RATCHET WITH FORCE INDICATOR

A ratchet strap tensioning mechanism includes a barrel defining an axis of rotation and a body and a handle coupled via the barrel. Each of the body, handle and barrel is independently rotatable about the axis of rotation. At least one ratchet gear wheel is mounted to the barrel at a position between a portion of the body and the handle. A driver rotatably drives the at least one ratchet gear wheel about the axis of rotation and a pawl restricts rotation of the at last one ratchet gear wheel about the axis of rotation. A force indicating device is connected to at least one of the body and the handle. The force indicating device is operable to indicate to a user when a predetermined force is applied to the ratchet strap tensioning mechanism.