Heavy Equipment with Hydraulic Lifts not Properly Supported
| Entry Date | December 22, 2010 |
|---|---|
| Issue Number | 10-040-VEH |
| Name | Gary L. Foster |
| Agency | Nevada Highway Patrol |
| Address | 4615 W. Sunset RoadLas Vegas, NV, 89118United StatesMap It (opens in a new tab) |
| Phone | 702-486-4100 |
| Fax | (702) 432-4038 |
| [email protected] | |
| Committee | Vehicle Committee |
| Status | Closed |
| Summary of Issue | During roadside inspections on trailers transporting heavy equipment such as D-9 Caterpillar dozer I have encountered trailers with hydraulic lifts on the front dolly that allows the trailer neck section to be elevated in order to maintain ground clearance on the main trailer. Some manufacturers, such as Cozad, provide metal blocks with retainer pins to support the elevated section as the hydraulic lift does not provide a positive lock. Other trailer manufactures do not provide these types of metal blocks but recommend the use of wood timbers to support the elevated section. |
| Justification or Need | My concern, from what I have seen roadside, is that the wood timbers being used are not adequate to support the extremely heavy loads be transported. I have seen split timbers, broken timbers, timbers with rounded edges, plywood sections and blocks stacked with the height dimension greater than the width. |
| Request for Action | I would request the committee consider developing some guidance as to this situation. If you require further information or illustrations of this situation with further specifics. |