Ratchet strap ratings explained — what the blue label actually means
Every ratchet strap has a blue label sewn in. Most farmers have never read it properly — and the biggest number on the label is not the one to use when calculating how many straps you need. This guide decodes every term, with worked examples for common farm transport loads.
The blue label — decoded
Every EN 12195-2 compliant strap has these figures. The one that matters for load planning is LC.
LC
2500
daN
Lashing Capacity
BF
5000
daN
Breaking Force
STF
350
daN
Tension Force
WLL
1666
kg
Working Load Limit
The rule: Use the LC figure for all load planning — not BF (breaking force), which is the raw failure point before safety factors. A strap labelled "5000 daN" has an LC of approximately 2500 daN — the 5000 is BF. Always read LC, not the largest number.
What each term on the label means
The number to use when working out how many straps you need. This is the maximum force the strap can exert to hold a load — typically half the breaking force. LC is stamped in daN (see below).
The force at which the strap will fail if pulled in a straight line. Do NOT use BF for load calculations — it is not a safe working figure. It is the raw strength before safety factors are applied.
The pre-tension the strap applies when tightened with a standard single-handed ratchet force. Higher STF means more clamping force from one strap. Typical values: 350 daN (standard ratchet), 500 daN (ergonomic handle). Higher STF means fewer straps needed for the same load.
The unit of force used on all strap labels in Europe. For practical farm use: 1 daN ≈ 1 kg. So LC 2500 daN means the strap can exert force equivalent to approximately 2,500 kg. Not exact — but close enough for safe load planning.
Sometimes shown instead of or alongside LC, particularly on older or American-specification straps. Usually one third of the breaking force. If a strap shows WLL rather than LC, use WLL as your safe working figure.
The strap angle problem — most farmers get this wrong
A ratchet strap only develops its full rated LC when it runs at 90° to the trailer bed — straight down. As the angle reduces, so does the effective vertical restraint. The maths is simple: effective LC = rated LC × sin(angle).
90°
100%
Full LC
45°
71%
of rated LC
30°
50%
of rated LC
In practice, most straps on a flat trailer run at a shallow angle because lashing points are at the same height as the trailer floor. A topper strapped over at 30° is using only half the rated LC of each strap — meaning you would need twice as many straps to achieve the same restraint as one vertical strap.
Practical solutions: use trailer stanchions or uprights as higher attachment points to steepen the angle; use directional lashing (diagonal front and rear) to resist fore-aft forces rather than just vertical lift; use the tractor's linkage or chassis cross-members as upper attachment points where load geometry allows.
Never strap below 30° to the horizontal — below this angle the strap contributes almost nothing to keeping the load on the trailer and the webbing is more likely to abrade on sharp edges.
Common farm loads — quick reference
These are practical guidance figures assuming straps at a reasonable angle (60°+) and using diagonal lashing to resist fore-aft and side forces. Always consult the specific implement's tie-down point rating and EN 12195 Part 1 for full calculations on heavy loads.
Round bale (plastic wrapped)
2 × LC 1000+Place straps over centre of bale, hook to trailer floor each side. Bales move surprisingly easily on wet trailer floors.
Round baler (small, trailed)
4 × LC 2500Attach to baler drawbar and rear chassis points. Check lashing points are structural — not body panels.
Small tractor (50–80 hp)
4–6 × LC 2500Never use lift points or linkage arms. Use axle housing or designated tie-down points. Engage handbrake and leave in gear.
Large tractor (100–160 hp)
6–8 × LC 5000Low loader transport. Consult haulier — large tractors may require additional chains. Check specific lashing point ratings on tractor.
Hay or straw bales (flat)
2 per layer + side netsStack must not exceed trailer headboard/stanchion height. Strap each layer independently.
Telehandler / forklift
6 × LC 5000 minHigh centre of gravity — do not under-strap. Lower mast fully, retract forks, secure forks as well as chassis.
When to retire a strap — inspection checklist
Polyester webbing degrades from UV exposure, abrasion, and chemical contamination over time. A strap that held a load last season may not be safe this season. Inspect every strap before each use and retire any that show the following:
Cut, abraded, or heat-damaged webbing
Any cut or abrasion that penetrates the outer weave compromises the core fibres. Heat damage appears as glazed or melted areas — common near exhaust pipes.
Faded or missing blue label
Legally, if the label is unreadable the strap must be discarded. DVSA officers check for this. A strap with no legible LC figure cannot be used on a public road.
Hook bent, cracked, or latch not engaging
A bent hook changes the load path and reduces rated strength unpredictably. A latch that does not click positively is a release waiting to happen.
Ratchet mechanism damaged or corrosion seized
A ratchet that cannot be fully released is dangerous — it causes sudden load shifts when you eventually free it. Corrosion also weakens the mechanism under load.
Visible thread separation in the weave
Polyester webbing degrades with UV exposure over time. Look for white thread showing through coloured webbing, or longitudinal splitting along the length of the strap.
Chemical contamination — oil, acid, solvents
Polyester webbing is resistant to most farm chemicals but not to strong acids or prolonged solvent exposure. Slurry, silage effluent, and battery acid all degrade webbing over time.
Maximum service life: most manufacturers recommend retiring straps after 10 years regardless of visible condition, as UV degradation is cumulative and not always visible. Any strap that has been subjected to a shock load at or near its rated LC should also be retired — the webbing may have been stressed beyond its elastic range even if no visible damage is apparent.
The legal position for UK farmers
In the UK, all load securing equipment used on a vehicle on a public road must comply with the Highway Code Rule 98 and the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) officers can stop any vehicle and check load securing at any time.
Straps must: carry a legible EN 12195-2 blue label; be of adequate LC for the load being carried; be in good condition (no damage, cuts, or chemical contamination); be attached to structural lashing points — not body panels, fuel tanks, or non-rated points.
A prohibition notice stopping the vehicle on the spot is the immediate consequence of inadequate load securing. A load that falls from a vehicle on a public road is a criminal matter, not just a civil one, and can result in prosecution under the Road Traffic Act.
Moving machinery between fields on public roads — even short distances — falls under the same load securing requirements as long-distance haulage. A tractor on a low loader going half a mile to the next farm requires compliant strapping and a legible label just as much as a machinery delivery from a dealer.
Ratchet straps on Amazon
Always buy straps with EN 12195-2 compliance marked on the blue label. Avoid unlabelled or unrated straps — they cannot legally be used on public roads.
5 Tonne Ratchet Straps (Set of 4)
LC 2500 daN — the standard farm trailer and machinery transport size. Look for EN 12195-2 compliance on the label.
Heavy Duty 10 Tonne Ratchet Straps
LC 5000 daN for large tractors, combines, and heavy machinery transport. Wider webbing — 75mm or 100mm.
Ratchet Strap Edge Protectors
Protect webbing from sharp metal edges on machinery — and protect the machinery paintwork from strap abrasion.
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