Chapter Trans 307
STANDARDS FOR LOAD SECUREMENT
Trans 307.02 Definitions. Trans 307.03 Applicability. Trans 307.035 General requirements. Trans 307.04 Approved means of securing logs. Trans 307.06 End devices. Trans 307.07 Webbing straps. Trans 307.10 Center device. Trans 307.12 Other regulations. Trans 307.01Trans 307.01 Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish standards for tiedown devices used to securely fasten logs to motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers operated on Wisconsin highways. Trans 307.01 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91. Trans 307.02Trans 307.02 Definitions. Words and phrases used in this chapter have the same meanings as those in ch. 340, Stats., except as otherwise defined in this section. Trans 307.02(1)(1) “Aggregate working load limit” means the working load limit multiplied by the number of tiedowns used to secure cargo to a vehicle. Trans 307.02(2)(2) “Breaking force” means the minimum force, measured in pounds, at which a chain, wire cable, webbing strap, or end device breaks when a constantly increasing force is applied to it. Trans 307.02(3)(3) “Chain” means a flexible series of joined and closed steel links. Trans 307.02(4)(4) “Cross chain” means a load-bearing chain extending through or across a load of logs at right angles to the side of a vehicle and which is connected at each end to a side stake. Trans 307.02(5)(5) “End device” means a metal hook, ratchet, winch, binder clamp or similar device which is attached to an end of a chain, webbing strap, or wire cable and is part of the tiedown assembly. Trans 307.02(6)(6) “Front end structure” means a metal structure that is designed to prevent cargo from shifting forward into the driver compartment, including, but not limited to, a headboard or posts at the front end of the load carrying area of a vehicle. Trans 307.02(7)(7) “Gusseted bunk” means a welded or bolted “U” shaped frame secured to the frame of a vehicle and consisting of a heavy cross beam, upon which logs rest, with an upright post at either end, each braced at the base by triangular gusset plates. Trans 307.02(8)(8) “Log” means a section of the trunk or branches of a felled tree. The term includes, but is not limited to, similar peeled or unpeeled forest products such as pilings, posts, poles, cordwood, pulpwood, and fuel wood. Trans 307.02(9)(9) “Rear end structure” means a metal structure designed to prevent cargo from shifting to the rear, or falling off the rear, of a vehicle including, but not limited to, a rear endboard or endposts. Trans 307.02(10)(10) “Stake” means a vertical metal post along the side of a vehicle, resting in a stake pocket or otherwise secured to the bed or frame of the load carrying unit. The term does not include any component of a front end structure or a rear end structure. Trans 307.02(11)(11) “Stack” means a group of logs of approximately the same length piled one upon the other. Trans 307.02(12)(12) “Tiedown” or “tiedown assembly” means a chain, wire cable, or webbing strap, with any attached end device, used to secure cargo to a vehicle. Trans 307.02(13)(13) “Webbing strap” means a flat band of woven synthetic fibers used to secure cargo to a vehicle. Trans 307.02(14)(14) “Wire cable” means continuous steel strands that are woven into a length of metal rope used to secure cargo to a vehicle. Trans 307.02(15)(15) “Working load limit” means the maximum load limit, measured in pounds, of a tiedown, established by the manufacturer of a chain, cable, webbing strap, or end device. Trans 307.02 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91. Trans 307.03(1)(1) General. This chapter applies to any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer transporting logs on a highway within this state. Trans 307.03(2)(2) Exceptions. This chapter does not apply to any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, including an implement of husbandry, that is equipped with a body enclosing the load-carrying portion of the vehicle, if the body is constructed and maintained with sides and ends: Trans 307.03(2)(a)(a) Of sufficient strength to restrain the entire cargo and to prevent any shifting, falling or spillage of the logs. Trans 307.03(2)(b)(b) Of sufficient height so that no portion of the cargo is above the sides or ends. Trans 307.03(2)(c)(c) Without any open aperture large enough to pass any log carried while being transported. Trans 307.03 