strap down Z?

My wife broke her arm a while back and I took her to the doctor a couple of weeks ago. While there I watched the mowing guys doing an excellent job with a couple of Z's and a WB. Very professional, nice work. When loading the trailer they drove the Z's on, then the WB, put up the gate and left. I looked for that prolocker thing there was not one, there were no lock downs or straps on the equiptment. I have watched a couple of other guys since then, they did not appear to strap down their gear either. Is this common practice?

 

I don't strap my two z's. I strap my two 21" though. My trailer has 4 foot mesh sides all the way around also. If I just had a utility trailer with no sides (or 1 foot) I probably would. I have had to make several emergency stops in the past and they do not move much at all. I have a steel floor that may help with that.

 

It is illegal to have unstraped machines on a trailer. Seems like a big risk for a small amount of time. Tie downs are cheap insurance.

 

yea, I just feel better if they are tied down. But this is my first year and I need to get much faster next spring.

 

I really dont understand why the need to strap down if you have side rails on a trailer. Where is it going to go? I have a z and a w/b and have never had a problem even driving on the highway.

 

I never strap mine down. They don't move or go anywhere. The sides on my trailer are 2 ft..

 

Here in MN you don't have to have a load tied down as long as there's a railing around.

 

NY DOT will fine you if you are not strapped down.

 

Me either. If your in a position that the mower is more than 2 feet above the trailer sides your screwed any way you look at it.

 

In Indiana, D.O.T. will fine you for not having equipment secured. I have a grade 80 chain on the front of each WB and a grade 80 chain on the front and back of each ZTR. A Chain goes from a D-ring on a cross member on the trailer floor to a D-ring on each machine, this is faster to hook and unhook than a strap and a chain is much stronger. I wasn't really worried about the equipment moving around a little, my main concern was a crash or roll over. Last thing I need is a mower coming through a wall and taking out another auto or pedestrian during a crash. I run all enclosed trailers. Better safe that sorry. Just my opinion.:blob3: