Another One for the Truckies

[radleymartinez]

Hello Truck Transport People,

When I had some steel dropped off today at home the truck driver had a very mixed load of steel tided down using "load chokers". I had not seen these before. Do you use them and are they as good as they looked?

To untie my bundle of steel from the load the bloke just loosened off enough slack on the ratchet straps to slide one side of the choker off. Then lifted the straps off either side of the bundle. There was easy access to my bundle and was unloaded really quickly. Then they just put the straps to the centre over the load again and slipped the straps through the choker and tightened it up.

I found some YouTube clips online accessed, The Load Choker *Promotional Video* - YouTube and Load Choker - YouTube

Kind regards.

[Tins]

Hello Truck Transport People,

When I had some steel dropped off today at home the truck driver had a very mixed load of steel tided down using "load chokers". I had not seen these before. Do you use them and are they as good as they looked?

To untie my bundle of steel from the load the bloke just loosened off enough slack on the ratchet straps to slide one side of the choker off. Then lifted the straps off either side of the bundle. There was easy access to my bundle and was unloaded really quickly. Then they just put the straps to the centre over the load again and slipped the straps through the choker and tightened it up.

I found some YouTube clips online accessed, The Load Choker *Promotional Video* - YouTube and Load Choker - YouTube

Kind regards.

We didn't have them at OneSteel. But yes, when I was delivering steel, especially bright, we had to put the chain or strap around the load to pull back on itself in much the same way as the choker does, but we had to undo the whole strap to unload. The thing is you need to cinch the load, especially bright.

[gromit]

Hello Truck Transport People,

When I had some steel dropped off today at home the truck driver had a very mixed load of steel tided down using "load chokers". I had not seen these before. Do you use them and are they as good as they looked?

To untie my bundle of steel from the load the bloke just loosened off enough slack on the ratchet straps to slide one side of the choker off. Then lifted the straps off either side of the bundle. There was easy access to my bundle and was unloaded really quickly. Then they just put the straps to the centre over the load again and slipped the straps through the choker and tightened it up.

I found some YouTube clips online accessed, The Load Choker *Promotional Video* - YouTube and Load Choker - YouTube

Kind regards.

Seems odd for a first post, are you just promoting the product ??

Colin

[V8Ian]

Never seen them before, but they seem to be a device to further dumb the industry down. It's not hard to choke a load without those gadgets, but I can see how they would save a few minutes. Are they rated and approved, to Australian standards?

@gromit, odd is a USA member promoting an Australian retailer and YouTube.

[Tins]

Never seen them before, but they seem to be a device to further dumb the industry down.

You mean like ratchet straps and tautliners rather than truckie's hitches and canvas tarps? I did metro steel deliveries for a bit and any five minutes saved was worth it.

[V8Ian]

You mean like ratchet straps and tautliners rather than truckie's hitches and canvas tarps? I did metro steel deliveries for a bit and any five minutes saved was worth it.

Don't get me wrong, I'd use them, but if I didn't have them it wouldn't be a show stopper.
I once delivered a couple of ten tonne steel coils from Wollongong to Brisbane. I stopped in the delivery yard and started to undo the tarp, when a bloke ran from the office and told me to stop. I thought there was a problem with the order or something. All they wanted to do was take a photo, as no other load had ever arrived so neatly tarped.
How many of today's "truckies" can tarp a load, particularly those of a certain demographic?

[Slunnie]

The chokes are great, our steel merchant also used to use them, and now sell them. I really like how tight they pull the bundle while securing it.

They're not expensive, but for small personal loads I do the same thing as a choke, except just with D shackles. The good thing about D shackles is that they cant slip off the strap if the tension is somehow lost.

[DiscoDB]

Hmmm -same word for word post was made 3 years ago by another member…..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/286246-another-one-truckies-load-choker.html

….best bit is you made the same reply 3 years ago Slunnie!

