Handy knots to secure a load
espite the increased use of webbed
tie-down straps and ratchets the humble
rope is still a cheap and effective tool for
securing a load.
In most cases the weakest link is not the
breaking strength of the rope but rather the
knots that are used. This article presents two
knots that make securing a load simple
and effective.
D
1
The bowline
The bowline is a general-purpose knot for forming
a non-slip loop.
It does not compromise the
breaking strength of the rope and can be easily
undone regardless of the tension placed on it.
When tying on a load the bowline provides the
initial securing point around the rails of the trailer
or tray.
5
Take the loose end around the main length that
will lead over the trailer.
9
The trucker s hitch
2
Thread about 100 millimetres of the rope around
the securing point.
6
Feed the end back down through the loop.
A handy way to remember steps 4, 5 and 6 is using
the phrase the rabbit comes up from its burrow,
around the tree and back down the burrow.
3
Form a loop in the main section of rope that will go
over the load. The main section should be on the
underside of the length leading to the rail.
Compiled by David Buckley. Photos: Toni Nugent.
7
Hold the two ends on the underside of the loop
and the main length and pull the knot snug.
When one end has been secured to the rail, using
the bowline, the main length of rope can be
threaded over or around the load as desired.
The trucker s hitch is then used to put tension on
the line. The tension is achieved through a 2:1
purchase. The purchase doubles the force that can
be achieved by hand. This can further be increased
to 4:1 through the addition of another loop (see
photos 18a, 18b and 18c). Almost any loop knot
can be used to make the loop in the main rope
over the load. The mainline goes down to the rail
and returns through the loop and back to the rail.
The loop is like a pulley. The trucker s hitch has the
advantage of being easy to tie and the position of
the loop can be easily changed without having to
thread the entire length of rope numerous times.
The loop is also formed with the free end already
threaded, saving the need to thread long lengths
of rope. The tension applied prevents the rope
from becoming loose after driving for a short
distance. The downfall of the knot is that it can
shake loose, especially when the tension in the
rope relaxes, perhaps as a result of the load
shifting. Using the trucker s hitch can also cause
abrasion where the tension line passes through
the loop. After the lead rope has been placed over
the load, feed the free end around the rail.
10
4
Feed the loose end from the underside upward
through the loop.
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8
Pictured is the finished bowline firmly securing the
main section of rope around the railing.
Make a loop in the main line that comes over the
load. This loop is the reverse of that used in the
bowline with the strand leading to the tie down
rail on the topside.
FARMING AHEAD No. 114 June - 2001
14
Form another loop in the mainline closer to the
load than the first.
17
When tension is applied, the free end can be tied
off to maintain the tension. The free end can be
tied to the rail or a couple of half hitches can be
tied around the two strands.
11
With the right hand, grab the free end of the rope
and pull it toward the left hand, draping it
between your middle and ring finger.
18a
15
Pull the bite through this loop from the underside.
This procedure can be repeated to move the loop
higher up the mainline and to shorten the rope.
18b
12
Grab the main line between the loop formed by
the free end. Pull the mainline back through the
draped ends and form a bite.
18c
16
13
Feed the bite through the loop from the underside.
FARMING AHEAD No. 114 June - 2001
Firm the loops to ensure they have caught and
then the free end can be pulled down to tighten
the load.
Where extreme tension is required, as long as the
rope slides well around the rail and on itself, a
loop rather than the whole length can be
threaded through the tension loop (pictures a
and b). The free end can then be taken around
the rail and through this second loop. This doubles
the purchase to 4:1 but often achieves little more
that the 2:1 offered by the single loop, because of
losses due to friction.
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