Tow balls are not to be used as recovery points

[threedogs]

You can't win can you? No matter how many time it's published there are still going to be people that do stupid things. You can by a recovery kit from all sorts of places between $50 and $100 or so with no instructions and very little in the way of warnings either. The other thing that bothers me is if enought people get hurt or killed, somone in a white shirt and tie in an office somewhere will just ban the use of snatch straps, or legislate the use of reflective shirt, protection for the chest, steel toe cap boots, helmet and eye protection before you are permuitted to attach a tow line of any sort.

Maybe they don't put instructions on/in a recovery kit is for liability reasons.
Maybe they should recommend a course before using any equipment
But everyone's an expert out in the bush and that where the accidents happen.
If it doesnt look safe chances are it isn't, refuse the recovery and think it out
with a bit of brainstorming,

[4bye4]

If it doesnt look safe chances are it isn't, refuse the recovery and think it out
with a bit of brainstorming,

I agree TD but I have to admit when I first started driving 4WD, I probably would have thought a bull/roo bar was OK to snatch/tow on, untill someone told me. Probably not a tow ball but I might has done it if I didn't know. IMO a warning similar to that at the top of the forum page should be mandatory on all recovery kits, either on or in the box when purchased or on the strap.

[the evil twin]

Since 2010 all Snatch Straps must be packaged with almost all of the suggestions mentioned so far... https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files...er%20guide.pdf

3 Accompanying information

(1) A motor vehicle recovery strap must also be accompanied by

a document, other than the packaging, stating the following

information written in English—

(a) a recommendation that the minimum breaking strength

of the strap should be between 2 and 3 times the

vehicle’s gross vehicle mass (GVM);

(b) advice that the strap must be suited to the GVM of the

lighter of the 2 vehicles used in the recovery process;

(c) how to use and maintain the strap.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1)(c)—

(a) the information to accompany a motor vehicle recovery

strap must state all of the following—

(i) persons intending to use the strap should consider

completing a nationally recognised four wheel

drive training course or contact a four wheel drive

club for comprehensive advice on the proper

selection and use of the strap;

(ii) the strap must not be used for lifting or

conventional towing;

(iii) persons intending to use the strap must ensure that

the strap is not damaged and is in usable condition;

(iv) the strap’s strength and stretch are reduced when

the strap is saturated;

(v) something like a recovery damper, heavy bag or

blanket must be draped over the strap during its use

to reduce any unintentional rebound of the strap;

(vi) while the strap is being used, persons situated

outside the motor vehicles involved in the recovery

process must—

(A) be kept at a safe distance (recommended as

at least 1.5 times the length of the

unstretched strap) from either of the vehicles

involved in the recovery process; and

(B) never situate themselves within the path of

the vehicle performing the recovery; and



(b) the information must also include the following—

‘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.’.

[mudski]

Thanks ET. TBH I don't think I've ever seen any of this info sold with any strap I have seen. Apart from breaking strain and the like. I will have a closer look on Sunday at the 4wd show.

I think the link that E.T has posted should be add to the OP.

[the evil twin]

Thanks ET. TBH I don't think I've ever seen any of this info sold with any strap I have seen. I will have a closer look on Sunday at the 4wd show.

Hiya Cobber,

An ARB one that I was presented with after some Lectures and Training I did about 3 years ago is still in its box and has all the required warnings and product info and is also with the ones I get from from the Industry Vendor (who make them up to 400 tons rating... awesome bit of kit but you need a Forklift to rig it).

If anyone is flogging them without the Mandatory Warnings they are taking a HUGE business risk so if you spot any I'd give 'em a polite heads up.
I would almost bet you can find a few :-)

[4bye4]

Hey @ET my apologies, I just checked the "recovery kit from Supercrap" given to me last Christmas and it does have the warnings you quote on a piece of paper at the bottom of the bag. I didn't know it was there and not very obvious but it does comply with the law.

[mudski]

Yeha will be having a closer look. I cannot recall ever seeing this, but like 4bye, its not real obvious to see i suppose.

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

[the evil twin]

Hey @ET my apologies, I just checked the "recovery kit from Supercrap" given to me last Christmas and it does have the warnings you quote on a piece of paper at the bottom of the bag. I didn't know it was there and not very obvious but it does comply with the law.

No apols needed, Cobber... and totally agree that the A.S. Packaging Standard could maybe insist on something a bit more prominent.
Packaging is the first thing in the bin hence the requirement for the seperate pamphlet/instructions which, we all know as good aussie blokes, is usually in the bin about 2 micro seconds behind the packaging

[threedogs]

You need to do a course to work as a dogman or rigger.
Yet any jo blow can use a snatch strap , winch or drag chain
with no accreditation, hooking two 4 ton 4x4 together.
just saying

[the evil twin]

You need to do a course to work as a dogman or rigger.
Yet any jo blow can use a snatch strap , winch or drag chain
with no accreditation, hooking two 4 ton 4x4 together.
just saying

True dat... but maybe not a totally fair comparison.

Yes, you need a ticket to work as a Dogman or a Rigger in Industry but equally Jo Blow will also need a ticket to operate a 4X4 and another one again to recover a 4X4 in many but certainly not all Industry or Statutory employment here in WA.