A Quick Look at Loop Design: Stevedore Straps and Bulk Sacks

15 Sep.,2022

 

2 ton big bag manufacturer

If you’re looking for logical ways to make your bags easier to lift, stevedore straps are a good way to go. Here’s everything you need to know about stevedore straps and how they integrate into bulk bag design.

What is a stevedore?

First, a quick definition: Stevedore straps are a lifting component of an FIBC bulk bag or bulk sack. These straps look like belts sewn into the lift loops of your FIBC, forming a bridge between each loop. There are normally two stevedore straps per bulk bag, and they are considered an additional feature of a standard four-loop bulk bag. 

Now that we’ve discussed the general architecture of stevedore straps and the bulk bags they’re sewn to, why would you choose to put stevedore straps on your bulk bags? 

Stevedore straps are very popular in warehouses or anywhere that bulk bags need to be lifted, moved, or manipulated often. 

These types of straps specifically act as easy access points for forklifts. Imagine the loops on a shopping bag, ones that stick up a little and are easy for your hands to grasp. Similar concept here, just on a much larger and more durable scale. Since stevedore straps are so often used with forklifts, they’re often referred to as “loading belts.” 

When might stevedore straps be the smart choice?

First things first, if you plan on using a forklift in your warehouse, opting for stevedore straps is almost always going to be a good idea. 

Moving bags without stevedore straps under normal warehouse conditions can require a lot of positioning, repositioning, and difficult-to-make connections. Again, picture grabbing a shopping bag with four small corner loops rather than two large handles: It may be possible, but it’s so much easier with the right tools.

Interested in specific scenarios? Here’s a quick list of when stevedore straps can come in handy: 

Heavy Manufacturing

Bulk bags equipped with these straps are easier to move around with more precision and control in a heavy manufacturing environment. This makes it easier to keep mills, processors, and other places where there’s lots of machinery organized and safe. 

Pipeline Construction

Since bulk bags that have stevedore straps are easier to move around and place in specific locations, FIBCs that have them are often used for water stops, pipe padding, and buoyancy control during large-scale construction projects. In this way, stevedore bulk bags can help protect personnel and products alike from flooding, heavy rainfall, and more. 

Cargo Holds

Consider the fact that bulk bags are often loaded into a vessel’s cargo hold by crane. Using stevedore straps can make this process much faster and safer. Without stevedore straps, this process would be incredibly labor-intensive. 

Other Industries

Since they’re so useful and versatile, many manufacturing plants across myriad industries opt for stevedore straps. Visit steel mills, sand exporters, and lime processors across the country, and you’ll see plenty of these straps in use. 

When might a company not use them?

You might wonder why a company wouldn’t decide to invest in these straps since they seem to provide a lot of benefits. The addition of stevedore straps to a bulk bag can be expensive for one thing—and, for companies that don’t use forklifts or have different, specialized shipping and storing needs, these straps might not be necessary. 

When you’re ordering your FIBCs, speak with your bulk bag manufacturer. Give them a detailed overview of your typical processes and efficiency goals, and they’ll be able to help you decide whether stevedore straps are a good investment for you. 

How can you customize your bulk bags with stevedore straps?

FIBCs are incredibly customizable, allowing companies to cater their bag function to their facilities in many ways. This extends to your ability to add many variations of straps to your bag, depending on the lifting system you have on-site.

When it comes to stevedore strap designs, you have options. Consider the following: 

  • Single stevedore strap: You can add one strap pulled through all four standard corner loops to cinch them together into one common lifting point.

  • Double stevedore straps: You can add two straps, connecting the two loops on each side together to create two lifting points.

  • Supporting stevedore straps: If you don’t need to create a single lifting point, you can still reap the benefits of stevedore straps by using them as supporting loops to up the durability of your FIBC. Four of these supporting straps will be added, one attached to each of the existing corner loops. 

These options all work with standard four-point loop designs, but you may be able to use them with cross-corner loops or other loop designs as well. When specifying custom parameters for your bags, just make sure to work with an FIBC expert to get the job done right. 

Rely on Conitex Sonoco for smart, sustainable stevedore-equipped bulk bags.

Stevedore straps can provide structural integrity and ease of use to your FIBCs, lending you the ability to streamline your processes and keep your warehouse systems safe. At Conitex Sonoco, we’re proud to provide the expertise necessary to help you customize your bulk bags seamlessly with these savvy straps. Call our team to ask any questions you may have, or contact us online to begin your order today.