
Units of measurement:
1 kg = 9.80665 N
1 daN (Dekanewton) = 10 N ≈ 1 kg
50 kN = 5.000 daN ≈ 5.000 Kg = 5.0 t
STF – Standard Tension Force
The abbreviation STF “Standard Tension Force” stands for the pretensioning force also called “Normal Tensioning Force”, this describes the force of the lashing strap. Put simply, with an STF value of 350 daN: you pull or push on a ratchet lever with exactly 50 daN (SHF) and can lift/move a weight of 350 kg with this force. The main reason for high pretensioning forces are the high-quality products, in this case the ratchet and the lashing strap, which have been optimized for your application. The STF value to be achieved is defined by the European standardization: STF = min. 0.1 x LC and max. 0.5 x LC
Cam buckles and heavy-duty pressure ratchets
The specification of the normal hand force (SHF) and the normal tension force (STF) can be omitted on labels of lashing straps with cam buckles if these lashings are not designed by the manufacturer for the intended use – tie-down lashing.
Cam buckle
As a rule, no or only slight tensioning forces are achieved with cam buckles, so that the intended use is limited to direct lashing procedures or bundling.
Heavy-duty pressure ratchets
The same applies mutatis mutandis to many heavy-duty lashing straps with nominal widths of 75mm to 100mm. The tensioning elements used in these lashing straps also generally do not achieve any useful tensioning forces for the intended use – tie-down lashing, but are used for direct lashing due to their high LC values.
* All products in our assortment of cargo safety are tested according to DIN EN 12195-2. STF – Standard Tension Force according to DIN EN 12195-2, always applies to a lashing belt system (ratchet, webbing and end fittings). The
webbing, its length, composition, elongation, sewing and material thickness have a very large influence on the STF value of a lashing belt system. The STF value for pull- and pressure ratchets is given by us only for guidelinde.
LC (Lashing Capacity) | STF min. | STF max. |
400 kN | 40 daN | 200 daN |
750 kN | 75 daN | 375 daN |
1000 kN | 100 daN | 500 daN |
1500 kN | 150 daN | 750 daN |
2000 kN | 200 daN | 1000 daN |
2500 kN | 250 daN | 1250 daN |
3500 kN | 350 daN | 1750 daN |
5000 kN | 500 daN | 2500 daN |
Example:
71CQ050 Pressure Ratchet 50mm – 50kN
Breaking Strength (BS) 50 kN = LC 25 kN (1/2 BS)
The STF value here must be between (0,1 x LC) 250 daN and max. (0,5 x LC) 1.250 daN.
A two-part tensioning belt consists of one tensioning element: a pressure or pull ratchet, webbing and end fittings. A tensioning belt is divided into a loose end and a fixed end. Both parts are marked with a label in accordance with the DIN EN 12195-2 standard, so that the product can always be traced precisely.
Both the fixed end and the loose end have an end fitting, e.g. a pointed hook, flat hook or snap hook, these are thoroughly selected depending on the application.
The tensioning element is called a pressure ratchet or pull ratchet
The most commonly used ratchet is the pressure ratchet whose STF value (Standard Tension Force) reaches values up to 350 daN. If more force is required, an ERGO long lever ratchet, also known as a pull ratchet, is used, which achieves STF values of up to 800 daN, depending on the design.

SHF – Standard Hand Force
The abbreviation SHF “Standard Hand Force” describes the force (50 daN) that must be applied to the ratchet lever according to the European standardization (DIN EN 12195-2) in order to determine the STF value for the system (ratchet, lashing strap and end fittings). This force is also called hand force – force of the user.

LC – Lashing Capacity
The value LC “Lashing Capacity” stands for the permissible lashing force. It indicates when the load limit for the lashing system in straight pull (direct pull) is reached. This value is determined from the breaking strength.
Example:
71CQ050 Pressure Ratchet 50mm – 50kN
Breaking Strength (BS) 50 kN = LC 25 kN (1/2 BS)
LC – direct pull
Example: Pressure Ratchet 50mm – 50kN
LC = 2.500 daN

– Ratchet
– Fixed end with end fitting
– Loose end with end fitting
LC – strapping
Example: Pressure Ratchet 50mm – 50kN
LC = 5.000 daN

– Ratchet
– Lashing strap

– Ratchet
– Fixed end with end fitting
– Loose end with end fitting
Direct pull / Strapping
If very heavy loads are involved, they are secured by direct pull. In the case of direct lashing, the lashing straps are attached to the load’s attachment point and to the lashing points on the loading surface. In contrast to strapping, the load is not pressed against the truck floor.

Strapping is a non-positive load securing method. In this case, the belts are placed around the load and tensioned, pressing the load against the floor. To prevent damage to the load or the lashing straps, edge protectors are used here.
