In this incident, on February 15th, 2020, we responded to a call about a tractor and trailer trapped in the snow. The fuel had also become gelled, which meant the tractor couldn’t move on its own. On top of that, the driver was without any cell service, so a quick heavy truck towing recovery was needed.
Before we left, we got a call from Idaho State Patrol that the combination was stuck in a ditch and against a power pole. We waited until we got pictures to review the accident and decide what equipment to bring for the job. After checking, our Pro-Tow team chose an HD Rotating style crane. We then left for the location.
Truck Recovery
It took time to get to the location as snowfall, ice and weather conditions were a factor that affected safety. Once we arrived safely, we spoke with the driver and began to plan the recovery. Idaho Department of Transportation showed up with a snowplow and offered their support for the road closure needed for the recovery.
Our team then set up the HD Rotating Crane Truck and wore headsets for communication and safety. Carefully, we lined up the crane and started rigging the back of the tractor and front of the trailer. Taking things slowly, we managed to get the combination back onto the ground without causing any more damage. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to start the vehicle again as both batteries were dead and the fuel was empty.
Heavy Truck Towing
Initially, only one lane was closed for our recovery, but at this point, we closed down both lanes. We separated the tractor and trailer, then hooked up and secured the tractor for towing. We did the same for the trailer before setting out. We stopped to have the driver fuel up the tractor to start again later. Then we loaded the tractor into the shop at the yard, reconditioned and put away all equipment, and completed the paperwork.
A quick truck recovery well handled by our Pro-Tow team!
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