SNATCH Beware

[RedGQ]

:o

Beware when snatching from a very lucky to be alive person, me!

After some recent fun in the mud my ute go stuck on its diffs so we went for the snatch strap. Attaching it from my front recovery point to the towbar of the nameless vehicle giving me a hand. He used his snatch strap which looked pretty elcheapo but we gave it a crack. Crack it did and I thought the strap and given the ghost. When I got out all the other guys with jaws dropped were saying how lucky I was. I thought what damage is a bit of strap going to do. Thats when they pointed out his tow hitch and ball with a weight of about 10 kilo embedded in the tree at head height about 1 metre to the side of my vehicle. He had a raised vehicle and thus a 250mm drop tow hitch to tow regular trailers. In hindsight the angles and leverage etc explain that it was stupid but I nearly found out the worst way. Only ever use tow hitch to snatch using square reciever type hole with pin, not the ball. It only takes 30 seconds longer!

[taziiy]

I have always been told never to use the ball for that exact reason as why i changed my tow hitch to the square type to get rid of that design :o

you are a lucky guy!! it could have ended up like this.......
http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=5903

[HDJ105]

:o

Beware when snatching from a very lucky to be alive person, me!


RedGQ,

Could you be a bit more specific as to what actually failed please? Was it the drop tongue that failed, or the receiver and / or pin?

(A picture tells a thousand words ;) )

[Mall_Maller]

Why would a person attach a strap to a tow ball?

[shainala]

Why would a person attach a strap to a tow ball?

Because it's easy. I've always pulled my hitch out and atached the snatch strap with the pin. the recovery adapters with a 4.7t bow shackle seem like a good idea :)

Glad your still alive.
Dave

[RedGQ]

[Was it the drop tongue that failed, }

Yes it was the welds on the drop tongue that gave way. Like I said in hindsight this was stupid but for some reason in a hurry steel, any steel seems strong! Bad mistake! I've learnt from my mistake. ;)

[HDJ105]

[Was it the drop tongue that failed, }

Yes it was the welds on the drop tongue that gave way. Like I said in hindsight this was stupid but for some reason in a hurry steel, any steel seems strong! Bad mistake! I've learnt from my mistake. ;)


Thanks for that. I've used my tongue and 4.7T shackle for many recoveries, as I don't like just using the pin through the strap loop into the receiver method. No doubt the 250mm drop tongue put too much strain in the wrong direction, causing the failure. I now used a purpose made Warn recovery adapter.

Also glad to hear it wasn't the towball that failed. I can't really see the current style one piece balls failing, however the risk of the strap slipping off or the old 2 piece balls failing is quite real.

[GQANDGU]

The recovery hitches with either a Sealed loop - (rated at 20,000 lbs/9,000 Kgs) - or a Spring hook rated at 10,000 lbs/4,500 Kgs) to suit H.R. style tow bars seem the way to go if you don't have proper recovery hooks on the rear of vehicle. Now available from a number of outlets, including 4WD megastores. Can be put in at start of off-road trip without interfering with clearance/angles etc. and ready for action.

[cuttin loose]

recoveries are not something to be taken light heartedly...

You're deffinately a very lucky guy mate..

[Just Cruizin]

I always believe the less equipment you use in a recovery the better, just another link in the chain. Strap into the female sqaure and a pin and if possible strap onto hook. Shakle only if necessary.

[Rhubarb]

RedGQ thanks for posting your story. And yes you are lucky!

I think we all need a reminder like this from time to time just to let us know to be very cautious and take your time when recovering a vechile.

It's when your in a hurry that things seem to come unstuck and it just isn't worth the 5 minutes you might save.

[HnM]

I knew a girl once and she greeted me in some of those crotchless undie thingo's. She said" Heay baby, want some of this??"

