4X4 RECOVERY: PART 8TECHNIQUES
WORDS AND PHOTOS DANIEL EVERETTEXHAUST JACKS CAN BE A SERIOUS TOOL IN
YOUR RECOVERY ARSENAL.STEPS >
SECURE THE VEHICLE A QUICK INSPECTION PREPARE THE JACK
123IN ANY recovery situation it’s vital to plan
out what’s going to happen through every
stage of the process. 4x4s have a tendency to
start moving once you’ve removed them from
whatever is holding them back. Ensure the
wheels staying on the ground are chocked, the
handbrake’s on, and the vehicle is in gear. If the
section of track you’re stuck on is steep enough,
it’s a good idea to run a winch line to prevent
the 4x4 from heading downhill at a rate of knots
with no one behind the wheel.OVER time things are likely to get damaged
through misuse, poor storage conditions, or wear
and tear. Before attempting to lift your 4x4, give
the jack and all hoses a thorough inspection.
Keep an eye out for signs of abrasion, cuts,
seams splitting, or bag deformation. While they
may seem minor, even a small surface cut can
become a point of failure once the weight of your
4x4 is sitting on it. If possible, infl ate the bag
off to the side for a thorough inspection before
performing the lift.WHEN you’re confi dent the jack is safe to use,
it’s time to set up all the components you’ll
need. Additional to the bag itself, there should
be at least one heavy-duty mat to protect the
bag from punctures and cuts. Most common
hose arrangements will consist of two pieces:
one with an exhaust bung or funnel on one end
and a one-way valve on the other, and another
that connects the valve to the bag. Before
installing the hoses, ensure all dirt and debris is
clear of the connections.W
HEN you’re in the bush, things
go wrong – it’s essentially the
reason why we’re running this
recovery series. And one of the
most dangerous things you’ll
ever come across is the simple act of
lifting your four-wheel drive off the
ground. In theory it’s a simple exercise
and, in a road-going vehicle, requiressuch little brain capacity it could be
measured in teaspoons. But when you’re
dealing with lifted 4x4s, things get a little
more complicated.
4x4s by their very nature are higher
than most other vehicles, and when you
start adding suspension lifts and larger
tyres they soon reach heights that no
bottle jack could ever hope to reach.162 http://www.4X4australia.com.auUNDER
PRESSURE