I'm sitting at Iowa-80 and I need 3/8th chains for the wheel loader I'm picking up tomorrow. Can anyone tell me what length do I need to secure machinery? I don't think I need 20' or even 16'. What is the typical length of those 'short' chains guys use to tie down each separate corner of the machine? Anyone know? Thanks!

I use longer chains. It offers more flexibility. You don't want short chains when you are hauling machinery.

one long chain and two binders can be used to secure both sides of a machine, and it counts as two chains.

just hook one end of chain to trailer, loop other end through tiedown point on machine, then hook binder to tighten, then use the rest of the chain to secure the other side the same way! the excess chain will be hanging down in the middle, if its really long just hook a bungee to it and pull it tight on the trailer floor
one chain, two binders= same strength and just as legal as using two seperate chains and binders.

short chains are a huge pain sometimes. i wouldn't buy any shorter then 16 feet

That is why I prefer longer chains. Make sure you chains are M70.

Under the tiedown rules you are not supposed to use one chain as 2, I know it is stupid and everyone does it. I have 8ft-10ft-and 15 ft chains, if you go 1/2 inch you want short chains.

Bigger chains get heavy quick when you haul them in 20 ft lengths . Right now I have 2 short chains on the front, 1 long one in the middle and 2 long ones in the back, but I have to substitute them with 3/8th chains. I could probably get away with two 8 ft, one 10 ft, and two 15 or 16 ft. I have a whole bunch of regular - 3/16th - chains for securing regular cargo.

Tracer, I sent you a PM

I'm pretty sure the 3/8 chain rule is only for Canada. You could load and pick up chain somewhere else that's cheaper before Canada.

I stopped in Gary, IN and bought new chains, binder and straps at the TarpStop. These guys are great. Their 4" starps with a flat hook are still .. $9.99! I got 5 of those, plus 6 ratchet binders (6,600 lb WLL) and six 3/8" chains: four 10 ft long, and two 16 ft long. Man, the chains look so much more solid than my old 5/16"s. In case anyone needs well-priced chains, straps, binders, tarps etc. stop by at the TarpStop at X.15 off I-94 in Gary, IN.