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mushspeed

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Everything posted by mushspeed

  1. Sorry ...but it is guys like that ...give the industry a bad name ... I hope DOT gets their hands on them ... in the UK it would be an instant prohibition and the vehicle would be impounded and a huge fine ...if it is not paid ...the truck will be cut up for scrap ...
  2. I too have learned a hell of a lot through the board over the years....having been in this business all of my working life .....57 years and counting... It continues to educate me every day ......you NEVER stop learning in this business !!! The last thing I want to do.... is cause upset to the bereaved families , co workers or friends... but we do need to focus on the circumstances around these tragedies... I too have a feeling of despair every time I read of another fatality or serious injury ....but I do think the tower down count should be kept in place ... I too have had a member of staff killed....... and several with serious injuries including one of my sons...and it is totally devastating...... I totally agree with the others.... complacency is a major contributory factor..... however...other reasons include....little or no training..... lack of personal protection equipment ( PPE ) poor quality equipment ....incorrect use of safety equipment ...lack of investment by some employers .... I am not losing sight that there are many tragic circumstances that are absolutely no fault of the operative or any of the above and my heart goes out to every one of them . In the UK and Europe...we have the same problems.....despite constant campaigning for tougher regulations on issues such as...Slow Down , Move Over .as yet, no legislation is in place ..... many operators are working hard to improve training programmes, increase PPE .....provide fend off vehicles / crash cushions ...raise public awareness....increased safety features on vehicles ..... However ...all the time it is possible to buy a cheap tow truck on Ebay and without any training or proper insurance ... go to work the next day calling themselves recovery operators and no legislation to prevent it ...the carnage will continue ...
  3. I agree with Carl the owner / driver of the vehicle has to ensure all loose items are secured before moving off.....in any day to day movements.... however, it is entirely possible to overlook loose items after a break down or accident and the occupants may be traumatised and not thinking clearly .... We had a couple of incidents where items were allegedly damaged or broken in transit ...following that, I sent a memo out to all of our staff n a situation like that .......... .to ask the owner or driver at the scene if everything is secure..... or if possible, go in with them and check for themselves .... John.
  4. Congratulations Ron and Chris on 19,000 posts that is a whole load of talking !!! I am proud to have been a member since 2005 ..... I never cease enjoying reading and looking at the way the towing industry operates throughout the world ...there are some very clever contributors on here, past and present with a massive amount of knowledge and experience....... I dont always agree with some of the methods and points of view that are expressed ....and we all have different ideas about the way we go about the job. based on our own knowledge and experiences.. but we must respect that there is more than one way to do things safely and efficiently ... it is an excellent learning tool and I have used or made reference to stuff I have read or seen on this forum on numerous occasions to help me in our rescue and recovery operations over the years to give a better and safer service to our workforce, customers and the community as a whole. Sincere thanks Ron and Chris....and bring on the next 19,000 posts. John.
  5. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Casey's family, friends and co workers at this tragic time.... From your fellow towers in the UK .. John.
  6. That is a challenging recovery ...there is a real risk of pulling some more brickwork down...and causing more collapse ....I am not sure I would want to be standing inside there.... I think I would prefer to use a rotator or knuckleboom thus giving more lateral movement as necessary and better overall control.... But sometimes you have to use what you have got to get it done... John.
  7. Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Towtruck drivers Family , Friends and Co workers... From your fellow towers in the UK. John.
  8. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Towtruck drivers family, friends and co workers from fellow towers in the UK .. John.
  9. Randall.... The DOT and the Police in the UK are now becoming very pro active over load security and there are hefty penalties for insecure loads....and quite rightly too ... as regards vehicles being transported.... 4 point tie down is necessary... the way the rear of the vehicle pictured above is secured is perfectly correct ... However .... the strap securing the rear of the load is in my opinion ...not sufficient. The last thing I want to be is judgemental at this stage of the loading, because he may not have completed the securing before he set off. But as it stands and If I was doing that job, I would certainly secure both of the front wheels of the car to the platform of the Tow Truck, the same as the rears …. this will negate any possible bounce that may occur. Additionally....there is a D link on the track bed of the Trax machine ….and even if there wasn't, I would want to secure both sides to the platform as well ...thus giving ample security to both parts of the load. John.
  10. This truck is an IVECO chassis double cab, 70. 180...= 7 tons gross weight 180 hp engine manufactured in Italy...... but I am not sure who made and where the body and equipment have been installed....definitely somewhere in Europe It has a conventional spectacle type lift suitable for about a 1 to 1.5 ton lift, passenger cab facilities, rollup doors on the equipment lockers. I am not sure exactly where this is located as most UK vehicles are Right Hand Drive and Europe is Left-hand and could be for a pilot scheme of some sort... but it makes sense for the driver to get out of the vehicle on the safe side, thus reducing the risk of being hit by oncoming traffic. especially on very busy routes. The interesting thing is.... it is liveried in the UK highways agency livery and it may be being used as quick clearance vehicle on congested sections of the motorway system. nothing official has yet been announced but a few rumours indicate it will be operated by govt dept. drivers and operated by the state. I will update if I learn anymore. John.
