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Ratcheting or Snap Binders?

1693TA

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
2,687
Location
Farmington IL
Occupation
FAA Radar Engineer, (Retired)
These are the binders I have which were "gifted" to me from a dear departed friend. I have a dozen:

https://www.amazon.com/Peerless-Rat...2&sprefix=ratchet+chain+binder,aps,132&sr=8-5

These are the less expensive type of ratchet binder commonly available:

https://www.amazon.com/EI004-Ratche...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

These are the much less expensive "snap", or "Over Center" binders which are still very commonly used. The price point is a very large draw citing the profit margin that exists, (industry wide) in the trucking business:

https://www.amazon.com/Mytee-Produc...6449&sprefix=chain+snap+binder,aps,120&sr=8-3
 

Shimmy1

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Messages
4,257
Location
North Dakota
I'm amazed snap binders aren't outlawed everywhere. They are of no benefit and are way more dangerous, haven't used one in at least 10 years and would never use one again, no reason to. While it's annoying having to lube up the ratchets every once in awhile it's well worth it to ensure stuff is tied down better and it's a lot safer.
Completely agree. (No offense DMiller)
 

Flat Thunder Channel

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
378
Location
Ohio
I really like the Peerless ratcheting load binders. I bought 4 after learning about them on the forum. No turning back now! They are amazingly easy to use and user friendly to boot. Plan to add an additional 2-4 units to my trailer stash. The collapsing handle makes them easy to apply in tight places and allows them to stow more orderly.
 

1693TA

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
2,687
Location
Farmington IL
Occupation
FAA Radar Engineer, (Retired)
I really like the Peerless ratcheting load binders. I bought 4 after learning about them on the forum. No turning back now! They are amazingly easy to use and user friendly to boot. Plan to add an additional 2-4 units to my trailer stash. The collapsing handle makes them easy to apply in tight places and allows them to stow more orderly.

I've been told to place a padlock in the security holes on the Peerless binders. These have a way of disappearing at the truck stops being both expensive, and desirable. I only use mine locally and don't have that problem, but I understand theft is an issue.

61Lbz9th8HL._AC_SL1100_.jpg
 

skyking1

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
7,462
Location
washington
Those look nice. I built this chain and binder rack about 15 years ago. It is a chunk of 3" angle iron, I drilled the holes in the drill press and slotted them with the porta-band, extended it on the bottom back to the tongue frame, then welded on that 3" strap with the hinges. It only keeps honest people honest but far better than nothing.
PXL_20211216_202511705-1.jpg
 

colson04

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2016
Messages
2,056
Location
Delton, Michigan
Those look nice. I built this chain and binder rack about 15 years ago. It is a chunk of 3" angle iron, I drilled the holes in the drill press and slotted them with the porta-band, extended it on the bottom back to the tongue frame, then welded on that 3" strap with the hinges. It only keeps honest people honest but far better than nothing.
View attachment 251278

That is a slick set up and nicely organized.
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,421
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
Snap overs still have uses where ratchets will work but are not as efficient. Again steel haulers will see more snap overs than ratchet types. Get load on and flip a few chains/binders and go.
 

suladas

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2016
Messages
1,731
Location
Canada
Sure snaps are a bit cheaper, but I figure the math let's say a big trucking company has 1000 binders save $30 a piece, that would probably all vanish plus a lot more in the event 1 employee gets seriously hurt by a snap binder. They are fine if used properly, but these days people can hurt themselves with a paperclip. Considering how common sense is pretty much gone, it baffles me companies would take a risk like that. I would bet with 4 binders you would not save 30 seconds tying down, if mine are lubed up they go on and off in a flash and the biggest benefit is they stay tight but not too tight, snap are laser tight or too loose most of the time. Honestly surprised they haven't been outlawed yet.
 

JLarson

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2020
Messages
656
Location
AZ
Occupation
Owner- civil and heavy repair/fab company
Yeah I still see the occasional small hauler running snaps but I think most places have figured out cost of buying a guy a new face makes the ratchets much more appealing lol.
 

Georgia Iron

Senior Member
Joined
May 6, 2012
Messages
871
Location
USA - Georgia
Occupation
Concrete building slab and grading contractor
I use snap binders. I have been hurt once thought I could open one that had been tightened with a cheater pipe. Thought I could not use my thumb and let it open fast with an open hand. It hit my plam and hurt for a week. Another time my wet oily gloves slipped of the cheater pipe and it threw the cheater pipe 75' away and almost landed on a car..
 

Tugger2

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2018
Messages
1,366
Location
British Columbia
Ill use the ratchets 90% of the time. But i keep few snaps on the truck because theres a few places they just work better. I use a good cinch bar ,not a pipe so when you let them go they flip free from the bar. Ive seen accidents with them,usually from trying reef them down instead of dropping a link. Funny thing is ive seen some with Hand Tight Only cast into the handle.
 

Flat Thunder Channel

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
378
Location
Ohio
I was so smitten with my first set of peerless racheting chain binders and ended up buying an additional set. I have eight now and they are awesome! The folding arm allows you to work them into tight quarters. It's the only way for me!
 

1693TA

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
2,687
Location
Farmington IL
Occupation
FAA Radar Engineer, (Retired)
I delivered two new tractors, and brought one in for service yesterday using snap binders only. Nothing wrong with them if used correctly and the right leverage bar is used to break them over. I made it clear I would not use a cheater bar or pipe so they furnished/ordered a "Kinedyne" bar I picked out to work with both the binders, and winch strap ratchets. I keep the chains, binders, leverage bar, clevises, etc. locked up when not in use to preclude theft. I did discard the binder(s) that had bent handles from too much force being applied with an ill fitting pipe after cutting them with a torch as I'm not going to offer an invitation to an idiot to hurt themselves.

I have a combination of the Peerless brand, and conventional ratcheting binders for my own trailer along with several snap binders. I've used them all over the years and all have their plusses, and minuses when used. Keep them clean, oiled, and painted up goes a long way at the scalehouses too.
 

cuttin edge

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2014
Messages
2,690
Location
NB Canada
Occupation
Finish grader operator
I don't think the company owns anything but snap binders. A lot of them have a hinged handle. When you release them, the handle is already hinged halfway. Our float man never over tightens anything. He says it's not how tight you put it, it's where you put it. I notice the company that does the pulverizing and asphalt milling for us have both types of binders on their trucks. For a short haul, they use the snap binders, and for a long haul, they use the ratchet type.
 
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