When attaching ratchet straps to securing / lashing points or the vehicle chassis, it’s important that the hooks fit correctly into the base radius.
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Both round slings and flat slings are used to secure, support and move heavy loads. They are a popular lifting solution as they distribute the load's weight evenly, providing stability, preventing damage and enabling the safe handling of objects that lack attachment points.
A point load is when the weight of a heavy load is acting on one specific point instead of being spread across a wider area.
You may be using or have recently purchased cranked claw hooks for use as standalone diverter hooks, over-wheel straps or parts thereof primarily when transporting vehicles.
A cranked claw hook is designed to lift the strap away from the deck at an angle to route over the wheel/tyre combination.
Every Tensys ratchet strap has a label with lots of numbers and technical jargon on it. Some of these terms can be a bit confusing if you're not familiar with them, so we've put together this handy infographic to help you read and understand the information on your ratchet strap's label.
Ratchet straps are great for securing loads during transportation. Their design combines a sturdy textile strap (usually made of polyester webbing) with a powerful ratcheting mechanism that applies and retains tension in the strap. This type of lashing strap is commonly used on trucks, vans and trailers to prevent cargo from moving around.
Never used a ratchet strap before? Don't worry – we've put together an illustrated guide to walk you through each step.
Here's how to use a ratchet strap...
Pull the spring-loaded release lever by hand to open the ratchet mechanism.
Then, operate the handle until the slot in the spreader bar opens up enough for the webbing to pass through it.
Thread the end of the strap through the open slot in the ratchet mechanism and pull through as much slack as possible. There's no need to pull it as tight as you possibly can; it just needs to be pulled taut so the ratchet mechanism can take up the tension.
Next, you can either flip the end of the strap over and feed it back over the top of the ratchet mechanism so that it is doubled over on itself (see Method 2 in the diagram below) or leave to route straight through the buckle (see Method 1 below).
You don't want to overfill the mechanism with webbing as this may cause it to jam. To avoid this, pull the webbing taut by hand to start with, then operate the handle.
It's important when tensioned that the webbing wraps around the spreader bar 2.5 times to lock itself in position and apply the correct amount of tension.
Now, crank the ratchet handle back and forth to tighten the strap. Once it feels secure, stop ratcheting – too much pressure can damage your ratchet strap and the cargo you are securing.
A force of 50daN (kg) on the handle should apply sufficient tension to the load. If you need more tension, consider using an alternative ratchet such as an ergo 'pull down' type. Browse ergo ratchet straps here >>
Secure the tension and lock the handle into position. Most ratchets are fitted with a double lock, so you will need to pull the spring-loaded release trigger down to allow the handle into its stored position. Release to engage the double lock.
To release your ratchet strap, pull and hold the release trigger, then rotate it 180° so that it sits flat with the cogs facing upwards. The release lever will engage with two idents, and the cam profile of the upper handle will release the rear pawl. You can then pull the strap loose by hand.
Here at Tensys Direct, we stock a wide range of ratchet straps in a variety of different sizes and strengths to accommodate many different load sizes.
Click the button below to browse and buy Tensys ratchet straps online – or if you have any further questions, please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to help!
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Our customers often ask us for advice on how to secure specific loads. We understand why – securing heavy loads can be complicated, especially if the load type and weight change several times per day.
If you need to know how to secure cargo on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), here's a quick overview of the basics. Load restraint is all about preventing a load from being moved around by transport forces. This can be achieved by using ratchet straps to hold the load in place.
The amount of force required to keep a heavy load static is dependent on the angle of the lashing to the load and the hand force applied to the tensioner. It can be a complicated mathematical calculation for each application!
Read on for more HGV load security guidance.
In the UK, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) provides guidance and carries out roadside checks to ensure lorries and their loads are safe to drive. The DVSA's guidance can be viewed here: Securing Loads on HGVs & Goods Vehicles.
The guide linked above covers:
Each section provides practical guidance and terminology, plus supporting videos. For health and safety compliance, assessing risk and training purposes, it is a worthwhile read that will help you with HGV load security.
At the roadside, examiners and authorised constables use the Categorisation of Vehicle Defects document to determine what action to take if they find an insecure load. Information on load security can be found on pages 50 and 212 of that document. Defects, actions and notes are all listed there. If an issue is found, it could result in an 'immediate prohibition' – which might mean a fine, points on your licence or both.
Please note that this guidance applies to public service vehicles, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), agricultural vehicles, passenger cars, private buses and light goods vehicles throughout the UK. It applies to commercial businesses with large trucks as well as to private individuals transporting cars or goods on a trailer.
Proper load restraint measures are inexpensive – especially compared to the damages that may be incurred if your cargo comes loose – and they're essential when transporting heavy loads. If you need help securing loads on your HGV, contact Tensys Direct to discuss your options.
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