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91. Trans 307.035(1)(a)(a) No person may operate, or allow the operation of, any vehicle carrying logs on a highway, except in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Any violation of this chapter shall be treated as a violation of s. 348.10 (3), Stats. Trans 307.035(1)(b)(b) A law enforcement officer may require the operator of a vehicle to stop and properly secure a load, including reloading if necessary, to comply with this chapter. Trans 307.035(2)(2) Stacking logs. Logs shall be stacked parallel to one another in an orderly fashion. Trans 307.035(3)(3) Attachments and fastenings. All attachments and fastening devices mounted on a vehicle, and used with a tiedown assembly, shall have a tensile strength at least as great as the tensile strength of the tiedown assembly alone. Trans 307.035 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91. Trans 307.04(1)(1) Vehicles transporting logs generally. Except as provided in sub. (3), each stack of logs shall be secured to a vehicle by tiedowns in the manner required by this chapter. Trans 307.04(2)(a)(a) Vehicles carrying logs crosswise, or at right angles to the side of the vehicle, shall be equipped with both a front end structure and a rear end structure of sufficient strength to support the load. Trans 307.04(2)(b)(b) Front and rear end structures shall be securely bolted or welded to the frame of the vehicle, except that front or rear end structures consisting of metal posts may be secured in pockets in the same manner as required for stakes by s. Trans 307.09 (2) (b). Trans 307.04(2)(c)(c) Posts which are part of a front or rear end structure shall be made of metal. Trans 307.04(2)(d)(d) Logs shall be stacked so as to be firmly wedged against the front and rear end structures, and any required center device, so that the logs cannot roll or shift forwards or backwards. Trans 307.04(2)(e)(e) Logs carried crosswise shall also be secured to the vehicle frame by longitudinal tiedowns. Trans 307.04(3)(3) Vehicles equipped with stakes. Vehicles equipped with stakes are required to use tiedowns to secure loads of logs to the vehicle, unless all of the following apply: Trans 307.04 NoteNote: See s. 348.10(3), Stats., for the statutory exemption. Nevertheless, the department recommends for additional safety that tiedowns, as approved in this chapter, also be used to secure logs even on vehicles equipped with stakes. However, Michigan law requires the use of tiedowns even if a vehicle is also equipped with stakes. See Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. s. 257.720 (5) (c) (iii). Trans 307.04 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91. Trans 307.05(1)(1) All chain used as a tiedown device shall be free of cracks, breaks and separations. Trans 307.05(2)(2) Chain shall be constructed of welded steel links, at least 5/16 inch diameter and rated grade 7 or higher, with a minimum working load limit of 4,700 pounds. Grade 4 chain may be used if the diameter of each link of the chain is at least 3/8 inch diameter, with a minimum working load limit of 5,400 pounds. The department may, in its discretion, approve other grades of chain. Trans 307.05 NoteNote: Grade 7 chain is commonly known as “transport grade.” Grade 4 chain is commonly known as “high test grade.”
Trans 307.05(3)(3) Chain shall be marked with a grade code embossed at least once every 20 links. Grade codes are shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1: CHAIN GRADE MARKINGS USED BY
U.S. CHAIN MANUFACTURERS
Trans 307.05 NoteNote: Chain manufactured by Acco, Boltmaster-Taylor, Hodell, and Teledyne McKay is marked with a grade stamp on each link. The other chain manufacturers above mark their chain with a grade stamp, as indicated, every 10 to 20 links or 2 to 3 linear feet. This table is compiled from information published by the National Association of Chain Manufacturers. The department will update and revise this table periodically. New or additional marking information may be submitted by chain manufacturers to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of State Patrol, Motor Carrier and Inspection Services Section, P.O. Box 7912, Madison, Wisconsin 53707.
Trans 307.05(4)(4) No person may use grade 3, proof coil, or ungraded chain as a tiedown for logs. Trans 307.05(5)(5) No person may use chain if any link is elongated due to stress.
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