You may always need to consider the appropriate equipment for different haulage tasks as a freight company. Such considerations include ensuring your cargo control equipment is perfect for the job. For example, one of the most common tools for goods control during freight is chain binders.

These days, several goods in freight aren’t the best for ratchet straps or winches. Most of them require using grade 70 moving chain binders and chains for adequate security.

In Canada, government regulations highlight specific load types regarding securement requirements. These regulations cover haulage binders and chains that include heavy equipment and metal coils.

As a freight company, there are specific chain binders best for you. And here, we’ll be highlighting the types of chain binders. Also, we’ll discuss their safety benefits and explain how best to use them.

Let’s get on with it.

Styles and Usage Of Chain Binders

Let’s first define what chain binders are. Chain binders, also known as load binders, are important components of tie-down transportation equipment.

They’re for securing the goods you’re to freight to your flatbed by tightening its chain. There are two popular versions available. They include the ratchet-style and lever-style, each with its tightening mechanism.

Using grade 70 transport chain and chain binders in the trucking business is nothing new; companies have been using it for years. The best transport chain is Grade 70, which comes in various lengths and widths, the most popular of which is 5/16″, 3/8″, and 12″. The mechanism for tensioning the chains is called a chain binder, and it comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.

We’ll discuss the available kinds of chain binders and explain what is best for your freight company.

Lever Style Chain Binder

Chain binders with a lever design have been in use in the freight business for decades. Their makeup and use have hardly seen changes since their introduction into the cargo control industry.

Using this binder is pretty simple. Usually, it expressly allows the operator to tension the object in freight or movement swiftly.

When using a lever-type chain binder, ensure you tighten the chain against the product in transport with your hands. Then open the lever-style chain binder, attach the binder hooks to the chain links, and then shut the binder. This motion secures the weight by pulling the chains.

If the chain isn’t tight enough, just open the chain binder again and relocate one of the hooks to a chain link further away.

To avoid involuntary release while using lever-style chain binders, you need to secure the binder’s handle post-tensioning. You can use several commercial chain binder handle locks to carry out this action.

However, a lever-style chain binder stores energy in the handle due to its construction type, so be cautious of potential kickback to relax the load when the lever is released.

Ratchet Style Chain Binder

By far, the safest type of chain binder is the ratchet design. Ratchet binders gradually release tension, allowing for better control.

To use a ratchet chain binder, first pull the chain with your hands. Then tighten it against the product for freight, then unscrew both ratchet sides.

But ensure you don’t totally unscrew them. You don’t want to begin tightening on the last threads for safety concerns.

Furthermore, attach the binder hooks to the chain links after flipping the switch in the binder’s center. This action will help lock the ratchet in a tensioning direction.

Next, move the handle up and down while holding one side of the binder to the ratchet. Otherwise, you can screw both sides of the binder inwards, tightening the chain. Afterwards, simply turn the switch in the binder’s middle to relieve the tension and repeat the operation.

Kinedyne invented the Saf-T-Binder, a ratchet-style chain binder with a T-shaped handle that eliminates the need for a cheater bar while tensioning a load. A cheater bar or extender may cause a load to overtighten, posing a safety risk.

Adjustable Lever Style Chain Binder

The adjustable lever-type chain binder combines two things. Significantly, it blends the speed and simplicity of using a lever-style binder with the adaptability of a ratchet-style binder.

To use the adjustable lever-style chain binder, just hand-pull the chain taut against the product you’re hauling. Then unscrew the adjustable end of the binder halfway.

Afterwards, simply close the binder after attaching the binder hooks to the chain links. And you can do the attachment using the adjustable lever-style chain binder. This motion secures the weight by pulling the chains.

The chain may be too tight or not tight enough. Just open the binder again and loosen or tighten the adjustable end to the appropriate position. Then close it again.

The adjustable lever-style binder is similar to other lever-style binders in some ways.

For example, it requires that you tighten the binder’s handle after tensioning to avoid involuntary release. However, it also has an incorporated locking system.

Recoilless Style Chain Binder

The recoilless kind of chain binder gives a two-step release procedure. Despite its comparable look and functionality, this feature is similar to a lever-style chain binder.

