TORONTO, Ont. — Traction Technologies is introducing a new air-powered winch tie-down and tensioning system it says will meet new North American cargo securement requirements.

The CINCH is an evolution of Traction’s original model, which won the Telus Innovation Award in 2005. It eliminates the need for operators to use a pry bar to tighten load straps and it continually applies a pre-set pressure throughout the trip, Traction officials claim.

Pressure can be set from zero to more than 2,000 lbs to meet any load requirements. Traction officials say the new system will reduce job site injuries and accidents. The system will comply with pending load securement requirements for short logs loaded crosswise, scheduled to take effect in 2009.

“Our system has also been designed so it can also be operated manually, has minimal maintenance requirements and is simple to set and release,” says Rob Owen, vice-president of sales and marketing with Traction.

Traction says traditional winch tightened straps can lose up to 50% of their tension during the first hour of a trip. Limited sales of the CINCH system will begin in late September. The company plans to limit sales initially so it can work with owners to quantify savings resulting from loading times and injury and accident prevention. Traction plans to accept distributor applications in the near future.

For more information, visit www.tractiontech.ca or call 888-372-7676.