Cargo evacuation - what is a car tow truck, heavy-duty load capacity - length and height

Sometimes during travel unpleasant situations arise in which you simply cannot do without the help of outsiders. For example, if you accidentally become involved in an accident and your car no longer starts. As practice in the city shows, for you, as a driver, everything will go unnoticed, and transport can be seriously damaged.

Even as a result of a small traffic accident, cars break down and cannot drive under their own power. To move them, you need to call in specialists with special equipment. Of course, by special equipment we mean tow trucks.

Using a tow truck

A tow truck is a specialized equipment that is necessary for loading, unloading and transporting cars that have lost the ability to move. As a rule, this happens during a malfunction of the vehicle's chassis or as a result of an accident.

Just a few years ago, this special, large machine was widely known only abroad. Today, the production of a cargo tow truck is quite a profitable business, and a large number of companies have opened in our country that are engaged in the creation and sale of this type of equipment.

Device Features

After an accident, call the police and a tow truck. Don't be fooled by the fact that the car can drive itself. Most breakdowns cannot be immediately identified; they will manifest themselves several hours after the accident.

Driving a vehicle that has just been involved in an accident can harm your health and the health of those around you. It is illegal. Spare no expense and ask for help from specialists in this field of activity.

In some cases, a truck tow truck can also be used during normal breakdowns . On the road, problems may arise with the steering system, wheels, brakes and other vehicle systems may fail.

If you see that there is no service station nearby, and you cannot do the repairs on site yourself, then the most correct solution would be to use the services of a tow truck. This is better than leaving the car in an unfamiliar place and going to look for a car repair shop.

A truck tow truck can also be used to transport serviceable equipment. Most often, large vehicles need to be transported by full loading, since vehicles of this type are not allowed to move freely on city streets. You've never seen large cars on the roads, have you?

Transportation of special equipment is carried out by a truck tow truck, this relieves the customer from the need to disassemble the vehicle and transport it in parts.

Description of the device of a tow truck with a sliding platform

The design of any tow truck with a sliding platform includes several basic elements:

• wheelbase (chassis);
• a straight metal platform with an anti-slip coating and holes into which stops-clamps are installed;
• a system of hydraulic cylinders with the help of which the platform is shifted along the frame;
• winch with electric or hydraulic drive. It is installed at the beginning of the platform behind the cab and ensures that the vehicle is pulled in in the event of a malfunction;
• dolly trolleys for loading vehicles with faulty or blocked wheels;
• wheel stops, straps for stable fixation of cargo during transportation;
• a protective board at the beginning of the site to protect the cabin in the event of an accidental collision with a vehicle during evacuation;
• Flashing Light;
• special spotlight for night work.

Sometimes tow trucks with a sliding platform are equipped with a crane-manipulator unit. This allows you to expand the capabilities of the equipment, but increases the cost and reduces the load capacity of the machine.

The platform is usually made from high-strength low-alloy steel, which is lighter than regular steel. This reduces the total weight of the tow truck, thereby reducing fuel consumption and increasing the maximum load capacity.

The flooring for the wheels is made of corrugated steel 3 mm thick. The control unit is placed in a plastic box, which protects the mechanisms from moisture and debris.

There are two types of tow trucks with a sliding platform - with and without a crane-manipulator. The model with CMU is more expensive, but also more versatile because:

• the sliding design allows you to transport cars with minimal ground clearance;
• in case of malfunction, the vehicle can be tightened with a cable and a winch;
• If the vehicle has slid into a ravine or ditch, it can be raised using the hydraulic lift truck.

Models with a hydraulic lift truck are additionally equipped with two hydraulic outriggers to ensure the stability of the tow truck during loading. The CMU itself is equipped with a hydraulic rotator and traverse, which ensure a level position of the vehicle during loading, regardless of its center of gravity.

One of the popular models of tow trucks with a sliding platform is installed on GAZelle. The machine has a high rear overhang, which allows you to pick up the machine from a curb or from a small hill.

Another commercial truck used as a chassis for tow trucks is Hyundai. For example, HD-78 with a five- and six-meter sliding structure.

