Author Topic: Securing you halftrack for transport?  (Read 3607 times)

Dinadin

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Securing you halftrack for transport?
« on: May 23, 2012, 09:02:06 AM »
I never think about this until it is time to move my halftrack, but where are the best spots to secure the halftrack down when you transport it?  At the rear I usually at the rear corners of the frame or the cross bar between the bogie wheel supports.  I usually don't have any problems with the rear, but the front is another story.  I have had one guy who hauls heavy equipement all the time and he has no problem chaining it down, but I have never paid much attention to where he hooks on to the front.  I had one guy go across the front tow hooks and I didn't know it until after I got the halftrack home.  That is when I noticed that the hooks had been bent in toward each other, weeks later.  Now I have to replace the bolts holding the hooks on.  Sadly the driver who did is the owner of the company and has a halftrack of his own and he should know better.  The last guy I had no clue how to chain it down.  I suggested around the front axle or at the spring mounts.  He wasn't thrilled about chaining to the axle and after an hour of him trying to figure it out he finally go it secured down.  I would try to find someone else to do it, but he is cheap and easy to get on the weekends.  So I figure if I knew the best places hook on to it would speed things up and give me peace of mind.  I even thought about getting my own chains and tie downs availible to help chain it down.
Rich

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke

Schafer's Folly - Halftrack Restoration

Outsider

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Re: Securing you halftrack for transport?
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2012, 09:31:43 AM »
I chain the front on each side of the front axle outboard of the springs (I have 1/4" rubber pads so the chains don't tear up the paint). On the back I use the pintle hitch.

Steve
Lots of green "junk" as my wife likes to call it.
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Dinadin

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Re: Securing you halftrack for transport?
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2012, 04:35:47 PM »
I was told not to tie onto the pintel hitch.
Rich

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke

Schafer's Folly - Halftrack Restoration

Outsider

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Re: Securing you halftrack for transport?
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2012, 04:54:25 PM »
Wouldn't know why someone would say that. It's spring loaded, but the shaft is about 2" in diameter. So you would probably rip the rear cross member out of the frame about the same time the shaft would break.

Steve
Lots of green "junk" as my wife likes to call it.
Friends don't let friends buy Trailking Trailers!

steve-0

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Re: Securing you halftrack for transport?
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2012, 04:55:00 PM »
i just use a couple bungee cords  ;D


it takes alot of force to bend the front hooks. most of mine are bent from farmers pulling hard, are you sure they weren't already bent?

i use the front hooks or the front spring hangers for the front and the idler braces for the rear.

in california its required to have a 4 point separate  tie down.  so if one comes loose it will stay put.

one on the pintle wouldn't be legal here in california because it would be 3 point.
« Last Edit: May 23, 2012, 04:57:24 PM by steve-0 »

spec4don

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Re: Securing you halftrack for transport?
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2012, 05:19:45 PM »
Rich I hauled Steves half track to the Parade this weekend. We used the Idler arm braces on the rear and the front we went around the frame behind the winch mount. Lane county requires 4 point tie down like Kalifornia. ;D I'll have Steve take some shots of it tied down next time we move it.

Don G.
1941 M2A1 not restored
1942 M3 Diamond T Mostly restored
1943 M3A1 Under restoration
1967 M51A2 Tractor
1945 WC 63 needs restoration
1967 M36 Long wheel base duece
1951 M135 GMC Fire truck conversion