Detour causes problems

Post recovery jobs for vehicles from 3.5 tonnes to the largest of HGV's & PSV's.

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mick
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Joined:Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:15 pm
Detour causes problems

Post by mick » Tue Nov 18, 2014 11:25 pm

This loaded artic had to take a detour around narrow steep lanes. It was unable to climb the gradient and slide sideways, stopping with a large tree between the front of the trailer and back of the cab. There was a very steep drop to the left and side, and the road only wide enough for the one vehicle. It was not feasible to winch the vehicle forwards (because of the tree), nor could it go backwards. We were not allowed to cut the tree down, and it probably would have damaged the truck if we had of done. There was no way of winching/lifting the vehicle sideways. It was decided that the best way was to do something that we don't normally recommend, and that is to disconnect the tractor from the trailer. The road surface beneath the trailer legs was very poor, and had to be blocked etc to prevent the weight forcing it through the surface. Once the tractor was moved, the rotator was set up and moved the trailer across. Although it doesn't look it, it was a very steep slope. The side drop was steep, the road surface poor and the trailer fully laden. This all adds up to a job that, although it looks simple, could go spectacularly wrong.

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