Easy Strap/Belt Roller - Anyone Try This?

I just bought a flatbed that the driver always left the straps wound on the winches. It took me over three hours to get all the straps removed. They were severely rusted and it was like they were glued to the winches. I had to use a hammer and chisel to get the straps off. Then I found the slots in the winch were widened (rusted out) to almost twice their normal width. Everything was rusted terribly, hitting each winch with my 3 pound hammer had huge chunks of rust falling out. I'm replacing all of them (20) five at a time. I twisted one like a pretzel last week, when I went to unwind the winch it was all bound up. By the time I got to the end of the strap the winch was twisted half a turn. this week I'll finish replacing the rest of them. Definitely not a good idea to leave the straps on the winches all the time, but even flatbedding has it's share of lazy drivers and those who don't want to take the time to do something the right way.

 

thats nothing, I saw a contraption that you use a wireless drill with , attaches to your winches to roll your straps. I thought If you want or need that , you prob shouldnt be in open deck transport.

 

And why is that?

 

Im a simpleton. Seems like alot of work to eliminate more work.
If rolling up straps is alot of work , what about draggin chains around, tarping and securing a load.

 

Unless you happen to have arthritis or like the one driver I know who has his wrist fused together. Might come in handy for someone like that.

 

guess youre right. I hadnt thought about it like that. I was thinking if youre ( not you) starting off in open deck and rolling straps is a huge concern , tarping in the wind is a lot less desirable than rolling straps and other than not taking tarp loads , no way around it.
No offense meant towards anyone.

 

I just leave my straps on the winches. I use them almost every load and oil the winches regularly don't really have any trouble with them. I roll them up by hand that way I can get them nice and even on the winch. Sure i'm stupid and crazy, but that's why I work for myself so I can do my job the way I want to. Works for me!

 

This is what can happen to winches when straps are left on all the time.


View attachment 64962

 

roshea, I think that can all be blamed on leaving the straps on all the time, I do some of both. with a rotator cuff deal few years back, it actually helps to throw the hook end sometimes when I can. just cant extend that arm up high anymore

 

Throwing the hook end, not very bright.