[Slunnie]

Never seen them before, but they seem to be a device to further dumb the industry down. It's not hard to choke a load without those gadgets, but I can see how they would save a few minutes. Are they rated and approved, to Australian standards?

@gromit, odd is a USA member promoting an Australian retailer and YouTube.

What defines if a load choker can or cant be used in Australia? Is it just a load rating? I don't think I've ever seen a shackle, chain, dog or anything with a Standards Australia AS stamp.

[V8Ian]

What defines if a load choker can or cant be used in Australia? Is it just a load rating? I don't think I've ever seen a shackle, chain, dog or anything with a Standards Australia AS stamp.
I'm not sure, Simon, but rope is no longer acceptable. They were perfectly fine for a hundred years, then suddenly became death traps.

[V8Ian]

Mild or gal chain is a no-no, only hercalloy is acceptable to various transport authorities, so there must be a standard. I've always relied on common sense and erring on the side of overkill.

[Slunnie]

Mild or gal chain is a no-no, only hercalloy is acceptable to various transport authorities, so there must be a standard. I've always relied on common sense and erring on the side of overkill.

Its interesting about the rope and chain, what has been used for an eternity too, and I have no doubt they're better than a ratchet strap as used by every other person in a ute or with a box trailer. My load chokers have a LC2500kg rating on it for a 50mm strap and an AS/NZS pat pending. I'm assuming thats enough, but as they say about assumptions.... :lol2:

[Saitch]

Mild or gal chain is a no-no, only hercalloy is acceptable to various transport authorities, so there must be a standard. I've always relied on common sense and erring on the side of overkill.

My expensive, Occy Straps bear a tag stating: 'Do Not Over Extend'. [bighmmm]

[V8Ian]

My expensive, Occy Straps bear a tag stating: 'Do Not Over Extend'. [bighmmm]
I might get that as a tattoo. [bigwhistle]

[Tins]

Hmmm -same word for word post was made 3 years ago by another member…..

Another One for the Truckies - Load Choker (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/286246-another-one-truckies-load-choker.html)

….best bit is you made the same reply 3 years ago Slunnie!

Hmm, and here I was assuming Lionel was a real person....

[Tins]

How many of today's "truckies" can tarp a load, particularly those of a certain demographic?

Who cares? Lost arts become lost for a reason.

[Saitch]

I might get that as a tattoo. [bigwhistle]

Where?

[Saitch]

Who cares? Lost arts become lost for a reason.

Mainly to increase their value.

[123rover50]

Hmm, and here I was assuming Lionel was a real person....

I did too though when he first came on I had my doubts.
Then after a few more posts and photos I thought he must be OK.
He hasnt been on for a while has he?

[gromit]

@gromit, odd is a USA member promoting an Australian retailer and YouTube.


Hmmm -same word for word post was made 3 years ago by another member…..

Another One for the Truckies - Load Choker (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/286246-another-one-truckies-load-choker.html)



Clever marketing.....make a post and get everyone going to the YouTube link and talking about the product.
Didn't even have to sign up as a Vendor !

I wonder how many other forums have a similar post.

Colin

[Slunnie]

Hmmm -same word for word post was made 3 years ago by another member…..

Another One for the Truckies - Load Choker (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/286246-another-one-truckies-load-choker.html)

….best bit is you made the same reply 3 years ago Slunnie!

Oh well, I guess at least I haven't changed! :lol2:

I still think the idea of it, or the way it all works is so good. But the D-shackles, they're cheap and everywhere.

[Tins]

Mainly to increase their value.

They're valuable, just no longer relevant.

[V8Ian]

They're valuable, just no longer relevant.
Until the roof rack blows off your home, in a storm.

[Tins]

Until the roof rack blows off your home, in a storm.

SES blokes around here have never driven a semi, let alone tarped one. I'm not knocking the skills, Ian.

[d2dave]

i don't have load chockers, but I use the same princible with rope using a shackle.

Works great when I have a load of items like lengths of steel or timber on the roof rack

[Lionelgee]

Hmmm -same word for word post was made 3 years ago by another member…..

