Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: JSMC on November 30, 2014, 04:59:09 pm

Title: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: JSMC on November 30, 2014, 04:59:09 pm
anyone willing to admit to it on here? my current set up is bolted but new van i may just try straps
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Smudger on November 30, 2014, 05:03:27 pm
I see no problem with straps if the tank is against a bulkhead, this is how I did it in my old combo. All current vans are bolted in as the tank now sits further back so I can load things like gutter vacs or pressure washers

Darran
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Dave Willis on November 30, 2014, 06:11:32 pm
I used to with a layflat tank. Trouble was when carrying Daughter/Wife in the front it always crossed my mind that maybe I hadn't chosen the safest method of securing such a large weight. Felt rather guilty about it so had the next one bolted in. I wouldn't strap an upright myself - up to you really.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: johnny bravo on November 30, 2014, 06:26:49 pm
ive strapped a 350 upright,  but only around 200 litres being put in,     only water in when working,   id empty if driving about for pleasure , or for days out.

if i notice any activity with the tank id seek advice to get bolted ans strapped in.

how much do garages charge to drill holes to bolt into van
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Soupy on November 30, 2014, 06:31:48 pm
Ratchet straps aren't really a problem. It's where you tie them to that's the real question.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Sean Dyer on November 30, 2014, 06:33:41 pm
ive had my 500 litre upright tank ratcheted to the van fixing points in my last van (vivaro) and current van - transporter

Its a 10 tonne strap i think , i reckon i need to get a new one now as its been in there a few years but ive never had a problem

Its always been tight to the bulkhead and has never moved
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: slap bash on November 30, 2014, 06:36:56 pm
I have 2x 8 ton ratche straps on a 350 liter tank .
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: tlwcs on November 30, 2014, 06:54:00 pm
I have 9 bungee/luggage straps all linked together holding my 500 ltr upright tank.
I used to worry each time I opened the van door that if one failed it would have my eye out. I then pinched each one up with plyers so they can't come undone, sorted. :-)
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: PoleKing on November 30, 2014, 06:55:04 pm
Ive always had my tanks bolted in but took it out a month or so ago to fibreglass.
Its not strapped in.
2 reasons.
1, I can use the van better without a tank in for other things.
2, It's not classed as a modified vehicle (though typing this, I'm not sure about the fibreglass) so the insurance should be cheaper.
I feel fine with it.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Smudger on November 30, 2014, 07:21:13 pm
Ive always had my tanks bolted in but took it out a month or so ago to fibreglass.
Its not strapped in.
2 reasons.
1, I can use the van better without a tank in for other things.
2, It's not classed as a modified vehicle (though typing this, I'm not sure about the fibreglass) so the insurance should be cheaper.
I feel fine with it.

Odd isn't it, my insurance is cheaper with them bolted in  ???
They also ask if it's ply lined, to which I see no relevance to the vehicle..

Darran
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Soupy on November 30, 2014, 08:06:54 pm
Nae this again.  ::)roll


Not a modification.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: PoleKing on November 30, 2014, 08:16:40 pm
Nae this again.  ::)roll


Not a modification.

I made the jump after your posts bud.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: gary999 on November 30, 2014, 08:23:50 pm
Ratchet straps themselves are not a problem they have normally
been batch proof tested to destruction which with webbing is normally
a ratio of 6:1 of the Minimum breaking load or the safe working load
if bought from a reputable company you will have a certificate of conformity
or a test certificate that would confirm this.

Obviously higher the tonnage of the swl or mbl the better.

Any potential problem with a ratchet strapping system is normally either
the metal fittings which are not made from a high tensile steel are more
likely to fail earlier than the strapping under shock load when proof tested
to destruction they generally only have a proof rating of 2:1

The other potential problem failure is what the strapping system is
attached to and how secure it is.

I left this industry in 2007 and im probably a little out of date,i can
only imagine safety standards within the industry have only got
tighter.

If you do buy ratchet straps, buy them from a reputable company
that provide a certificate of conformity or even better a test certificate
that proves they are fit for purpose.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: johnny bravo on November 30, 2014, 10:06:43 pm
what would a garage charge to fix a tank in,        do these companys who fix the full wfp   gear into a van    offer this service alone.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Window Lickers on November 30, 2014, 10:18:11 pm
I have 2x 8 ton ratche straps on a 350 liter tank .

What are the hooks rated at the the straps are on?
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Window Lickers on November 30, 2014, 10:20:02 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1417386126_Screen Shot 2014-11-30 at 22.20.23.png)


How ironic.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: gary999 on November 30, 2014, 10:35:49 pm
I have 2x 8 ton ratche straps on a 350 liter tank .

