Rick,
It is important to get them close, but reality says that there will be some difference because all of the conduits don't enter the service equipment in the same place. I can't speak for the ratchet device. I've always used a hydraulic wire bender.
I used to have a problem from a class that I took that showed in theory how important it is to have the conductors the same length.
Good Luck, and let us know how the installation turns out.
Regards,
Doc
