Life Span of Snatch straps

[Tombie]

Well an interesting couple of days reading on forums and FacePalm.

The story:
A lad purchased a 12,000lb snatch strap, used it twice, and the stitching tore from inside the eyelet toward the main strap.

Contacted the supplier/manufacturer, asking for a warranty on the barely used, an looking at the rest of the strap - under stressed - product.

Warranty claim denied...

Reason quoted in writing from the Supplier "Snatch straps have a life expectancy of 2-6 pulls after which they should be discarded and replaced" :o

What a load of rubbish!!!!!

I have straps from long term reputable suppliers that would be 20-40 recoveries old and in excellent condition... I inspect them every time they are used.

[Eevo]

sounds like a bs excuse.

got a link?

[Geedublya]

It may have been one of the brands in this comparison.

UNSEALED 4X4 ISSUE 012 (http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/issue012/#23)

Personally I'll be sticking to ARB or Opposite Lock.

[BMKal]

It may have been one of the brands in this comparison.

UNSEALED 4X4 ISSUE 012 (http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/issue012/#23)

Personally I'll be sticking to ARB or Opposite Lock.

Saw that comparison recently - and also one they have done on tyre deflators.

They certainly show that there is some crap out there for sale ...............

[XDrive]

It is extremely difficult for any manufacturer to accurately assess the forces being applied to their particular product. Therefore in some instances manufacturers will rely on the fact that stitching has failed and use this as a gauge to determine if the strap has been 'overloaded'

In some cases manufacturers weave a red thread the length of the strap and if this thread is showing or is broken then the strap has been overloaded.

The shock load in even a so called 'easy recovery' can far exceed the manufacturers recommended loads and this is one reason that 'snatch straps' are inherently dangerous.

The MBS of a 'Snatch Strap should be two to three times the GVM of the lighter of the two vehicles involved in the recovery operation and caution should be used in the manner in which the load is applied. You cannot simply take off as if you were competing in a 'drag race'.

One of the reason as a Professional Four Wheel Drive Trainer that I avoid using a 'snatch strap' wherever possible and if necessary I will use a Kinetic Recovery Rope before contemplating using a strap.

Yes your strap may very well still be in a usable condition after numerous recoveries, simply due to the fact that you have never overloaded the strap and have been careful in it's use and care. However one 'bad' recovery can change this very quickly.

[Mick_Marsh]

What about age?
I have a snatch strap that has never been used. It must be approaching twenty years old.

[Tombie]

In many cases yes that is true.. However the method of failure in this instance indicates a fault in the stitching.

However for the supplier to claim in normal use a strap is throw away after 2-6 recoveries is laughable..

Those wishing to examine should search for a "Marvel Comic" character...:cool:

[B.S.F.]

I think I've used mine twice in about 15 years. It's a SPANSET. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that the company is still in existence and manufacturing lifting , towing and safety equipment .

[Toxic_Avenger]

Just a quick topic diversion, as this has me thinking:

I've got an ARB 8000kg strap. It has only ever done one recovery which was a bogged forklift on a muddy field. A holden colorado couldn't move it (I thought work vehicles could go anywhere / do anything :confused:), so we ended up dragging the fork out of the bog with a tractor!
Wondering if it's worth tossing the strap, as it was pulling (read towing under static stretch) a 3.5t fork with a even larger tractor. Strap looks OK on inspection... but don't want it coming thru the window at me with the speeds in the magazine videos. :eek:

[rangieman]

In many cases yes that is true.. However the method of failure in this instance indicates a fault in the stitching.

However for the supplier to claim in normal use a strap is throw away after 2-6 recoveries is laughable..

Those wishing to examine should search for a "Marvel Comic" character...:cool:

Simple dont buy from that supplier ;) Lesson learned:eek:
I know it is too late now but next strap ask about warranty before purchase

[Eevo]

Those wishing to examine should search for a "Marvel Comic" character...:cool:

only a few hundred marvel characters.... can you narrow it down to a film series.... oh...