I said " No fricken way lady"






















































"Look what ya snatch done to ya undies" :o

[Rhubarb]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Jys5428]

Even a strap breaking on it's own does serious damage, I have footage I took at a recent trip with these guys (not with us) were recovering from what we considered a rather easy bog.
The strap they were using looked well past it's use by date, (Could have been the 3 knots that gave it away ::)) and proceeded to break on the second tug. It flew through the back window, and almost through the front just missing the driver. If he'd had a passenger they'de be dead!
Undetered he got out and proceeded to tie yet another knot in the strap :o, needless to say this also failed. After all this his mate pulls out a brand new strap!!!!!
Things I did get out of this comedy routine were:
[list] Use a Dampener midway on your snatch strap, not just your winch rope, I'm guilty of never doing this but after seeing these clowns in action... If you have doubts about the condition of the strap and have a new one, dont be a scab, use the new one! Being an old crusty dude in a 60 Series doesn't mean you know it all ;D [list]
If I find somewhere to host the Vid I'll post the location.

Those guys sound like a bunch of idiots

Fancy doing it again when it had already broke. :o :o :o :o :o :o

Even a strap breaking on it's own does serious damage, I have footage I took at a recent trip with these guys (not with us) were recovering from what we considered a rather easy bog.
The strap they were using looked well past it's use by date, (Could have been the 3 knots that gave it away ::)) and proceeded to break on the second tug. It flew through the back window, and almost through the front just missing the driver. If he'd had a passenger they'de be dead!
Undetered he got out and proceeded to tie yet another knot in the strap :o, needless to say this also failed. After all this his mate pulls out a brand new strap!!!!!
Things I did get out of this comedy routine were:
[list] Use a Dampener midway on your snatch strap, not just your winch rope, I'm guilty of never doing this but after seeing these clowns in action... If you have doubts about the condition of the strap and have a new one, dont be a scab, use the new one! Being an old crusty dude in a 60 Series doesn't mean you know it all ;D [list]
If I find somewhere to host the Vid I'll post the location.


how big is it? i can host it for you.

[evil_hitman]

If I find somewhere to host the Vid I'll post the location.


hosting available here to :)

Matt

[taziiy]

Yeah this would be interesting to see :o

[GUHOON]

Why would a person attach a strap to a tow ball?

Because it's easy. I've always pulled my hitch out and atached the snatch strap with the pin. the recovery adapters with a 4.7t bow shackle seem like a good idea :)

Glad your still alive.
Dave


I got one of the big balls recovery hooks for my towbar and have used it already (in my brothers towbar to recover me) and it was very solid and easy to use took 10 seconds.
Lucky your still here to tell the story mate. :o
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0YgAEA6MdTJ0Kzk9LrhBayE5YWaGe8*VwMDJkK8cJ!D5ijn4KQ 5IFyQjtlqiTjjFk78stAeJVeBHq22aAYN1zXBHhhYKOJUizPf8 yL2Eh4pAhQ1UWA68ildC6IH3vjWEOYueWxwEjVLyp30OXtdyNS Q/2004_0110Image0048.JPG?dc=4675503060998309499

[Jys5428]

Kewl I'll shrink it up a bit and let you know how big it is.

[Jys5428]

Kewl I'll shrink it up a bit and let you know how big it is.

The original DVI is 2.2 GB hehehehehe
I cut out the 1/3 with the motorbikes and compressed it into a WMV but it's still 12MB.
Who want's it?

[evil_hitman]

at 12Mb
for sure
pm me and we'll organise a way to get it up to my website.

Cheers

Matt

[Purse]

Why would a person attach a strap to a tow ball?

