Using binary mode with SFTP

Hi, I'm using Akeeba Backup for my Joomla web development work, which requires me to download the backup archive files in binary mode (I tested this, it has to be binary or they won't work at all). I'm working with a server which only grants me SFTP access - I notice that the "transfer type" is being greyed out when I'm using SFTP. Is there a way to find out whether my files are being transferred in binary mode?

Thanks.