Buyers Products Rubber Wheel Chock with Chain Eye fits snugly under wheels to keep vehicles in place while they are serviced or parked. The reinforced rubber design is resistant to oil, rust, salt, and sun to provide years of durable use. Each wheel chock has a chain eye for easy retrieval and storage.
Specifications
| Color | Black |
|---|---|
| Finish | Plain |
| Height (in.) | 7.00 |
| Material | Rubber |
| Thickness (in.) | 7.00 |
| Width (in.) | 9.50 |
The Buyers Products Rubber Wheel Chock with Chain Eye, measuring 9.5x7x7 inches, represents a critical component in comprehensive vehicle immobilization strategies across a diverse range of industrial, commercial, and service environments. Engineered for robust performance and enduring reliability, this wheel chock is specifically designed to provide a secure restraint mechanism, preventing inadvertent vehicle movement during maintenance, loading/unloading operations, parking on inclines, or any scenario where unintended rolling could pose significant safety hazards or operational disruptions. The foundational principle behind a wheel chock's efficacy lies in its ability to generate a mechanical barrier and a high coefficient of friction between the tire and the ground surface, thereby overcoming the vehicle's rolling resistance and gravitational forces.
Central to this product's superior performance is its material composition: reinforced rubber. Rubber, as an elastomer, exhibits inherent properties that are exceptionally well-suited for wheel chock applications. Its viscoelastic nature allows it to conform effectively to the contour of a tire, maximizing the contact patch and thereby increasing the frictional force required to initiate movement. The "reinforced" aspect signifies an advanced compounding process, where the natural resilience and elasticity of rubber are enhanced through the incorporation of reinforcing fillers such as carbon black, silica, or other specialized polymers. This reinforcement significantly improves several critical mechanical properties, including tensile strength, tear resistance, abrasion resistance, and compression set resistance. High compression set resistance ensures that the chock maintains its original form and structural integrity even after prolonged periods of heavy load application, preventing deformation that could compromise its effectiveness over time. This engineered material design ensures that the chock can withstand the immense localized pressures exerted by vehicle tires without fracturing or permanently deforming, delivering consistent and reliable performance throughout its operational lifespan.
Beyond its mechanical robustness, the reinforced rubber formulation imbues the wheel chock with exceptional environmental resistance. The product is specifically engineered to be impervious to a range of common industrial and environmental aggressors: oil, rust, salt, and solar UV radiation. Resistance to oil is crucial in garage and heavy machinery environments where lubricants and hydraulic fluids are prevalent, preventing material degradation, softening, or swelling that could reduce the chock's structural integrity and frictional properties. Rust resistance is inherently achieved through the non-metallic nature of rubber, eliminating a common failure mode seen in metallic alternatives, particularly in humid or corrosive environments. The resistance to salt is vital for applications in marine environments, road maintenance depots, or regions experiencing winter conditions where de-icing salts are frequently used. Salt can accelerate corrosion in metals and degrade certain plastics, but the selected rubber compound maintains its stability and performance. Furthermore, resistance to solar UV radiation (sun) prevents material embrittlement, cracking, and discoloration that typically afflict less durable plastics or unprotected rubber exposed to prolonged outdoor weathering. This comprehensive environmental resilience ensures that the chock retains its physical properties and aesthetic appearance, contributing to a prolonged service life and sustained safety performance under diverse climatic and operational conditions.
The dimensions of the wheel chock—9.5 inches in width, 7 inches in height, and 7 inches in thickness (often interpreted as depth or length along the direction of wheel travel)—are meticulously chosen to optimize its interaction with a broad spectrum of vehicle tires. The 7-inch height provides an adequate vertical barrier to effectively engage tires on light to medium-duty trucks, trailers, RVs, and various industrial equipment. This height is critical in preventing the wheel from rolling over the chock. The 9.5-inch width ensures a sufficiently broad contact area with the tire tread, distributing the load effectively and preventing the chock from twisting or shifting under lateral forces. The 7-inch depth (thickness) provides a substantial base, enhancing stability and preventing the chock from being pushed out from under the wheel. The geometric profile of the chock, often featuring a specific angle and concave top surface, is engineered to conform closely to the curvature of a tire, creating a "snug fit" that maximizes friction and mechanical interlock. This precise dimensional engineering is crucial for establishing a robust restraint system that can counteract the tractive forces and gravitational pull acting on a parked or serviced vehicle.
A distinctive feature of this model is the integrated chain eye. This engineered aperture serves multiple practical functions, significantly enhancing the usability and security of the wheel chock. Firstly, it facilitates easy retrieval. Operators can attach a chain, rope, or hook to the eye, allowing for effortless removal of the chock from under a wheel without needing to bend down excessively, which is particularly beneficial when handling heavy chocks or working in confined spaces. Secondly, the chain eye enables secure storage. Chocks can be chained together, or to a storage rack, preventing loss or disorganization in busy work environments. Thirdly, and critically for security, the chain eye allows for the chocks to be tethered directly to the vehicle (e.g., to a trailer frame or landing gear), to a loading dock, or to a designated parking area. This tethering capability serves as a deterrent against theft and ensures that chocks are readily available when and where they are needed, minimizing the risk of a vehicle being left unsecured due to missing equipment. The robust construction of the chain eye itself is designed to withstand the forces associated with retrieval and tethering, maintaining its structural integrity over time.