Because it's easy. I've always pulled my hitch out and atached the snatch strap with the pin. the recovery adapters with a 4.7t bow shackle seem like a good idea :)

Glad your still alive.
Dave



I got one of the big balls recovery hooks for my towbar and have used it already (in my brothers towbar to recover me) and it was very solid and easy to use took 10 seconds.
Lucky your still here to tell the story mate. :o
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0YgAEA6MdTJ0Kzk9LrhBayE5YWaGe8*VwMDJkK8cJ!D5ijn4KQ 5IFyQjtlqiTjjFk78stAeJVeBHq22aAYN1zXBHhhYKOJUizPf8 yL2Eh4pAhQ1UWA68ildC6IH3vjWEOYueWxwEjVLyp30OXtdyNS Q/2004_0110Image0048.JPG?dc=4675503060998309499


Ive got this exact hitch adapter, extreamly solid unit, works a treat..

Stay Safe
Purse

[Jys5428]

Evil's hosting that "Snap Strap"movie :D
www.itglowz.com/mudfest2004.wmv (http://www.itglowz.com/mudfest2004.wmv)
Rightclick and download it. Be warned it's 12mb.

Oh and for those at Gemby on the weekend, the bog hole I took you too that was dozed in is the one in this movie.

[evil_hitman]

right click and save target as. only to save my bandwidth if you want to see it again. :)

Matt

[poider1964]

Why would a person attach a strap to a tow ball?
a compleat and utter f witt

Thats was a scary video lilblackduck

and lots of nice 4wdrivinig

[GQANDGU]

Why would a person attach a strap to a tow ball?
a compleat and utter f witt

Obviously did not have the advantage of thje good advice earlier from this forum. Loked like they had two straps knotted together as well - double F Wit. How much of the strap did the guy pull out through the broken window ?

[Jys5428]

I think I mentioned this before, after it snapped and went through the window he went and tied another knot in it! :o
In the end I felt sorry and was about to give him my strap when his mate (being recovered) pulls out a brand new strap! Tight Prick! We just shook our heads.
Just for the record they've dozered that area :'( so will need help to resurect it again this winter ;D, bringon MUDFEST 2005!

How much of the strap did the guy pull out through the broken window ? Easy 6 meters of strap made it through the back.

[BJHilly]

awesome video...
i had one of those shaking my head laughing moments when they were retrieving the snatch from the rear window.
the fact that he went to give it another go is scary.

i've just bought my first video camera... and my navigator doesn't like steep hills so i got a camerwoman lol.
what sought of software are you using to make that as i was impressed.

[Jys5428]

Have done a rebuild since then (pooter) but from memory it was Ulead Video Studio, dunno what version. Very simple but effective. Also have used Adobe prem pro, but found this a little too much for doing something like this.
The real trick was putting together 10 minutes of footage from 270mins of film and making it flow.

Did I mention the first 5 minutes of this film is missing. It's all motorbikes trying to get up this one slippery hill.

[BJHilly]

yeah thats why i was impressed. ;D

[Moby]

I use this thing atm. At $60 its pretty cheap insurance.

http://www.bigballsoffroad.com/prod2216.htm

I still cant even grasp the idea that anyone would ever put a snatch strap or any other recovery device onto a tow ball!! If they dont have the common sence and understanding of basic recovery then they shouldnt be 4wding in the first place! I am sick of reading these "i was so lucky" threads... like the person is actually so excited by their lucky escape that they feel like they need to share their valuable lesson with us, as tho we are so dumb as to do it ourselves! i think not...

I still cant even grasp the idea that anyone would ever put a snatch strap or any other recovery device onto a tow ball!! If they dont have the common sence and understanding of basic recovery then they shouldnt be 4wding in the first place! I am sick of reading these "i was so lucky" threads... like the person is actually so excited by their lucky escape that they feel like they need to share their valuable lesson with us, as tho we are so dumb as to do it ourselves! i think not...


we all do silly things at times on the spur of the moment......... i don't think it's so wrong for people to share their lapses with us....... it cements the concept of safe recovery in our heads..... i know of people who have made similar mistakes.

[ferremit]

jeeze im glad i got broadband ;D

Thats a bloody stupid thing to do with the snatch! ::)

[Patrolman Pat]

Awesome video LBD.

