Chain Binders

If you need to transport heavy equipment, regardless of whether it is tons of equipment cross country, or much smaller loads on a trailer across town, it needs to be securely fastened down. You could use nylon strap tie-downs but the best way of securing a load is by using chains and chain binders. Chains and chain binders come in a variety of sizes depending on the load you are transporting, but when it comes to installing and operating chain binders, the size is irrelevant because the method is always identical.To attach the chain, firstly find the best places on the trailer. Some have chain attachment points or built in rings, but other trailers will need you to attach the chain to the frame or other metal parts. Never wrap the chain around or over fenders or other sheet metal components of the trailer because they are not strong or secure enough.

Axles, motor mounts, draw bars and hitch supports are all examples of suitable locations.Once the chain is attached you can then strap your load down, using the hooks on the ends of the chain to get it as tight as possible. To bind your load, firstly open the chain binders to their extended position and hook the end of the chain binder nearest the handle lever to a link of the chain nearest to your load. Hook the opposite end of the chain binder by hand to the same chain as tightly as you can, then pull the lever handle on the chain binder to tighten the chain.If you find that the chain is not as tight as it should be after levering the chain binder, reposition the binder's attachment and try again. If, on the other hand, the chain binder is so tight you are unable to pull the lever all the way, loosen the attachment by as many links as necessary and try again.

You can use a length of steel pipe as a cheater if you need to by sliding the pipe over the chain binder's handle lever and using the extra length to give you leverage to make sure the handle is completely closed.All that remains to be done now is to wrap 14 gauge steel around the chain and through the handle of the chain binders' handles and then twist the wire ends together to make sure that the handles is not able to come open through vehicle vibration or bumps in the road.Chains and chain binders are designed to go together so make sure that you only use the correct sizes with each other. Once you have got your load secure, drive a short distance and then stop and check that everything is still tight and that nothing has shaken loose. The majority of small loads on utility trailers need a minimum of two sets of chains and chain binders; larger loads on larger trailers need to follow the directives of state regulations that dictate the size of the chain used, the strength of the chain and the numbers of chains and chain binders necessary.