May 2011

Captain Hook

Written by Heslops

Heslops have been operating heavy salvage equipment in the form of 6x4 Kenworth with an M816
recovery crane, 44,000lb Garwood winch and a locally built under lift since the 1980’s. In this time
we have experienced the difficulties involved and have tried to incorporate in our new vehicle
solutions to age old problems.

Firstly, in recovery and towing all weight is gained behind the rear axles requiring a very long
vehicle to counter the weight and maintain adequate steerage causing drive axle weights to require
permanent overweight permits along with the necessary bridge limitations knowledge a major
problem in our district.

We decided the FLB Freightliner chassis had good tare weight, easy potential to fit an additional axle
and sufficient power to do the job. Our truck was ex-NZL, a 1998 model having done 900,000 kms
on line haul. It is still in good condition and ideal for the task. I purchased a genuine Freightliner tag
axle complete with air suspension and proceeded to move the original drive bogey forward fitting
the tag in the original rear axle’s position creating a new 10x4 configuration. We were unsure how
this would work for traction, however, we find now it is excellent providing a tight turning circle and
amazing ability off road. The only improvement I would now make is a steering rear tag.

Next I needed a crane. We have used the M186 unit and found it very forgiving but it lacked power
and the ability to reach sufficient distance. After hunting around, we found an EFFER 34 tonne metre
unit in Australia. A simple crane with very strong slew ring and only three extensions reaching to
9.6 metres, lifting 3.2 tonnes fully extended, with a tare weight of 4 tonnes. Our need was for this
crane to be able to travel the length of the chassis becoming a counterweight for towing and able to
be ideally placed for lifting. This presented problems that we finally resolved thanks to David Plum
of Transport Design Certification with the unit being able to travel from the very rear of the chassis
with the underlift removed to right up behind the cab and able to be used to capacity along the
frame at numerous points where it is locked.

We searched for an underlift via the net and looked at numerous examples in Australia and the
USA eventually settling on the EKABOL TSA290 unit with heavy duty legs and spades. In order to be
able to salvage and then tow a vehicle we had considerable weight constrictions. The only way we
could see to construct the vehicle light enough was with this underlift. With the large subframe for
the crane in place we were able to clip the underlift on with 2 large pins at the rear and hydraulic
couplings. We mounted the super winch onto the top frame of the underlift providing 13.7 tonnes
direct and the main winch, a Sepson 20,000 kg direct, unit right up behind the cab. With some
modifications we were able to remove the cable from the rotating fair lead allowing removal of
the underlift. To store equipment, 2 large boxes have been mounted to either side of the underlift
containing rescue equipment, tools etc.

The underlift can be removed in 15-20 mins leaving a bare chassis with a crane and 20,000 kg winch.
Between the mudguards we have lockers that contain chains, shackles etc. relating to the crane. The
choices now are to fit a turntable or slide the crane to the very rear of the chassis and clip on a deck
either in front or behind.

With the underlift attached, we have the capacity to tow full trailers both 40 and 50mm couplings

not exceeding 30 tonnes through an attachment fitted on the underside of our main lifting boom.
We can also tow semi-trailers on the underlift when at full height. This underlift allows the extension
to 2.4m plus tilting -8⁰ to +16⁰ along with the vertical lift to a maximum of 1.7m. It will lift and
carry 9,000 kg short and 6,000 kg extended allowing carriage of loaded vehicles with the crane right
forward meeting legal axle weights. The tilting ability assists when towing modern vehicles with low
bumpers giving sufficient clearance when towing.

The Freightliner has been a good choice of frame to work with however we found that making
precise movements when backing up was challenging particularly on steep and uneven ground. Our
latest improvement is to fit a hydraulic clutch system that has transformed the ease of operation
allowing very controlled movement when coupling the underlift to disabled vehicles.

OPERATION –

The truck performs well with 525 hp from the Cummins NI4 maintaining good road speed even
though our tare is close to 20,000 kg. At this weight it provides a stable platform for the crane with
6 legs available to stabilise. In vehicle over the bank situations we can set up to the inside of the
formation, reach over the vehicle to be recovered, lift and level whilst winching the front or rear
back onto the carriageway. Nelson has a lot of narrow rural roads placing challenges to any heavy
vehicle operators.

The winches are brilliant with rotating fair leads that can be raised or lowered to fit into the stability
triangle provide 37,500 kgs of direct thrust enough for most jobs in even the worst terrain. The
ability to hold and re-rig with 2 winches is paramount and the crane attached near the road edge
allows recovery to the highway in almost any circumstances.

Once on the road, we remove the driveshafts, supply air to the brake system and prepare for towing
ensuring any loose items are secured. It is very rare that an accident damaged vehicle truck or
trailer cannot be towed safely to a place of security or repair.

We are pleased with our vehicles operation in that we have managed to provide a capable salvage
unit that can recover heavy vehicles to the highway and then legally tow to a safe destination.
If unloading is required, the crane is invaluable, however, no matter how good any pieces of
equipment is, it could always be better, faster, more efficient. I believe we have an excellent
compromise providing the operators in Nelson with a careful and efficient choice along with options
available of a materials handler, 2 tractor units and our Kenworth 924 recovery unit as backup.

1998 FLB Freightliner Facts

460 Cummins big Cam IV Electronic – 5 axle – 28 tonne

18 speed Road Ranger transmission
Rockwell 46,000 lb Diffs Power Divider and Crosslocks
Additional Axle:
Freightliner tag
Suspension:
Freightliner Air – rear
Front:
Semi elliptic parabolic leaf

Operators:

Leigh Marquet
Lloyd Heslop
Michael Shellock

Recovery Equipment:
Winch 1:
Sepson – 20,000 kg direct
2 speed auto stepdown
Remote operation:
Free spool
60m Rope
Winch 2:
Superwinch – 13,700 kg direct
2 speed auto stepdown
Remote operation:
Free spool
30m Rope
Crane:
Effer - 34 tonne metre
12,200 kg at 2.6m
3,200 kg at 9.6m
4 stabilizer legs
Manual operation both sides of vehicle
Underlift:
Ekebol – TSA – 270
Heavy Duty legs – winch anchors – foot plates for tar seal work
Towing rated – 70,000 kg
Rotating fair leads – 2 winches – lift and lower
Underlift extension – 2.4m
Height – 1.7m
Lift capacity – 9,000 kg short, 6,000 kg long
Remote operations: Tilt for low front vehicles - 16° up - 8° below horizontal

Truck capable of removing
Underlift assembly
Fit – 5th wheel for transporter deck
Crane can move full length of chassis

Features of Unit:
Crane weighs 4,000 kg, can be moved forward to assist in weight distribution when
underlift is being used.

During salvage work the offset slew ring enables heavier lifts to be made on the right side
at longer effective radius.

The capability of salvage equipment and crane etc. plus the ability to shift the crane
forwards allows legal axle weights when towing laden vehicles.

Additional Equipment:
Strops and chains – numerous
8m wide material soft strop
Heavy shackles
Oxy acetylene gas cutting equipment
Air coupling hoses
Rescue equipment
Jaws of Life
Portapowers – hydraulic power pack
Shovels
Crowbar
Overwidth hazard panels
Stop/go & accident signs
CB & Forest company radios
Hand held radios for winching & rigid bar towing communication
Rigid bar for flat towing
Accident site cleanup gear
Hi viz overalls/wet weather gear
Illuminated road cones
Hard hats
Emergency lights for night work

KENWORTH

W924 1973 18 speed road ranger
Rockwell SSHD diffs
Winch - Garwood 44,000 lb
Recovery crane & underlift – M816

Captain Hook

Click to enlarge