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Revisited Crane Lift Recovery: Pro-Tow Fishes for Box Trucks

Revisited Crane Lift Recovery: Pro-Tow Fishes for Box Trucks

In August 2019, we published a heavy-duty truck recovery report for a box truck recovery requiring an expert recovery plan and crane lift service. Pro-Tow needed to perform a full crane lift to pull a box truck out of this mess.

The box truck had flipped over before landing down the watery ditch. And, once it was off-road, the front of the truck got stuck inside a large bush. This caused damage to the box and the connection between the box and the truck. Pro-Tow came in with our crane to lift the box truck back to the road fully.

Watch the video below to have a look! https://youtu.be/4buqlGDkBkA

Prevent Shifting Loads

How you load your truck – especially a box truck with a high center of gravity — can mean the difference between a safe and stable truck on the road and one that is not. If loads are not properly balanced, there is a higher risk that a truck will flip over when on the road. Then you’ll need heavy-duty truck recovery.

For drivers, a few tips can help you prevent a shifting load. Before driving away, performing a detailed inspection of your cargo is crucial. First, make sure to check the weight of the cargo against the weight limits specified by your truck’s manufacturer. Next, you want to ensure that your cargo is evenly distributed and well-secured. Another tip is to inspect your straps and other tying materials. You want to ensure that they are all in good condition and will not loosen or break during transport.

Pro-Tow Load Shift Services

If you are on the road and suspect your load has shifted, call Pro-Tow! Our professional team will come to your aid quickly! We offer 24/7 emergency services and use the most up-to-date and specialized equipment to rebalance a load on the road and ensure you can continue your transport safely! A sharp turn or sudden stop can shift a load. Pull over safely and inspect your load, and if you think there might have been a shift, if you’re even a little unsure, it’s important to call us!

Crane Lift Recovery

If an accident happens due to a shifting load or something else, Pro-Tow’s trained operators are on hand. As you can see from the pictures and videos of this crane lift recovery, we are ready and equipped to handle even the trickiest and most highly specialized heavy-duty truck recovery jobs. When you need a tow of any kind, Pro-Tow is here!

Tipsy Tanker Truck Recovery

Tipsy Tanker Truck Recovery

Last summer, on July 15, 2020, Team Pro-Tow got a call for a truck recovery. A tanker truck had gone off the roadway and into the ditch. The tank it was hauling was nearly tipped over, balancing precariously on one wheel. One wrong move, and that tank could tip entirely.

Our team of highly skilled and trained operators arrived at the scene with our equipment to rescue the tanker truck. First, we set up a truck recovery plan and secured the rigging on the truck and tank trailer. Then, we straightened out the casualty using a heavy crane-style wrecker, so it was no longer in danger of flipping. Our team then towed the tanker truck safely out of the ditch.

A tipsy tanker truck requires an emergency towing service. If it flips, there will be damage, and depending on what is in the tank, it might spill hazardous materials.

Why do tankers tip and need truck recovery?

Like any truck that tips and needs an emergency towing service, an imbalanced load is typically the cause. With tanks, they carry liquid. Much of the time, it’s a potentially dangerous liquid like oil or gas. Or it could be caring milk, water, or even liquid animal feed. As the truck goes down the road, that liquid sloshes around the tank and could cause balance issues. It is especially hazardous on winding roads and in the wind.

When you imagine 5,000 to 10,000 plus gallons of liquid sloshing around, you can see why extra measures are required to maintain balance.

What prevents tanker trucks from tipping?

There are a few methods to help prevent tanker trucks from tipping and needing truck recovery. The most recent and commonly used system is an inflatable “airbag” made of rubber installed inside the tank. These airbags fill the empty space in the tank and will absorb the pressure of all those gallons of liquid. Essentially, it stops all that sloshing around during transport.

Even with technologies in place, accidents can still happen and need emergency towing service. For example, wind, weather, road conditions, traffic, and operator error can cause a truck to go into the ditch and lose balance. If this is the case, call Team Pro-Tow for truck recovery!

Truck Recovery from a Snowy Ditch

Truck Recovery from a Snowy Ditch

In this incident, on February 15th, 2020, we responded to a call about a tractor and trailer trapped in the snow. The fuel had also become gelled, which meant the tractor couldn’t move on its own. On top of that, the driver was without any cell service, so a quick heavy truck towing recovery was needed.

Before we left, we got a call from Idaho State Patrol that the combination was stuck in a ditch and against a power pole. We waited until we got pictures to review the accident and decide what equipment to bring for the job. After checking, our Pro-Tow team chose an HD Rotating style crane. We then left for the location.

Truck Recovery

It took time to get to the location as snowfall, ice and weather conditions were a factor that affected safety. Once we arrived safely, we spoke with the driver and began to plan the recovery. Idaho Department of Transportation showed up with a snowplow and offered their support for the road closure needed for the recovery. 

Our team then set up the HD Rotating Crane Truck and wore headsets for communication and safety. Carefully, we lined up the crane and started rigging the back of the tractor and front of the trailer. Taking things slowly, we managed to get the combination back onto the ground without causing any more damage. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to start the vehicle again as both batteries were dead and the fuel was empty. 

Heavy Truck Towing

Initially, only one lane was closed for our recovery, but at this point, we closed down both lanes. We separated the tractor and trailer, then hooked up and secured the tractor for towing. We did the same for the trailer before setting out. We stopped to have the driver fuel up the tractor to start again later. Then we loaded the tractor into the shop at the yard, reconditioned and put away all equipment, and completed the paperwork. 

A quick truck recovery well handled by our Pro-Tow team!

If you own or manage a fleet, or are an owner-operator, make sure Pro-Tow, Motorplex, and Pro-Enviro are on your contact list!

