Tow trucks, essential for vehicle recovery and rescue operations, come in various types including one-tow-two and integrated tow-lift models. Regardless of the type, a hydraulic winch is a crucial component. Proper operation of this winch is essential for effective and safe towing. Here’s a detailed guide to operating the hydraulic winch on a one-tow-two flatbedtow truck.
1. Start the Vehicle
Begin by starting the tow truck and setting the transmission to neutral. Engage the power take-off (PTO) while pressing the clutch. Before operating the hydraulic winch, lower the flatbed to the ground. Adjust the rear lift as necessary to ensure the flatbed is positioned correctly.
2. Disengage the Winch Clutch
Disengage the winch clutch and pull out the steel wire rope, extending it to the front of the malfunctioning vehicle. Attach the hook securely to the towing loop of the malfunctioning vehicle. Re-engage the winch clutch, ensuring that at least 5 turns of the steel wire rope remain on the winch drum to prevent potential damage.
3. Position the Malfunctioning Vehicle
Place the malfunctioning vehicle in neutral and disengage its parking brake. Use the winch lever to carefully pull the vehicle onto the flatbed, keeping the hook more than 40 cm away from the winch to avoid any entanglement. Be cautious not to open the manual winch clutch while under load to prevent damage, especially with vehicles that have a low chassis.
4. Secure the Malfunctioning Vehicle
Once the vehicle is fully on the flatbed, secure it by strapping down its tires. Slowly raise the rear of the flatbed until it is approximately 15 cm off the ground. Move the flatbed forward so that it is 60 cm from the vehicle’s front end. Adjust the flatbed to ensure it is level before repositioning it to the front end.
5. Final Checks
Engage the parking brake of the malfunctioning vehicle and set its transmission to the first gear (or P position for automatic transmissions). Verify that all straps are securely fastened and perform a final inspection to ensure everything is properly in place. Once confirmed, disengage the PTO by pressing the clutch, and you are ready to complete the towing process.
Following these procedures ensures efficient and safe operation of the hydraulic winch on your flatbed tow truck. Proper handling of the winch not only enhances the performance of your tow truck but also contributes to overall safety during vehicle recovery and rescue operations.
