Fwd: Day 34

Day 33 - Chain Tightener 

A load binding tool utilizing the laws of physics, levers and fulcrums. Imagine a truck loaded with logs bound for a trip to the "fuzz mill." Yes a mill for making fuzz. A lengthy logging chain was wrapped around the logs, The hook on one end of the chain attached to a stake pocket on the front of the truck. Then the load binder was attached to the other end of that chain and the second hook of the tool hooked to a stake pocket at the back of the truck. Then grab the handle and put the lever and fulcrum to work to tighten the chain. A process of trial and error to know the exact link in the chain that achieved optimal tightening. It took a lot of force getting the binder to snap shut making sure to keep your fingers clear of the tool handle as it did so. Failing that suffer the pain of smashed fingers. Another OSHA hazard using the tools of the trade. Norb         

 

They were used to chain down a load of logs, but are used on all sorts of loaded material that could fall off a truck bed.  I remember when we got to the paper mill in Park Falls, dad would release the tightener.   He would make a wire loop on the stake pocket on the back of the truck, hook an end of the chain to the wire loop, and re-tighten the load and take out the stakes on the back of the truck.  The chain and wire would hold the load in place, and when the load was lifted, (with a jammer - see attached, it looks like dad's old truck) the wire would hold the load in place until the the box would be at about a 45 degree angle.  The wire would break and the load would all dump at once making a neat large pile.      

Kinda like a come-along. Used with a cable to tighten a load of hay bales - Lou.

This is for lifting something heavy, like an engine out of the compartment. - Dee