[Jys5428]

Awesome video LBD.

Hey thanks. It is only the last 2/3's however, the first 1/3 is all motorbikes. so I didn't think it was relevant. It is pretty funny as they get stuck on this kick ass hill.
I will however bring the whole thing to the Toolangi 20th trip.

Unlike you deo im not too interested in hearing others lucky escapes from stupidity. I agree everyone makes mistakes but we are talking about something that could kill a friend,partner or totally innocent bystander! maybe 4WDM should be giving away a free DVD with subscriptions then on safe vehicle recovery! in the short time i have been coming on here this would have to be the 3rd or 4th thread about sumones lucky escape from a dangerous practice while using a snatch strap!

[Jys5428]

Unlike you deo im not too interested in hearing others lucky escapes from stupidity. I agree everyone makes mistakes but we are talking about something that could kill a friend,partner or totally innocent bystander! maybe 4WDM should be giving away a free DVD with subscriptions then on safe vehicle recovery! in the short time i have been coming on here this would have to be the 3rd or 4th thread about sumones lucky escape from a dangerous practice while using a snatch strap!

And yet you still read the threads you hate so much.
Do yourself a favour and dont open up the bloody thread if it offends you so much.
What makes you think we like to read your posts telling us about what you dont like.
If only one person thinks twice about what they've learned on this thread then all the better. I for one have NEVER used a dampening bag on a snatch strap.
In each of the cases in this thread this simple device would have negated any potential damage.
Don't rag on the rest of us who don't mind learning from others mistakes.

isnt the point of comin on here to read others opinions?? do you always spit the dummy when you read something you dont agree with? come on lbd surely you can do better then that. No one ragged on you, i was simply posting my opinion, that i get annoyed by people who put others lives at risk by performing unsafe recoveries.

[kruiser]

well it makes us all think twice and as a newbie .. ill certainly learn from it

[Mick.]

One of my friends desided the other day that he needed some old tree stump pulled out of his yard. so instead of diging it out like most people would he desided to pull it out with a snatch strap. The stump came out and went straight through the back window of his 80 series and into the back seat. There was about $5000 worth of damage to the car.

[taziiy]

ouch that would hurt the pocket :o

[Mick.]

Luckily he was insured but it sure put a dent in his pride because i keep reminding him about it.

oops, my friend was doing that so i told him not to and gave him our drag chain

[Jys5428]

One of my friends desided the other day that he needed some old tree stump pulled out of his yard. so instead of diging it out like most people would he desided to pull it out with a snatch strap. The stump came out and went straight through the back window of his 80 series and into the back seat. There was about $5000 worth of damage to the car.

OK, Now I see TUFF_TOY's point, your mates an idiot.
And if you had the chance to stop him and didn't, so are you.

[Mick.]

Ha liblkdick I live 20 km away from him so I think you should get your facts right be criticising me.

[Jys5428]

Ha liblkdick I live 20 km away from him so I think you should get your facts right be criticising me.

No, you didn't have the chance to stop him, living 20kms away, hence your NOT an idiot. Chill dude! :D

[BJHilly]

has your mate got any pics... that would have been a classic Doh!
i'm shaking my head with laughter but as roe said we all can make mistakes at the spur of the moment.
i also know someone who has a fair size dent in the back door of there car from using an old snatch strap, which broke.
It wasn't me... i haven't got bogged yet, to dry in kalgoorlie lol.

[Mick.]

I might be able to get some from my by boss because I work in the smash repair shop that fixed it. They would have taken photos for the insurance company when he quoted it. the first I saw of the damage was when it turned up at work. He wouldn't even tell me how he did it he was to embarresed. His wife spilled her guts as soon as I saw her.