Types and device

There are these types of tow trucks:

• passenger cars, capable of transporting small-sized equipment;
• cargo, which are designed to transport equipment more than three tons.

Principle of operation

The tow truck consists of a chassis that transports cargo on a platform, winch equipment and a lift. The platform is a solid element , which is covered with a metal sheet. Platforms can move or be stationary.

A tow truck is a specialized technique that loads, unloads and transports equipment that has lost the ability to move independently. Typically, this occurs as a result of the absence or malfunction of important parts of equipment or due to an accident.

By type of equipment that can be loaded:

• Devices with winching equipment, most often used for evacuation of large vehicles.
• Devices with crane-manipulator equipment are necessary so that vehicles can be released from the ditch and pit.
• Tow trucks that will tow a car with a faulty engine, but with working wheels.
• Devices with a platform. Necessary when transporting large trucks.

Crane-manipulator equipment is similar to a hydraulic manipulator and crane. Thanks to this design, you can load the necessary mechanism onto the platform from a distance of up to three meters.

The submerged device is secured to the platform using special fasteners with elastic straps. To ensure the desired stability during loading, the cargo tow truck is equipped with hydraulic support cylinders.

If the car is located in a hard-to-reach place, a suitable option would be to use a tow truck with the crane-manipulator equipment mentioned above. Such a device is indispensable in megacities, with a large flow of cars and eternal traffic jams.

Tow truck characteristics

In addition, a device with crane-manipulator equipment can lift vehicles with faulty wheels onto a retractable platform , including to take it to the impound area. For this purpose, a cargo tow truck was created, a photo of which you can find on the Internet.

Advantages of a tow truck with a sliding platform

A tow truck with a platform that slides, creating convenient entry, is quite easy to operate and has a number of advantages. These include:

• ease of loading the vehicle: the operator just needs to lower the platform. If the car is not moving, it is pulled onto the tow truck with a winch;
• versatility: depending on the load capacity of the chassis, it is possible to transport passenger cars, jeeps, buses, and construction equipment;
• reduced risk of damage to transported equipment: the platform has no creases, therefore it is suitable for sports models with minimal ground clearance;
• safety of transported vehicles: placement and fixation of equipment occurs before lifting onto the body, which reduces the likelihood of slipping and tipping.

The disadvantages include the difficulty of picking up a vehicle in cramped conditions, without wheels or with locked wheels and gearbox. To load a vehicle, you need to place a platform directly in front of or behind the vehicle. If this cannot be done, you will have to use a model with a CMU.

Tow trucks with a sliding platform are now in great demand. High loading speed and the possibility of independent entry of equipment make the operation of this modification of machines effective.

Domestic tow trucks at GAZ, KAMAZ, and MAZ bases are equipped with a sliding platform, in particular:

• Kamaz-4308
• MAZ-437043, MAZ-4371
• GAZ-33106 Valdai (chassis from Gazelle), GAZ-3309, GAZon Next.

Among the foreign representatives, the most popular chassis are:

• Hyundai HD-78, HD-120;
• Isuzu ELF 7.5 (NPR75), Forward 12.0 (FSR90), NQR 75P;
• Mitsubishi Fuso TF 7.5;
• MAN 8.163;
• Iveco Eurocargo MLC100E18, Daily 70C15.

Best models

GAS

Models of the Gorky Automobile Plant are in great demand in the CIS market. GAZ cars can be used in a wide variety of areas, from direct cargo transportation to vehicle re-equipment. Of course, the popularity of cars influenced their creation in the towing industry.

GAZ tow trucks are presented in a variety of models, from which you can choose the most suitable option to solve the consumer’s competitive problems. The model can be equipped with the desired type of platform. GAZ equipment ensures smooth and safe loading of equipment , even in the most inaccessible places.

The GAZ 3302 model is suitable for transporting small vehicles. The device is not characterized by its power, but takes pride of place among other devices.

GAZ 3302

This type of tow truck has properties similar to the chassis of a vehicle. The weight of cargo that can be transported is up to 2 tons. Due to its small dimensions, the lifting capacity of this model is only available with a broken platform.

