SmartStraps Tie Downs

[Lutzy48]

Anybody have any experience with SmartStraps tie-downs. I had bought some ratcheting tie-downs at Home Depot and had to return them as they were chafed after one use. And no it was not a sharp edge that did it. It was a radiused corner square tube. If you know of a better brand of decent tie-down, recommendations would be appreciated. I don't want to loose my 4000# + Ford tractor.

 

[mikehaugen]

Chains don't get chafed.

That said though, I use mostly straps as well. I can't really recommend one brand over the other though. Check ou US cargo control. That is probably where I will buy my next ones.

 

[Scooby074]

I like the Erickson straps. They seem to last and replacement straps are pretty cheap.

Nothing will take sharp edges without some sort of protection. Chains are better overall, but harder to work with.

 

[grnspot110]

Old split fire hose makes good chafing protectors!

 

[bdog]

Chains are your answer.

I don't use straps for anything that has wheels or tracks.

Straps are good for some things but I prefer chains on vehicles.

 

[Lutzy48]

Old split fire hose makes good chafing protectors!

Not being a firefighter, where does one get old fire hose?

 

[TomSeller]

Not being a firefighter, where does one get old fire hose?

I see it on Craigslist quite often.

 

[grnspot110]

Check with you local fire station, fire hose must be tested yearly, they may have some old hose available. We usually just cut the couplers off & tossed the hose in the dumpster.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I use straps 90% of the time. The key is to not allow the strap to touch the equipment. I installed permeant tie down points on my equipment so the hooks of the straps are the only thing that touches.

For hauling stuff that's not mine I have 4 axle straps and 4 towing multi hooks.

Chris

 

[Wolfy]

Lutzy48 I have a 1710. I run a 5/16 chain in the front through the little piece the suitcase weights would hang from. Then I run another 5/16 chain through the pin in the drawbar. Straps are not usually dependable enough for tractor use, and I would not trust them. They do work great for garden tractors though.

 

[Xfaxman]

I use 4 short chains and 4 folding handle ratchet binders. I cut the chain to the length needed, so it is easy to handle. :thumbsup:

 

[Lutzy48]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have chains as well as straps. I use straps most of the time. I get them at Tractor Supply and replace them every 2 years, but I use them a lot.

 

[yelbike]

I have chains as well as straps. I use straps most of the time. I get them at Tractor Supply and replace them every 2 years, but I use them a lot.

What's a smartstrap?

I now put chains across the back than tighten up with straps at the front.

 

[Lutzy48]

What's a smartstrap?

I now put chains across the back than tighten up with straps at the front.

It's a brand of ratcheting tie-down strap that Northern Tool sells.

 

[schmism]

They make these also. The chain ends are used.

 

[TomSeller]

What is that in the background on the right in the last picture? It looks like a tractor. A tractor seems too common for you, given your collection of cool tools and equipment.

 

[TomSeller]

They make these also. The chain ends are used.

Those look very handy. Where did you find them?

 

[Xfaxman]

What is that in the background on the right in the last picture? It looks like a tractor. A tractor seems too common for you, given your collection of cool tools and equipment.

Yep, it is a tractor. A Farmall 400 that came with the property.

I had no use for it, so I sold it to a collector from Illinois.

 

[Sodo]

And no it was not a sharp edge that did it. It was a radiused corner square tube.

Agreed sharp edges are much worse than rounded edges. But remember that thin straps are like elastic bands, there will be movement. Wherever the strap is touching cargo that's in motion, even wiggling just a little bit, there will be fibers cut.

Lets say you go over one concrete highway seam (between 2 concrete slabs on the freeway). And one microfibre gets cut every time the strap slides over the (rounded) corner. And during your transport, you thump-ump thump-ump thump-ump over 10,000 seams on the freeway. You've now cut 10,000 fibers, how many do you have left?

I use straps 90% of the time. The key is to not allow the strap to touch the equipment. I installed permeant tie down points on my equipment so the hooks of the straps are the only thing that touches.

If you are going to use straps this is how you have to do it. The big 2"wide yellow straps are tougher for sure but best that a strap is not touching anything if its going on the highway and subject to thousands of "cycles" rubbing.

My tractor is something like 3,200 lbs with everything, I use 2 chains and the big 2" wide yellow ratchet straps too.