Tips for loosening extremely tight straps on a winch?

NO. That is the worst idea if you ever want children. Feet don't have control over the bar like hands do, and it WILL slip and nail you right in the family jewels.

Longer bar is the only solution. Extra leverage advantage with less work.

Arm strength isn't what closes a winch off that last click, it's body weight, and as a 260lb man, I don't ever have problems opening a winch I didn't close. And if you use arm strength on a regular basis, you will notice shoulder problems long after they've caused serious ligament damage.

Grab the bar with both hands, brace it against your body and squat. Use your whole body weight and all you muscles to your advantage.

 

I’m just picturing this guy hanging off the ground holding the bar with both hands trying to jerk up and down. getting frustrated cause it’s not moving lol

 

I don't think they are doing it just to be funny. They would do it because there have been problems in the past with something coming loose and they received a lecture from the boss. Maybe the driver didn't check the load and something worked loose. Some driver probably passed the buck a few times too many.

 

Gain leverage with a longer bar. When bars begin to break then attack the pawls inside the side cog wheels of a strap handle using a bar of strong metal and a mallet. (Not hammer, you can spall off metal which will usually try to get into your eyes.)

Worse case scenario return the broken strap to be paid for as damaged by the person securing the load by over tightening. Im pretty sure the affected parties will cease and desist after paying a sufficient amount for the entertainment.

One would also consider the load being secured. If the thing is excessively floppy and not able to be strongly secured (Roofing rolls come to mind, I hate the things.) You can put a thousand straps on it and it will get out loose.

You would think to roll roofing rolls into ONE coil and chain it onto the deck... hmm...

 

Maybe a welding shop can modify a ratchting winch bar to include a torque multiplier.

$$$

Or modify a torque multiplier wrench.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017WOPUCO/

 

Actually, upper body strength can allow you to use your weight more effectively. I used to put the bar in a slot that made it stick up if possible, then I would move my body back and then pull myself forward, so that the momentum of my body could create more force than weight alone. You have to be strong enough to pull that force through your arms, or it won't work.