Types and features of car wreckers, the capabilities of this equipment

In traffic accidents, natural disasters or parking violations, tow trucks are used to transport cars. This is a special equipment equipped with elements for lifting and securing cars. It differs in platform design, load capacity, type of lifting equipment.

Features of car wreckers

The tow truck consists of several elements:

• A sliding platform made of durable metal, on which the car is located.
• Rails with the chassis, which are driven by a mechanism with a hydraulic drive. The wrecker platform is located on the rails.
• An electrically driven winch moves the car onto the platform.
• Hydraulic supports, which provide stability to the tow truck.
• Adapters, grips, which fix the machine on the winch and on the platform, and other elements.

On the tow truck of appropriate parameters you can load transport of large or small dimensions and weight, cars with low clearance or with damaged wheels. Also a car can be driven up on the platform by itself.

Tow truck capabilities

The functionality of tow trucks is about the same. What differs is their principle of operation. Tow trucks with a winch have extended ramps on which the car will be placed after the winch lifts it. Some tow trucks have cranes instead of a winch. Platforms come in a variety of configurations:

• A lift-and-slide platform makes it easy to load boats, yachts, and sports cars with very low clearance. It extends, tilts, and after lifting and securing the load, it rises to its original position.
• Straight one-piece platform wreckers are compact and are used in urban areas because they can get through narrow roads and among cars.
• Hook and chain trucks are not equipped with a platform. They secure the car with hooks on heavy-duty chains and lift its front end.
• Integrated tow trucks use a wheel elevator combined with a boom into a single mechanism. It can withstand a heavy vehicle.

Special equipment with limited loading is distinguished by a shortened base. The car becomes on the platform only with the front wheels. This increases the maneuverability of the forklift.

New cars are transported on double-decker tow trucks. The upper platform is securely fixed, it comes in a broken configuration.

The capabilities of tow trucks are used for such tasks:

• Damaged cars after an accident is taken by a tow truck equipped with a crane-manipulator. It is able to fix and move even a badly damaged vehicle.
• The tow trucks take the cars parked in the places not designated for this purpose to the impound lot.
• Special vehicles carry not only vehicles, but also large-size equipment, equipment, museum exhibits and other large cargo.
• Wreckers are used when clearing roads.

Wreckers are made as autonomous special equipment and as trailers to the car. The vehicle is partially installed on the semi-trailers, and the transport is fully placed on the full trailer.

For sedans and small cars use loading special equipment with a platform with a low frame, partial or full loading. Large heavy vehicles are transported on large tow trucks with high lifting capacity.