Thread: Snatch Strap Question

Originally Posted by disco_2008

Can you join 3 straps?

yes

Hi Dave,
The problem with a snatch strap which has a higher rating than is recommended for your vehicle is that you will not get the stretching which reduces the loading on both vehicles and their recovery points. This is why "stretch"straps are preferred for recoveries rather than drag chains and winch extension straps.
Regards,
Fredo

Originally Posted by Slunnie

yes

Cool.. Thanks for that.

Originally Posted by disco_2008

Can you join 3 straps?

Yes! In fact at Robe once we had (IIRC) 15 straps joined to get a few vehicles off a particularly soft beach.

Was a sight to behold! I'll get the pic out tonight and post it

Originally Posted by CraigE

Brendon,


Any other potential members want to join the AULRO International Mutual Admiration Society??

PMSL Craig


Static and dynamic ropes/straps etc. I wonder if people appreciate the differences between these items and how they graduate from the ultra stiff to the ultra bouncy. Remember my comments are coming mainly from a UK background and I realise that there are some differences in practices between Australia and the UK.


Static
Under this heading would come items like, fixed metal poles, chains, winch lines (both synthetic and steel) and winch extension straps. IF any slack builds up whilst using these then there will be a shock load which could cause premature failures.

Fixed metal poles only for on bitumen road towing not really of interest here

Chains, not often used/carried in UK. Main use I can see if you wanted to winch with a high lift. Could be used as an anchor point around obstacles without need of padding/protection. If used in a recovery it would result in a 'hard' recovery causing shock loads and possible damage to recovery points etc. Winch lines are quasi flexible metal poles which become quasi fixed metal poles under tension which is being gradually shorten by the winch. Again not to be used for a dynamic recovery due to high shock loads. A winching recovery can be considered as a static recovery as loads etc are applied slowly


Semi static.
Here I would put tree strops and towing straps. These have minimal elasticity. They are designed to work under steady loads, not for use in dynamic recoveries. Can be used as winch extension lines. Good for simple steady pulls

Towing straps are commonly misused in the UK in snatch recoveries resulting in a 'hard' recovery and shock loads



Semi dynamic
Included in this class I would put items such as nylon ropes and snatch straps. Have a good elasticity, useful in dynamic recoveries. Results in a 'soft' recovery and minimal shock loads.

Dynamic
In here I would put KERR (Kinetic Energy Recovery Ropes) Designed orginally to recovered hard shelled military vehicles. Apparently banned from use in UK army on soft skin vehicles (i.e. Land Rovers) Banned by some UK clubs at their events. Have not seen it in Australia.

Basically a big rubber band which stores vasts amount of energy. If things go wrong it will turn shackles etc into flying missiles. The recovery is 'soft' though.

OK these are my classifications, but it may help people realise the differences between different items.


Regards

Brendan

Originally Posted by Tombie2

Yes! In fact at Robe once we had (IIRC) 15 straps joined to get a few vehicles off a particularly soft beach.

Was a sight to behold! I'll get the pic out tonight and post it

That's about 60 metres of straps. That would give somewhere between 5 and 10 metres of stretch wouldn't it?

Years ago I had to use a length of rope even longer than that to extricate a bogged Falcon in a paddock. I only had a 1969 Crown to do the job and because of the long wet grass I needed to use that length of rope to get the Crown onto a slight downhill slope.

Even ordinary rope that length has a lot of stretch, so all that was needed was to idle forward with less than a metre of slack. The weight of the Crown on the slight downhill slope was obviously enough to do the job with no drama. In fact it was so smooth I didn't even feel it take up the strain.

I wouldn't like to have to carry a piece of rope that length though. It wouldn't leave much room for anything else.

Originally Posted by Tombie2

Yes! In fact at Robe once we had (IIRC) 15 straps joined to get a few vehicles off a particularly soft beach.

Was a sight to behold! I'll get the pic out tonight and post it

Sweet. Would love to see the pic.

Good Stuff.
Even our static kernmantle rescue ropes have some give and will stretch a minimal distance if shock loaded. A bit different to the principle of snatch straps and tow ropes etc obviously. I would use a retired static kernmantle resuce rope for towing if required, but would not snatch with it.
Even when using a snatch strap first attempt at recovery is slow and steady. Too many people just hook them up and plant their foot when 95% of the time it is just not needed. If this attempt does not extract the vehicle then slowly increase the speed to take up the slack on the snatch strap. Very seldom do I have to have a 2nd or 3rd go, but it has happened on occassion and can be visually impressive.
I would only use chains as an absolute last resort and with some real thought of alternates first. Seen too many chains fail. But having said that a chain may have its place in a haulage type recovery as long as the user knows how to inspect the chain.
I have seen a KERR strap a while ago used in a demo and IMHO they are dangerous for all but trained personnel. Not sure if there is any legality with them in Australia.

Originally Posted by leeds

PMSL Craig


Static and dynamic ropes/straps etc. I wonder if people appreciate the differences between these items and how they graduate from the ultra stiff to the ultra bouncy. Remember my comments are coming mainly from a UK background and I realise that there are some differences in practices between Australia and the UK.


Static
Under this heading would come items like, fixed metal poles, chains, winch lines (both synthetic and steel) and winch extension straps. IF any slack builds up whilst using these then there will be a shock load which could cause premature failures.

Fixed metal poles only for on bitumen road towing not really of interest here

Chains, not often used/carried in UK. Main use I can see if you wanted to winch with a high lift. Could be used as an anchor point around obstacles without need of padding/protection. If used in a recovery it would result in a 'hard' recovery causing shock loads and possible damage to recovery points etc. Winch lines are quasi flexible metal poles which become quasi fixed metal poles under tension which is being gradually shorten by the winch. Again not to be used for a dynamic recovery due to high shock loads. A winching recovery can be considered as a static recovery as loads etc are applied slowly


Semi static.
Here I would put tree strops and towing straps. These have minimal elasticity. They are designed to work under steady loads, not for use in dynamic recoveries. Can be used as winch extension lines. Good for simple steady pulls

Towing straps are commonly misused in the UK in snatch recoveries resulting in a 'hard' recovery and shock loads



Semi dynamic
Included in this class I would put items such as nylon ropes and snatch straps. Have a good elasticity, useful in dynamic recoveries. Results in a 'soft' recovery and minimal shock loads.

Dynamic
In here I would put KERR (Kinetic Energy Recovery Ropes) Designed orginally to recovered hard shelled military vehicles. Apparently banned from use in UK army on soft skin vehicles (i.e. Land Rovers) Banned by some UK clubs at their events. Have not seen it in Australia.

Basically a big rubber band which stores vasts amount of energy. If things go wrong it will turn shackles etc into flying missiles. The recovery is 'soft' though.

OK these are my classifications, but it may help people realise the differences between different items.


Regards

Brendan