ANSI/ASAE S338.

5 MAY2006 (R2011)
Field Equipment for AgricultureSafety Chain for
Towed Equipment

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ANSI/ASAE S338.5 MAY2006 (R2011)
Revision approved MAY 2006; reaffirmed February 2011 as an American National Standard

Field Equipment for AgricultureSafety Chain for

Towed Equipment

Proposed by the Engineering Policy Committee of Farm and Industrial
Equipment Institute; approved by ASAE Power and Machinery Division
Standards Committee; adopted by ASAE as a Recommendation
December 1970; reconfirmed December 1975; reclassified as a Standard
March 1978; reconfirmed December 1980; approved as an American
National Standard December 1982; revised April 1983; revision approved
by ANSI June 1984; revised April 1988; revision approved by ANSI
October 1988; revised editorially January 1990; reaffirmed by ASAE
December 1992; reaffirmed by ANSI July 1993; revised January 1996;
revision approved by ANSI May 1996; revised by ASAE February 1997;
revision approved by ANSI November 1997; revised May 2006; revision
approved by ANSI May 2006; reaffirmed January 2011 by ASABE;
reaffirmed February 2011 by ANSI.
Keywords: Chain, Drawbar, Hitch, Safety
1 Scope
1.1 This Standard covers the specifications for an auxiliary attaching
system to retain a connection between towing and towed agricultural field
equipment in the event of separation of the primary attaching system
long enough to bring the machines to a stop. It should not be construed
that this auxiliary system can ensure that control or connection will be
maintained in the event of incidents such as loss of control, rollover,
jackknife, or collision.
1.2 This Standard applies to all combinations of towing and towed
agricultural field equipment when traveling on highways. Requirements
for braking of towed equipment and recommendations for maximum
travel speeds are given in ASAE S365.6.
2 Normative References
2.1 The following standard contains provisions which, through reference
in this text, constitute provisions of this Standard. At the time of
publication, the edition was valid. All standards are subject to revision,
and parties to agreements based on this Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent edition of the
standard indicated below. Standards organizations maintain registers of
currently valid standards.
2.1.1 ANSI/ASAE S365.6 APR2000, Braking System Test Procedures
and Braking Performance Criteria for Agricultural Field Equipment.
2.1.2 ASAE S390.4 JAN2005; Definitions and Classifications of
Agricultural Field Equipment.
3 Definitions
3.1 highway: the entire width between the boundary lines of every way
publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to use of the public for
purposes of vehicular travel (Uniform Vehicle Code).

Table 1 Safety chain specifications

Intermediate chain sizes to those listed in the table are permissible as long as the chain can pass through nearest smaller opening listed in the table.
Minimum ultimate strength as used in this standard refers to the minimum breaking strengtrh of the chain. This is different than the working load limit of the
chain as is commonly used for lifting devices.

Dimensions A, B, C,1)
(See figures Minimum
1 & 2) mm (in.) length
Minimum Maximum distance ahead of
ultimate Maximum chain Minimum fitting from primary Minimum chain primary
system link diameter hole size attaching point to chain length2) attaching
strength (see figure 3) (see figure 3) attaching (see figure 3) point3)
kN (lbf) mm (in.) mm (in.) point or support mm (in.) mm (in.)

