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Lifting and towing reliably
Page 51
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Re John Darker's article (CM April 4)—" Do hauliers need a specialised nationwide recovery service ?"
ln the early 60s Unity were privileged with a write-up, with an accompanying photograph of a recovery from a quarry of a Ford son by an ex-WD Albion.
At the same time I was in the course of compiling my own " Breakdown recovery Bible." Unity were one of the recovery specialists to whom letters were sent, inquiring of the maximum lifting and towing capacity available. Regret to record —no reply from Unity.
The fleet engineer/transport manager definitely requires to know where he can obtain prompt and efficient service. He must not rely on a gentleman in dark blue suit to organise a breakdown/recovery for him ; to involve his company in countless costly trunk calls, inquiring how long his vehicle will be under repairs ? Not to mention costs of "standing charges."
John Darker states : "Vehicles range from a Land-Rover to a Leyland 6x6 with 15-ton crane." Are we to assume this then is the heaviest vehicle in the fleet ? (It was shown lifting a BMC and an " eight-legger " a few years ago in CM). Because on page 43 Unity claim 100-ton tows and 40-ton lifts ?
That well-known figure in the "Recovery World," Mr William Jackson made it quite clear to lain Sherriff (CM November 8 '74) that the recovery vehicle classed as a 20-tanner has not yet been built. Mr Jackson has also endeavoured to establish a reliable countrywide recovery service.
One could write a lot more, getting too involved in what does go on in the world of recovery—so it may be wiser to say no more. J. BEARD, Eliandford Forum, Dorset [John Darker comments :
" Mr Rogers cannot recall any such letter from Mr Beard but says Unity Garage would have been only too pleased to provide information for such a trade directory. In my article the sentence 'The ability to undertake 100-ton tows and 40-ton lifts . . .' is possibly ambiguous. Unity's Leyland 6x6 has pulled more than 100 tons from a standing start up a 1 in 10 gradient, thanks to a 12-speed gearbox, six-wheel drive and a very low bottom gear. As to lifting 40 tons, this is not ' liftand-tow ' but it is not difficult off-road to lift this using stabilisers and two or more lifting vehicles, plus perhaps jacks or airbags."—Ed.]