The first step relieves part of the tension, allowing you to relax fully in the second step with a little “kick-back.” This safety element unquestionably aids in lowering the operator’s danger.

The recoilless chain binder’s handle requires extra security after tightening, like the lever style. And this additional securement is to avoid unintentional release. So again, a commercial chain binder handle lock would perfectly suit this function.

This particular chain binder is virally in use by freight companies in Canada. And we’ll expand more on it in subsequent parts of this article.

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Recoilless Chain Binders: Its Features and How and When To Use

Lever binders are a means of fastening cargo on a flatbed truck. Straps or chains are commonly for tying and securing flatbed freight loads to the truck bed. The strap or chain tightening secures your load adequately using tension force.

In Canada, freight companies mostly employ two types of chain binders: the ratchet binder and the lever binder. However, because it typically feels safer and easier to use, ratchet models are quickly becoming the preferred options for freight distribution outfits in the country.

However, there are situations when a lever binder is a superior option. And we’ll be focusing on it onwards.

Why Consider Buying Recoilless Chain Binders

Recoilless lever binders have the potential to save your life. Significantly, they reduce the principal source of severe or lethal injuries associated with load securement. And they do this using a cam-action to spread strain.

Different businesses may select from various chain binder models. But, we want to ensure you make the best decision when you want to buy chain binders for your freight distribution and logistics needs.

Therefore, we’ve put together this article with all the fundamental facts you need to know about the recoilless lever chain binder.

A heavy-duty steel tensioning device is known as a lever binder. It provides a system of precisely raising the tension in a G70 chain to secure the haul.

The lever binder is also for loosening the chain and reducing tension when unloading the goods. Cranking the lever back and forth does this.

It’s no news that lever binders can be lethal. OSHA has reported 60 serious injuries and deaths from lever-binder incidents in the last ten years.

Most of these occurrences included the lever accumulating tremendous tension before an abrupt release. Unfortunately, in several cases, the steel lever swings forward with such power that it impacts the personnel, causing serious –and occasionally fatal– injuries.

There’s a safer lever-binding option: recoilless lever chain binders. It’s a feasible alternative to immersing yourself in precautions or limitations of ratchet binder use.

You not only get the leverage and tensioning speed of a standard lever when you use a recoilless lever. But you also avoid the risk of the lever whipping forward abruptly owing to tension. This escape is possible because instead of allowing tension to build up in the lever, recoilless lever binders employ cam-action to distribute it.

Using Recoilless Lever Chain Binders

Capacity is a vital factor when selecting a chain and load binder team. All the chains’ cumulative WLL (working load limit) must not exceed the fasten-download.

If your cargo weighs 4,000 pounds and you want to utilize four chains, each one must have a WLL of at least 1,000 pounds. The overall capacity of four chains of 1,000 lbs WLL each is 4,000 lbs. This capacity is enough to secure a 4,000 lb weight.

A WLL of at least 1,000 lbs is essential for each binder. Always utilize binders with an equal or larger capacity than the chains you’ll tighten.

Meanwhile, the following are how to use the recoilless chain binders:

Connect Grab-Hooks

To secure the load, connect grab-hooks, also known as tension hooks, to any two places on the G70 chain you’re using.

Then ensure the recoilless lever binder is connected to locations far enough apart. This distance ensures that you may appropriately tighten the grips to secure the load while they remain seamlessly accessible to you.

The above implies that you needn’t use a cheater bar to stretch the lever handle. Instead, link the recoilless lever binder to locations in the chain that you can readily access and maneuver.

Tighten the Chain

To tighten and secure the load, add strain to the chain. To accomplish this, move the lever bar back and forth using leverage. The independent cam mechanism will keep tension from building up in the lever and reduce the risk of re-recoil.

Observe Safety Precautions

Whether you’re relaxing or tightening the strain on the chain, ensure to use caution. Although a recoilless lever binder decreases the possibility of a lever snapping back owing to built-up tension, an accident is still conceivable.

