Remember to Stand Clear when snatching

[baby_troupe]

4wd Snatching Accident (http://nsw.4wd.org.au/cms/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid= 12&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0)

This is a story from the 4wd NSW & ACT board reminding us of what can happen when snatching.

[RobertM]

My sister was up at stockton years ago with a group of friends and one had a subaru 4x4 (what ever they are called) and they went to snatch it out and the bumper came flying off and almost took a couple of them out. If it hit any of them I don't think they would of laughed.

But snatching should be the same as winching and stand at least the length of the cable away

[BigBugga]

You never know when something is going to happen.
Pays to make sure you are not in the firing line of anything that might happen.

[RobertM]

should this be in the scary moment thread

[Cozza]

On the Gold Coast we have this section just to the north called The Spit. It is pretty much untouched and a lot of people go there for picnics etc. It is totally sand with a black strip down the middle. As it is only 2 minutes from Surfer Paradise it attracts alot of soft roaders and a fair share of idiots that think there V8 commode can drive on sand.

I have seen some of the worst snatching attempts, mainly with nylon rope. You know the telecom stuff that everyone has? If I asked for $5 for every person I have pulled out I would be a rich man. (or at least afford a new snatch as mine is worn from helping these idiots).

I once got there in the morning to walk my dog and this guy was stuck. Left him and went and walked the dog. Came back an hour later, the only thing that had changed was he was a foot deeper and swearing even more. (brand new BMW) Snatched him out and he drove off without even a nod of the head. Didnt even get my shackle back from the front of his car. He is probably still wondering what the rattle is.

[BigBugga]

Some people are born rude and just get bigger and ruder.

[RobertM]

And you have to hope that you are not stuck in a situation and need a person like this to help you out because they will only do it if they can't get around you!

i say stuff em
if they cant read or use common sence to not take there non 4x4 on a beach and get stuck its there problem !
i was down the corong with some mates oneday and a d$*^ in a ute came running along the beach flagged me down and said he needed a tow he didnt ask for a tow just demanded it so i said u got 50 bucks he said no i said well you dont have a tow !
he whent syco and started yelling stuff like get out the car big man so we did
i think he nearly s*** himself when i towered over him and im a big bloke so we left him there and whent fishing !! fishing is mor important than helping some idiot!!
any how on the way back some 6 hours later we found the car bogged down further and him nowhere in sight as we were aproaching he literally threw himself infront of the truck waving a 50 dollar note at me i took it and instead of getting my new snatch strap out i pushed the little d*** out and totaly smashed his tail lights while only scratching my number plate and bull bar
i bet he thinks twice where he drives now!!!

[BigBugga]

:o

[alki]

I'm always there to help fellow 4wd in trouble.
I wouldn't wanna come across people like you HJ

[baby_troupe]

I think HJ's point was the person was demanding to be pulled out, rather than asking nicely.

thanks bt i agree it was the point where he demanded
and dont get me wrong if it were a fellow 4x4er id stop to help them i wouldnt leave them
i did it to prove to him that he really shouldnt have been there in the first place !
to ma a sign that reads 4wheel drive only means that

[alki]

Ok,maybe I didn't get the point first time.
BTW
I would have helped him out and I'm sure that he learned the lesson anyway,couse he would think if no one comes he'd be in big trouble.

[Cozza]

I agree with HJ. No one should demand anything! Especialy when they are in trouble. My snatch has had more work from idiots than 4WDers and nobody has ever offered money.

I will always offer to help to a fellow 4wder stuck on a track but idiots where they are not supposed to be, I need to be asked and asked politely. Cash isnt necessary.

[flappan]

Its probably more how they go about asking for help then why you're helping.

I snatched out a couple of guys years ago, after they asked nicely and admitted they stuffed up. (Ute on a beach). Had no probs with that, but I have also left a bloke there (a 4by to) because he "demanded" assistance. Stuff that, you "demand" nothing from me >:(

[bigbluemav]

I definitely hear you...demanding will get NOWHERE!!!

But seriously, I was on Moreton Island Xmas time and there was a write up on the window of the Bulwer shop window passing on thanks for support etc. I asked the shopkeeper what it was all about and she told me that a guy was helping pull a 4by out of soft sand with a tractor and a snatch strap, something let go and he got hit in the back of the head with shackle + car bit and was killed in front of his wife and kids.

