The T-bar cord strapping tensioner is a manual pry tool. It is hard to figure out, but once you get the hang of it, it is very fast, and you can pull tons of tension! The strapping (just the loose end off the buckle) goes over the top, back through the middle, and back under the nose (far left). The nose is pressed against the corner of the hard bunk (like 2×4 lumber), and the handle is pulled back. The strapping is pulled tight, then lean the handle forward and pull the slack out by hand, and pull handle again.
This tool can not be used to strap round object, and may be difficult on soft bundles (like boxes).
There are a couple cord T-bar tensioners available. We like the aluminum version pictured above since it is light and strong. There is also a steel version that is made from bent rebar and welded. Both work fine.