  11. We ran knuckleboom cranes for more than 25 years and we had several on our fleet .... .the applications were both for recovery work and general haulage and I found them an excellent tool in allsorts of different situations We had attachments to enhance capabilities with ease ..ie brick grab, street lifter, fork lift frame ...clam grab .....etc Numerous times we were able to get into places where the rotators couldn't get near..... The knuckleboom is very popular throughout Europe .. and with the correct training and certification are accepted on all police contracts... I strongly agree with Randall ...that some sort of presentation or interaction event would certainly help satisfy the police of the capabilities
  12. Nice Job Ed.... the trailer looks quite heavy.. The traffic control vehicle with high visibility chevrons and message light board looks really effective.... definitely the way to go.... for additional incident awareness and personnel protection... John.
  13. Video by "Recovery Tow Show" as Industry legends, John Coupland and Nick Ovenden sat down after the Boniface demonstration at the Professional Recovery Tow Show in Telford, Shropshire
  14. Sad to say ....its the " IT WONT HAPPEN TO ME " mentality.. some folks are so blas'e it is impossible to get through to them... In this industry the message has to be and always must be ...." Never drop your guard " .... John.
  15. Some more pictures of the show The Slow Down Move Over booth with Campaigner Paul Anstee ( right ) and Bob Percy ....selling decals and Tee Shirts ....all proceeds go to the towing industry benevolent fund. Carrying out an end roll on a gas tanker using the synthetic chains from B / A very light and durable. ....I can foresee them becoming very popular in future Lifting the front using 2 winches through 1 running block , all the control was through the rear winches, the front only for the lift A closer look at the chains and grab hook ...all available from B / A.. The Hough Green 5 axle Volvo and the Crouch Scania recovering an overturned compactor trailer threading through the gap and onto the trailer We removed the tractor first and then lifted it out of the way ..... Recovery expert Jason Farnall a key member of the display team checking out and packing his bags ready for home after the show ....he is supposed to be on light duties after major back surgery a few weeks ago yeh right !! A very low approach rollback 4 degrees loading angle by Boniface A rear steer powder tanker demonstrating a new 5th wheel adaptor attached to the underlift crosshead, that activates the rear steer controls ....thus removing the necessity to chain up the rear trailer axle to tow The very latest Scania 3 axle tractor from Sweden 650 horse power 4 metres tall
  16. An awkward job .....nicely done with no additional damage ... John.
  17. More pictures of the show This is a 4x4 go anywhere winching truck.... made by Mercedes called a unimog ..very popular in Europe especially in mountainous and isolated terrain The equipment has been manufactured by specialist equipment company Syren Engineering I had a rotator built by syren and we found it almost bullet proof This vehicle is fitted with front and rear mounted winches and a huge rear spade that can be driven deep into the ground plus a crane for high pulls Sorry about the picture quality This is a double extending trailer supplied to Mick Gould Commercials by Rydam international from faymondville Holland It has so many features , all wheel steer , raise and lower neck, hydraulic flip toe ramps , the suspension can be lowered to achieve the minimum loading angle Hydraulic stabilaser legs for rigid loading The tractor is a category 3 heavy haul unit double drive with reduction hubs I have included the manufacturers plate the numbers are in kilograms multiply that by 2.2 will give you that in pounds gross weight in the UK 220,000 lbs
  18. The Professional Recovery Tow Show ..the largest in the UK took place at the Telford International Centre it was pronounced a huge success with record Exhibitors, Visitors and Vehicles on display offering the very latest Towing and Recovery equipment from mighty Rotators right through to ratchet straps, off road winch trucks to depollution equipment , from the UK and around the world... Business seminars and a very strong presence from all the Towing associations, the gala night and award ceremony in front of 500 guests was very enjoyable .... even a major power cut could not spoil the evening ....towing and recovery folk spend half of their working time in the darkness no drama !! A 5 axle, twin steer, double drive, rear steer 5th axle, Volvo fitted with Century equipment from Boniface Engineering built to a very high specification for Millers Recovery A 4 axle twin steer Mercedes from Boniface for N S Clarke Recovery .... check out the top flyer A very light weight snatcher ideal for getting into multi storey and underground car parks, fitted with dolly wheels for that job with lost keys or stuck in park This is a very light weight tow dolly aptly called a Stow and Tow it all folds up and fits into the rear of the van below it can legally tow vehicles up to 1 1/2 tons A double deck transporter capable of carrying 4 cars .....1 on the top deck, 2 small cars on the platform 1 in the rear car lift built by Dave Bland Engineering for Furness Recovery also equipped with a 6 seater passenger cab.... A lightweight Roll back with alloy body built by Dave Bland Engineering for Bells Recovery Proud purchasers Mr and Mrs Robin Bell checking out their new asset with ther friends from Highway Recovery A medium duty using NRC equipment and built by Dave Bland Engineering check out the length of the boom ... this truck was sold shortly after this picture was taken. A Specialist Street Lifter for the CMG Group specifically designed for damage free inner city tow aways a 2 car capacity up to 4 tons each one on the platform and one in the spectacle lift built and supplied by the Roger Dyson Group. A double deck transporter for NYR Recovery the payload on the platform is a maximum of 10 tons and an underlift with a 6 ton capacity ... Below is another landoll for the NYR heavy haul fleet An easy track for Crouch Recovery A 4x4 recovery unit for off road work complete with lorry loader knuckleboom crane for salvage recovery for Welsh operator Walls Celtic Recovery m This is a clever idea..... an air bar which is connected to the PTO controls and when the PTO is engaged the air bar extends from the side of the truck by 2 feet and has flashing and chasing LED red lights giving an added warning device for the oncoming traffic ... )
  19. Randall... Coal fired power stations are being phased out in the UK and there is a huge emphasis on the use of renewable energy sources.....Wind, hydro and solar power etc, to my knowledge there does not seem to be any restrictions on wood burning at the moment....there are now many areas where only smokeless coal is allowed, but coal has almost disappeared in the domestic market anyway.... The directives on truck and car emissions mostly come from Europe and I don't think the Brexit " debacle " will make any difference to that.... there is a huge focus on hybrid and electric cars right now …. the Govt have introduced certain taxation advantages which are designed to encourage the growing use of EVs... I currently have a hybrid SUV and I am saving over £ 1,000 sterling a year on vehicle taxation costs and that's without the savings on reduced fuel costs etc ... and am able to enter the ultralow emission zones without penalty's... makes sense to me ! John.
