Tips and Tricks of flatbedding

Yea we cheat with our 9' wide trailer too. We run it on the toll way empty or loaded if the load isn't wider than the trailer.

 

This setup screws onto an extendable painters pole 6'-10' maybe.


Can set edge protectors in between the blades

Bottom screw I hung out the same length, can use it to hook and pull back straps over a high load, edge protectors that slip a touch too high up and over. Or to rip tags from up high on blind shipments.




Took two scrapers, hammered the end off one n cut it. Punched 2 holes with a drill. Put 2 bolts thru, with washers between top one to gap it right.
Voila

Also I ripped off the base on handle end of the painters pole and put a steel plumbers fitting on it with epoxy-use it to hook chain ends and push them thru longer expanses of where chains go.
It's just like a open end rounded nut with a lip on the inside.

Works out purty good

 

Rankee extendables. Has several different attachments for their telescopic pole. 30 bucks if i remember right. The 3 attachments i got was the strap and edge protector one, a grab hook to pull chains through reels, and an adapter so i can spin on a push broom.

 

@spyder7723 idk what brand mine was- whatever seemed the sturdiest at the time. Had a few lengths available. Just comes with a screw on tip. I've thought a couple times about a broom head... But here it is a handful of years since I made it and I haven't gotten a broom head yet.. When the need has come up I borrow one from wherever I'm delivering. Definitely something I should have tho..

 

I was just putting that out there in case someone wise needs one and doesnt want to make it. Or if you lose yours. I really like how the rankee collapses down to 30 inches or so for easy storage.

 

Any pictures of the grab hook? I'm not seeing any on the website. That's what I was looking for, was a tool that I could carry on the truck for the odd time I do reels.

 

raining right now. Will try to get you one tomorrow. It just screws into the end, with a small hook on the other end. Same type of hook you see on chains, just not grade 70. In fact i think it's aluminum.

 

I wondered if this one would work. I've always used metal conduit to feed chain through reels. I think this might work the same, I'd have to see it and try it. I realize the female portion is threaded, but all I care about is that the chain hook, hooks on the same as conduit.

 

Man I've learned a lot from this thread...spent hours on it but well worth it. I just started skateboarding after 4 and a half years of door slamming and I want to say thanks for all the great info. I'm leased to a small company out of Fort Worth ( 4-5 trucks). I'm the first to go flatbed...everyone is dry van. Because of this I haven't had any formal flatbed training. I completed a course through J.J.Keller online...everything else I've learned through this site and Youtube videos...you can #### near learn how to do ANYTHING on Youtube. I've been sharing what I been learning with the owner of the company and he's excited about it and could possibly see himself moving the whole fleet over to flatbed in the future!

Well I'm tired now, time for bed, just wanted to shower some praise on you veterans and let you know how awesome you are, I've been inspired and excited about learning more as well as making more in the flatbed world.

 

Good luck to you.

Guys here like to help solve problems. Post pics anytime and you'll always get help.