How to Properly Restrain Vehicles and Mobile Equipment for Transport

20 Feb Blog

Transporting vehicles and mobile equipment requires careful planning and adherence to load restraint guidelines to ensure safety and compliance with Australian regulations. Whether dealing with rubber-tyred, steel-wheeled, or steel-tracked machinery, following best practices will help prevent damage and accidents during transit.

General Tips for Securing Vehicles and Equipment

• Always check the manufacturer’s loading and restraint recommendations, including designated lashing points.
• Ensure compliance with Australian or ISO load restraint regulations.
• Small vehicles and mobile equipment should be transported on general freight vehicles, while large or tall equipment should be moved using low loaders for stability.
• Direct lashings and blocking provide the most secure method of restraint.
• Equipment can also be contained within the body structure of the transporting vehicle where applicable.

Best Practices for Using Chains and Lashings

• Use chain, webbing, or wire rope lashings, ensuring they match in type, length, and angle for even restraint.
• When using chains, loop them around suitable lifting or lashing points for effective clamping.
• Protect chains from sharp edges by using rounded corner protectors or repositioning them for a straight-line pull.
• Ensure winches used to tension wire rope have a positive locking feature and avoid relying on hydraulic pressure alone.

Securing Vehicles and Mobile Equipment

• High-Centre-of-Gravity Loads: Transport on low loaders to enhance stability.
• Steering Locks & Movable Parts: Engage steering locks before transport and secure any parts that could move or rotate.
• Towing Brackets & Lashing Points: Use front and rear towing brackets as lashing points but avoid using lifting lugs unless specifically rated for tie-downs.
• Loose Objects: Remove or secure any loose components that could move and interfere with controls.
• Wide Loads: For oversized equipment, use outriggers, extensions, or widening low loaders while ensuring at least 75% of the tyre or track remains supported.

Restraint Methods for Tracked Equipment

• Always use direct lashings for forward and rearward restraint.
• If using four chains, position two at the rear (angled 30° forward) and two at the front (angled 45° rearward).
• When blocking the front of tracked equipment, attach two chains at the front and two at the rear to prevent sideways movement.
• Never use tie-down restraint alone for metal tracks due to insufficient friction.
• When placing tracked equipment on timber decking or rubber matting, use a combination of tie-down and direct lashings.

Restraint Methods for Rubber-Tyred Vehicles

• Avoid using tie-down restraint if the loading deck has low friction (e.g., wet or greasy surfaces).
• Ensure all tyres remain in contact with the deck.
• Pre-tension lashings to provide a clamping force equal to at least 20% of the vehicle’s weight.
• Directly restrain vehicles in the forward and rearward directions to prevent movement.

Final Thoughts

Proper restraint of vehicles and mobile equipment is critical for transport safety. Following these guidelines helps protect both the load and the transport vehicle, ensuring compliance with regulations and reducing the risk of accidents. Always refer to manufacturer guidelines and, when necessary, seek engineer certification for alternative restraint methods.

For more information refer to the NHVR Load Restraint Guide.

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