28 (6,400) 32 (1.3) 3267 (1.32.6) 230 (9.0) 1 500 (59) 900 (35)
44 (10,000) 32 (1.3) 3267 (1.32.6) 230 (9.0) 1 500 (59) 900 (35)
71 (16,000) 32 (1.3) 3267 (1.32.6) 230 (9.0) 1 500 (59) 900 (35)
89 (20,000) 38 (1.5) 45102 (1.84.0) 230 (9.0) 1 500 (59) 900 (35)
133 (30,000) 45 (1.8) 45102 (1.84.0) 230 (9.0) 1 625 (64) 1 025 (40)
178 (40,000) 50 (2.0) 50102 (2.04.0) 280 (11.0) 1 750 (69) 1 150 (45)
267 (60,000) 56 (2.2) 56127 (2.25.0) 280 (11.0) 2 030 (80) 1 400 (55)
311 (70,000) 56 (2.2) 61136.5 (2.45.4) 280 (11.0) 2 286 (90) 1 400 (55)
356 (80,000) 56 (2.2) 61136.5 (2.45.4) 280 (11.0) 2 670 (105) 1 400 (55)
1)
Maximum Dimension A, B, C is the maximum distance, ahead of or behind the primary attaching point to the safety chain attaching point (on the towed machine or
towing machine) or an intermediate support.
Dimension A is the horizontal distance from the primary attaching point to the center of the intermediate support.
Dimension B is the horizontal distance from the primary attaching point to the towed machine attaching point.
Dimension C is the horizontal distance from the primary attaching point to the towing machine attaching point.
2)
Minimum Chain Length applies to safety chains that are not designed specifically for and permanently attached to a particular towed machine (see figure 2)
3)
Safety chains designed specifically for and permanently attached to a particular towed machine (see figure 1) may be shorter than the Minimum Chain Length specified
but shall meet the requirements of Minimum Length Ahead of Primary Attaching Point. Towed equipment having higher power requirements to operate the equipment
in field conditions may need to have a longer safety chain than required by the Minimum Length Ahead of Primary Attaching Point because the mass of the towed
equipment is lower and not the primary concern when matching towed equipment to towing equipment.

