A system comprising: a first strapping machine comprising a first frame, a first platen supported by the first frame, a first load supporter below the first platen, a first platen actuator operably connected to the first platen to move the first platen toward and away from the first load supporter, and a first strapping head; a second strapping machine downstream of the first strapping machine, the second strapping machine comprising a second frame, a second platen supported by the second frame, a second load supporter below the second platen, a second platen actuator operably connected to the second platen to move the second platen toward and away from the second load supporter, and a second strapping head; and one or more controllers (1800, 2800) configured to: control the first platen actuator to move the first platen toward the first load supporter and a load positioned in a first strapping area on the first load supporter and beneath the first platen; monitor a compressive force the first platen applies to the load; responsive to the compressive force reaching a target compressive force: stop moving the first platen, wherein when stopped the first platen is in a first strapping position at which a strapping distance separates the first platen and the first support surface; control the first strapping head to strap the load; and control the first platen actuator to move the first platen away from the first load supporter and disengage the load; move the load to a second strapping area on the second load supporter and beneath the second platen; control the second platen actuator to move the second platen to a second strapping position in which the second platen and the second support surface are separated by a distance substantially the same as the strapping distance; and control the second strapping head to strap the load. a first strapping machine comprising a first frame, a first platen supported by the first frame, a first load supporter below the first platen, a first platen actuator operably connected to the first platen to move the first platen toward and away from the first load supporter, and a first strapping head; a second strapping machine downstream of the first strapping machine, the second strapping machine comprising a second frame, a second platen supported by the second frame, a second load supporter below the second platen, a second platen actuator operably connected to the second platen to move the second platen toward and away from the second load supporter, and a second strapping head; and one or more controllers (1800, 2800) configured to: control the first platen actuator to move the first platen toward the first load supporter and a load positioned in a first strapping area on the first load supporter and beneath the first platen; monitor a compressive force the first platen applies to the load; responsive to the compressive force reaching a target compressive force: stop moving the first platen, wherein when stopped the first platen is in a first strapping position at which a strapping distance separates the first platen and the first support surface; control the first strapping head to strap the load; and control the first platen actuator to move the first platen away from the first load supporter and disengage the load; move the load to a second strapping area on the second load supporter and beneath the second platen; control the second platen actuator to move the second platen to a second strapping position in which the second platen and the second support surface are separated by a distance substantially the same as the strapping distance; and control the second strapping head to strap the load. control the first platen actuator to move the first platen toward the first load supporter and a load positioned in a first strapping area on the first load supporter and beneath the first platen; monitor a compressive force the first platen applies to the load; responsive to the compressive force reaching a target compressive force: stop moving the first platen, wherein when stopped the first platen is in a first strapping position at which a strapping distance separates the first platen and the first support surface; control the first strapping head to strap the load; and control the first platen actuator to move the first platen away from the first load supporter and disengage the load; move the load to a second strapping area on the second load supporter and beneath the second platen; control the second platen actuator to move the second platen to a second strapping position in which the second platen and the second support surface are separated by a distance substantially the same as the strapping distance; and control the second strapping head to strap the load. stop moving the first platen, wherein when stopped the first platen is in a first strapping position at which a strapping distance separates the first platen and the first support surface; control the first strapping head to strap the load; and control the first platen actuator to move the first platen away from the first load supporter and disengage the load; move the load to a second strapping area on the second load supporter and beneath the second platen; control the second platen actuator to move the second platen to a second strapping position in which the second platen and the second support surface are separated by a distance substantially the same as the strapping distance; and control the second strapping head to strap the load.