Monday, Jan 28, 2019 at 13:11
Frank - How much did it stretch? Have you measured the strap now, in it's unloaded condition?
A fairly good rule of thumb is 10%. If you are using
winches, or cable controlled equipment, you replace the steel wire rope when 10% of the strands show serious flattening or wear.
If you're using ratchet tie-downs, you replace the straps when the strap damage reaches 10% of the width of the strap.
If you bought a snatch strap and it's, say 9M long, in its unloaded state, when purchased - then when the strap reaches 9.9M in length, in its unloaded state, would be a good time to discard it.
Alternatively, the age of the strap needs to be taken into account, along with its storage and use levels.
I'll wager there's a lot of snatch straps out there, that are 10-15 yrs old and have only been used a few times. Many would be at the point of needing to be discarded, particularly if stored improperly.
If your snatch strap has been in the sun a lot or in wet, muddy conditions a lot, then you would certainly be
well advised to discard it at around 10 yrs old.
The materials in snatch straps are not designed to last a long period of time. Ageing and UV light is a killer with manufactured synthetic products such as nylon.
The major snatch strap error you have made, is using a snatch strap as a winch rope.
Snatch straps are not designed to be used as tow ropes or winch ropes. The application of heavy, steady strain is anathema to their design and construction.
Snatch straps are designed to be used in a snatch situation, where the load on them is transient, thus allowing them to return to their original length.
If it's now stretched 10% or more in its relaxed state, then I'd have to say, discard it.
Possibly the only advantage in your favour is that your strap is rated at 8 tonnes, so it has probably not been loaded to more than about a quarter of its load capacity - thereby escaping any major stretch damage.
It's rare for loadings on snatch straps to reach 3 tonnes, even on a dead pull, or with a severe snatch.
Over that load figure, chassis damage would start to appear.
Cheers, Ron.
AnswerID:
623473
Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Monday, Jan 28, 2019 at 13:19
Monday, Jan 28, 2019 at 13:19
Thanks Ron. Yes, it's old, about 10 years, only used a few times, always washed and dried after use and kept in its ventilated plastic bag in the dark.
You've hit on all the things that made me ask the question. I'm just wondering if I can get away with it. I will check to see if it has a length on the label and measure against that and will follow you advice if necessary.
Cheers
FollowupID:
896665