Thread: Ropes illegal to tie a load

There are a couple of misconception regarding ropes. Most decent ropes have some sort of rating so can be used for appropriate circumstances, though you may need to prove the rating. Adding an additional rated rope or strap does not neccesarily increase the capacity of the load tied down, eg just running 2 x 200kg rated ropes across a load does not automatically change the rating to accommodate 400kgs. It is to do with the impact load force on that rope so in a lot of cases will still only be 200kg max. then as soon as you put any knot in a rope it reduces load capacity by 20-30%. Then there is also calculating the force exerted on the rope. It is not just the weight of the item being carried, but the force exerted in circumstances of deceleration etc. So in effect a 20kg item can easily become nearly 80kg in force in certain situations.
Roping and tying down loads vertically over a load is also fairly different from securing horizontal movement so require different methods.
I generally use static kernmantle rope for heavier loads as it is rated to 3000kgs and even as in rescue when working with a safety margin of 8-1 is still way in excess of most laods.
I think you would have most police officers silenced if you actually asked them to calculate the load and determine the force and load restraint required. We would all need to carry a riggers handbook and calculator with us or have a good understanding of rigging calculations.

As someone who has very limited ability when it comes to knots I use straps. However they are a lot more limited in the way you can tie down a load. If the actual law change is to ban the use of ropes it is ridiculous as they are far more versatile than any strap.

I did a bit of searching and was unable to find anything in relation to actual law changes. So is this a change in the interpretation of the law or an actual change to the legislation? There is a big difference.

Learning to tie knots
I have read all the posts regarding rope and the use of, and having spent nearly 10 years driver training with the army and nearly 3 yrs with the Road Transport Training Council loading and lashing was subject that I spent a lot of time teaching. Old army training always starts with the care and use of your equipment. As Mick 110 said its a poor law and if I was fined I would be inclined to settle the case in a court. Just about any rope o r strap that comes into contact with any petroleum product will lose its rated strength quickly, While with the RTTC, I was called upon to write a report on the restraints used by a transport company that was involved in an accident due to its load moving, It was hard to say which broke first but the 12 mil polly. Rope had broken and one strap had snapped, On close inspection of the strap I found that all the stitching on the end of it where the hook is was rotten due to having come in contact with petroleum and possibly other chemical products it was another accident waiting to happen, and the rope was 50% stained from oil
Polypropylene ropes are all so very sanative to high UV and I have seen then wear from the inside from being left or draged on the ground, grit etc gets into the fibbers and chafe the stands.
When teaching any one to tieknots the best way is to have the student sit behind you on step or stairs so that they are not getting a mirror view I had a group of students that I had to teach how to splice rope using this method it worked.
In regards to the truckies hitch I have seen several variations of this knot and most work successfully, but I have seen a lot slip while being tied or at a time when they are under greater stress than when tied. This is due to either the tier not knowing how to tie it correctly and or new or unsuitable rope.
Just as a point of interest I once witnessed a LWB Landrover bogged to the axles recovered with 12mil rope with three truckies hitches in one rope recovered by two soldiers.


Hodgo

I imagine the cops are favouring ropes because mugs like me have not had expert training in how to tie ropes and so straps are much easier for us to get right. And then a net is there to catch bits of the load which fly out.


However, I must say when I recently threw a net over a trailer load of mulch I got from the tip I was pretty skeptical about whether the net would actually do much if I hit a strong wind. Judging by the trails of mulch along the roadside on the way out of the tip I'd say my scepticism was justified. Even throwing a tarp under a net might not have caught it all.

Originally Posted by loneranger

As someone who has very limited ability when it comes to knots I use straps. However they are a lot more limited in the way you can tie down a load. If the actual law change is to ban the use of ropes it is ridiculous as they are far more versatile than any strap.

I did a bit of searching and was unable to find anything in relation to actual law changes. So is this a change in the interpretation of the law or an actual change to the legislation? There is a big difference.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I would imagine it's a reminder that like any restraint including rope needs to be rated, I would say they are changing the "the interpretation of the law "

Makes sense that if all other forms of restraints are rated, then rope should be also.

Baz.

I just spent all morning hunting around Kalgoorlie for some turnbuckles to secure a 40 litre Engel fridge to the fridge slide. Needed them correct length with hooks both ends - not easy to find so I found out. Eventually found at a small 4WD Accessories place who used to sell Engel fridges and accessories.

Option 2 if I could not find turnbuckles was to use 4 small ratchet straps, or possibly cam-lock luggage straps - but I couldn't find any small enough to do that either.

Option 3 was going to be 4 lengths of rope with truckies hitches, at least until I get across to Adelaide later in the week and could find something better.

BUT ..................... 2 of the places that I went to suggested that I just use elasticized "occy" straps.

Seriously ..................... holding a loaded 40 litre Engel in place with oversized elastic bands. Some people simply have no idea. Both places that suggested this option were well known auto accessories stores.

I just use ratchet straps. Engel do sell rated straps, I seem to remember.

I use straps. They are quite short and have hooks and eyes. I think they are Andy Strapz. I'll check later. They could be Michelle's. See Fridge Tie Down Kit - MSA 4x4 Accessories (no pics there)

They look like these: