By Denise Rondini
Ancra International on Thursday, March 22, at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., unveiled the Z Torque Winch. The gear drive winch replaces the standard 34-inch winch bar with a 6-inch handle, allowing truckers to secure loads with a smooth, simple rotational motion, according to the company.
The EZ Torque Winch requires just one-third the amount of force needed to torque-tighten a load strap, Ancra says. The device will achieve about 1,500 pounds of tension on the webbing – the approximate tension needed to secure a load – with a few dozen rotations of its removable handle, after slack has been taken out of the straps. About 40 pounds of pressure is needed to achieve the 1,500 pounds of tension. The unit also facilitates faster load securement to save time. Made of zinc-plated steel, the EZ Torque Winch was field-tested extensively, according to the company, and comes with a one-year warranty.
The EZ Torque Winch is the latest in a series of load securement innovations from Ancra. Other products include the GlideLock, a sliding securement bracket; SilverCap, the first ratcheting winch; SilverCap OverDrive, the aftermarket ratcheting cap conversion for standards winches; and the PortaWinch and PortaAnchor.
In other news, Ancra International and Traction Technologies Inc. have teamed up to manufacture, market and distribute Cinch, an air-powered winch. Because Cinch allows operators to tighten their loads with just a two-button operation, more drivers, regardless of size or strength, will be able to secure loads, the companies say.
