Certa CTSTPSNTCHA User Manual

SNATCH STRAP

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CTSTPSNTCHA

General Information

Recovery straps are elastic straps that can stretch and return to their original
lengths. The pulling strength of the “snatch” effect of the strap, combined with
the pulling power of the recovery vehicle will assist in freeing bogged or stranded
vehicles with minimum damage to vehicles or risk of injury to people.

Key Information & Safety Recommendations

• Check the strap or packaging for the minimum breaking strength of this
strap.

• It is recommended that the breaking strength of the strap should be
between 2 to 3 times the vehicles gross mass (GVM), and;

• The strap must be suited to the GVM rating of the lighter of the two
vehicles being used in the recovery operation.

• This strap must not be used for lifting or conventional towing.

• Ensure that the strap is not damaged, and is in usable condition.

• The strength and stretch of the strap are reduced when the strap is

saturated with water.

• A recovery damper, heavy bag or heavy blanket must be draped over the
strap during use to reduce any unintentional rebounding of the strap.

• While strap is being used, all people outside of the vehicles involved must
be kept at a safe distance of at least 1.5 times the length of the un­stretched strap, from the point of recovery in any direction. People should
NEVER be in the line of recovery during the operation.

• ALWAYS follow the instructions. It is important to correctly attach the strap
to a vehicle. A standard tow ball or vehicle tie-down point is not designed
for this purpose and may result in the strap or a vehicle component
detaching from a vehicle and striking and seriously injuring or killing a
person. Only attach the strap to a vehicle recovery point or device that is
suitably rated for use with the motor vehicle recovery strap. Incorrect use
has previously resulted in serious injuries and death.

Important warnings

• Never attempt to recover a vehicle without all of the necessary equipment.

• Only use equipment that is properly rated for the particular situation. If in

doubt, do not use it.

• Never exceed the minimum breaking strength of the strap, or the Working
Load Limit (WLL) of the shackles.

Selecting the right recovery strap

It is very important that a correctly weighted strap is used. A strap with “too
light” a breaking strength may break under load. A strap with “too heavy” a
breaking strength may not stretch properly and more stress will therefore be
placed on the recovery points, possibly causing damage or injury. The minimum
breaking strength should be between 2 and 3 times the Gross Vehicle Mass
(GVM) of the lighter of the two vehicles being used in the recovery.
Be aware that the strap will be under even greater load if the vehicle is bogged in
mud or sand, or is heavily loaded. If the GVM is not stated on the vehicle
identification plate, check the owners manual.

Keeping people safe

Only the drivers of the stranded and the recovery vehicles should be in those
vehicles. Nobody else should be on or in the vehicles. Ensure bystanders stay at
least 1.5 times the un-stretched strap length away, off to the side of the line of
recovery. NEVER stand between vehicles connected by a recovery strap.

Usage

Setting up the recovery

Assess the circumstances of the stranded vehicle. If it has bottomed out, clear
under the vehicle body as much as possible so that it rests on its wheels. The
recovery vehicle should be placed in line with the stranded vehicle, for either a
forward or reverse recovery operation. The distance between the vehicles should
be 2 – 3 metres less than the un-stretched length of the recovery strap. Establish
agreed signals between the vehicle drivers, by mobile phone (preferable), radio,
hand signals or car horn.

Connecting the recovery strap

Carefully inspect the recovery strap to determine that it is in good condition. If
the strap is wet, dirty, cut or chaffed, it will not perform properly. A wet strap may
be up to 20% under strength, and an otherwise damaged strap may break. Do
not allow the strap to come into contact with hot surfaces or sharp edges.
Roll out the strap between the two vehicles, making sure there are no twists, and
leave about 2 – 3 metres of slack between the vehicles. The joining together of
straps should be avoided whenever possible. NEVER USE A METAL OBJECT to
join straps – if the strap breaks it can become a missile and cause serious
damage, injury or death.
Check your vehicle handbook for recovery point locations, or use correctly rated
and fitted after-market recovery points. DO NOT CONNECT TO A TOW BALL OR
TIE DOWN POINT. Connect recovery strap to recovery point, and for any
recovery point requiring the use of a shackle to attach the strap, use only load
rated shackles. Load ratings are marked on the shackles as WLL (Working Load
Limit). Bow shackles are suitable for this purpose and should be rated at least to

3.25t. To correctly tighten shackle pins, screw the pin until it seats, then back off
about to 1 turn. Over-tightening may lead to seized pins, due to the force ½
exerted during the recovery operations. To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and
personal injury, hang a suitable recovery damper blanket over the recovery strap,
approximately midway, to restrict the whipping action of a strap should it break.
Lastly, check all connects and again ensure all bystanders are at a safe distance
(at least 1 times the un-stretched strap length) to the side of the recovery ½
operation and NEVER in the line of recovery.

Making the recovery

• Before the recovery operation, drivers must agree on the point at which the
stranded vehicle is to be recovered to, and the signal (radio, hand signal or
horn blast) when that point is reached.

• With communications maintained between the vehicles and the recovery
strap secure, the recovery vehicle should gently accelerate, taking up the
slack and proceeding at no faster than 10-12kph. For best results, the
stranded vehicle should be in 1st gear (or 2nd gear low), and the driver
should assist the recovery vehicle by trying to drive out approximately 3
seconds from when the recovery vehicle moves off.

• If the vehicle is not recovered on the first attempt, check under the
stranded vehicle again for obstacles, then reset the slack in the recovery
strap and try again with slightly more speed by the recovery vehicle. Note:
Excessive speed or continual jerking action whilst using the recovery strap
may result in damage to the recovery point, chassis and drive line of both
vehicles.

• When the stranded vehicle reaches the agreed point, the driver should
perform the signal, and the recovery vehicle should stop, then the
recovered vehicle should stop.

• When proper use of a recovery strap is unsuccessful, use an appropriate
sized recovery winch.

• Do not attempt to remove the strap until both vehicles are are stationary
and secured.

• NOTE: Recovery straps require rest periods between use to return to their
original length and capacity. Excessive pulls over a short period of time can
cause heat build-up and possible integrity failure.

General Care and Maintenance

• Never allow your strap to rub against sharp or hot surfaces.

• Avoid twists and kinks. After washing and when dry; coil your strap for

storage.

• Clean your strap with warm water and a mild detergent, allowing thorough
drying before storage. Foreign material such as sand and grit can
permanently damage the strap fibres.

• Check the full length of the straps for nicks and cuts before and after use. If
damaged, replace it.

• Never use the strap as a lifting sling.

• Inspect shackles for damage; if pins are hard to turn, the shackle has been

over-stressed and needs to be replaced.