[Eevo]

. but don't want it coming thru the window at me with the speeds in the magazine videos. :eek:


if the snatch breaks, given they are so lightweight, would it even break a window?

i could understand if there was a towball or something attached

[Tombie]

ARB straps have a red telltale thread built in.. Once it becomes exposed the strap is rendered useless.

[Eevo]

and also one they have done on tyre deflators.


can you link that one please. i have not seen it.

[Tombie]

Simple dont buy from that supplier ;) Lesson learned:eek:
I know it is too late now but next strap ask about warranty before purchase


You're correct - although it still doesn't help.

Imagine your vehicle was hanging from it on a rising tide and it failed so badly.

Then consider the bad PR such as this and its impact. Many a person who read this blokes post has decided to shop elsewhere. That's a lot of lost income for avoiding a warranty issue.

They also failed the testing in 4wdA mag by a decent margin - so I'm unsure why they continue to sell them.


But the biggest point gain is the claimed lifespan!!!
100877

[Eevo]

on a related note

4WD & Outdoor Supacentre Pty Ltd (http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1072257)

What are the hazards?
Using the Hercules 8,000 kg snatch strap over 5,000 kg and the 11,000 kg snatch strap over 6,000 kg could result in injury or death.

Traders who sold this product
4WD Supacentre
Tigerz11
Express Publications Pty Ltd



and Ironman allegedly have a voluntary recall on a particular batch of snatch snaps made in 2015.

[rangieman]

You're correct - although it still doesn't help.

Imagine your vehicle was hanging from it on a rising tide and it failed so badly.

Then consider the bad PR such as this and its impact. Many a person who read this blokes post has decided to shop elsewhere. That's a lot of lost income for avoiding a warranty issue.

They also failed the testing in 4wdA mag by a decent margin - so I'm unsure why they continue to sell them.


But the biggest point gain is the claimed lifespan!!!
100877

I know what your saying but word of mouth is a powerfull marketing tool esp on Dumb book ;)
I know its not my car or someone i know but id still vote with my feet after hearing this and go else where;)

[Tombie]

That's what he's done (as above image)...

It's scary just how many people are running lower end gear... It certainly won't go near my vehicles.

[Tombie]

More to the point "a claimed 3-6 pull lifespan"

Under normal operations that's a joke!!!

Under duress we got at least 15 pulls within 1 hour before a quality strap fatigued.

[Bushie]

if the snatch breaks, given they are so lightweight, would it even break a window?

i could understand if there was a towball or something attached

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/433.jpg
Broken strap - nothing attached !!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/434.jpg
Other end (with attachment) went here.


Martyn

[Tombie]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/433.jpg
Broken strap - nothing attached !!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/434.jpg
Other end (with attachment) went here.


Martyn


That cruiser looks like it wore a shackle near the tail light

[Bushie]

Not a shackle, but this might give you a hint as to what the guy used to join the straps :o

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/435.jpg

The tide had been into the brand new ( & borrowed) Kluger.

Martyn

[Ferret]

One of the reason as a Professional Four Wheel Drive Trainer that I avoid using a 'snatch strap' wherever possible and if necessary I will use a Kinetic Recovery Rope before contemplating using a strap.

I always thought a snatch strap worked its magic because it stretched, storing energy and then transferring it to the recovered vehicle to move it forward.

I imagine a kinetic rope must work to same way.

So what is the difference between a snatch strap and a kinetic rope?

[Eevo]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/433.jpg
Broken strap - nothing attached !!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/434.jpg
Other end (with attachment) went here.


Martyn

im semi sus.

also notice the tyre pressure. they have not put it down

[Bushie]

im semi sus.

Expand/explain what you're sus about



also notice the tyre pressure. they have not put it down

Correct - idiots, who were actually bogged on a beach in a national park. - No idea !!

Martyn

[DAMINK]

I have often wondered about snatch straps and there use.
Especially with big shackles to connect them.
Seems dangerous to me and for that reason i dont use them.

I use some straps a mate gave me from a container ship.
Nice wide straps that are easy to tie knots in and untie also.

