Vehicle recovery and towing involve forces which are often difficult to quantify and are dynamic. We provide a Vehicle Recovery Chart to assist in choosing strop size and connectors together with estimated maximum vehicle weights for different bogged scenarios. Below is a series of examples.

This photo shows recovery of an upturned vehicle which requires very slow uptake of load on the strops and no sudden jerking or high acceleration by the recovery vehicles. The cast clevis and pin arrangements on mining trucks must provide adequate strength and security when used with Body Up Safety Strops. These are safety devices.

This photo shows the regular movement of a skid mounted transfer conveyor by 3 bulldozers. Soft, uphill slopes and skid-mounting make for slow, careful recovery. In this case, the lead bulldozer has the longest strop, second bulldozer keeps an eye on the leader and a third bulldozer pushes the equipment. Careful co-ordination and good procedures ensure longevity of recovery equipment and efficient moves.

The combination of uphill slope, creating high opposing vehicle force due to gravity, rolling resistance and boggy conditions require conservative estimates of overall static and dynamic forces involved for this recovery. Bulldozers have much better traction in slippery conditions than wheeled vehicles. A slow, constant steady pull is paramount to the success of high load/ force recoveries, not a jerking action (uneven acceleration or worse, kinetic snatch type action).

Conservative calculations are sometimes required when judging the chance of a successful recovery. Knowing the weight of a vehicle is sometimes not enough. A much higher estimate of forces is required. This excavator is stuck fast and recovery resembles more of a lift which requires much higher safety factors to be considered. Take into account the chance of very serious damage to the severely bogged vehicle chassis and tracks/wheels before attempting some recoveries.