Manual vs. Automatic Strapping Tools: Which is Most Affordable?

You have countless options for bundling and strapping your packages and pallets today, but which are the most affordable? While there are many good options, unfortunately there are a lot of variables a buyer must consider. Often, two options are hard to compare because they are not an apples-to-apples comparison. For example, the size, shape, and weight of your load will affect your strapping decision. The nature of your operation—low volume, high volume, or something in between—greatly affects your needs, as well. The good news is that your solution is out there. Read on for a better idea of which is the most affordable. 

How Quality Affects Costs for Strapping Tools and Seals 

Quality plays a big role in the cost of strapping tools and seals. This is likely not a big surprise, but the effect is significant. And it is especially true of strapping tools. Heavy-duty tools—even manual ones like sealers and tensioners—carry a premium price. On the upside, those tools are made to last, and you could potentially save money on replacements. Cheap tools can seem attractive from a budget perspective, but they are rarely a wise move in the long run.  

The same math applies to seals and buckles—higher quality demands a higher price. As most shippers know, this is not an area where you want to experiment with unproven products. Strapping materials need to be reliable, and often these materials cost more than their lower-quality counterparts. Fortunately, there are ways to limit your costs on seals and buckles. We’ll get to that in a minute. 

Another factor that affects cost is the origin of your tools and materials. Many tools, seals, and buckles are still manufactured in the United States, and those will often come with a higher price tag. However, in general, those products are of higher quality than their foreign-made equivalents. The current trend in re-shoring—as opposed to the previous manufacturing trend of offshoring—might improve the landscape for domestic manufacturing even further. That would be good news for quality, and it also might lead to slightly lower prices for domestically made goods, as well.  

Cost Considerations for Manual vs. Automatic Strapping 

The debate between manual versus automatic strapping comes down to your application. As you might guess, there are major cost implications involved with the outcome of this debate. 

If your operation is strapping fewer than 20 or so loads per day, then using manual methods might be best. Investing in strapping machines and spending the time to train everyone on them might not be worth it, at that level of production. Plus, it’s very nice to be able to put away your (manual) tools when they’re not in use.  

However, if your operation is strapping more than 20 or 25 loads on a daily basis, it might be time to go automatic. At this volume, users who implement automatic strapping report being very pleased with their tools and methods. They enjoy high levels of productivity and cost efficiency. Strapping happens very fast and can be done at the touch of a button. Furthermore, automatic strapping doesn’t just save time, it also ends up saving on materials and seals because there is less user error.  

When is automatic strapping worth the cost? 

The cost of manual versus automatic strapping comes down to your volume. Manual strapping is obviously much cheaper than automatic strapping if you have a low-volume operation. The tools are a fraction of the price of automatic ones. While you might use more seals or buckles than you need, your overall costs will be lower. 

Automatic strapping becomes cost effective, however, if your operation is handling a large number of packages and loads on a regular basis. The initial cost is higher, but the return on investment is substantial. Your productivity will skyrocket, and strapping will no longer be a burdensome part of your operation.  

A caveat: automatic strapping tools are not well suited for especially wet or dirty applications. Moisture and dirt can lead to rust and possible malfunction of the equipment. In those situations, it might be wise to stick to manual tools. 

How can you manage the costs of strapping tools, seals, and buckles? 

Fortunately, there are ways to control your strapping tool and materials expenses. Here are the top tips:  

• Buy in bulk. The easiest way to save money on strapping costs is to purchase materials in volume. Buying in bulk will likely earn you a discount, and it will also limit the shipping costs of your order. It’s possible you will save enough money by doing this that you can afford a higher quality seal or buckle.  
• Think about your application. If your operation only handles a few or a dozen loads per day, you might be able to get by with manual strapping tools and modest-sized orders of seals. On the other hand, if your operation is a high-volume one, then automatic strapping tools are likely a wise investment. 
• Think of the long term. If you are relatively certain that you will be sending packages and shipments for years to come, then it is wise to spend money on quality tools and materials. The best tools will last for years and let you avoid the costs of replacements, and the best seals and buckles will work well the first time and prevent waste.  

Finding the Best Value on Strapping Tools and Seals 

Unsure of whether manual or automatic strapping tools are right for your operation? A good supplier has the expertise to walk you through the options based on your application. In the end, working with a partner like this will help you avoid unneeded costs. Benchmark’s experts can present a range of options and make a suggestion based on your operation and your budget.  

Looking for some advice on which strapping products are best for your needs? Talk to one of our product experts.