About Us

What are Torque Drive binders?

Torque Drive binders are designed and meant to be operated differently than any other binder. It is best if your drivers can set aside any preconceived notions and past experience with operating binders. These require a new understanding of how they lock the chain tight. Done properly, drivers will experience less shoulder strain, easier operation, safer load securement, and faster tie down/release times.

Let's start with the handle. Traditional binders use a "paw" that is built into the handle to engage the gear around the barrel that, when rotated, pulls the threaded posts either in or out. This is not the case with our binder. The handle is not to be used in the traditional/rotational sense. The handle on the Torque Drive is actually a reaction bar first and handle for carrying second. Our binder was designed to be operated by a cordless drill. In a pinch, someone can simply use a 14 mm wrench or socket if a drill breaks or batteries go dead.

The locking mechanism for Torque Drive is having the handle against the floor of the trailer or against a part of the equipment you are tying down. With the handle against (reacting) a stationary object we develop superior chain tightness. Because we attain such high chain tightness, we virtually eliminate chains loosening with tire mash (bridge abutments, bumps, railroad tracks, etc.). Done correctly, it should take about five to seven pounds of force to pull the handle off the floor of the trailer.

Place the binder as close to the rub rail as possible so that the handle will be able to hit the floor of the trailer or position so the handle is against a part of the unit being tied down.

We recommend a drill with approximately 800 Lb.-In. maximum torque output to provide adequate tensioning of the load (pictured drill is DeWalt DCD991P2). We recommend a drill instead of an impact driver for several reasons:

  • A drill has superior torque.
  • A drill has speed and torque. Run in either third or second for slack pick up, drop her into first or final tightness.
  • A drill with multiple five-amp-per-hour batteries should give a driver two to three full days of operation.
  • A drill with many torque settings will allow the driver to set the chain tightness to his liking.

How to operate

  • Attach the handle to your drill to help curb the rotational forces that you will be applying. It is important to use both hands.
  • We recommend setting the torque setting (dial on the collar) to seven to start. This gets most chains super tight. Adjust up or down the numerical range to best suit your needs.
  • Run your slack in on second or third gear (look for the switch on top of the drill) and reduce down to first gear when you feel any hint of the drill pulling down.
  • As your chain appears to be getting close to the desired tightness, ease on the trigger because you will begin to experience some twisting torque on the drill. This thing is powerful...again, it is important to use both hands.
  • We have approved the use of a 3/8 impact. It is lighter, more manageable, and you can operate with one hand. Please do not use a 1/2 impact. This will void the warranty. The trade-off is that the drill gets the chains tighter, but you will have some twist to counter. The impact is easier to use and will wear the drive bolt a tad quicker. Drive bolts take about five minutes to replace.

A few other items of interest

  • It will likely take a week or two for the drivers to develop a new routine. Where to place the drill, where to keep the batteries, inverter or no inverter? How to set up for tie down. Please let your drivers have ample time to adjust to a new routine, time to practice. It is perfectly normal to be disrupted until things settle in. It is normal to take two weeks to adjust and dial in what works best for every driver.
  • Drivers in the snowy regions have found that they can easily store the threaded posts inside of the housing where they stay lubricated and away from snow and salt brine.
  • Because the gear set is encased, snow and ice are no match for operation. With 24-to-1 gear reduction, we simply break free any outside debris.
  • Operators have been able to relocate shifted loads on their trailer with our binders. They are incredibly strong and produce huge amounts of pull.
  • There are many more ancillary benefits to using these, such as less idle time and less DPF regeneration because they allow you on the road faster. More loads delivered, fewer injuries, etc.
  • Have an open mind and giving them a fair chance. They are not for everyone, I get that and respect that. But, if you give them a week or two I think you'll find the majority of drivers will be a fan.