A strapping machine that includes a strap chute defining an arch through which loads are conveyed, the arch having an entrance and an exit, infeed and outfeed conveyors positioned at the arch entrance and exit, respectively, the conveyors defining a work surface, and a strapping head disposed at about the arch for conveying the strap around the loads, tensioning the strap, and securing the strap. The machine further includes a sensor disposed above the work surface and a controller. During operation in a back-to-back mode, the infeed and outfeed conveyors are actuated to move a first, strapped load, and a second, to be strapped load, through the arch, wherein the outfeed conveyor is driven at a faster speed than the infeed conveyor to create a gap between the first and second loads. The sensor senses the gap between the first and second loads and the infeed and outfeed conveyors are stopped when the second load is properly positioned within the arch, wherein the controller determines that the second load is properly positioned within the arch based on the sensing of the gap. The controller initiates a strapping operation for the second load during which the strap is pulled from the strap chute onto the second load, the strap is tensioned on the second load, and the strap is secured.