The capabilities of this platform are quite enough for the model to successfully perform its functions. The radius of entry onto the platform is 10 degrees.

Additional equipment for this model is available to customers:

• dimensions: 4300x2020 mm;
• platform height: 880 mm;
• weight: 3500 kg;
• weight of cargo that can be transported: 1250 kg;
• small cargo tow truck, price: $5,866.

GAZ 3302 Next. This model is used during the evacuation of small vehicles.

The best technical characteristics in the video.

Next is produced by GAZ with a broken platform. The model can carry a load of up to 2 tons. The Next tow truck is universal among tow trucks of this type .

• Dimensions: 5630x2068x2137.
• Weight: 2060 kg.
• Weight of cargo that can be transported: 1440 kg.

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MAZ

Minsk MAZ tow trucks are popular among customers. The plant is the oldest in the CIS. Advanced technology and high quality have earned the love of thousands of customers.

MAZ equipment is considered to be one of the best in the production sector. All parts of tow trucks comply with international standards. A variety of platforms, broken and retractable, can be installed on the equipment.

The broken platform cannot be moved because it is securely attached to the chassis. The tow truck is capable of transporting vehicles weighing up to 4 tons.

MAZ 437041

The advantage of a retractable platform is the ability to tilt the chassis closer to the road. This allows a car with a low bottom to drive onto the platform. The weight of the vehicle that can be transported should not exceed 4 tons.

Model MAZ 437041

"Zubrenok." The vehicle is based on the MAZ-437043 chassis, which is the most used model, despite the fact that in terms of engine power characteristics, the model is in the very last place in the ranking of MAZ vehicles.

The fact is that the characteristics of the MAZ 437041 model are sufficient to achieve the basic requirements for which a tow truck is purchased. Thus, the client remains satisfied with the technical characteristics , while saving a lot of money.

• Dimensions: 8400x2500x3050.
• Weight: 5450 kg.
• Weight of cargo that can be transported: 4500 kg.
• Cost of a cargo tow truck: $6,000.

Advantages of the model in the photo.

Popular model

KAMAZ

The KAMAZ cargo tow truck is an influential competitor, capable of towing medium-sized and large-sized vehicles in the shortest possible time. The device of this company must be purchased when other means are powerless with the assigned tasks.

For example, thanks to a model with partial loading, you can quickly clear the road from large vehicles during an accident , lift the overturned vehicle and deliver it to the parking lot. Medium-sized tow trucks cannot cope with these tasks.

Evacuation methods

Evacuation of cargo and special vehicles can be carried out in various ways, selected in accordance with the level of damage to the vehicle, road conditions, transportation distance, etc. Towing on cables is a rather unreliable and not always available option, prohibited on some types of roads. In this case, the towing tractor pulls a car secured by cables, so it is important to control the risk of it skidding. This method is most relevant if you have the appropriate permit and a short transportation distance.

Evacuation with partial loading, when the faulty vehicle is not completely loaded onto the platform. Applicable if appropriate technical capabilities and permits are available from the road point of view. In large cities, this type of evacuation becomes more complicated due to various additional factors and obstacles.

Transportation with a full load is characterized by the maximum level of safety both for the transported vehicle and for other road users. The specific method of evacuation of freight transport is selected in accordance with the category of the highway, the provisions of the traffic rules for the corresponding vehicles, the degree of damage received by the vehicle, as well as its dimensions and weight.

In general, the cost of evacuation services for cargo and special vehicles is influenced by the following factors and criteria.

1. Required load capacity.
2. A specific situation with a faulty car: got into an accident, overturned, flew into a ditch, etc.
3. Level of damage (what kind of tow truck is needed for trucks: tractor, platform with full or partial loading).
4. Range, timing and other conditions of evacuation.

The decision about whether it is necessary to call a tow truck for freight transport is made individually in each specific case. At the same time, it is important to understand that a large vehicle that is not able to move independently is not only at risk from surrounding road users, but can itself pose a certain threat to them.