When we do what we do we need to remember safety first and foremost....no exceptions.

isnt it amazing how such a little bit of trouble can turn to disaster how would you feel its hard to even think about it

[alki]

I definitely hear you...demanding will get NOWHERE!!!

But seriously, I was on Moreton Island Xmas time and there was a write up on the window of the Bulwer shop window passing on thanks for support etc. I asked the shopkeeper what it was all about and she told me that a guy was helping pull a 4by out of soft sand with a tractor and a snatch strap, something let go and he got hit in the back of the head with shackle + car bit and was killed in front of his wife and kids.


I've heard that story recently.
It's unfortunete that things like that happend.
Recovery hooks are must for snaching.
If no hooks,than look for other ways of recovering.
When we do what we do we need to remember safety first and foremost....no exceptions.

[Lotza MUMBO]

But seriously, I was on Moreton Island Xmas time and there was a write up on the window of the Bulwer shop window passing on thanks for support etc. I asked the shopkeeper what it was all about and she told me that a guy was helping pull a 4by out of soft sand with a tractor and a snatch strap, something let go and he got hit in the back of the head with shackle + car bit and was killed in front of his wife and kids.

The gentlman that was killed on Morton was a very well known local and was actually recovering his own vehicle. He had attached the snatch strap around the Tow Ball. it was the tow ball that killed him. He was a close friend of a friend of mine.


I beleive the guy who was hit with the rear bar at Ormeau in SE QLD has since had his legs amputated :'(. They didnt even have a recovery point it was wrapped around a piece of bar on the rear of the vehicle. The guy who wrote the story that is featured in the above link is a mate of mine and was there within minutes of this happening. The police had impounded the vehicle and the strap involved. And there is an investigation happening at the moment. The person who did the work on the vehicle(built the rear bar) is allso under investigation. The vehicle was that stuck that it burnt out a high mount winch trying to recover.

But seriously, I was on Moreton Island Xmas time and there was a write up on the window of the Bulwer shop window passing on thanks for support etc. I asked the shopkeeper what it was all about and she told me that a guy was helping pull a 4by out of soft sand with a tractor and a snatch strap, something let go and he got hit in the back of the head with shackle + car bit and was killed in front of his wife and kids.

I always remember snatching with fond memories and never would have heeded such advice as standing clear, but that was a different kind, not of the four wheel variety!

The gentlman that was killed on Morton was a very well known local and was actually recovering his own vehicle. He had attached the snatch strap around the Tow Ball. it was the tow ball that killed him. He was a close friend of a friend of mine.


I beleive the guy who was hit with the rear bar at Ormeau in SE QLD has since had his legs amputated :'(. They didnt even have a recovery point it was wrapped around a piece of bar on the rear of the vehicle. The guy who wrote the story that is featured in the above link is a mate of mine and was there within minutes of this happening. The police had impounded the vehicle and the strap involved. And there is an investigation happening at the moment. The person who did the work on the vehicle(built the rear bar) is allso under investigation. The vehicle was that stuck that it burnt out a high mount winch trying to recover.

[baby_troupe]

I beleive the guy who was hit with the rear bar at Ormeau in SE QLD has since had his legs amputated :'(. They didnt even have a recovery point it was wrapped around a piece of bar on the rear of the vehicle. The guy who wrote the story that is featured in the above link is a mate of mine and was there within minutes of this happening. The police had impounded the vehicle and the strap involved. And there is an investigation happening at the moment. The person who did the work on the vehicle(built the rear bar) is allso under investigation. The vehicle was that stuck that it burnt out a high mount winch trying to recover.

Shame about the amputation.

Recently one of my friends was at stockton beach in his troopy & was bogged.
Decided to use one of the round sections of his bullbar as a recovery point & created a projectile out of it.
It just grazed his then pregnant wife & left a hude bruise on her leg.
Luckily no other harm done except needing a new bullbar.

I reckon he has learnt his lesson.