I never use any shackles at all, rather tie off when needed.
Only had it break on me once and that was because of an over zelous toyo driver pulling me out and using it as a snatch strap instead of taking the load then pulling.

My logic is by using this strap there is little chance of damage to either car or the occupants.
And based on this thread im correct in my thinking.

[Eevo]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][COLOR="Navy"][SIZE="3"]

Expand/explain what you're sus about




that a broken snatch strap can do that much damage. friction from the air quickly arrests its momentum. and thats only possible if it has low momentum.

to give a more extreme example. imagine being hit by a feather going 1000km/h.

its really not going to hurt.

[DAMINK]

that a broken snatch strap can do that much damage. friction from the air quickly arrests its momentum. and thats only possible if it has low momentum.

to give a more extreme example. imagine being hit by a feather going 1000km/h.

its really not going to hurt.

But if the shackle is still attached then the friction from the air will be limited.
The OP pictures show some serious force applied to the cars in a localized area.
Put a paper clip on a rubber band and stretch it and hit yourself.
It hurts. Now do the same without the paper clip and it dont hurt nearly as much.
Thats how i see this thread.

[TerryO]

You should never ever use shackles to connect straps, that is very dangerous, you loop them through each other and use a stick or rolled up magazine or news paper placed between the loops so they can be undone after snatching.

Here is a link to how to join together two straps.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qV9lr6hBXJg



Eevo people get killed here in Australia from incorrectly doing recoveries on a regular basis, usually from putting the strap over a tow ball, but shackles will and do cause exactly the same harm. Even if done properly if a strap breaks then it can cause damage and if someone is standing in the wrong place then injury or worse is possible.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

or an 18" breaker bar?:angel:

[Eevo]

But if the shackle is still attached then the friction from the air will be limited.

if a shackle is attached, its a competly different story.
hence why i rather a snatch break than a shackle

[XDrive]

The assumption that a snatch strap breaking on it's own will do very little damage, is the main reason that people and equipment are damaged. People assume incorrectly that there is very little weight and energy in a broken strap. There are a number of steps which should be followed before any recovery is undertaken and unfortunately lots of people end up taking shortcuts.
The main reason that snatch straps are so dangerous is simply due to lack of training. A cheap product which is purchased and stored in the back of a vehicle with very little regard for it's correct use and application.
The main difference between a 'Snatch Strap' and a Kinetic Energy Recovery Rope (KERR) is in the manufacturing process. Rope is manufactured differently to straps. Very simply, Yarn is twisted into Strands and Strands are twisted into Rope. This in turn means that in order for a rope to fail many strands need to fail.
There is a reason why certain organisations including the Army do not use a Snatch Strap.
In the photographs of the damage to the Kluger and the LandCrusier, i would question if any safety check was performed and if any safety lanyard or dampener was used. I would also question if any other work was performed prior to the snatch rope being used such as simply digging around the tyres etc. As has been noted by others, not lowering the tyre pressures would not have helped.
The other post which mentioned that a shipping container strap was used is also worth commenting on. As was noted the strap 'only broke once' when the rescue vehicle treated it like a 'Snatch Strap'. Once again this is a classic example of using the wrong piece of equipment and people assuming because it looks like a snatch strap it is a snatch strap.
One last point to note. It is all very well to carry recovery equipment in your vehicle but the vast majority of new vehicle do not have adequate recovery points fitted and a 'tie down' point is not a recovery point.
I am amazed that people will spend a vast amount of money on a vehicle, trailer/caravan and an assortment of additional equipment but are reluctant to spend what is in reality a small amount of money to learn how to use not only their vehicle but the equipment as well.

