is a 18 inch bolt cutter good/

Thanks. I do not know a thing about intermodal. You have to take them off for the receiver?

 

Depends, some places want you to cut it off before dropping the container, other do it themselves.

 

If you get 18" cutters get 2 large cheater bars to go over the handles.

 

I just got the bigger one one I could get from harbor freight I also have a air powered one for those bolts that cali shippers like putting there and you cant get them with the cutters

 

So, these are the bolt cutters I am using, if you notice, they are solid high tensile steel, the handles are not round (the round handles of traditional bolt cutters will bend), but are solid bars.
http://images04.olx-st.com/ui/20/15...H-TENSILE-BOLT-CUTTER-NEW--Durban-Central.jpg

They are Irwin RECORD 936H. Searching Google and Bing shopping, the only places to buy them is in the UK, appear to be about $150 USD though.

 

I can cut the grade 8 ones but they do suck bad. I tell the place I'm going to if I cannot get it off they have 2 hours to open me up and unload it. I don't have to cut the seal per my contract.

 

Bolt seals are also used on reefer trailers as well..it just depends on what the customer wants.

 

18 will work 24 will make your life easier, that said it's been my experience that all of the places that receive boxes with these seals on them have a pair of cutters you can use.

 

And a lot of those place are surprised I have my own bolt cutters. Kinda sad really.