One of my friends desided the other day that he needed some old tree stump pulled out of his yard. so instead of diging it out like most people would he desided to pull it out with a snatch strap. The stump came out and went straight through the back window of his 80 series and into the back seat. There was about $5000 worth of damage to the car.


i did that in my yard 12 months back...... (the stump, not the back window) but i used a drag chain....... had to jerk it out of the ground though...... i dug 4 trenches in the yard trying to pull it out. Although in the past, i have pulled small stumps and the remnants of shrubs and shit out with my commonwhore with a rope.... quite possibly with serious consequences...... you soon learn though hehe whoops!! a silly mistake made by me... disregard this post tuff_toy hehe :P

[2 BRUTAL]

there was a story on the news last night a bloke in brisabane was killed when the snatch strap broke and the hook it was attached to hit him in the chest as he watched on and he died in hospital, don't know the full story just heard it on the news, they were trying to get a small truck out that had been bogged. :(

yeah as i said... stupidity resulting in the death of an innocent distander. Very sad story! :(

[cpt-mud]

A good lesson learnt, never snatch of a towball, they are designed for it, tools for tools, you wouldnt use the outside edge of your bullbar to attach a snatch strap. dont laugh, ive seen it done.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/cpt-mud/troy001.jpg

[luxa]

Unfortunately you can offer your advice, but some people always know better. Whilst I'm happy to use my gear for its intended use in recovery I'm not about to let it get misused. In this case my mate was using his snatch strap to get a tow start one morning near Woods Point (Vic). The photo's tell the story of his gear. Yes he slung it over the tow ball to be pulled backwards & later over the recovery point on the bullbar - secured by a single bolt.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/luxa/SnatchFray.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/luxa/Snatchknot.jpg

[luxa]

One of my friends desided the other day that he needed some old tree stump pulled out of his yard. so instead of diging it out like most people would he desided to pull it out with a snatch strap. The stump came out and went straight through the back window of his 80 series and into the back seat. There was about $5000 worth of damage to the car.


i did that in my yard 12 months back...... (the stump, not the back window) but i used a drag chain....... had to jerk it out of the ground though...... i dug 4 trenches in the yard trying to pull it out. Although in the past, i have pulled small stumps and the remnants of shrubs and shit out with my commonwhore with a rope.... quite possibly with serious consequences...... you soon learn though hehe whoops!! a silly mistake made by me... disregard this post tuff_toy hehe :P


Ye 'ol Highlift and a drag chain make for great stump pulling without panel damage ;)

A good lesson learnt, never snatch of a towball, they are designed for it, tools for tools, you wouldnt use the outside edge of your bullbar to attach a snatch strap. dont laugh, ive seen it done.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/cpt-mud/troy001.jpg


So, what you meant to say was:

A good lesson learnt, never snatch off a towball, they aren't designed for it, tools for tools, you wouldnt use the outside edge of your bullbar to attach a snatch strap. dont laugh, ive done it. http://members.westnet.com.au/klown/emotes/roflol.gif

[Adomw]

Lads,

I work for a State government emergency service over here in WA and we do a lot of recovery work (bloody German and Asian tourists).

It's not just tow balls that rip off - its factory recovery hooks too - so as a matter of course I always try to attach the strap with out shackles and back up the connection with a tree protector around some other solid point like the front diff or suspension.

we do this because if something fails on the stuck vehicle during a statch it's us who cop the debris

the back up strap catches the sntach strap and shackles befor the can hit us.

Ado

[Nissan on Patrol]

The problem there is people need to learn what a recovery point is and what a tie down point is as when shipping/securing vehicles say on the flat bed of a tow truck. The two points are very different in their design, purpose and strength.
Regards,
Scott.

[Mick.]

The problem there is people need to learn what a recovery point is and what a tie down point is as when shipping/securing vehicles say on the flat bed of a tow truck. The two points are very different in their design, purpose and strength.
Regards,
Scott.
If I ever have to pull someone out I always put the strap on myself for that reason people don't no a tie down point from a recovery point. which I always thought was common sence if your prepared to take a 4wd off road. ::)