How to tie down heavy equipment

If you work in haulage or with heavy mining equipment, you’ll already know that, according to the Australian regulations, the responsibility for securing heavy equipment loads rests firmly with the driver hauling the load.

As a driver or business owner, then, it’s incredibly important that you know how to tie down heavy equipment safely and securely, to prevent both an accident and a fine. At National Plant & Equipment, we want you to have all the information you need to secure your loads, so we’ve put together a simple and comprehensive guide to securing heavy equipment.

Before loading any heavy equipment, it’s crucial to inspect the flatbed thoroughly. Your inspection should include the following:

• Check the structural integrity of your flatbed — Check all the bolts on your flatbed to ensure they’re undamaged by rust, aren’t racked and haven’t come loose. This step ensures that the flatbed’s structure remains intact and capable of supporting the load before you tie down heavy equipment.
• Ensure that tyres are properly inflated — Check all the lug nuts in your tyres and ensure that they’re properly inflated with appropriate tread. Proper tyre maintenance not only contributes to safe equipment transport but also improves fuel efficiency.
• Confirm your flatbed is debris-free — Take the time to examine the trailer’s surface, ensuring no debris or damage could affect the load. A clean, well-maintained flatbed minimises the risk of shifting loads and increases the overall stability during transit. A well-prepped flatbed is the foundation for a secure load.

Proper loading of heavy equipment is just as important as securing it. To load equipment correctly, you should:

• Maintain even weight distribution

When you’re loading your equipment, the weight of the load needs to be spread evenly over the flatbed to make it safe and secure. Uneven weight distribution can lead to dangerous imbalances that increase the risk of rollovers, especially during sharp turns or sudden stops. They can also place undue stress on certain parts of the trailer or the vehicle’s suspension, potentially causing damage.

Evenly distributing the load ensures better fuel efficiency and reduces wear on the vehicle, saving you costs in the long run.

• Be mindful of the equipment’s centre of gravity.

Heavier parts of the machinery should be placed directly over the trailer’s axles to help balance the load and minimise movement during transport.

The securement specifics for each piece of equipment will be different, but there are several factors to consider:

• You need to know the load rating of the trailer as well as how heavy your equipment is.
• Loads that are heavier than the legal load limit – usually around 80,000 lbs – will need specialised trailers and permits.
• Don’t overload the trailer or any individual axles.
• The weight of your equipment will determine the number of tie-downs you need, as well as their capacity, but the general rule is that tie-downs must have a combined strength of at least 50% of the load you’re securing.

Pay attention to the securement points on your machine. On trailers, it’s usually obvious where to tie your equipment, but it’s usually more difficult on the equipment. If you tie it incorrectly, you can damage the equipment, particularly where weight distribution over the axles is concerned. Always refer to the manufacturer’s manual to ensure proper tie-down points are used, minimising the risk of damage.

The best tie-down angle is at 45 degrees, because it’s at this angle that the chain will perform to its maximum designed working load. 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. Maintaining a 45-degree tie-down angle also reduces the potential for chain slippage during transportation, enhancing overall load stability.

RENT OR BUY HEAVY MOVING EQUIPMENT FROM NATIONAL PLANT & EQUIPMENT

At National Plant & Equipment, we not only provide tie-down load restraint equipment, offer heavy equipment rental, and have heavy equipment for sale for a variety of purposes. We aim to provide you with reliable advice and equipment, which is why we not only hire out first-class equipment, but also focus on preventing production disruptions and streamlining your labour.

We have a huge selection of equipment ready to hire for all your loading, hauling, grading, dozing, digging and mining needs, from excavators and dump trucks to dozers, graders and loaders, so contact us today. As a proudly 100% Australian-owned company with decades of experience, we’ve made a name for ourselves as the go-to supplier in the Australian mining industry.

This is only a basic guide to securing your equipment, so if you’re unsure, make sure you abide by all of the safety regulations in your location, and seek advice if necessary.