  20. In Europe and the UK ...all new trucks and Vans have to meet the Euro 6 specification where it is claimed the exhaust gas coming out into the atmosphere is cleaner than when it goes in ….this is achieved by a complicated exhaust gas recycling system ( EGR ) or ad Blue systems ... Ad blue is a solution of urea and deionised water, man made, which is injected into the exhaust system... When it meets the hot exhaust gasses it releases ammonia... which is the catalyst to a chemical reaction that converts dangerous nitrogen oxides into two harmless products....Water vapour and Nitrogen. These systems are not without their problems on occasions and can be very expensive to repair and replace but once you understand it …. not too difficult to figure.. there are various after market products that can be fitted to bypass these systems but the DOT have wised up to that and any euro 5 and 6 trucks that are found to be fitted with functional bypass systems will face immediate prohibition. Several cities across the UK are introducing Low emission zones where older vehicles are banned or face hefty fines if used in those areas, The centre of London is introducing an ultra Low Emission Zone where only Euro 6 or electric vehicles will be permitted. So ...... sadly The huge straight through stacks, the loud sound of power and the crackle of a Jake brake will be a thing of the past in many places...
  21. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the drivers family and co workers From his fellow towers in the UK ... John.
  22. Randall ….This has happened on a job I did a few years ago.... I attended a serious head on collision between a motorcycle and a car on a country road, it was obvious it happened at very high speed.... the rider and the driver of the car both were fatally injured ….the wreckage was strewn around over quite a large area. the police, accident investigation team and the coroner all correctly carried out their duties over several hours at the scene and we removed the vehicles, 3 days later it was announced a further body had been found in the undergrowth over 100 feet from the point of impact....it turned out it was the pillion passenger on the motorcycle, after being launched through the air on impact … he was only reported missing after his relatives became concerned he hadn't come home.... not knowing anything about the accident that had happened. we had done quite a big sweep to pick up the debris and never spotted him.. I was advised later that his injuries were so severe he would not have survived any way.. after that ….I put out a memo to all of our locations to thoroughly search all accident scenes before leaving...
  23. Yes... Semi Retired, is perhaps an understatement.....I now only work 5 and a half days a week and don't take my phone to bed ... I shall be going to Chattenooga....with Aileen and 4 other members of my family .... Unfortunately the Atlantic city date clashes with an important family event that has been planned for quite a while and I will be history if dodge off to the big apple !! I am sure we catch up in the not too distant future ... Regards John.
  24. Randall ... whilst I am semi retired ... when we were fully operational we insisted that all disclosures must be made at the time of the job application and must be prepared to undergo a CRB check ( criminal record bureau) We then made a decision depending on the severity of the crime we would not consider a habitual offender or someone registered as a sexual offender We had several staff members who had gone off the rails when they were younger but were reformed characters , settled down and had young families. With just one exception , we never had any problems and they all turned out to be good reliable workers. The only problem we had .....they were not allowed to work on our police contracts or allowed into the examination and impound areas without specific written police approval for each individual John.
  25. This diamond T diesil.....has been barn stored for many years the owner was an agricultural antiques collector and having recently passed away , his family put all of his collection for auction We understand the auctioneers put a couple of new batteries on it and it started easily It looks a bit shabby but it is all there ...and not full of rust holes ....a good project !! It was sold for 8, 000 pounds sterling plus 15% buyers fee...to another historic vehicle collector I wanted to buy it ....but Aileen put the block on, saying we already have too many other projects going on . She was absolutely right ....I don't know when we could have got on with it .... I am not sure the make of that crane perhaps someone can identify it...... or is it a self made one ? John.
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