AW Direct Blog

Clearance Items - A Great Way to Save

2009-07-01T09:00:00.003-04:00

Have you checked out our CLEARANCE SECTION lately? We've been adding lots of items at up to 50% off the regular price and MORE! There's something there for just about everyone and we add new items all the time. Be sure to check out our CLEARANCE SECTION often!

--AW

New Tow Pro brand Straps!

2009-05-12T08:28:00.003-04:00

Our customers spoke and we listened. You said you wanted the highest quality, strongest straps at the best possible pricing. We developed the Tow Pro line just for you! We have straps for all applications, some with reflective coatings for safety. All have a higher W.L.L. then our previous line of straps. As a special introductory offer, take 15% off ALL Tow Pro straps. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!

--AW

Support the WTRAA Scholarship Fund

2008-10-10T10:22:00.003-04:00

AW Direct is honored to support the WTRAA Scholarship Fund. We've designed some great magnets to raise awareness of a fund that will help further the education of children in the towing community. Your Ribbon purchase will help support our donation to the WTRAA Scholarship Fund.

We're hoping that all of you will join us in supporting this great cause. Purchase your ribbons and read more about the WTRAA by CLICKING HERE.

Thanks in advance for your support!

--AW

New Cool Flashlight and MORE!

2008-08-12T13:08:00.006-04:00

We've just added a new multi-function LED light to our website that I think deserves honorable mention. This light does it all. It features 7 functions including 3 steady modes and 4 warning modes. 8 LEDs create a beam that projects up to 75 feet and provides a 1 3/4 mile signal visibility. Lithium battery provides 15,000 hour run time.

Take a moment and CLICK HERE to view a video of just what this light can do. It has so many functions that just about everyone could find a good use for it!

Quick Tip - UV Exposure & Synthetic Slings

2008-08-01T09:32:00.005-04:00

Environments in which synthetic webbing slings are continuously exposed to ultra-violet light can affect the strength of the syntehtic webbing in varying degrees from slight to total degradation.

Suggestedd procedures to minimize the effects of untra-violet light - sunlight or arc welding flash:

A. Store slings in a cool, dry and dark place when not being used for prolonged periods of time.

B. Inspect slings weekly or more frequently depending on sling use.

Visual indications of ultra-violet degradation are:

A. Bleaching out of sling color.

B. Increased stiffness of sling material.

C. Surface abrasion in areas not normally in contact with the load.

Proof-Testing

Slings used in environments where they are subject to continuous exposure to ultra-violet light should be proof tested two times rated capacity annually or more frequently depending on the severity of the exposure.

Chemically Active Environments:

Chemically active environments can effect the strength of webbing slings in varying degrees ranging from none to total degradation. Before ordering slings that are to be used in chemically active environments, give us a call. We will be pleased to recommend the right sling for the right application.

Wire Rope Installation - Did You Know?...

2008-07-18T09:38:00.011-04:00

Perform a Break-In Procedure

Perform a break-in procedure to achieve maximum service life.
Run the new rope through its operating cycle several times under a light load at a reduced line speed. A light load is normally considered to be 10% of the working load limit. This allows the rope to adjust gradually to working conditions, enables the strands to become settled, and allows for slight stretching and diameter reduction to occur.

Proper Equipment Maintenance

Wire rope performance depends upon the condition of the equipment on which it operates. Poorly maintained equipment may result in reduced service life.

Industry Issues - Let's hear it!

2008-07-16T16:06:00.009-04:00

Fuel Prices

It's gotta be tough these days to run a business that relies on fuel. Every day the news seems to be more bleak. How do you folks cope with this? Any suggestions that you'd like to share with others? Post in "Comments".

Cool Tools

Okay, we just have to ask. What tools do you have that just can't live without? Doesn't matter if you bought it from AW Direct or not. And while we're on the subject, what kinda things would you like to have but can't find?

Strange Recoveries and Tows

This one will be interesting. We know you all have stories that you're just dying to share. What's the most unusual or just down right strangest recovery or tow that you can remember doing. Just keep it clean! LOL!

Okay...that should be enough to get us started. Hope to see some good participation on this board real soon. When commenting, please feel free to include your name , company name and location at the end of your post. We'll look forward to hearing from you!

--AW