Straps too tight?

I've hauled some structural beams that were painted and chains were not allowed.

I always use chains if I can though.

 

I knew after I posted that, that I should have added unless they are coated, painted, or the customer does not allow it.

 

Ask the trainer to clarify... It is his job to communicate clearly to you, and your job to understand. Ask his supervisor if you are not understanding.....everyone learns a bit differently and often the words of one person will confuse whereas another person's words will clarify. Happens to me all the time!

If you are talking laminated beams or I joists, you want to be tight enough that they don't shift, especially during a hard braking event. I like to tighten the gut wraps first and then tighten the wraps that go over the whole load ( I call them the over-wraps).....since the beams are in often in plastic wrap, sometimes you can feel them "suck in" when you tighten....i.e. the bundle layers squeeze together. Tightening the gut wraps first generally keeps you from having to re-tighten them after tightening the over-wraps. I like the "guitar string" sound that others have mentioned. A little dent from the strap for that product is not going to harm a soul. The plastic makes them want to slide, so beware. Wood products destined for finish work, such as arches, need a plastic strap protector so as not to dent the wood. If they are lighter as well, you can be a little gentler on tightening. You will get a feel for it. Honest. It helps to educated yourself a bit about the product you are hauling.....ask questions, when the time seems appropriate, as to what the product is used for. It will help you put the whole picture together and understand the "why's" .

As far as poles, such as utility poles, tighten them for all you're worth and when you do your first check at 50 mi/1 hour, do it again. They settle. Some of the loaders will try to tamp them down, and that helps, but they are wiggly little guys that need alot of help staying put.....especially the shorter ones, or the cedar. You wont't hurt them a bit by strapping the snot out of them. The longer stuff might try to wiggle out the back as it bounces down the road, especially the butt-back ones, so tighten away!!!!!

Hope this helps you and kudos to you for seeking advice!!!!!

 

I haul extruded aluminum and I can't tell you how fun it is to strap that stuff down. Lightweight metal profiles some with thin edges, corner protector help some but I have still bent my share, it is a fine line between tight enough and too tight experience is the only thing that helps.

 

I guess I'm one of the lazy people.

I also use straps on steel plates. Everyone says "Oh you need to use chains to get a good bite on it" .... Well a strap applies the same principal. And the "bite" is only on the top sheet, all the other below it will slide on out just like with a strap. Granted I have the neck of the step to brace it, so on a flat you'd prob want a safety chain across the front.

 

When I would pull OS plate on a step, I'd do the same. X chains on the rear overhang and straps with edge protection the rest of the way.

 

It also depends where the the load is supported.
Lets say you haul structural steel.
It's painted so you can only use straps.
If you strap on the wood blocks supporting the steel,you can tighten it real hard.
But if you throw your strap 2 or 3 feet for where the steel is supported..................it will bend and maybe be damaged.


There is no general rule,look,think(twice is in doubt) and use common sence.

 

OP> As no one's said it, become something of a selective pack-rat. Pieces of carpet make good edge protection for metal. I picked some up from some guy's that were tearing out carpeting in an office building, I also picked up some on home time at a carpet place.... pieces to small for even a small bathroom... $1 got me quite a bit.

 

Oh, what the heck, just for fun, I'd say, if there's red marks on her shoulders, the straps are too tight!

 

I'll say this 95% of my loads when I pull out the shipper I never have to check the load again. Most my straps you can play a song on and yes I have broke a few but the way I see it they needed replaced anyway and I always run a dead man chain on steel plate beams don't matter you never know what could happen it's for my safety!!