Best practice for strapping heavy loads

Transporting heavy loads like ingots, steel sheets, coils, and timber requires careful consideration to ensure safety and stability.  

Importance of properly secured heavy loads

Proper strapping is essential not only for safe storage but also for secure transport. In this article we'll explore the best practices for securing heavy loads using two popular materials, steel and PET strapping. 
Ensuring that heavy loads are properly secured during transport is crucial for several reasons:

Safety Concerns: Unsecured loads pose significant risks to both people and infrastructure. Shifting or falling cargo can lead to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. If a heavy load fails during transit, authorities may investigate the cause to determine whether it was properly secured. Failing to secure the load can have serious consequences for the responsible business.

Transport Efficiency: Properly strapped loads minimise the risk of damage during transit, reducing potential losses and maintaining the quality of the goods.

Minimise losses: Efficient strapping techniques reduce the likelihood of product damage, which can result in financial savings and increased customer satisfaction.

Using steel strapping for heavy loads

Steel strapping is usually the preferred method for industries closely tied to metal products, such as the steel industry. This strapping material is known for its high strength and durability, making it an excellent choice for heavy duty applications.

For application by hand, tools from the FROMM pneumatic steel strapping tool range, such as the A383 or A483, provide the necessary tension and precision. For fully automated solutions, the FROMM MH200 steel strapping head serves as the core of the machine, offering fast, efficient and consistent strapping with an extensive range of options available.

Automated systems can be customised with features such as top and side compression, bearer insertion, moving machines, and label applicators. These features ensure that even the heaviest products are securely unitised for transport and storage.

Using PET (polyester) strapping for heavy loads

PET strapping, particularly FROMM high performance PET strapping, is a versatile and robust option for securing heavy loads. For loads including hardwood timber, steel and compression bales it can be applied by hand by using tools like the P331 battery tool, which pulls a tension of up to 7000N. For high speed and high volume production, strapping can be integrated into fully automated strapping lines with industry proven equipment such as the FROMM MH610 strapping head.

One of the advantages of PET strapping is its ability to absorb impact without compromising the integrity of the load, making it ideal for products that might shift or settle during transit. This flexibility, combined with high tensile strength, ensures that loads remain secure throughout the transportation process.

Determining the strength of your strap

To ensure the highest level of safety and efficiency, it is vital to use mathematical formulas to determine the appropriate strapping strength. As a general rule of thumb the net breaking force of the strapping should exceed the weight of the load by a ratio of at least 2:1. For instance, a pack of aluminium billets weighing 2000 kg would require strapping capable of handling over 4000 kg/f.

Moreover, strap strength must be calculated at the weakest point of the strapping, which is usually the seal. To calculate this you must factor in a safety clearance based on the product's vulnerability. When securing heavy loads with strapping conducting application specific testing is vital to ensure the seal will hold under transport stress. Testing methods, such as tilting the packaged product to simulate transport conditions, can help identify failure points and optimise packaging design.

The breaking strain of a strap is not the only factor to evaluate; the level of tension applied to the strap is another crucial consideration. The tension needed varies with each product type and the type of strapping material used, making simulated testing essential.

For those unsure about the best practices for their specific needs, consulting an approved testing organisation can provide you with valuable insights. You can also reach out to the FROMM team for advice or enquire about our simulation testing service. By adopting the right strapping techniques, businesses can ensure the safe, efficient, and cost effective transport of heavy loads.

Contact Us if you would like to review how you strap your heavy loads.