What are the hooks rated at the the straps are on?

If he has bought them from a proper source the claw hooks or
delta links should be 8 tonne aswell
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: dazmond on December 01, 2014, 07:12:06 am
i bought a brand new 500L upright tank and frame from window cleaning warehouse for £400 then got my local garage to fit it with spreader plates for £100 so £500 all in(well £510 as i gave them an extra tenner as they had to take the fuel tank off and exhaust to screw the frame in securely. ;D ;D)

in my last van i had a 350 layflat strapped down tight with just one 5 ton ratchet strap through eyebolts in the floor.never had a problem.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Mike #1 on December 01, 2014, 11:03:55 am
I have 9 bungee/luggage straps all linked together holding my 500 ltr upright tank.
I used to worry each time I opened the van door that if one failed it would have my eye out. I then pinched each one up with plyers so they can't come undone, sorted. :-)



Got to be a wind up
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: JSMC on December 01, 2014, 11:24:23 am
i probs stick with 400ltr upright tank in cage and strap it in up tight against bulkhead. also thought about a barrel system in van using 60ltr drums or 100ltr drums.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Tony dunmall on December 01, 2014, 08:37:42 pm
Had both over years

I imagine depends  what it's strapped to and how,

Had 350lt rachetd in till my eldest daughter started four months ago now we use a 500 litre rachetd with two 10 ton straps, some may not approve but I'm quiet happy with it,
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Pure Shine on December 01, 2014, 11:10:04 pm
I use 4  2 ton straps on my 550 litre upright in my vivaro using the load holders doesn't move
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Nick_Thompson on December 02, 2014, 12:01:38 am
After taking my transit to the weighbridge I discovered that, although I have a 1000 litre tank, I can only legally fill it to the 750 litre mark.

If I were to exchange the rather hefty metal frame for a couple of ratchet straps how many more litres/kg could I carry.

Does anybody know?

Nick
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Soupy on December 02, 2014, 04:53:49 pm
After taking my transit to the weighbridge I discovered that, although I have a 1000 litre tank, I can only legally fill it to the 750 litre mark.

If I were to exchange the rather hefty metal frame for a couple of ratchet straps how many more litres/kg could I carry.

Does anybody know?

Nick


Depends how hefty your hefty metal frame is.
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: ChumBucket on December 02, 2014, 05:04:42 pm
Ive always had my tanks bolted in but took it out a month or so ago to fibreglass.
Its not strapped in.
2 reasons.
1, I can use the van better without a tank in for other things.
2, It's not classed as a modified vehicle (though typing this, I'm not sure about the fibreglass) so the insurance should be cheaper.
I feel fine with it.

Odd isn't it, my insurance is cheaper with them bolted in  ???
They also ask if it's ply lined, to which I see no relevance to the vehicle..

Darran

It's because of the possibility of damage to the vans panels by items inside the rear load area impacting on them from the inside thus putting a lump on the outside of the panel. This is what ply lining is for + for a fixing mount. ;)
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Ian Lancaster on December 02, 2014, 05:44:12 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1417386126_Screen Shot 2014-11-30 at 22.20.23.png)


How ironic.

I think it was a wind-up.

Someone had to take the bait ;D
Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Ian Lancaster on December 02, 2014, 05:52:18 pm
Ratchet straps aren't really a problem. It's where you tie them to that's the real question.

Not much response to this comment ???

We use lengths of angle steel (about 6cm each way) and fix them in across the van bed with U-bolts made from short lengths of angle under chassis members with two hi-tensile bolts up each side of the member then through the angle in the van bed.  This means we only have to drill through the van floor, not the chassis.

The upright of the angle is drilled to accept the strap hooks.

The angle forward of the tank prevents forward movement and the one behind stops backward movement.  The ratchet straps prevent the tank lifting off the bed in the event of a crash.

No-ones had a 'full-on' crash yet, but a few near misses and bumps, never had a tank move.

Title: Re: who all uses ratchet straps?
Post by: Ian Lancaster on December 02, 2014, 05:58:17 pm
After taking my transit to the weighbridge I discovered that, although I have a 1000 litre tank, I can only legally fill it to the 750 litre mark.

If I were to exchange the rather hefty metal frame for a couple of ratchet straps how many more litres/kg could I carry.

Does anybody know?

Nick


Depends how hefty your hefty metal frame is.

And how far into your cheek your tongue is ;D