Bulldog Binder™ Glossary
Understanding cargo restraint terminology is a critical component that helps us work safely and effectively when securing loads.
This glossary is a valuable reference for anyone working around the requirements for cargo restraint, helping us maintain clarity and prioritize safety for every job, every time.
A
Anchor Point: is a secure attachment location on a vehicle or structure used to fasten cargo restraints and ensure stability during transportation.
B
Breaking Strength Capacity: is the maximum force a material or component can withstand before it fails or breaks under tension.
C
Cargo Restraint: is the practice of securing cargo to prevent movement or shifting during transportation, ensuring safety and compliance with transport regulations.
Cargo: refers to goods or materials transported from one location to another by various modes, including road, rail, sea, or air.
Centimetres: is a unit of length in the metric system equal to one-hundredth of a meter (0.01 meters).
Cubic Capacity: refers to the total volume of space within a container, vehicle, or structure, typically measured in cubic meters or cubic feet, indicating how much material or
cargo it can hold.
Cyclic Test: is a process that subjects a material or component to repeated loading and unloading to evaluate its durability, performance, and resistance to wear under conditions that simulate real-world usage.
D
Direct Tie down: is a cargo restraint method where straps or chains are attached directly from an anchor point on the vehicle to the cargo, securing it firmly to prevent movement during transit.
Dunnage: refers to materials used to protect, support, and secure cargo during transportation, preventing movement, damage, and moisture exposure.
E
Elongation: is the degree to which a material stretches or lengthens when subjected to stress, typically measured as a percentage of its original length before breaking.
F
Foot: is a unit of length in the imperial system, equal to 12 inches or approximately 0.3048 meters.
Force: is an interaction that causes an object to change its motion, direction, or shape, typically measured in newtons (N) in the International System of Units (SI).
G
Grade 100 Chain: is a high-strength steel chain specifically designed for lifting and rigging applications, with a minimum breaking strength of 100,000 psi, making it suitable for
heavy-duty use.
Grade 70 Chain: is a high-strength, transport-grade steel chain primarily used for securing and tying down cargo during transit, with a minimum breaking strength of 70,000 psi.
Grade 80 Chain: is a high-strength alloy steel chain commonly used in lifting and rigging applications, known
for its durability and ability to handle heavy loads, with a minimum breaking strength of 80,000 psi.
I
Inches: is a unit of length in the imperial system, equal to 1/12 of a foot or approximately 2.54 centimetres.
Indirect Tie Down: is a cargo restraint method where straps or chains are used to secure cargo by attaching them to an anchor point on the vehicle and then looping or passing them around the cargo, creating tension without direct attachment to the load itself.
K
Keeper: is a fastening device, often a metal or plastic component, used to secure or retain another object in place, preventing it from slipping or falling out of position.
Kilograms: is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), defined as equivalent to the mass of the International Prototype of the Kilogram and equal to 1,000 grams.
L
Lashing: is the process of securing cargo using ropes, straps, or chains to prevent movement during transportation and ensure the stability of the load.
Lashing Capacity: is the maximum load that a lashing system, such as straps or chains, can safely support to
secure cargo during transport, typically expressed in terms of weight (e.g., pounds or kilograms).
Load Binder: is a device used to tighten and secure cargo by applying tension to lashing straps or chains, ensuring that the load remains stable during transportation.
M
Mass: is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically expressed in kilograms or grams, and is a fundamental property that does not change regardless of an object’s location or the gravitational field acting on it.
Metres: is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to 100 centimetres or approximately 39.37 inches.
Millimetres: is a unit of length in the metric system equal to one-thousandth of a meter, or 0.1 centimetres, commonly used for measuring small dimensions.
P
Pounds: is a unit of weight in the imperial system, equivalent to 16 ounces or approximately 0.4536 kilograms, commonly used in the United States and other countries for
measuring mass.
Pre-tension: refers to the application of a force to a material or component before it is subjected to additional
loads, aimed at improving its performance, stability, or resistance to deformation.
R
Ratchet Binder: is a mechanical device used to secure cargo by tightening a lashing strap or chain using a ratcheting mechanism, allowing for precise tensioning and
easy adjustment.
Ratchet Dog: is a component used in load binders that engages with the ratchet mechanism to lock the lashing
strap or chain in place, ensuring secure tension and preventing slippage during transport.
Rated Load Capacity: is the maximum weight that a piece of equipment, such as a hoist or crane, is designed to safely handle, as specified by the manufacturer, to ensure safe operation and prevent failure.
S
Safety Factor: is a numerical ratio that compares the maximum load-bearing capacity of a structure or component to the actual load it is designed to support, ensuring an added margin of safety against failure.
Shoring Bar: is a supportive structural element used to stabilize and reinforce walls, roofs, or other components during construction or repair, preventing collapse and
ensuring safety.
T
Tons: is a unit of weight in both the imperial and metric systems, with the long ton equal to 1,016 kilograms, the
short ton equal to 907.185 kilograms, and the metric ton (tonne) equal to 1,000 kilograms.
U
Ultimate (Destructive) Test: is an evaluation method that subjects a material or component to extreme conditions until failure occurs, providing critical data on its maximum
strength, durability, and performance limits.
W
Working Load Limit (WLL): is the maximum safe load that a lifting or securing device, such as a chain or strap, can handle during normal use, as specified by the manufacturer to ensure safety and prevent failure.