Ratcheting or Snap Binders?

[GaryKelley]

What I DO...

Is something that shows how lazy I can be. I use snap binders on the right side, front and back. And ratchet binders on the left. My theory is this:
I can set the 2 snap binders on the right, fairly tight with my hands..and NO I do not wear a red cape. Then I can tighten the ratchet binders on the left side pretty darn tight... all this without having to get the winch bar...Of course, sometimes I have more than ONE piece to lash down, in which case I'll get the rest of the snap binders...

 

[Dusty]

velcrow is the way to go

 

[Freightrain]

20 yrs ago when I drove for the company I still work for, I used snap binders cause that's all we had back then. Always had a 1 1/2" alum pipe for cheater and never had issues. Always wrapped chain around binder when done. This all changed when we got a new driver. He wasn't the sharpest pencil in the box.............he was undoing a load one day in the shop and instead of holding onto the cheater pipe, he just PUSHED it and it promptly thru the cheater across the shop. Luckily I saw it coming and ducked, unfortunately a co-worker wasn't so lucky and he got it in the forehead. He got knocked for a loop, but since the cheater was thin wall alum pipe it wasn't deadly(not quite). Lucky he didn't stay a driver for long

 

[HeavyHaul4Life]

Ratchet Binders

Hello everyone,

I drive over the road for a company doing heavy haul(over dimensional loads - height, width and weight). When I was just a plain linehaul driver I used the snap binders the company issues everyone. These binders come with a disclaimer(videos in orientation of folks with half their face torn off and the like), use at your own risk. When I started heavy haul, I was given the option to purchase my own ratchet binders. I use Dixie Industries by Columbus McKinnon Forge Group. I picked them up at the Utility trailer dealer in Columbus, OH for $18 a piece. I use 5/16 gr 70 chain and the matching binders. 12 of each on the truck here. These binders were well worth the cost and I would gladly do it again knowing how easy and much more secure my cargo is now than before.


Matt

 

[Countryboy]

Welcome to Heavy Equipment Forums HeavyHaul4Life! :drinkup

 

[fhansen]

We like Columbus-Mckinnon ratchet binders but also have snap binders on the trailers so we often use both-snap binders on one end of a piece of equipment and ratchets on the opposite end.

 

[Boots]

Everyone around here says the rachet binders are or will shortly be illegal from the DOT, (don't know why?). Just got a delivery from a trucker in Penn and Ill and he said the same thing. Has anyone else heard this?

The truckers who move our tractors always use snap over. On rubber tire machines, you compress the tires when you snap the binder over with a cheater and the air pressure in the tires hold the machine in place. Can't get one tight without a cheater.

Obviously I'm in the minority in this thread, but if what we hear is true everyone is going to have to learn how to get them tight. There have been millions of loads held down with snap over binders.

Everything we do is dangerous to somone.

 

[Cat420]

The truckers who move our tractors always use snap over. On rubber tire machines, you compress the tires when you snap the binder over with a cheater and the air pressure in the tires hold the machine in place. Can't get one tight without a cheater.

A ratchet binder will do the same thing with a pipe on it, so this shouldn't make a difference in which one you use.

Everything we do is dangerous to somone.

True, but how often would you drive the wrong direction in traffic and expect to stay in one piece? Not every situation needs to be pushing the limits, just because "bad things happen to everyone". With that said, I race quads, so don't think I'm terrified to take risks. There just doesn't seem to be much of a benefit to the risks taken in this case:beatsme

 

[bobcat ron]

The only thing I ever hated with ratchet binders is when you start cranking them at first, the chain also starts to twist, this always makes me start using foul language.

 

[texascadillac42]

Everyone around here says the rachet binders are or will shortly be illegal from the DOT, (don't know why?). Just got a delivery from a trucker in Penn and Ill and he said the same thing. Has anyone else heard this?

Interesting, out here in IL, and also in NY, I have heard from DOT officers that snap over binders are soon to be illegal, and ratchet types will be mandatory. :beatsme I personally run ratchet binders when moving my equipment (all smaller stuff, up to 18k) because the few DOT officers I have talked to seem to be happier seeing those.

 

[Camarogenius]

Ratchet binders have their place, and I have a few. I prefer snap binders, but not the normal kind. I have what are called "Safety binders". The handle is free floating, so if it pops loose, the handle won't hurt you, even with the cheater pipe on it. Also, they have a cam action on the release, so even if they're super tight, you can release them by hand. I'll take some pics tomorrow if anyone is interested.
As to the made in China thing. Get a clue. I don't care how much their quality has "improved". I buy American, because I'm an American. Somewhere in America, there's a guy that feeds his family by going to work every day, and making binders, or [insert any item you want here] That guy's job depends on me caring more about my country, than saving a couple of bucks. If you'd rather give your money to china, maybe a cheater pipe in the forehead will be of some service to you.

 

[Preppypyro]

I myself prefer quality over where its made. If its ten times better quality, and made in south africa, its got my vote!
I could care less about another fellas job, I got myself to worry about first.

 

[7AXLES]

Thats probably because Canada don't make anything except French toast!

 

[Preppypyro]

Cmon now lets be realistic.


French toast is from france!


All we make up here is igloos!!

 

[bob b]

Ive seen several drivers with missing teeth due to snap binders rachet binders are the way to go

 

[Colin Doy]

Ratchet binders have their place, and I have a few. I prefer snap binders, but not the normal kind. I have what are called "Safety binders". The handle is free floating, so if it pops loose, the handle won't hurt you, even with the cheater pipe on it. Also, they have a cam action on the release, so even if they're super tight, you can release them by hand. I'll take some pics tomorrow if anyone is interested.
As to the made in China thing. Get a clue. I don't care how much their quality has "improved". I buy American, because I'm an American. Somewhere in America, there's a guy that feeds his family by going to work every day, and making binders, or [insert any item you want here] That guy's job depends on me caring more about my country, than saving a couple of bucks. If you'd rather give your money to china, maybe a cheater pipe in the forehead will be of some service to you.

Hey Camarogenius I'm with you on the "home grown" issue. :usaCould you maybe take a few pics of those binders for me? The manufacturers name would be helpful too.
Cheers:drinkup

 

[catchick]

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

I have always used ratchet binder.....my bro used to move houses, he was using a snap binder and cheater to tie something down, I can't even remember what now, anyhow he was in a hurry and wound up crushing the orbit around his eye and splitting over a 1/4 of his face open. I use the ratchet because of that accident but like blademan said you could be the safest guy....and it still doesn't mean you won't get hurt.

Thats probably because Canada don't make anything except French toast!

We make better beer too

 

[cat320]

I have always used binders but I think I would spend the extra for the ratchet just because of the saftey factor.

 

[Camarogenius]

Hey Camarogenius I'm with you on the "home grown" issue. :usaCould you maybe take a few pics of those binders for me? The manufacturers name would be helpful too.
Cheers:drinkup

WOW!! How did this escape me? I'll post some pics and specs this weekend.

 

[7AXLES]

The only thing I ever hated with ratchet binders is when you start cranking them at first, the chain also starts to twist, this always makes me start using foul language.

Yea, that happens, but usually cause they are dry....I use that spray on lithium grease...last for days.