Set the Lever in Line with the Chain

Set the lever parallel to the chain after the chain is taut enough and the weight is secure. Then, lock the lever in place with a lock pin or a safety locking clip.

This action will help you avoid the chance of residual strain causing the lever to spring open spontaneously. You don’t want your chain potentially loosening abruptly.

Important Safety Precautions

• Ensure the lever binder is in use by one person at a time.
• Don’t leap on the bar or climb onto the weight; keep your feet firmly planted on the ground.
• Keep your neck and head out of the fire line if you lose your grasp. In other words, make sure the lever’s movement is parallel to your body and can’t hit your head or neck if it breaks.
• Please, never, ever, ever lean over the lever.
• Bind and unbind at a regular interval. A person may feel hurried as a result of stress or other problems. However, hurrying doesn’t save time and may result in damage. Remember, nature gets everything done without skipping processes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing Recoilless Lever Chain Binders

There are three factors to consider when choosing recoilless lever and other binder types. They include the brand, size, and strength (or Working Load Limit). Let’s take a closer look at these factors.

Binders’ Brand

We can’t possibly include all of the brands available on the lever binder market. Therefore, when looking for a lever binder, consider the following questions about the reputation of any given brand:

Is the brand in compliance with DOT safety regulations?

These measures include things like correctly displaying the working load limit and breaking strength on the binder. Additionally, it includes meeting or surpassing strength and durability standards.

Is it a well-known fact that the brand uses high-quality materials?

You’ll need heavy-duty steel for load binders. And you’ll want to ensure they are Ideally coated or plated for corrosion resistance.

Is there anything unique or proprietary about the brand’s product that improves durability, safety, or strength?

Some brands hold exclusive patents on unique load binder products. So, check if the brand you’re purchasing does.

Is the brand economical?

Ensure you don’t go overboard with your spending! The most expensive binder isn’t usually the best binder. Therefore, make price comparisons and hunt for bargains.

Strength (WLL)

The Working Load Limit (WLL) is the breaking strength of a load binder divided by three. If your weight load is more than the WLL of a binder or chain, you’ll need to employ numerous chains and binders adequately spaced.

The WLL of the load binder is stamped and labelled on the chain binder itself, as required by DOT regulations.

It’s always a good idea to store up on binders because you never know what you’ll be transporting in the future.

Size

G70 chains are available in various lengths, diameters, and thicknesses. Knowing what size chain you’re working with can help you pick the correct recoilless lever binder. Make sure the chain’s size and thickness are suitable for the hooks on your binder.

Benefits of Using Chain Binders

Every chain binder has the same goal: to tighten the chains that hold your goods during transportation. Binders keep your load from moving around or falling off your trailer.

Chain binder benefits include the following:

• Chain binders allow you to secure your cargo in quick fashion.
• These ratcheting type binders are great for towing prep because they keep your goods safe and tight without the need for bungees,  knots, ropes, or other typical attaching methods.
• Chain binders are great for fastening heavy machinery, large freight loads, and other items.
• These chain binders are great with additional chains of the grade and size required for your application.
• Each binder has a strong handle that gives you the leverage to secure the cargo restraints properly.
• Chain binders come in multiple working load capacities and breaking strengths to guarantee that your fastening system can handle the job.
• A toggle handle will lock in place to hold the weight once you tighten it.
• These chain binders have robust designs to last for the long haul, featuring durable components and heavyweight construction.
• They also provide a rapid attachment option with easy attachment hook ends, allowing you to get on the road and tow in no time.

Related Article: The A-Z of Flatbed Tarps

In the End

It’s not enough to know the chain binder you want to use. Double-check that you’re using the correct load binder for your freight business.

Your cargo weight and other factors will usually influence your eventual choice.

Since chains and load binders operate together as a team, you must ensure they’re compatible.

At this point, you likely know how to choose chain binders for your freight company. But you may not know where to get quality ones with the best features of chain binders. Toronto Trailers is the answer to that question.

Check out our collection of chain binders in Ontario. Our chains are not only durable, but their operation offers plenty of value for money.

Look through our online catalogue or call 416-477-5488 to discuss more chain binder options.