ASABE STANDARDS 2011 ANSIASAE S338.5 MAY2006 R2011 1

Figure 1 Example auxiliary attaching system with intermediate support
3.2 agricultural field equipment: agricultural tractors, self propelled
machines, implements, and combinations thereof designed primarily for
agricultural field operations. ASAE S390.4 provides definitions for types
of agricultural field equipment. In this standard, machine refers to
agricultural field equipment.
3.3 towing machine: any unit of agricultural field equipment that
furnishes the forces necessary to move and control a towed machine.
3.4 towed machine: any unit of agricultural field equipment whose
motive force and directional control is derived from one point of
attachment to a towing machine. In a series of more than two machines,
the same unit may be both a towed and a towing machine.
3.5 primary attaching system: the means by which the motive and
controlling forces are transferred from the towing to the towed machine
under ordinary operating circumstances. The primary attaching point is
the principal location of articulation in the system.
Figure 2 Example auxiliary attaching system
2 ANSIASAE S338.5 MAY2006 R2011
Figure 3 Example chain configurations showing chain length and clear-
ance diameter
3.6 auxiliary attaching system: a supplementary attaching means
intended to retain a connection between the towing and towed machines
in the event of failure of the primary attaching system. A safety chain is
the preferred means for providing an auxiliary attaching system function.
While the use of chain is preferred, nothing in this standard shall require
the use of a chain, or preclude the use of an alternate attachment system
which will effectively maintain connection between towing and towed
machines in the event of separation of the primary attaching system as
defined above and meet the system specifications outlined in section 5.
3.7 safety chain: a chain, of designated size and strength, equipped
with a latching hook on one end and a suitable attachment link on the
other end for permanent chain installations. Pass through links may be
used for the attachment link for non permanent installations.
4 Safety chain specifications
4.1 The safety chain, its hook, and its end fitting including pins shall
conform to the specifications given in table 1 and illustrated in figure 3.
Other alternative configurations for end fittings and hooks are permissible
as long as the chain can be securely retained by the latching mechanism
regardless of chain tension. The hook must stay in contact with the same
chain link as originally connected.
4.2 The latching hook and chain shall pass through the minimum fitting
hole size as specified in table 1.
4.3 The safety chain shall be identified with a permanent corrosion
resistant tag attached to the link that fastens the pass-through link to the
basic chain (see figure 3). If the chain or other auxiliary attaching means
does not have a pass through link then the tag sould be located within
200 mm (8.0 in) of the towed vechicle attaching end of the chain.
ASABE STANDARDS 2011
4.3.1 Tag size shall be 100 6 mm (4.0 0.25 in.) by 38
6 mm (1.5 0.25 in.) by 3 mm (0.12 in.) minimum thickness.
4.3.2 Tag information shall be stamped into the material surface and
shall state the following: ASAE S338.5. Agricultural safety chain for
towed machine not exceeding kg ( lbf) gross weight.
Characters shall be 4 mm (0.16 in.) minimum height and 0.25 mm (0.01
in.) minimum deep.
4.4 When wire rope is used for the auxiliary attachment system, the
strands of the rope shall be protected by using a wire rope thimble in the
areas of attachment.
5 System specifications
5.1 The auxiliary attaching system is comprised of the safety chain or
other alternative arrangement as specified in section 4, along with the
attaching points and intermediate supports if required on the towing and
towed machines, and shall be independent of, and in addition to, the
primary means of connecting the towing and towed machines.
5.2 Towing machine and towed machine attaching points (Examples are
shown in figures 1 and 2.)
5.2.1 The towing machine attaching point shall be
a) of such form that it may be encompassed by the chain described
in 4.2 or allow permanent installation;
b) located within 230 mm (9.0 in.) laterally and vertically from the
projection along the line of travel of the primary attaching point;
c) located so that no more than the minimum chain length ahead of
the primary attaching point, as listed in table 1, is required for
fastening;
d) preferably located to the left side of the primary hitch for opera-
tional convenience;
5.2.2 The towed machine attaching point shall be:
a) located within 230 mm (9.0 in.) laterally and vertically from the
projection along the line of travel of the primary attaching point;
b) preferably located to the left side of the primary hitch for opera-
tional convenience and, if the chain is not permanently attached;
c) of such form that it may be encompassed by the chain described
in 4.2;
5.2.3 Intermediate support(s) shall be provided if the distance along the
line of travel from the primary attaching point to the towed or towing
ASABE STANDARDS 2011 ANSIASAE S338.5 MAY2006 R2011
machine attaching point exceeds dimension A in table 1, and the
support(s) shall be located within dimension A from the primary attaching
point. Intermediate support(s) are to provide vertical and lateral support
for the chain and to keep the chain in close proximity to the primary
attaching system.
5.3 Auxiliary attaching system component strength
5.3.1 Safety chains including hooks, pass through links, end fittings, and
pins when used as auxiliary attaching systems shall have a minimum
strength sufficient to support the gross weight of the towed machine for
towed machines weighing up to 36,300 kg (80,000 lbf). For towed
machines weighing above 36,300 kg (80,000 lbf), the chain strength shall
be limited to 356 kN (80,000 lbf). The requirements outlined above apply
to the towed machine attaching point. Also, the requirements apply to
other types of auxiliary attaching systems.
5.3.2 The towing machine attaching point strength shall be of sufficient
strength to support, along the line of travel, the gross weight of the
towing machine.
5.3.3 Intermediate supports shall be of sufficient strength to support
forces equal to one half of the minimum auxiliary attaching system
strength, applied in any direction.
6 User instructions
6.1 Instructions related to auxiliary attaching systems should be located
in the section of the Operators Manual of towing and towed machines
providing information for on-highway travel requirements including towed
machine travel speed restrictions. Information provided should include:
a) the intended attaching point and suggested attachment method;
b) placement of intermediate support, if required;
c) allowing no more slack than necessary for articulation;
Note: In all cases, hydraulic lines and/or electrical cables used to operate
the towed machines braking system, if so equipped, shall have more
slack than the auxiliary attaching system so that if a failure of the primary
attaching system should occur, trailer braking shall still be possible.
d) not using an intermediate support as the primary attaching point;
e) storage of the safety chain when not in use;
f) the need to replace the safety chain if one or more links or end
fittings are broken, stretched or otherwise damaged or deformed.
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