We recently came across a great question on YouTube under a Strapex video, where a user asked why their battery strapping tool keeps shredding the banding material—even when set to manual and soft tension. They mentioned cleaning the tool regularly, yet the problem persists.
"I have a question. We use a very similar machine at work. Ours is black. That is the only difference that I can see. No matter how we use it, it shreds the banding material. I have it set to manual, soft. And the grated wheel just shreds the banding. I clean it after every two bands but it always does the same thing. Any suggestions?"
From the description, it’s very likely they’re using a tool similar to a Signode BXT2 or BXT3. These tools are all manufactured out of the Orgapack factory in Switzerland, so while branding may differ, the internal design and common faults are often the same.
So, what’s actually happening here?
In most cases, when a strapping tool is shredding strap, the issue comes back to the feedwheel slipping or failing to grip the strap correctly. Without physically inspecting the tool, we can’t give a definitive answer—but there are several key areas we would check first before jumping straight into replacing parts.
1. Are You Using the Correct Strapping?
The first and most common issue is simply the wrong type of strap.
Battery strapping tools are designed to work within specific strap ranges—typically PET or PP of a certain thickness and grade. If you’re using:
- Lower gauge strapping
- Hand-grade PP strap
- Strap that’s too thin for the tension settin
then feedwheel can’t grip properly. Instead of pulling tension, it slips and shreds the strap surface.
This is especially common when users try to run light-duty strap at higher tension settings. refer to the model you have purchased and the strap you;rte getting, but we will often find while a manufacturers spec says it does support the strapping width aand gauge, the tool will shred hand grade PP strap.
2. Has Something Changed Recently?
If the tool has been working fine for a long time and this issue has only just started—without any change in strap—then we can start looking at mechanical causes.
3. Check the Feedwheel Direction
This one catches people out more often than you’d think.
If the tool has been cleaned or serviced, the feedwheel may have been reinstalled backwards. These wheels are directional and only grip properly one way. If installed incorrectly, the teeth will skate over the strap instead of biting into it—resulting in shredding.
4. Inspect the Rocker Arm
The rocker arm applies pressure to hold the strap against the feedwheel.
If this arm is, Cracked, Slightly bent, Or has developed a hairline fracture it won’t apply enough pressure. Even a small reduction in clamping force can cause the feedwheel to slip, especially under load.
This is a subtle fault, but a very real one we see in the field.
5. Worn Feedwheel (Most Common Cause)
In many cases, the answer is simple—the feedwheel is worn out.
Over time, the teeth on the feedwheel lose their sharpness. When that happens, the wheel can no longer grip the strap properly and begins to slip, leading to consistent shredding.
If the tool has done a reasonable amount of work, this is often the first component we recommend replacing.
if you look closely at the feedwheel the teeth should be pointy, if you see a lot of teeth where the tips are blunt or worn out, this is likely the issue.
6. Internal Spring or Bearing Issues
There are also a couple of internal components that can cause this issue:
- A broken or weakened main spring (reduces clamping force)
- A missing or damaged ball bearing above the spring
Both of these affect how firmly the strap is held during tensioning. Less pressure = more slip.
7. Incorrect Strap Width Setup
Finally, check that the tool is set up correctly for the strap width you’re using.
If you’re running:
- The wrong guide for your strap size
- Or an incorrectly adjusted guide system
the strap may not sit correctly in the feed path, again leading to poor grip and shredding. This will commonly happen if the strapping is too wide for the strap guide setup of the tool.
Final Thoughts
Strap shredding is almost always a grip issue, not a tension issue. The key is working through the basics before replacing parts:
Start with the strap → check installation → inspect mechanical components → then replace wear parts if needed.
At MPS Packaging Australia, we see this exact issue regularly—and in many cases, it’s a quick fix once you know where to look.
