Chains & binders

[David_Kb7uns]

You can think that. But all it takes is once.
The company I work for, our low boy operator was unloading with lever binders, just like he had done for many years and a thousand times before.
One lever binder was really tight. When releasing it caught his hand and smashed his finder between the lever and a dozer track, crushing his finger.
Weeks off work and a couple surgeries later he switched to ratchet binders and recommended I do the same.
I continued to use the lever binders.
5 years later when unloading a machine like I had done for many years and many, many hundreds of times before.
I had a really tight lever binder. I had to use a pipe to release it.
When it released it ripped the pipe out of my hand and threw the pipe into the side of my head.
An ambulance ride, an over night in the hospital, and several weeks off work with a fractured skull I also now use ratchet binders

If you use the bars made for lever binders instead of a pipe they will let the handle kick out instead of pulling like they do with a pipe.

David

 

[hslogger]

I've used lever binders all my life. Binder bar or pipe helps, caution always helps. NEVER been whacked by a binder.
What a lot of truckers have handy are "jump chains". just shorties, maybe three-four feet long maximum with grab hook on one end only. When you get to binding something down like a a bulky over the top set up, a short extension jump chain comes in handy.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Personally I think with the invention of screw and ratcheting binders, lever-binders should go the way of the doo-doo bird. They are just too dangerous. It takes a piece of pipe to lever them down, then when you take them off you get a face-full of lever under amazing tension. Many a teeth and facial surgery have resulted from them.

Best to stay away in my opinion...

I used a truckers winch bar with a binder lever on the other end. When the binders broke over either way the bar released the the binder handle. If you are using a pipe, you are using the wrong tool.

 

[NCEarp]

I need new ratchet binders so I went with these Speedbinders.
I have used them several times and really like them but everyone has their own preferences.

 

[YLee Kioti]

Bought some ratcheting binders, should I lube them up? If so, what would you recommend using?

Keep in stock a few cans of your favorite silicone spray lube. On the ratchet binders spray them prior to using and adjust the hooks so when tightening down you don't bottom out early. Don't ask how I know.
My utility trailer has a TSC box mounted on the tongue. After I off load and store chains and binders I spray down the chains and binders again.
It reduces the PITA factor of the hook end spinning your chain around when securing equipment.

If you have 20 foot chain use the excess to wrap and weigh down the handle.

 

[bdog]

I need new ratchet binders so I went with these Speedbinders.
I have used them several times and really like them but everyone has their own preferences.

Those look slick but I can’t tell from their website if you can operate them manually or not? I would hate to haul my machines to a job site and have the batteries go dead or the drill crap out and not be able to unhook my machine. If they have a manual operation mode I just may buy some. Everytime I load up all my equipment for a job I use 18 binders and these would sure save time and effort.

 

[NCEarp]

Unfortunately, they don't operate manually. I usually have an extra battery and even another drill in the truck toolbox.

 

[LD1]

What is the purpose of the long handle if they don't operate manually?

And that looks hard on a cordless drill? Will their gearing mechanism (assuming worm drive) not handle a cordless impact?

 

[bdog]

Unfortunately, they don't operate manually. I usually have an extra battery and even another drill in the truck toolbox.

Darn. That is a deal breaker for me. I like the idea though.

 

[downsizingnow48]

The speedbinder drill adapter is 3/8 hex shank with 9/16 socket. A ratchet would work.