Moving a skid steer or a generator is the easy part. Securing it so it arrives the way it left — and keeps everyone on the road safe — is where experience shows. Here’s the short version of how proper flatbed securement works.
Working Load Limit (WLL) is the number that matters
Every chain, strap, and binder has a Working Load Limit — the load it’s rated to secure, well below its breaking strength. Securement is planned around the aggregate WLL of all your tie-downs versus the weight of the cargo, not just “how many chains look like enough.”
The rules of thumb
- Aggregate WLL of all tie-downs must be at least 50% of the cargo weight.
- Cargo longer/heavier than the basic thresholds needs more tie-down points, spaced along the load.
- Direct tie-downs (chain from anchor to a rated point on the equipment) and indirect/over-the-top tie-downs are counted differently.
- Tracked and wheeled equipment gets chained at manufacturer-rated points, with attachments (booms, buckets, blades) lowered and secured separately.
Why this matters even more for partial loads
On a partial flatbed, your equipment shares the deck with other freight. Good securement means each load is independently chained and blocked so nothing shifts into anything else in transit. It’s a big reason partial flatbed should be run by people who do open-deck work every day — not treated like a dry-van afterthought.
The takeaway
If a carrier can’t talk through WLL, tie-down counts, and attachment points for your specific machine, that’s a red flag. Securement isn’t a formality; it’s the difference between freight that arrives and freight that becomes a claim.
Got a heavy piece to move? Get a quote and tell us the make, model, and weight — we’ll plan the securement before the truck rolls.