Wreckers at work
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gECKERS International last Bek demonstrated its and hers' latest recovery equipint at a one-day exhibition at idlett Aerodrome, HartAshire.
4mong the most noteworthy hibits was the Bulldog In-stater under-reach unit depried for fast roadside recovf. It can be fitted to any ctive unit of around 40 tonne w capacity having a wheelse of 4.27m (168in) in 4x2 nfiguration or 4.68m (192in) in 4 form.
ts main boom has two singleting hydraulic rams capable of sing a safe maximum of eight is in the retracted position or [ tons while fully extended.
N wrecked vehicle can be sad to a maximum height of l7m (50in) while its under 3ch arm's inner boom will de out a distance of 813mm ?in) which the manufacturer urns is 305mm (121n) further 3n any current make.
Four sets of forks can be fitted variable widths to the swivelg cross frame which is at tached to the sliding boom. The forks are shaped to accept the front chassis members.
A panel in the offside of the body contains manual controls from which the recovery mechanic can exercise full control of the equipment while the vehicle remains stationary. It also has a four-function remote control with wander-lead to enable him to adjust the forks and control the boom at the same time.
The Interstater can be fitted with an optional 89kN (20,000 lb) winch with its 45m (148ft) 16mm (0.6in) diameter cable feeding through the fairlead in the boom end.
Air-driven hydraulic-powered equipment from Onar Hydraulics of Colchester was demonstrated prising and cutting open a Volkswagen Beetle car in a simulated road accident.
Each of the tools weighs approximately 20kg (44 lb) and can be operated from a small portable cylinder or compressor, on an optimum air pressure of eight bar (120psi).
The cutter has a sheering force of 15,500kg at the jaw centre and 7,600kg at the tips while the spreader tool jaws have a spreading force from the closed position of 5,200kg and 3,900kg when half open. This is sufficient to lift a saloon car clear of the ground. These tools can be used in a fire.
Wreckers International demonstrated the use of Safelift air bags to raise a fuel tanker from its side, under restraint. Small, four ton capacity bags with reinforced gripping surfaces are deflated by vacuum using the 200cc, 3.73kW (5hp) petrol engine with valve bank unit. They are then inserted as far as possible under the body and inflated to raise the tanker to an intermediate position after which larger 10 ton bags are inflated under it to bring it to the point of balance. Winch restraint is then released gradually to lower the vehicle on to its wheels.
Applied Pneumatics of Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire exhibited from a range of compressed and filtered air equipment for workshop or equipment use. It also includes the Maxaman ventilator/resuscitator life saving unit weighing only 9kg (20 lb) with its small oxygen cylinder.