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Trans 307.10   Center device.
Trans 307.11   Tiedowns.
Trans 307.12   Other regulations.
Trans 307.01Purpose. 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.
History: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91.
Trans 307.02Definitions. Words and phrases used in this chapter have the same meanings as those in ch. 340, Stats., except as otherwise defined in this section.
(1)“Aggregate working load limit” means the working load limit multiplied by the number of tiedowns used to secure cargo to a vehicle.
(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.
(3)“Chain” means a flexible series of joined and closed steel links.
(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.
(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.
(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.
Note: See also 49 CFR 393.106 as adopted by reference in ss. Trans 325.02 (4) and 327.03 (4), pertaining to front end structures.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(11)“Stack” means a group of logs of approximately the same length piled one upon the other.
(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.
(13)“Webbing strap” means a flat band of woven synthetic fibers used to secure cargo to a vehicle.
(14)“Wire cable” means continuous steel strands that are woven into a length of metal rope used to secure cargo to a vehicle.
(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.
History: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91.
Trans 307.03Applicability.
(1)General. This chapter applies to any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer transporting logs on a highway within this state.
(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:
(a) Of sufficient strength to restrain the entire cargo and to prevent any shifting, falling or spillage of the logs.
(b) Of sufficient height so that no portion of the cargo is above the sides or ends.
(c) Without any open aperture large enough to pass any log carried while being transported.
History: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91.
Trans 307.035General requirements.
(1)Prohibited operations.
(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.
(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.
(2)Stacking logs. Logs shall be stacked parallel to one another in an orderly fashion.
(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.
History: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91.
Trans 307.04Approved means of securing logs.
(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.
(2)Vehicles carrying logs crosswise.
(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.
(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).
(c) Posts which are part of a front or rear end structure shall be made of metal.
(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.
(e) Logs carried crosswise shall also be secured to the vehicle frame by longitudinal tiedowns.
(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:
(a) The requirements of s. 348.10 (3), Stats.
(b) The requirements of s. Trans 307.09.
(c) The logs are stacked lengthwise.
(d) The vehicle is equipped with cross chains or steel gusseted bunks.
(e) The top of the load of logs is lower than the top of all stakes.
Note: 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).
History: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91.
Trans 307.05Chains.
(1)All chain used as a tiedown device shall be free of cracks, breaks and separations.
(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.
Note: Grade 7 chain is commonly known as “transport grade.” Grade 4 chain is commonly known as “high test grade.”
(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
Note: 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.
(4)No person may use grade 3, proof coil, or ungraded chain as a tiedown for logs.
(5)No person may use chain if any link is elongated due to stress.
(6)No person may use chain that has been repaired, unless the working load limit of the repaired chain is at least as great as the working load limit of the original chain.
History: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91.
Trans 307.06End devices.
(1)All end devices shall be installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and operate properly. All end devices shall be free of cracks, breaks, and excessive wear.
(2)All end devices shall be constructed of metal with a manufacturer working load limit or breaking force limit at least as great as the chain, webbing strap, or wire cable to which the end device is attached.
(3)Adjustable end devices shall be designed, constructed, and maintained so that the operator of a vehicle can adjust the end devices.
(4)All end devices shall be securely attached to the vehicle.
(5)No person may use an end device which has been repaired, unless there has been a total replacement of the load-bearing component with a replacement component meeting the requirements of this section and the manufacturing standards of the original manufacturer of the tiedown assembly.
(6)The anchorages by which a tiedown device is attached to a vehicle shall have a tensile strength at least as great as the tensile strength of the tiedown assembly.
History: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91.
Trans 307.07Webbing straps.
(1)Webbing straps shall have a minimum working load limit of 1,000 pounds per inch of width.
(2)Webbing straps shall be marked by the manufacturer to indicate its working load limit or breaking force limit.
(3)Webbing straps that have been repaired shall bear a clearly legible label stating the name of the company that made the repair and the load rating of the repaired strap.
(4)Webbing straps consisting of woven strands may not be used as a tiedown if:
(a) Cuts, burns or holes through the webbing total more than
1. 3/4 inch for webbing which is 4 inches wide.
2. 5/8 inch for webbing which is 3 inches wide.
3. 3/8 inch for webbing which is 2 inches wide.
(b) Separation of its load-carrying stitch pattern exceeds 1/4 of the total stitch area.
(c) Severe abrasion or other damage reduces the strength of the tiedown by at least 20%.
History: Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91.
Trans 307.08Wire cable.
(1)All wire cable shall be a minimum of 3/8 inch diameter with a minimum rated working load limit of 3,000 pounds.
(2)No person may use wire cable that has been repaired or spliced.
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Published under s. 35.93, Stats. Updated on the first day of each month. Entire code is always current. The Register date on each page is the date the chapter was last published.