The application spectrum for the Buyers Products Rubber Wheel Chock is extensive, reflecting its universal requirement for safety and stability in numerous sectors. In the **automotive service industry**, including repair shops, dealerships, and fleet maintenance facilities, chocks are indispensable for securing vehicles on lifts, during tire changes, or while parked on uneven surfaces. For **logistics and transportation**, wheel chocks are mandatory at loading docks to prevent "trailer creep" or accidental vehicle movement during the critical operations of loading and unloading freight. This directly mitigates risks associated with forklift accidents and ensures compliance with OSHA regulations (e.g., 29 CFR 1910.178(k)(1) and (m)(7) for powered industrial trucks). Trucking yards, railway sidings, and ferry terminals also rely on chocks for securing parked vehicles and rolling stock. **Construction sites** frequently utilize these chocks to stabilize heavy equipment, excavators, dump trucks, and mobile cranes when parked on graded or unstable terrain, preventing roll-aways that could cause severe injury or property damage. In **mining operations**, where large vehicles navigate challenging gradients and rough surfaces, robust wheel chocks are fundamental for securing machinery during drilling, blasting, and maintenance activities. **Aviation ground support** employs chocks to secure aircraft during pre-flight checks, refueling, and maintenance on the tarmac, ensuring stability against wind gusts and engine starts. **Emergency services** often deploy chocks to stabilize accident scenes or secure apparatus on inclines. Furthermore, general **industrial settings**, municipal operations, and even private users with RVs or boat trailers find this chock to be an essential safety accessory.
The plain black finish of the chock is not merely aesthetic; it is indicative of a utilitarian design focused on performance and durability rather than superficial appearance. The black color, typically associated with carbon black fillers in rubber compounding, often signifies enhanced UV stability and overall resilience. This choice ensures the product maintains a professional and inconspicuous presence in diverse operational environments while effectively fulfilling its primary safety function without the need for specialized coatings that could chip or wear off. The functional design, devoid of complex textures or features, simplifies cleaning and inspection, contributing to consistent performance and prolonged usability.
From a regulatory compliance standpoint, the use of wheel chocks like the Buyers Products Rubber Wheel Chock is often mandated by occupational safety and health authorities, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States, or similar bodies internationally. These regulations are designed to prevent injuries and fatalities caused by uncontrolled vehicle movement. By providing a reliable and robust means of immobilization, this wheel chock helps organizations adhere to these critical safety standards, reducing liability and fostering a safer working environment. The technical specifications of the chock, including its material composition and dimensions, are aligned with industry best practices for effective vehicle restraint, reinforcing its suitability for rigorous professional applications.
When considering the operational mechanics, the effective deployment of a wheel chock involves more than just placing it arbitrarily. Optimal placement requires positioning the chock firmly against the tire, ideally on the downhill side when on a slope, or on both sides (front and rear) when on a flat surface or during critical operations. For heavier vehicles or significant inclines, the use of two chocks per wheel, or chocking multiple wheels, is often recommended to maximize resistance. The interaction between the tire's tread pattern, the chock's surface texture, and the ground's coefficient of friction all contribute to the overall holding power. The reinforced rubber material of this chock is engineered to offer a high static friction coefficient against various tire compounds and typical ground surfaces (asphalt, concrete, gravel), thereby maximizing its effectiveness in preventing vehicle creep or roll-away. Its inherent flexibility also allows it to absorb minor impacts without immediate failure, providing a margin of safety.
Longevity and minimal maintenance are further advantages of this product. The intrinsic properties of reinforced rubber make it highly resistant to wear and tear from repeated use, impacts, and environmental exposure. Unlike wood chocks that can splinter, absorb moisture, and rot, or plastic chocks that may become brittle in extreme temperatures or crack under heavy loads, this rubber chock maintains its structural integrity. Routine inspection for any signs of extreme wear, deep cuts, or unusual deformation is recommended, though severe degradation is rare under normal operating conditions. The robust, single-piece construction eliminates components that could break or detach, further simplifying maintenance and ensuring consistent performance over many years of service. This reliability translates into reduced replacement costs and uninterrupted safety protocols for businesses and individuals alike.
In conclusion, the Buyers Products Rubber Wheel Chock with Chain Eye, with its precise 9.5x7x7 inch dimensions, represents a meticulously engineered solution for vehicle immobilization. Its reinforced rubber construction provides a superior balance of mechanical strength, elasticity, and extensive environmental resistance to oil, rust, salt, and sun, ensuring prolonged durability and consistent performance in demanding conditions. The integrated chain eye significantly enhances operational convenience, facilitating easy retrieval, secure storage, and vital anti-theft tethering. This product is not merely an accessory but a critical safety device, indispensable across numerous industries for preventing costly accidents, protecting personnel, and ensuring compliance with stringent safety regulations. Its technical design, robust materials, and practical features collectively deliver a highly reliable, long-lasting, and essential tool for any environment where vehicle stability is paramount.