Be sure to check out our other incident reports on our Recovery Blog!

If you require truck accident recovery, give Pro-tow 24-Hour Towing a call.

Tundra on the Prowl Needs Accident Recovery

Tundra on the Prowl Needs Accident Recovery

On September 24th, 2020, In this incident, Team Pro-Tow received a call about a multi-vehicle collision. A Toyota Pickup with a travel trailer had become stuck on the concrete barrier and needed rescuing. We called WSP about the situation and got permission to use the emergency turn around and shoulder for the accident recovery.

Truck Rescue

The Fire Department had arrived ahead of us and contained a fuel leak from the truck. The Toyota pickup was also still attached to its trailer, so a planned accident recovery process was ordered. The owner approved the rescue method, and we sent for a Heavy Mobile Rotating Crane Truck to help with the work. Once all the equipment arrived, our skilled team got straight to work.

To avoid further damaging the truck, we used spreader bars to lift the vehicle off the barrier. While our team handled the accident recovery, Pro-Enviro controlled the spill cleanup. We successfully lifted the truck, but then a new problem sprung up. The fuel from the tank began pouring freely onto the road. Pro-Enviro quickly handled the emergency spill cleanup and re-dispatched it for the Fire Department because of the safety risk of a fire.

Up And Away

With the truck and trailer safely lifted and the spill contained, we returned the combination onto the roadway. From there, we separated the truck from the trailer and loaded it onto the flatbed. For extra safety, we used a four-point tie-down.

We took the trailer back to the storage yard and all absorbent materials and debris from the spill cleanup. All equipment was returned to its original condition and location, with meticulous care to ensure everything was immaculate.

With all the paperwork finished, we got the cleared call. Another spill cleanup and accident recovery handled with skill and ease by Team Pro-Tow and Team Pro-Enviro.

Wrong-Way On The I-90 Needs Heavy Truck Towing

Wrong-Way On The I-90 Needs Heavy Truck Towing

In this incident, on June 16th, 2020, we received an emergency dispatch from the WSP about an out-of-area semi-truck collision near North Bend, WA. WSP specifically requested heavy-duty wreckers to handle the heavy truck towing and trailer block on the roadway. We dispatched two, plus one heavy-duty crane-style wrecker and one heavy-duty recovery wrecker.

Four-lane Block

At the scene, we found all four lanes were entirely blocked. Approximately 200 feet of the area was covered in motor vehicle oil. We called in a request for spill response and cleanup help from Pro-Enviro.

With a spill this large, we followed the WS Department of Ecology Preferred Response Contractor program and called dispatch for more equipment. We also got two additional operators with HAZWOPER certificates. Once the extra help arrived, we mitigated the spill and handled the semi-truck accident recovery. Our team safely moved the tractor and trailer out of the lanes and onto the shoulder where it was safe while we continued to work.

Continued Cleanup and Recovery

Our team continued to treat and clean up the roads until they were clear. We used treatment, road cleaners, and absorbent pads to contain the mess. The street sweeper and compact track loader helped with the process as well. Only once the asphalt was back to DOE, and WSP standards could the lanes be reopened. Until then, our team worked tirelessly and extensively, ensuring the roads were safe and ready to reopen.

Once they were, we moved all the equipment to the closed shoulder to assemble, load, and transport everything back to the storage yard. Once there, we did extensive reconditioning of all our equipment and supplies to be ready for another call. Reconditioning is always a vital part of semi-truck accident recovery.

With everything ready to go, we were ready to handle the next involved heavy truck towing.

If you require truck accident recovery, give Pro-tow 24-Hour Towing a call.

Smashing Fences: Truck Accident Recovery

Smashing Fences: Truck Accident Recovery

On July 28th, 2020, A loaded commercial truck and trailer left the roadway, hit a tree, and collapsed power pulls down on it. We received an emergency dispatch from the King County Sheriff’s office asking for an emergency incident response. This truck accident required specialized equipment that Pro-Tow could provide.

Truck Accident Recovery Initiated

After accessing the situation and reporting to the incident command, we made a plan for truck accident recovery. We had our heavy-duty rotating crane-style wrecker, a heavy-duty class tow truck, and a heavy-duty Landoll trailer. We realized that we needed an enclosed dump trailer to move excessive debris left from the accident. There was a lot of damage to the property, including a completely smashed fence.

Lifting the Truck

Because the truck had hit a power pole, this emergency incident response required extra safety precautions. We safely set up the work scene and installed the rigging to lift the truck. It had so much damage that nearly any movement caused problems with this truck accident recovery. We used multi-parted lines to allow cradling and a gentle lift to the Landoll trailer.

Hold the Phone

There was a low voltage main terminal connection box on the scene that our team needed to avoid. Crane lifting the truck allowed us to avoid the terminal and prevent damage or disconnecting hundreds of phone lines. The phone line contractor shared that our careful lifting saved them 40 to 50 hours of labor reconnecting the lines had damage occurred. Paying attention to detail is essential for effective emergency incident response.

Cleanup Time

Once we had the truck out of there, it was time to start the cleanup of extensive property damage. Vehicle fluids and debris were scattered all over the truck accident recovery scene. Spill cleanup was required for coolant, engine oil, transmission oil, and other hazardous materials. We got to work cleaning that up, loading debris from the broken fence and other property casualties into the dump trailer.

Bringing in the Truck

Team Pro-Tow brought the wrecked truck to our secured storage yard. We had to carefully lift it again with the crane to get it into the yard. We installed spill containment units to prevent stormwater contamination from the damaged truck. Our team transported the waste to a manifest site.

Another truck accident recovery was completed and cleared by Team Pro-Tow!