Loosening knot on tow strap

[HoosierMark]

I used a tow strap to pull out my bobcat last week. I simply used the loop and fed the strap thru it. Now it is really tight. Anybody know any tricks to loosen it so I can separate the long tow strap from the short one? I know I should not have done it this way but the cost to get the right hookup was a lot greater then the cost of the strap. I was twelve miles away from my tow strap bag so sacrificing the straps if it comes to that was cheaper.
So any tricks to get it loose?

 

[EOC_Jason]

Screwdriver and a lot of patience... Sometimes if you can push some of the strap back in it will loosen enough to get the screwdriver started in there and then you can work the loop larger.

 

[rlitman]

A marlin spike, if you have one, is better than a screwdriver. Or a dull awl.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

if you beat a knot with a hammer for awhile, it will usually loosen up a bit.
smack smack flip smack smack flip...

 

[Voi]

I've used both hot water & the hammer trick to get knots out of tow ropes on boats. Not sure how that will work on a tow strap.

 

[TLCObsession]

Deadblow hammer on the floor of the garage - just did this about 3 months ago after snatching a Unimog up out of a ditch.

 

[Kaizen]

Good luck I ended up cutting mine after fighting with it for an hour


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HoosierMark]

Just found out I am headed to Florida via Alabama in the morning for a week so it will be next weekend before I can test out the advice. Wish I was headed there in a few weeks but not my call. Oh well, we should be near Daytona Beach Sunday and then headed west. Hopefully the storm will visit Indiana while I am down there. After 5 plus inches of rain last weekend, I do not care for more.

 

[theoldwizard1]

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure !"

Watch this ! Joining 2 ****** Straps, ****** Strap recovery tips The money shot starts at 1:23.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

I usually twist the tail tight and feed it back in. also I try to use climbing knots that are intended for load - not sure what you tied.

 

[Millwrong]

Rubber hammer!

 

[Tom Sestito]

Another vote for the hammer!!

 

[bob from indiana]

Rubber hammer beat it then turn it a quarter turn and repeat. A small phillips driver will help too.

 

[Kev442]

Buddies tree felling rope had a knot he found after yanking the tree that was hung up. I watched him dink around. Told him to get a flat bladed screwdriver. He dinked around using pliers. Finally got a screwdriver. 2 minutes, tops. Rubber mallet sounds interesting, I'll use that in conjunction next time.

 

[HoosierMark]

It is a strap with a loop on each end about 20 feet long. it was attached to a second heavier strap about 5 foot long which also has two loops. Not sure why we used two straps but we did. Took the long strap and ran its loop thru the short strap loop and then pulled the long strap thru it's own loop. Pulled it with a 95 horse power tractor to recover the bobcat. Bought the straps at Menards or HF. I doubt if I paid much for either one. (Look up the word cheap in the dictionary and you will see my picture ha ha) I figure to give a try and then I probably just end up with a longer tow strap but if I can get it loose, I would like that.

 

[firebirdparts]

All I know is persistence and a small screwdriver. The hammer trick is interesting.

 

[Firebrick43]

We use synthetic slings and straps at work. All manufactures will tell you a sythetic strap that has been knotted and a load applied is now junk and should not be used again. Even the new high strength ropes can not be knotted and have specific splices to form loops.

 

[EOC_Jason]

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure !"

Watch this ! Joining 2 ****** Straps, ****** Strap recovery tips The money shot starts at 1:23.

That's a good tip, I'll have to remember that if I ever do end up having to join two together.

 

[rlitman]

That's a good tip, I'll have to remember that if I ever do end up having to join two together.

Agreed. In the comments, someone recommends using a flip flop for the same purpose. Anything both soft and tough enough to work that won't turn into a missile should suit the purpose.

 

[Worsedog]

Another endorsement of the hammer. Works great on tow straps, ratchet straps, and rope. You don't have to beat the **** out of it either, tap, turn, tap, turn.

 

[Mongo68]

Next time try a SuperStrap. No knots- you weave it in and out...

 

[bad_idea]

Hammer. In the shipyard we use flat strapping and tie square knots into it to whatever length we need a sling. After hanging couple thousand pounds off it the square knot cinches up tight. Smack it with a hammer, push the two ends towards each other, repeat. Haven't met a knot yet I can't get loose with a hammer. Well, a quality knot. Granny knots, thats a different story.

 

[theoldwizard1]

That's a good tip, I'll have to remember that if I ever do end up having to join two together.

 

[EVOLVO]

If you join them properly you'll never have a problem:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f5BMbExC6kU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[rsanter]

Get a screwdriver or punch through the know and try to work it loose.
By hand will get you almost nowhere

 

[EVOLVO]

 

[77Birdman]

Good Luck! I had one of those one time, never did get it apart. Tried most of the above methods. I know for safety it should be thrown away but in the real world not everyone has a couple hundred bucks laying around. I ended up using the one I had as a tow strap when needed. Never in a situation where failure would end up in disaster.