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.
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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 taught 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 taught 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!
Browse Ratchet Straps
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) provide guidance and carry 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.
Buy Load Restraints from Tensys Direct
Load bars (also known as shoring bars or cargo bars) are used to create a rigid mechanical divide within a box van to prevent the vehicle's load from moving around. They are typically used to secure heavy, wheeled loads such as supermarket roll cages and stillages containing liquids.
Load bars are inserted into anchor track, which will be preinstalled in one or more horizontal strips along the vehicle's interior walls. Standard sections of anchor track have a series of 25mm diameter round holes along their length. The spigot end of a spring-loaded shoring pole locates into a single hole, while heavy-duty load bar cups use two holes in the track for extra security (as pictured above).
E-type track is another popular fitment. E track has a wider section than the standard anchor track described above, featuring a keyhole shape with a 25mm round hole in the centre. Our decking beams are designed to fit this keyhole shape.
We offer a couple of different spring-loaded shoring poles here at Tensys Direct. The round profile version comes in five different sizes to suit a range of track-to-track dimensions.
A heavy-duty square version is also available as an upgrade from the round version. For ease of handling and installation, this version is fitted with two handles.
To determine what size you need, carefully measure the length from the face of the track on one side to the other. Record this measurement and select the closest available size.
Our shoring poles have series of holes in 50mm increments so that you can adjust the length as needed. Adjustment can be by push button or by knocking out and replacing a roll pin when the desired length is set. Some versions may feature a nut and bolt for adjustment.
To allow for the compression in the spring, we recommend setting the pole around 100mm wider than the recorded track-to-track width.
If you need something more substantial than a spring-loaded pole, we recommend our heavy-duty load bars and cups. These consist of a pair of cups plus a rigid beam that can be a 40 x 40mm or a 60 x 40mm section.
The cups have a bar on one side and a clip on the other. On the backs of the cups, there are forged studs which locate into the holes in the anchor track. There are two types: one fits 25mm round hole anchor track, the other fits E track and comes in 3 different pitches to suit the different keyhole spacings. To determine which of these options is best, measure from the centre of one hole to the other.
Load bar cups are installed in-line on opposing sides of the vehicle; the rigid load bar slides under the bar on one side, then drops into position on the other, with the clip preventing the bar from being released. To remove the bar, simply lift the clip and reverse the process used for installation.
Click the link below to browse our range of shoring poles, load bar cups and beams...
Shoring Bars from TensysDirect
...and for extra security, load bars can be used in conjunction with our lashing straps to add an extra layer of protection inside your box van.
Polyester webbing has an amazing strength-to-weight ratio. For example, the break strength of 50mm lashing webbings can sometimes exceed 7.5 tonnes!
The webbing's warp and weft fibres are woven from hundreds of 100% polyester single filaments. If you look closely, the surface isn’t completely smooth; you can see all the fibres woven and intertwined where the warp meets the weft yarns.
Being essentially a textile, webbing needs protection from sharp or abrasive edges. Wear sleeves and corner protectors are ideal for this and cost a fraction of the price of a replacement strap (not the mention the damages that may be incurred if a lashing strap breaks and your cargo comes loose while you're on the move, potentially leading to insurance claims and/or prosecution).
Wear sleeves simply slide onto the strap and are positioned where the lashing webbing comes into contact with the load.
These sleeves are available in standard and heavy-duty materials.
Wear Sleeves from Tensys Direct
Corner protectors are ideal for loads where the straps pass at 90° over the edge of the loads. For example:
To prevent lashing webbing damage using a corner protector, simply place the corner protector on the edge of the load and pass the strap over it so that the webbing isn't directly touching the corner of the load.
Our corner protectors are made from heavy-duty plastic and come in a range of widths to suit 50mm and 75mm webbing. They can be 800mm long or more to suit pallets of building and construction materials.
Corner Protectors from Tensys Direct
We can also supply poles and applicators to help you fit corner protectors at height.
The wear protection methods described above will help to extend the longevity and duty cycle of your lashing straps.
Remember: while the edge of the load may not feel very sharp, the webbing is going to be under several hundred kilograms of tension during transport. This, together with vehicle vibrations, can quickly wear down unprotected webbing and make it vulnerable to premature failure.
Protect your cargo and your lashings with our wear sleeves and corner protectors!