* * * Manure Happenz * * *

It used to be wise not to use heavy chains,so as not to wreck the float .Now ,some bright spark in the govt thinks each chain must carry the whole weight,and so the driver has to hump ship anchor chain onto the load.I remember a farmer picking up a 4 WD loader ,he had one chain ,a few ropes,and ended tearing up rags and using them for ropes.Got it home ok.

Were the chains attached to the steps welded to the side of the undercarriage? I can't see them in the photo, and I have seen this stupid practice carried out a few times in the past. The other thing some people don't think about when loading a tree harvester is how heavy it is. The driver sees a 25 ton excavator and thinks it is all good to put on a tri axle float, but he doesn't think about the fact that a tree harvesting head can weigh 5 tons more than a bucket.

Gentlemen
The chains did the job they were intended for after all the truck and trailer are both on their side.
When the load is on the side of the road and the truck is upright, then ask the question about load restraint.
Did the excavator move while the truck was driving down the road we will never know, what we do know is when it moved it took the truck and trailer with it.
Rex

Yep. Thats fair enough, but I wasn't blaming the chains for the accident. I just couldn't see the steps that are usually welded onto the side of the undercarriage. I know old fellas that carted dozers around for years without ever chaining them down. Not too many floats have wooden floors nowadays though.

I wouldn't read to much into it. As stated "tipped while rounding a bend", sounds like he might have been traveling a bit quick and got caught out.

These load restraints were quite good

Ah well, that guy is never going to have to worry about getting old !

did he forget to chain the chassis together?

These new front wheel drives really have some grunt.