LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The pool of flatbed drivers is limited because of the physical demands required to properly tighten load straps. But Ancra International believes its latest product will make the pool that much wider because it allows drivers to replace the back-breaking chore of pumping a hefty winch bar with a smooth, rotational motion of a gear-drive winch.

Ancra’s EZ Torque Winch requires just one-third the amount of force needed to torque-tighten a load strap, according to company officials. The device will achieve about 1,500 lb of tension on the webbing with as few as a dozen rotations of its removable handle, after slack has been taken out of the straps.