Thread: OMG

Originally Posted by trout1105

I have to disagree.
NO recovery is Perfectly Safe, There is an element of Risk in every recovery even using the correct gear and methods.
The use of a towball in a recovery is an unacceptable and an avoidable risk because it can be easily eliminated.
The use of a hitch receiver or a rated recovery point is the best solution But if this isn't available Simply removing the towball and using the hole in the tow hitch is Far preferable than putting this much strain on a towball.
I fully agree with you about the lack of common sense amongst the population So doesn't it make perfect common sense NOT to make a DEMONSTRATION video using a towball as a recovery point so that the "Numpties" amongst us don't think it is acceptable or safe.

I didn’t say Perfectly Safe.. please, grammar is important.

I don’t know what world you’ve worked in, so not sure how you assess risk... I however spend a lot of time with heavy gear, heavy lifting, heavy recovery and haulage and shipping...

Originally Posted by Tombie

I didn’t say Perfectly Safe.. please, grammar is important.

I don’t know what world you’ve worked in, so not sure how you assess risk... I however spend a lot of time with heavy gear, heavy lifting, heavy recovery and haulage and shipping...

In the Mining game I would start by writing out a JSA, in the Fishing and Farming game I would use my common sense.
What part about removing the towball and using the hole it came from instead of using the towball if you haven't got he correct gear is too hard to understand as being an easy fix by eliminating the risk.
In all the risk matrixes elimination is the Most effective method of stopping an incident.

Most effective method of stopping an incident would be to not get stuck!!

Originally Posted by trout1105

In the Mining game I would start by writing out a JSA, in the Fishing and Farming game I would use my common sense.
What part about removing the towball and using the hole it came from instead of using the towball if you haven't got he correct gear is too hard to understand as being an easy fix by eliminating the risk.
In all the risk matrixes elimination is the Most effective method of stopping an incident.

Hierarchy of Controls... yep know it well.
Also seen some clanger JSEAs and plenty of questionable SSOWs! Then of course there’s Take 5s, THAs...

So, using Elimination... we can remove the ball and tongue, and hook the loop through the pin.
Or, as you suggested hook it to a rated recovery point.

Except - in this task - flat tow, no kinetic energy stored.
The ball is an attachment point suitable to a 3,500kg tow arrangement. So presents as a suitable attachment. If there was any potential for kinetic work I’d change mounting points and remove the shackle from the strap to winch cable join.

Originally Posted by Saitch

Most effective method of stopping an incident would be to not get stuck!!

Nah! Elimination... Just don’t go!

Originally Posted by Tombie

So, using Elimination... we can remove the ball and tongue, and hook the loop through the pin.
Or, as you suggested hook it to a rated recovery point.

No need to remove the tounge Just the towball , The tounge itself is far stronger than the towball and it is the nearest thing to having a proper recovery hitch in a pinch?

Wow, cant believe some of the irresponsible replies condoning the use of the tow ball. A tow is not and was never designed for any towing or recovery with a strap, rope cable etc. It was only designed for a trailer. There are plenty of other options. Even a gentle pull can do damage. If no other option would need to be anchored far better than that even for just towing. No kinetic energy, really?? Physics would argue. any tension at all stores kinetic energy.

Craig. My engineer friend ran all the modelling on recovery forces a few years ago..

Snatch straps are plain scary!

Also ran the numbers on anchor points, recovery hooks bolted to chassis, shackles and tow balls.

Don’t feed the Line about the tow ball, as they are also used on the combination Pintle set ups where a steel ring is jolting back and forth against them!

Physics doesn’t argue - but in this case stacks up in the favour of minimal risk.

Again - were talking ONLY of the VIDEO above... if you want to discuss kinetic recovery methods then we can switch...