Another One for the Truckies - Load Choker (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/286246-another-one-truckies-load-choker.html)

….best bit is you made the same reply 3 years ago Slunnie!

Hello All,

Yes, I was the original poster ... I am Spartacus! Last time I checked I was a 'real' person. Maybe I could claim royalties if someone else has since plagiarised my original post for their own profit.

No, I am Spartacus!

No, I am Spartacus!

Ooops [bigwhistle]

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

I did too though when he first came on I had my doubts.
Then after a few more posts and photos I thought he must be OK.
He hasnt been on for a while has he?

G'day 123 Rover,

I am a real boy. (Sorry Pinocchio) The first post made three years ago was a genuine witness account. My former background involved working with trees - tree surgery or to use the scientific term 'Arboriculture'. I also taught Arboriculture when I was a TAFE Trade Teacher. When I was working directly in the industry it meant I used ropes everyday - including to tie cut branches and tree trunks down on the backs of trucks and trailers. So, I was very familiar with different knot tying including some I learnt from truck drivers. When I witnessed how adaptable and convenient what is effectively just a C shaped piece of metal was I became inquisitive and I did some further research. Once I found some YouTube clips I figured I would share it with the rest of the group.

Have I bought any chokers? No, I have had ropes break and ratchet straps, or just come loose. The thought of what would at least be a kilogram of solid metal flying along the road unrestrained at anywhere between 60 k/p/h or 100 makes me sick in the guts. I would have to rig up something like strong thin wire slings to secure the choker to the trailer before I used one.

I have been rebuilding my kitchen from scratch, so I have zero time to work on Land Rovers. Therefore, my posts have been pretty scant. More is the pity. Now that the kitchen is finished I am shortly going on a holiday. I am also looking for work as my spotty employment history seems to have resurfaced. I will be 62 in December and I am looking for work in a regional town. What fun. Not! Being unemployed over the Christmas - New Year period is just so demoralising - I have done it before and it sits even less comfortably with me at the prospect of having to do it again. Anyway, I have found some more jobs to apply for - so fingers crossed. I still have some tattered shreds of optimism left.

Oh yes Keith ... "I am Spartacus" It was too hard to resist throwing that last comment in [biggrin]

Kind regards
Lionel

[Tins]

Hello All,


No, I am Spartacus!

No, I am Spartacus!

Ooops [bigwhistle]

Kind regards
Lionel

That explains a lot!

Wondered where you were, Lionel. I hadn’t considered Ancient Rome, but perhaps I should have.

[Lionelgee]

That explains a lot!

Wondered where you were, Lionel. I hadn’t considered Ancient Rome, but perhaps I should have.

Hello Tins,

You could further zero the location in to somewhere in Ancient Rome under a non-de script rock for reasons of camouflage. I am not at my best when I am unemployed. Autism and job interviews are not a winning formula for me. I had an interview via Teams yesterday. Yes, a virtual interview which is an even worse environment than a face to face interview for someone with Autism. Sigh. The very same things that bring about a diagnosis are triggered during the job interview process. It is similar to enforcing a job assessment criteria of someone navigating stairs when they are totally wheelchair dependent. The impairments that meet the diagnostic criteria of the disability are the very things that you are assessed on during a job interview if you are Autistic.

To cite the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2020. Disability, ageing and carers, Australia: Summary of findings, 2018. Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2022 | Australian Bureau of Statistics (https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release). Accessed 2024 found that in Australia, the labor force participation rate for people with Autism was 38% among the 94,600 people of working age (15–64 years) in 2018 compared to 53.4% of all working age people with disability and 84.1% of people without disability. This boils down to amongst all the different types of disability people with Autism had the worst labor force participation rate in Australia. I wonder how many did not make it through the interview stage?

Oh well - onwards and upwards. More jobs to apply for.

I will now step down from my soapbox ...

Kind regards
Lionel

[V8Ian]

Would that not be a strigil box, Lionel? [wink11]