[fourbyphil]

i was up at zig zag yesterdat and one guy in a cruiser ute was pulling his mate out he snatched (reversing) and ripped his bumper off with lights attached etc. it wasent a hard one but if it had have been it would have caused some damage. luckily it only fell to the ground.

[BushBoy]

going to a snow trip a year and a half ago, we took an old celica and newish berlina, the celica got up ok with a bit of wheelspin (mostly muddy ruts), but the berlina had next to no clearance, got bogged all to often gettin up there, but the use of a shovel and pushing power got us there,
we were offered a tow but in that case they would've had to tow us all the way to the top basically, too much of a burden so we refused, was our stupid fault to come in cars, actually my brothers fault as dad said we could take his troopy but my brother kinda forgot, grr.
since then i have been converted from a 2wd to a 4wd freak, and i say 4wd's are much better.
cheeers big-ears.

When i did my RFD course (rural fire driving) they showed us pictures of what happens with an incorrect snatch :-[ twisted chasis, bullbars ripped off, shackles through windscreens...... and worse of all..... the broken limbs..... i think more people need to look at those kinds of things before considering trying to recover ANY vehicle

Posted by: RoeDao Posted on: January 05, 2004, 08:36:38 PM
When i did my RFD course (rural fire driving) they showed us pictures of what happens with an incorrect snatch twisted chasis, bullbars ripped off, shackles through windscreens...... and worse of all..... the broken limbs..... i think more people need to look at those kinds of things before considering trying to recover ANY vehicle


Embarressed to ad this pic but it may help show Tony's point.

Done this months ago in a bad state after a huge night, doesn't mean there was any excuses though.

http://www.vistawebdesigns.com/4wdpics/lux5.jpg

Posted by: RoeDao Posted on: January 05, 2004, 08:36:38 PM
When i did my RFD course (rural fire driving) they showed us pictures of what happens with an incorrect snatch twisted chasis, bullbars ripped off, shackles through windscreens...... and worse of all..... the broken limbs..... i think more people need to look at those kinds of things before considering trying to recover ANY vehicle


Embarressed to ad this pic but it may help show Tony's point.

Done this months ago in a bad state after a huge night, doesn't mean there was any excuses though.

http://www.vistawebdesigns.com/4wdpics/lux5.jpg

[slowlux]

howd you do that? try and snatch from there

Yup, carton of piss, two hours sleep an testosterone. Not a good mix and like I said there are most definately no excuses.

You could also say that the previous owner had no excuses an should be shot for using the wrong bolts in the revovery points which could have ended up missiles, lucky I checked them before going out. Guess it could have turned out alot worse, the tow points could have been slung through my mates windscreen >:(

[slowlux]

ahh, towball trhough a window, how bout this for a similar happening, a sand recovery go pretty bad at robe (SA) about 7 years ago,an old triton got bogged down pretty deeply, so a guy in his brand new 80 series got out his snatch and some shackles, hooked everything up, went for the snatch.... the recovery point on the triton went bye bye, snatch strap and shackle went through the back of the cruisers window completely shattering it . Driver got out of the cruiser, "AAAAHHHHHHHHH, WHAT THE F*@K, YOUR F*&C@%N PIECE OF S#@!T CAR....... FFFFFFFFFF##########$$$$$$$$$$$********KKKKKKKK. it just shows, that spending thatextra bit of cash for a good recovery point, maywell save someones life, not only from the shackle, but from angry men in brand new cruisers...

The giveaway was the bolts holding the hooks. They where out of a caterpillar machine and had caterpillar embossed on them. Lucky spotting ;D

[Link]

I beleive the guy who was hit with the rear bar at Ormeau in SE QLD has since had his legs amputated :'(. They didnt even have a recovery point it was wrapped around a piece of bar on the rear of the vehicle. The guy who wrote the story that is featured in the above link is a mate of mine and was there within minutes of this happening. The police had impounded the vehicle and the strap involved. And there is an investigation happening at the moment. The person who did the work on the vehicle(built the rear bar) is allso under investigation. The vehicle was that stuck that it burnt out a high mount winch trying to recover.

I was out at Ormeau that day and came across that.. They'd attached the strap to the ute tray itself, which was made out of a tube outer.. the tube they attached it to ran only across the back of the tray, then was welded onto more tube on either side.. The entire rear tube section snapped its welds and was sent flying..

