Vulcan 810 Safety Tips

Safety Considerations

Read this manual carefully and understand the operation of this product before attempting to use it.
Observe all federal, state/provincial, and municipal laws including applicable OSHA requirements.
Do not exceed equipment or chassis ratings.
Always use safety chains and straps when towing.
Use only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts.
As a towing professional, you will encounter many unique circumstances and environments when operating this equipment. It is impossible for Vulcan to warn of all the possible dangers you will encounter, but this manual will inform you of the most common hazards we know about.
No manual can substitute for common sense. Always be aware of your surroundings (including bystanders), and operate the equipment in a good, safe, manner. A safe recovery or tow is much more important than speed. Always operate the equipment with caution and safety in mind.
Do not operate the equipment while under the influence of alcohol, or prescription or non-prescription drugs.
Failure to follow the instructions in this manual could create serious defects in the equipment. If any instruction in this manual is not clear to you, contact Vulcan Equipment Company for clarification.

Arrival at the Work Site

This section contains safety tips that you should follow to help protect you, others and your equipment upon arrival at the work site. Make sure that all equipment inspections listed in Section V - Maintenance have been performed.

(a) Engage emergency brake before commencing recovery work or hooking up to a disabled vehicle.

(b) Activate equipment beacons and set out traffic warning signs or flares approximately 100 yards behind and ahead of the work site. If traffic must be temporarily blocked, proceed with caution or allow police to manage the traffic. Follow all local, state/provincial, and federal guidelines.

(c) Wear relatively close fitting clothing, reflective material, safety glasses, gloves, safety shoes, and other safety equipment as dictated by the situation.

(d) Call ambulance, fire department, or police if necessary.

(e) Beware of all dangers including fire, electrical wires, toxic chemicals, unsteady equipment, uneven or shifting terrain, and potential traffic hazards around the work site.

(f) Inspect the scene. Make sure that recovering or towing the disabled vehicle will not exceed the ratings of your equipment. Send for a larger tow truck if necessary. Do not exceed the ratings of your equipment under any circumstances.

Recovery Booms & Winches

This section contains safety tips that you should follow to help protect you, others and your equipment when operating the recovery boom and winches.

(a) Do not operate your Vulcan equipment when bystanders are near by.

(b) Always operate your equipment on a solid level surface.

(c) Do not stand on the side of your truck next to traffic. Do not stand between your truck and the vehicle you are attempting to recover. Always stand in a safe work zone.

(d) Always back the recovery vehicle as close as possible to the disabled vehicle. Position the rear of the recovery vehicle towards the disabled vehicle prior to rigging winch cables.

(e) When operating the boom, be aware of any overhead obstructions or electrical wires. Do not operate near power lines.

(f) Never place yourself or others behind the boom or under a suspended load. Personnel should never stand along side cable or chain systems under load.

(g) Always keep the load as close as possible to the ground. If feasible, keep the load within one foot of the ground.

(h) Never use the recovery boom, winches or wheel lift to lift people.

(i) Operate all controls slowly and smoothly to avoid shock loads that could damage your equipment. Also, use caution to avoid load shifts that might cause shock loads when combined winching operations are being performed. Shock loads can exceed equipment ratings and cause serious damage to the equipment as well as injuries.

(j) Always maintain a minimum of five wraps of cable on the winch drum when winching. Winch cable tensioners are only intended to keep the cable from spooling out during slack or no-load conditions.

(k) Do not attach the winch cable hook directly to the load. First, attach a chain or sling to a substantial member of the load. Then, attach the winch cable hook to the chain or sling.

(l) Before winching, inspect the sheave wheels and their housings as well as your snatch blocks and cable for wear or damage.

(m) Never disengage the winch drum clutch when the cable is loaded.

(n) Never tie down the front end of your tow truck for recovery work or heavy lifts. Frame damage may result if you do so.

Towing a Disabled Vehicle

This section contains safety tips that you should follow to help protect you, others and your equipment when towing a disabled vehicle.

(a) Always determine how much load you will be lifting. Make sure that towing the disabled vehicle will not exceed the ratings of your equipment. Send for a larger tow truck if necessary. Do not exceed the ratings of your equipment under any circumstances. See Section II - Specifications.

(b) When towing a vehicle using a rear end lift, the front wheels of the vehicle must be straight and the steering wheel locked and secured with a steering wheel clamp device to ensure that the vehicle will track straight and not swing out into the path of oncoming traffic.

(c) Before towing, always secure the load with safety chains. Make sure all items on the deck are securely stowed and the tool box doors latched.

(d) Check the wheel lift at least once every three hours on long tows to make sure there has been no hydraulic leak down.

(e) Attach magnetic tow lights to the disabled vehicle.

(f) Be aware of the fact that the closer you bring the disabled vehicle to the back of the truck when towing the more weight you will retain on the front axle for steering. However, you must allow adequate clearance for turning.

(g) In the event of a sudden or "panic" stop, always inspect your load before proceeding. If necessary, remove the load in a safe area and hook up again.

(h) Always follow state and local laws governing the use of rotating or flashing beacons.

(i) Never allow anyone to ride in a vehicle while it is being towed.

Other Safety Tips

(a) Vulcan does not recommend climbing on the deck. If it does become necessary to climb on the deck, be extremely cautious. Even tread plate can become slippery!

(b) Use only original Vulcan replacement parts. Failure to do so voids all warranty.

(c) Avoid jack-knifing the towed vehicle while maneuvering it into a parking space. Jack-knifing can damage your towing equipment making it unsafe for continued use.