How to tow correctly and safely?
Carrying out construction and road works involves having heavy construction machines, which consequently requires transporting them to various, often distant places.
One could even risk saying that the success of planned works depends primarily on the owned and available fleet and the possibility of its quick relocation. During the works, it often happens that the machine breaks down in the least suitable place, such as on the road, and then it needs to be quickly transported to a safe place.
An excavator, loader or dump truck are heavy, oversized equipment, whose transport and towing must be carried out in accordance with all rules and safety regulations. When planning such actions, the first thing to do is to analyze what kind of vehicle we are dealing with.
Transport
Definitely the best option is to drive using the machine's own drive, but unfortunately in this case the permissible distance is limited - a wheel excavator can move beyond the construction site for a maximum of 20 km.
On the other hand, for machines using caterpillar chassis, this distance is 2 km, and there are also vehicles that are not allowed to move on the road, i.e. they do not have type approval.
In the absence of the possibility of driving a given vehicle, it is necessary to organize oversized transport, which of course requires a proper permit.
If the transport takes place on a low-floor trailer, then the assistance of a car with a pilot is necessary. This type of trailer is characterized by high durability and thus the possibility of loading heavier vehicles.
Safety first
In general, transport involves delivering a given machine to the destination, which can be a construction site, workshop, garage. The transporting tow truck must be properly prepared and equipped with efficient brakes, appropriate suspension and all necessary equipment. Of course, these are basic things, and such a machine must be fully functional in every respect, below is a short list of what to remember:
- When organizing this type of transport, it is obligatory to remember a few aspects:
Loading and unloading are time-consuming activities - additional equipment is usually needed, such as winches or sliding platforms. This can be equipment mounted on the vehicle or as a separate machine.
In some vehicles, there is the possibility of disassembling parts of the equipment, such as a bucket in an excavator, which greatly facilitates loading. This equipment must also be properly secured. - The transport machine must absolutely be immobilized so that it does not roll off the tow truck. Special chains or belts, wheel chocks and locks are used for this. As a rule, wheeled and caterpillar vehicles are additionally secured with stays, and the parking brake is applied.
- Performing all these activities, it should be remembered that construction machines usually have large dimensions, and any neglect in their operation and transport can endanger human health or even life.
It's worth choosing a reliable company
When choosing a specific carrier, it is worth remembering that time is money and therefore it is worth trusting a experienced and proven company. This way we can be sure that our equipment will be transported relatively quickly and safely. A company with a recognized reputation has a qualified staff not only of drivers, but also forwarders and logisticians who are also a very important link in the transport process, as it is they who determine the success of the key process for the entire operation, which is planning.
At this stage, aspects such as: type and width of the surface, angle of inclination, critical elements of infrastructure such as bridges, viaducts or roundabouts should be taken into account.
Established companies have at their disposal many transport machines, which are adapted to transport both self-propelled and stationary devices.
Towing - various aspects of the problem
Deciding to tow a machine, you need to keep common sense and absolutely remember to perform this activity with compliance with all traffic rules only and exclusively by trained experienced personnel. Both machines, both the towing and the towed one, must be properly prepared, taking into account the type and parameters of the towed machine, the condition of its chassis, condition of the internal combustion engine and many others. The towing machine must be of the right size with sufficient engine power and braking force. It must have the appropriate certificates.
It is forbidden to use chains for towing, as dynamic movements threaten to break them. A much better solution is to use rigid tows or steel lines.
Flexible connections are used when the steering and braking systems are functional in the machine.
When towing downhill, it is often necessary to connect an additional machine to the rear of the towed one, which must have functional brakes.
Traffic regulations specify the maximum speed during towing at 40km/h, and the recommended speed is 20-25 km/h but must take into account the conditions on the road. For vehicles with steel wheels without tires, the maximum speed is 5 km/h, and the permissible distance is 15 km.
You also cannot forget about the permissible axle loads and maximum widths.
Keep in mind that towing is an emergency action, being a specialized service to deliver a damaged machine to the repair site, and all guidelines are in the operating instructions for the machine. This activity requires knowledge, experience and patience.