[etho]

I agree with HJ. No one should demand anything! Especialy when they are in trouble. My snatch has had more work from idiots than 4WDers and nobody has ever offered money.

I will always offer to help to a fellow 4wder stuck on a track but idiots where they are not supposed to be, I need to be asked and asked politely. Cash isnt necessary.


have to agree with you there cozza.

[LoveMyLux]

I remember driving past a bogged RAV4 up at Anna Bay near Stockton a couple of years ago. Why they tried to get the thing on to the beach I don't know. They only got about 10 - 20 metres in to the sand track that led there before getting bogged as they tried the road less travelled ie they didn't even try to stay in the wheel ruts.
Anyway there was heaps of 4wds in the camping ground there to lend a hand when they finally got tired of digging and ask nicely for help. Only needed a couple of big guys to lean on the little car to get it out after all that!!

[baby_troupe]

I remember driving past a bogged RAV4 up at Anna Bay near Stockton a couple of years ago. Why they tried to get the thing on to the beach I don't know. They only got about 10 - 20 metres in to the sand track that led there before getting bogged as they tried the road less travelled ie they didn't even try to stay in the wheel ruts.
Anyway there was heaps of 4wds in the camping ground there to lend a hand when they finally got tired of digging and ask nicely for help. Only needed a couple of big guys to lean on the little car to get it out after all that!!

Probably a tyre pressure adjustment would have gotten thru too ;)

[Sanchez]

Was up at Fraser Island when some jerk tried to be a hero and snatch out a 4X4 tour bus bogged. He did everything wrong and didn’t want any advice from others, when he snatched the strap broke at the bus end as it got caught on the body and cut the strap when tension came on. The worse thing was the strap came back around and went through the passenger side window taking out his young kid (lucky the window took most of it and smashed before it hit him). If it would of come around on the other side it would of taken out the tourists taking photos of the hole thing. Very lucky only 1 person was hurt. Stand clear when snatching is my advice and take the time to do it properly.

Sanchez

[philgq2]

:( need to look no further than the snatch attempt on skaifey's commodore at eastern creek on the weekend - marshall stepping over strap as he tried to drive off, marshall goes a over t, yet another thing to be wary of when snatching.

[slowlux]

i saw that, plain stupid if you ask me

[Bellie]

This is probley a bit differant but I was driving down a bush track and came round a corner to find a CRV or some soft roader stuck in a puddle. Didnt know if he had any traction or not
He told me he felt it scrape so he reversed back and hit it at full bore. I snatched him out and found out he had no tyre on the ground, he was resting on his gear box. After this he unhooked the strap and then went at it again, with the same resault. Pulled him out told him to turn round and drive out and i Went on. Later I passed another 4wd who told us they had also pulled the bloke out twice. On the way out I saw that he was still there and he "demanded" that i pull him out a 3rd time. My reply was a swift " get stuffed, you can call a towie now mate" Dont people learn after having to be pulled out 4 times?

[Bond]

I'm still new to 4wd and havent done that much recovering besides winching myself out.

Is winching as dangerous as snatching? Obviously the snatch strap is designed to store a lot more energy but i still have this fear of the winch cable breaking and flicking back at me through the windscreen. I havent seen one break yet so i'm not sure what happends.

Also when snatching should you use 3.2t bow shackles or 4.7t? I have been using a couple of 3.2t when winching but am about to buy a snatch strap. Also while i'm buying a snatch strap i was looking at getting an equaliser strap so i can hook on to both recovery points on the bullbar. Does anyone use these? Are they worth it? They are fairly cheap

Thanks for the advice

Bond

[Peter @ Aawen4x4]

Anything that hangs the entire weight of the vehicle off a cable or strap is potentially dangerous! A winch cable is far more deadly than a snatch strap WHEN it breaks, whipping cable can remove parts of anatomy that you really need!! The only redeeming feature of winching is that winch cables are generally pulling a static load in a straight line and broken ends usually end up under vehicles. You should use a dampener when winching or snatching, just to minimise the chance of whip!

