFR 49 393.128 and CFR 49 393.130.

Can anyone tell me what United States Federal law makes the answer to question 17 “true?”

[Dennis]

The test was written several years ago and information was researched from several sources. That particular question may have been accurate at the time, but I'm not sure.

The code you reference is:

393.126 - Intermodal Containers
The requirements for intermodal containers cover the transportation of these containers on container chassis and other types of vehicles. Intermodal containers are freight containers designed and constructed to permit them to be used interchangeably in two or more modes of transportation. Cargo contained within intermodal containers must be secured in accordance with the general cargo securement rules or, if applicable, the commodity-specific rules.

393.128 - Automobiles, Light Trucks and Vans
This portion of the new standards applies to the transportation of automobiles, light trucks, and vans which individually weight 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) or less. Vehicles which individually are heavier than 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) must be secured in the same manner as heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery (see the rules under /393.126).

393.130 - Heavy Vehicles, Equipment and Machinery
These requirements are applicable to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery which operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors and power shovels and which individually weigh 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) or more. Vehicles, equipment and machinery which is lighter than 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) may be secured in accordance with these rules, the rules for automobiles, light trucks and vans, or the general freight requirements.

Honestly, I would think a person would want to secure a 5,000+ pound tractor at all four corners (and more) if they were hauling it on the highway. But that is just me thinking about meeting that driver on the roadway

Should I delete or rewrite the question?

[PA Cub]

Thank you for your response.
Maybe just refer to the government standards mentioned above:

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2015-title49-vol5/pdf/CFR-2015-title49-vol5-sec393-130.pdf

I learned a lot reading them while looking for the answer to the question. I thought the question was simply a typo where lbs. had been mistaken for kg. I also learned valuable new information from the "Securing the Load" brochure at the website link below. I would suggest it to anyone transporting heavy objects.

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/PPP/PPP-75.pdf

[Mike in Louisiana]

[quote="PA Cub"]

I learned a lot reading them while looking for the answer to the question.

That is what makes this test so good. Makes you stop and think.

[Dennis]

OK, did a little more digging and found expanded information on the tie downs:

§393.128 What are the rules for securing automobiles, light trucks and vans?

(a) Applicability. The rules in this section apply to the transportation of automobiles, light trucks, and vans which individually weigh 4,536 kg. (10,000 lb) or less. Vehicles which individually are heavier than 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) must be secured in accordance with the provisions of §393.130 of this part.

(b) Securement of automobiles, light trucks, and vans. (1) Automobiles, light trucks, and vans must be restrained at both the front and rear to prevent lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical movement using a minimum of two tiedowns.
(2) Tiedowns that are designed to be affixed to the structure of the automobile, light truck, or van must use the mounting points on those vehicles that have been specifically designed for that purpose.
(3) Tiedowns that are designed to fit over or around the wheels of an automobile, light truck, or van must provide restraint in the lateral, longitudinal and vertical directions.
(4) Edge protectors are not required for synthetic webbing at points where the webbing comes in contact with the tires.
return arrow Back to Top

§393.130 What are the rules for securing heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery?

(a) Applicability. The rules in this section apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery which operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors, and power shovels and which individually weigh 4,536 kg (10,000 lb.) or more. Vehicles, equipment and machinery which is lighter than 4,536 kg (10,000 lb.) may also be secured in accordance with the provisions of this section, with §393.128, or in accordance with the provisions of §§393.100 through 393.114.
(b) Preparation of equipment being transported. (1) Accessory equipment, such as hydraulic shovels, must be completely lowered and secured to the vehicle.
(2) Articulated vehicles shall be restrained in a manner that prevents articulation while in transit.
(c) Securement of heavy vehicles, equipment or machinery with crawler tracks or wheels. (1) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, heavy equipment or machinery with crawler tracks or wheels must be restrained against movement in the lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical direction using a minimum of four tiedowns.
(2) Each of the tiedowns must be affixed as close as practicable to the front and rear of the vehicle, or mounting points on the vehicle that have been specifically designed for that purpose.

If I'm reading this correctly, over 10,000 lbs requires a minimum of 4 tie downs and less than 10,000 lbs a minimum of 2 tie downs, provided they prevent forward/backward and lateral movement.

Does that sound like a correct statement (based on the current DOT laws listed above)?

[Jim Becker]

I believe your interpretation is correct. Tractors generally fall into the category with heavy machinery which require a minimum of 4 tie downs. But there is an exception for tractors under 10,000# that can be tied down as is allowed for automobiles with 2 tie downs. Tractors under 10,000 can also be secured as general freight, which requires a minimum of one tie down per 5 feet. One per 5 still requires 2 tie downs for a Cub.

For what it is worth, I normally use 2 tie downs. I often add another as called out in 393.130 (b) (1) depending on what attached implement I may have.

[Jim Becker]

Previous discussion:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=88303

[Barnyard]

Maybe that question should be removed just so it does not create future confusion.

[Jim Becker]

Looks to me just changing the weight in the question to 10,000 fixes it.

[Dennis]

Looks to me just changing the weight in the question to 10,000 fixes it.

I can agree with that. I'll rephrase the question. It's too important to leave off the test.

[Barnyard]

It's too important to leave off the test.

Never thought of it that way. Sounds like a good plan.

[Bbhzx12]

Just a thought, why have a question pertaining to equipment 10k and up be on the test? The Cub even with implements isn't even close. If this is a Cub safety quiz it should pertain to the Cub, I would think. I suggest correcting the question/answer to reflect actual requirements more closely related to the Cub.

[Dennis]

Sorry, but the quiz is not Cub specific. All tractors and their operators are capable of injuring or worse.

The hauling question is important (for any equipment) and can be extremely dangerous to all drivers regardless of the cargo.
The question has already been updated and is now:

United States Federal DOT law requires tractors over 10,000 lbs. be held with a minimum of 4 tie downs and less than 10,000 lbs a minimum of 2 tie downs, provided they prevent forward/backward and lateral movement.
True or False.

Thanks for the feedback,
Dennis

[Winfield Dave]

...and less than 10,000 lbs a minimum of 2 tie downs, provided they prevent forward/backward and lateral movement

It appears that to prevent the movement outlined they could require 4 tie downs anyway. (BTW - I always use at least 4.)

[Dennis]

It appears that to prevent the movement outlined they could require 4 tie downs anyway. (BTW - I always use at least 4.)

I think that makes the most sense to me, even if the DOT doesn't require it.