[DAMINK]

The assumption that a snatch strap breaking on it's own will do very little damage, is the main reason that people and equipment are damaged. People assume incorrectly that there is very little weight and energy in a broken strap. There are a number of steps which should be followed before any recovery is undertaken and unfortunately lots of people end up taking shortcuts.
The main reason that snatch straps are so dangerous is simply due to lack of training. A cheap product which is purchased and stored in the back of a vehicle with very little regard for it's correct use and application.
The main difference between a 'Snatch Strap' and a Kinetic Energy Recovery Rope (KERR) is in the manufacturing process. Rope is manufactured differently to straps. Very simply, Yarn is twisted into Strands and Strands are twisted into Rope. This in turn means that in order for a rope to fail many strands need to fail.
There is a reason why certain organisations including the Army do not use a Snatch Strap.
In the photographs of the damage to the Kluger and the LandCrusier, i would question if any safety check was performed and if any safety lanyard or dampener was used. I would also question if any other work was performed prior to the snatch rope being used such as simply digging around the tyres etc. As has been noted by others, not lowering the tyre pressures would not have helped.
The other post which mentioned that a shipping container strap was used is also worth commenting on. As was noted the strap 'only broke once' when the rescue vehicle treated it like a 'Snatch Strap'. Once again this is a classic example of using the wrong piece of equipment and people assuming because it looks like a snatch strap it is a snatch strap.
One last point to note. It is all very well to carry recovery equipment in your vehicle but the vast majority of new vehicle do not have adequate recovery points fitted and a 'tie down' point is not a recovery point.
I am amazed that people will spend a vast amount of money on a vehicle, trailer/caravan and an assortment of additional equipment but are reluctant to spend what is in reality a small amount of money to learn how to use not only their vehicle but the equipment as well.


Great reply man.
Can i just point out i use the container strap because i feel its a lot safer than rope, snatch strap or cable. Plus im a pensioner and dont have a lot of money period.
Even when it does break from improper use it does no damage at all.
That is a good selling point for me. Less to have to fix.
I do however agree with your above comments. I am not following correct procedure per say.

[Roverlord off road spares]

It may have been one of the brands in this comparison.

UNSEALED 4X4 ISSUE 012 (http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/issue012/#23)

Personally I'll be sticking to ARB or Opposite Lock.
Just Straying from the topic, , read the luxury 4wd section in that mag and see the prejudice to the land Rover products.:D

[jonesfam]

No has mentioned a chain?
I have 2 chains, ex lifting with rated hooks.
Good, bad or indifferent Idea?
Jonesfam
PS Used to pull, not snatch.

[weeds]

No has mentioned a chain?
I have 2 chains, ex lifting with rated hooks.
Good, bad or indifferent Idea?
Jonesfam
PS Used to pull, not snatch.


It's an option.....even with a snatch strap I try a dead pull first than a light snatch.

Have used chains, hard to avoid shock loading 100% as slack is created at times.

[Tombie]

I have 3 lengths of Dyneema for static recoveries. Less weight..

[mikehzz]

that a broken snatch strap can do that much damage. friction from the air quickly arrests its momentum. and thats only possible if it has low momentum.

to give a more extreme example. imagine being hit by a feather going 1000km/h.

its really not going to hurt.

I just imagined being hit by a feather doing 1000kph and it hurt a lot. I've got this imaginary welt across my face. Does it matter if I was doing 1000kph and the feather was still, or the feather was doing 1000kph and I was still? My imagination has a hard time getting a feather up to that speed, but I have no trouble imagining a Range Rover doing 1000kph with my head out the window pulling wind faces....:p

[jimr1]

Well an interesting couple of days reading on forums and FacePalm.

The story:
A lad purchased a 12,000lb snatch strap, used it twice, and the stitching tore from inside the eyelet toward the main strap.

Contacted the supplier/manufacturer, asking for a warranty on the barely used, an looking at the rest of the strap - under stressed - product.

Warranty claim denied...

Reason quoted in writing from the Supplier "Snatch straps have a life expectancy of 2-6 pulls after which they should be discarded and replaced" :o

What a load of rubbish!!!!!

I have straps from long term reputable suppliers that would be 20-40 recoveries old and in excellent condition... I inspect them every time they are used.



Thinking about what you say , Snatch Straps come in very basic packaging , I don't recall ever reading instructions say discard after 2-6 pulls . They should get a better than that , if used in the correct manner that they are designed for !!.. Jim ..