Subscribe to ARB
Subscribe to ARB to receive your regular 4x4 CULTURE magazine, exclusive ARB promotional news and new product release information.
28th January, 2015
Safety
Personal safety and the protection of property are paramount when considering 4WD recovery.
ARB recovery equipment comes in a range of high visibility safety colours. Different strap types are instantly recognisable and come with warning tags that include information such as strap type, rated capacity, material type and precautions.
NOTE: Due to the nature of synthetic fibres, recovery straps require rest periods between use to return to their original length and capacity. Be aware that excessive pulls on a recovery strap over a short period of time can cause build up of heat and possible failure.
Impact on environment
Always consider your impact on the environment. As responsible 4WDers we are charged with caring for the areas we visit.
During wet periods, 4WDs can have a devastating effect on our tracks. Long term damage can result in temporary or even permanent track closures. Before travelling, obtain a list of road closures from the relevant state conservation and environment office.
If whilst 4WDing you come across an obstacle, consider a minimum of attempts at passing before trying to recover the vehicle. Excessive wheel spin can cause damage to both the track surface and vehicle components.
Recovery points
It is important to ensure that only correctly mounted and rated recovery points are used for vehicle recoveries. Check your vehicle manufacturers hand book for recovery point locations. Tie down points are not suitable for vehicle recovery so aftermarket recovery hooks should be sourced.
Do not use a tow ball or tie down point as a recovery point. Tow balls are not made of high tensile material and have been known to fail from stress, with the potential to become lethal missiles. If you are unsure of the type of recovery points on your vehicle, consult the manufacturer.
Recovery damper
The ARB recovery damper is a device that has been designed to restrict the whipping action of a strap or winch cable in the event of failure, therefore reducing the possibility of vehicle damage and personal injury. Recovery dampers are now mandatory accessories for most 4WD competitions and the ARB recovery damper exceeds current minimum competition weight requirements. The damper is designed to be worn over the shoulders for ease of carrying and comes in highly visible safety orange with reflective tape for night use.
The ARB recovery damper should be fitted to the middle third of a strap or winch cable. To install, simply pull apart the Velcro tabs and fold the damper over the strap/cable, then press the Velcro firmly back in place.
Bow shackles
Only bow shackles that are load rated should be used for vehicle recovery. Load ratings are visible on the shackle and will be in the form of WLL (working load limit) or SWL (safe working load). Shackles with a rating of at least 3.25t should be the minimum and are suitable for attaching one end of a strap. 4.75t rated shackles have a larger eye and are more suited to applications such as tree trunk protectors where two ends of the strap are fitted in the shackle.
Never over-tighten the shackle pin. Forces exerted on the shackle by vehicle recovery can cause the pin to seize. The correct method is to tighten the pin until it seats, then back off the pin approximately ½ to 1 full turn.
Snatch strap
A snatch strap, as the name suggests, is used to ‘snatch’ a vehicle that can no longer maintain forward momentum under its own power. ie. Bogged or unable to climb due to loss of traction, swamped in a water crossing, stuck on an obstacle or loss of power.
A snatch strap is an elastic recovery device that stores kinetic energy and has the ability to stretch to a significant degree and return to its original length. This elasticity combined with the momentum of the recovery vehicle creates a ‘snatching’ effect that can extract a vehicle from the most precarious positions without shock loading the vehicle or attachment points.
When choosing a snatch strap for use, it is recommended that the strap has a minimum breaking strength (MBS) of between two to three times the vehicle’s gross vehicle mass (GVM). When using a snatch strap to recover a stranded vehicle, the MBS should be suited to the GVM of the lighter of the two vehicles involved in the recovery process. If the GVM is not stated on the identification plate or registration certificate of a vehicle, it could be available from the owners handbook, or consult the vehicle manufacturer.
It is important that the correctly rated snatch strap is used. If a strap with a too heavy breaking strength is used on a light vehicle, the desired stretch may not be achieved and more stress will be placed on the recovery points.
ARB supplies snatch straps in 8000, 11,000 and 15,000kg Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS). ARB snatch straps are manufactured from 100% nylon webbing and feature reinforced eyes for additional durability.
Important note
While a recovery is being performed, only the persons involved in the recovery should be in either of the vehicles. All other persons should be situated outside the motor vehicles and be kept at a safe distance (recommended as at least 1.5 times the length of the un-stretched strap) from either of the vehicles involved in the recovery process and to the side of the line of the recovery.
Persons involved in the recovery process must:
Warning
Always follow product instructions. It is important to correctly attach the motor vehicle recovery strap to a motor vehicle. A standard tow ball or vehicle tie down point is not designed for this purpose and may result in the strap or a vehicle component detaching from a motor vehicle and striking and seriously injuring or killing a person. Only attach the strap to a vehicle recovery point or device that is suitably rated for use with the strap. Incorrect use has previously resulted in serious injury and death.
Making the recovery
The method for using a snatch strap is quite simple; however improper use can cause serious damage or injury.
NOTE: Excessive speed and continual jerking action whilst using a snatch strap may result in damage to the recovery point, chassis and drive line of both vehicles. Where proper use of the snatch strap is not successful, an appropriate sized recovery winch should be used.
Note: Be aware that the recovery strap will be under greater load if the vehicle is bogged in mud, sand or is heavily laden.
Caution: Always follow the recovery strap guidelines for safe use.
Tree trunk protector
Designed primarily to protect a tree from ring-barking, the tree trunk protector can be used to connect a winch cable to almost any anchor point. When choosing an anchor point, ensure that it is capable of withstanding the load you are about to place on it. This is particularly important when using a tree. Make sure the tree is well rooted and try not to place shock loads upon it, as it may be possible to uproot the tree, in turn causing damage to the vehicle or serious injury. ARB tree trunk protectors are manufactured from 100% polyester webbing and are available in 3 and 5 metre lengths so that even the largest trees can be used. Each model has a minimum break strength (MBS) of 12,000kg.
The tree trunk protector should be wrapped around the base of the tree ensuring that it is not twisted. Both ends are then brought together and joined via a bow shackle. The shackle then becomes the recovery point to which the winch cable or extension strap is attached.
Winch extension strap
As the name suggests, this strap is used for the sole purpose of extending the reach of a winch cable. The winch extension strap is simply connected to the anchor point at one end and to the winch cable at the other. A recovery damper should be placed over the middle third of the winch extension strap and another over the middle third of the winch cable. If using a snatch block, care should be taken that the strap does not enter the block or damage will result. Any twist should be removed from the strap before it is subjected to any load.
ARB winch extension straps are manufactured from 100% polyester, are available in 20 metre lengths and come in two minimum break strength (MBS) ratings – 4500kg and 8000kg.
Snatch block
A snatch block has two main purposes. It can be used to halve the amount of load on a winch, and hence double a winch capacity. It can also be used to alter the direction of pull if straight ahead isn’t the best option.
To attach the snatch block to the cable, slide the plates so that they are 90 degrees apart. Place the cable around the pulley and realign the plates. The pulley is then attached to the anchor point via a shackle through the side plate holes.
ARB snatch blocks come in two styles. The standard model is rated to 7000 Kg working load and 14,500kg breaking strain and is suitable for 6-12mm cable. The ultra light 9000 model is rated to 9000kg working load and 17,500kg breaking strain and is suitable for 8-13mm steel cables and synthetic ropes such as PlasmaÒ or Dynamica®.
General care and maintenance
Subscribe to ARB to receive your regular 4x4 CULTURE magazine, exclusive ARB promotional news and new product release information.