The size of the shackle depends on the weight of the vehicle. Ideally, you would NEVER use a shackle when snatching, it is a device intended for static loads (like winching) not shock loads (like snatching) Rated Recovery hooks are the preferred option for snatching, 2 on the front chassis rails, 1 each side with a load equalising bridle would be great!!

The little round holes on the bottom of most Bullbars ARE NOT SNATCH RECOVERY POINTS!!! Even if they are reinforced, there is not enough surface area holding them onto the bar, and they WILL pull out under shock load; maybe not the first time, but soon! If you mount rated recovery hooks, with a large load spreader on the nut side of the high tensile bolts, onto the main upright of a steel bar, the one that is bolted directly to the chassis with high tensile bolts, and keep it as low and close to the chassis rail as it can be, you have a pretty good recovery point, ideal for using a load equalising bridle.

Bars that have secondary mounting systems, and no main spar bolted directly to the chassis rail ARE NOT suitable for this type of recovery hook mounting! These bars, and most Alloy bars, you need to mount the recovery hooks directly to the chassis rail. Some Prado's and other vehicles that you seem only to be able to get recovery eyes for (the round holes in a large lump of metal) get a hook mounted on the plate with the eye in it. Ideally, you'd use a purpose made plate with mount holes drilled specifically for the hook, but work with what you have!

Do some work with a shovel then try a gentle tow before snatching, you'd be surprised what will work! Have fun, and remember, If you don't get stuck, you simply weren't trying hard enough!!

[Bond]

Dam i thought those holes in the front of my steel bar were where you snatch off. I havent snatched yet because i just winch instead, but to save time when travelling with other 4wd i will start to snatch.

Where do the recovery hooks attatch to? Isnt the bar in the way? Any pics would be great

I have a 93 surf

Bond

[RageRacing]

Dam i thought those holes in the front of my steel bar were where you snatch off. I havent snatched yet because i just winch instead, but to save time when travelling with other 4wd i will start to snatch.

Where do the recovery hooks attatch to? Isnt the bar in the way? Any pics would be great

I have a 93 surf


Bond

the bars have a spot to fit in with the bolt pattern on the hooks, easy to see when you pic one up.

have snatched alot of people out of stoopid situations, but the funnyest one was on stockton, driving the duned anna bay side of lavis lane when we come over a dune and found this bloke walking. he flagged us down and asked me if we could possibly help him get his var out a few dunes over.......about 8 dunes later we found his car, an older navara tray back stuck in between some dunes on a silly angle almost on ready to roll over down another dune.

spent quite some time gettting him out coz of the angle and the fact it was up hill in 3 directions and f*** off steep dune going down on the 4th side.

after I got him out he asked me to follow him into anna bay so he could buy me a case.

I dont really want $$ for helping someone out specially since he was really gratefull etc, and I was leading a club trip with a few who had just joined the club and was there first 4wd trip since driver training so it was very educational for them.

gave him my card though and told him to buy a strap and shackle....he didnt have anything

nother good one was a bloke who got stuck in a mud hole, went by and saw him and I stopped to help, asked him if he had a snatch strap and he passed me a 10mtr winch ext strap......so i used it instread of my strap and he ended up with lots of mud in and over his nice new car.

always pisses me off when people go out with no recover equip

[pat42l]

You can't be too careful around a recovery.
We were recovering a 'Cruiser from a bog hole using a rated hook from a reputable 4wd parts supplier bolted on with rated bolts. when the Patrol took off it straightened the hook and the strap slammed into the 'Cruisers bullbar scaring the daylights out of everyone.

Mmmmmmm
I think in a real world all people going bush should do a "Training exercise"
Something that teaches you to use proper recovery points and also teaches you not to use a "D" shackle when not needed.

i was out once and 2 guys were helping an old cruiser out of a bog, they had to join 2 straps together. What did they use?
Rolled up magazine?
Peice of wood?
D Shackle???
Yep the D Shackle.......

Guess what happened??

Nothing.. It was damn lucky nothing let go...

But i wont EVER and i mean EVER join a strap with a D shackle...
Wood yes, thats still bad, but not as bad...

My 30 cents.

[2 easy]

give yourself a pat on the back ,a job well done lol

[Gumby]

If it were a case of life or death, i myself would brake all the rules...