January/February Issue 54 - Flipbook - Page 20
RECOVERY OF THE MONTH
MICK GOULD COMMERCIALS LTD
NEWS
20
Little job in Weston-super-Mare
On Tuesday, this 22T machine got
itself stuck whilst trying to rescue one
of the dumpers, which had also gotten
stuck whilst moving sand back down
the beach.
After various rescue attempts using
equipment on site, they saved the
dumper but unfortunately the machine
remained stuck. Those who know this
area will also know it’s called Westonsuper-mud for a reason!
AJ Autos of Weston were approached
by the operator on Tuesday evening,
asking if they could recover the
machine. By this time, the tide was
coming in and it was deemed too
dangerous or late for any rescue plan
to be made or attempted. We were
contacted by AJs that night, asking our
thoughts and if we could assist them
with making a plan and some heavy
tackle for the recovery.
So, the early hours of Wednesday
saw Richard and Elliot heading to
Weston ready for the low tide which
was early afternoon. The plan was to
use a smaller 13T machine to clean
up around the stuck machine, whilst
a pump was used to remove excess
water. We then rigged the Foden with
a 4 part line using the 2 dumpers
as deadmen. We also had another
recovery vehicle further up the beach
as back up in case we encountered a
problem or breakdown with any of the
kit.
Large bog mats we placed under the
cables to assist with a bit of lift and
also a platform for the machine to
be dragged on to. Once rigged, we
then attached the small machine via
a strap to the dipper arm as a safety
precaution, just in case the machine
decided to do anything silly like fall
over!
The 50T machine assisted with some
lift whilst also preventing the dipper
arm from digging in and causing
damage or other problems.
Everything went to plan and there was
only minor problems which are always
expected on jobs of this type.
Once recovered, the final drives were
removed and the 50T machine towed it
to the top where it was to be removed
by a low loader the next day.