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Ratcheting or Snap Binders?

BKrois

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2003
Messages
152
Location
Connecticut
Occupation
Multi purpose
Just wondering what every ones to secure machines down? The person i was working for used ratcheting chain binders. While it may be a little slower to use than a snap binder, it is a lot safer.

Two people i know have gotten their faces hit when the snap binder didn't want to stay. One has permanent damage to his teeth while the other had his nose cracked.

Who uses what?
 

digger242j

Administrator
Joined
Oct 31, 2003
Messages
6,628
Location
Southwestern PA
Occupation
Self employed excavator
Ratcheting.

They may seem more time consuming, but in my experience the snap binders never get as tight as you'd like them when you first put them on. By the time you take them loose and adjust them by another link or two you can have the ratchet type all cranked down tight and be on your way.

I assume the people you know who got hurt were using a cheater of some sort? I can see how you could get hit that way, but I have a hard time imagining why you'd have your face close enogh for the handle of the binder itself to hit you. Either way, it hurts just to think about it...
 

wyldman

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2003
Messages
44
I've seen the damage those chain binders can do,quite nasty.

I've used ratcheting straps on smaller stuff like cars,trucks,and such,but didn't know they were even rated for tying down heavy equipment.I've never seen them used for that around here anyways.
 

Steve Frazier

Founder
Staff member
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
6,599
Location
LaGrangeville, N.Y.
I'm the oddball in the bunch, surprise! I use the snap binders with a cheater stick, but am very careful. When I worked at a construction company, they used the rachet style but they never seemed to last very long. They alway got run over by a machine then would be useless. The snap types seem to take a bit more abuse.
 

donlang

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2003
Messages
46
Location
North of Pittsburgh, Pa
Occupation
Owner- full service excavating firm
In my opinion, there is no other way than ratchet binders. If you secure a rubber tired machine with a snap over binder, they tend to loosen when the machine gives while underway. Ratchet binders do not come loose unless the load moves. I always try to pull in oposing directions, and have found little or no trouble. Also, heavier chains don't stretch over a period of time using ratchet binders. 3/8" as a minimum, even for skid loaders, 1/2" for bigger equipment. If you use smaller chains, you will replace them more often from them being stretched.
 

Dusty

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2003
Messages
178
Location
S.E PA
ratchet binders are safer and hold tighter and are quick to tighten if they losen up on the way a few clicks and it is tight again
 

SteveB

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
2
Location
Southwest Iowa
Occupation
Telecom Technician
I use both. On the front corners I use snap binders (tighten with a cheater bar then saftey wired) and on the back corners I use the ratchet type. I've never had either set come loose while travelling so I'm either doing it right (doubtful) or lucky. I do think the ratchet type are easier to get tight the first time.
 

GeoffD

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2003
Messages
32
Location
Cumberland County Maine
Occupation
Operations Manager
I guess i am the cowboy of the group. I use snap binders with a cheater pipe. However i don't even use safety wire, just take the slack chain, run it around the binder and call it good.

Geoff
 

DKinWA

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2003
Messages
210
Location
Western Washington
Occupation
Biologist and Contractor
I use the snap binders like most folks around here. I'm afraid rain and rust would take it's toll on the ratchet mechanism and cause problems down the road. I actually like the idea of the ratchet style, but I've never even seen them for sale in any of the truck shops. I didn't even know they existed until recently when I saw them in a tool catalog on the net.
 

Arc Burn

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2003
Messages
11
Location
Catskill Mtns NY
Occupation
Weldor
For small equipment like lawn mowers and such i use snap binders but when i was in construction all we used were ratchet binders.We would pre-fab bridges inside and then tear them down and haul them out,no one ever dreamed of using a snap binder on those loads.An occasional burst of WD-40 or something of the like and we never had any rust issues and we worked year round in all weather types.I feel you can get a ratchet binder tighter than the snap binder anyways,not to mention the whole saftey factor:p
Just my 2cents
 

shaper

Charter Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Messages
35
Location
South Portland,ME
Occupation
Golf Construction & Irrigation
Ratchet binders by choice. If I haul more than one piece of equipment on a trailer I'll have to break at the snap binders
 

Taylortractornu

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2003
Messages
481
Location
Iuka, Mississippi
Occupation
Privvate landfill operator/manager
I use snap binders on my hoe. When i use my gooesneck trailer I have a hook that is in the front of my machine. ill bind it down super tight then go to the back and bind it down through the 2 chain holes back there and throw a nilon strap across the middle of the machine and latch it down . rarely it will be a few inches forwards. The snap Binders are a bit dangerous but i have alot of trouble with keeping the ratchet type.
 

Blademan

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2003
Messages
83
Location
Calgary
Occupation
Operating Engineer
I've used both , and in my humble opinion , ratchet binders are the safest . And safety comes first and foremost for me . After many near misses , usually with a cheater bar , I switched over and can't really ever see myself going back . I've also gotten to know a few heavy haulers , and they all seem to of switched over to the ratchet type too . Years ago , the guy over at our local Bobcat dealer was actually amazed that I was securing down a rental skid steer with a snap binder . He told me the pain to his jaw was excruciating when he got smoked by a snap binder once , on the farm he grew up on . Spent two weeks in the hospital and fistfuls of cash putting his face back together . But , what it comes down to , is you do what you gotta do . You could be the safest guy on the job , only to slip on some ice and smoke your noggin . Life can be funny like that sometimes .

Rob
 

max diyer

Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
5
Location
western PA
Occupation
18-wheeler driver
I have extensive experience with both types of binders. I overwhelmingly prefer ratchets. I have seen too many accidents with the snap type. The worst was when I was chaining a load down and a guy was helping me, on the other side of the trailer. We were talking and when he didn't answer, I went around and he was laying on the ground. The cheater pipe came off the binder and hit him in the face. His right face was crushed and he lost an eye.

Shortly after that I sold all of my snap binders. I use ratchet binders or ratchet straps, exclusively!
 

Cat420

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2004
Messages
527
Location
Pine Bush Ny
Occupation
Construction, small engine and machine shop work
I have seen some ratchet binders that use a detachable handle. This would not stop a determined thief, but could be used to secure tool boxes or other large objects on the job. I also prefer ratchet binders for securing loads down, they just feel so much better to me.
 

woberlin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2004
Messages
111
Location
malvern, ohio
Occupation
excavating contractor/bodyshop owner
I too only use rachet binders to haul my secure my equipment. I have never had a problem with them rusting or not operating. An occasional shot of oil, and you should never have a problem. Thr current issue of Grading & Excavating Contractor magazine has an entire page of does and dont's for securing equipment for transport. Very informative.
 

littledenny

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2004
Messages
132
Location
Ellijay, GA
Occupation
Owner, 2Vets, LLC
Ratcheting binders, always. I'd let all the air out of the tires and secure a load with chain only (pumping the tires up again, of course,) before I'd use a snap binder. (This is hard to do with tracked equipment, though.)

Was a truck platoon leader in the Army years ago, saw way too many close calls with young kids trying to manhandle cheater bars and snap binders - luckily no one got busted on my watch, but boy, I sure worried about a few of them. Some of these kids needed more rocks in their pockets to even pull on a cheater bar, finally got them to get over it, and ask for assistance.

Snap binders -- never again.
 
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