Hello All Does anyone know if there is a training course for the recovery of over-turned or "bogged" plant. I have a client who wants to offer recovery services, by using an excavator or excavators to recovery other excavators or telehandlers etc which have over-turned or have become bogged in poor ground. As well as machine & lifting tackle certs and exavator operator certs he wants to know if there is a training course available for such work. Regards Seamus Owens cmiosh

good question. as an ex-army recovery mechanic i can say that the points to note on this question would be to identify suitable equipment to be used e.g. chains and wire rope. most of the time these would come under lifting requirements however wire ropes and chains used for "pulling" would come under the same category as "towing" items. the sensible use of winches is by far a superior idea as there is far more control considering the forces to be taken into account when "bogged-in" vehicles need recovery. there can be a tendency to having snapping or jerking results if using cranes, particularly when the "bog" may suddenly release its victim. this commonly causes shock-loading for cranes and therefore more serious equipment damage. the greatest difficulty with sensible recovery on construction sites lies with operators of plant being used to do the "recovery" and of course the site managers lack of ability/experience/patience. Suitable chains attached to "towing eyes" on equipment would be the more reasonable and sensible option in preference to cranes-particularly tower-cranes (as i have seen those used to recover vehicles in the past-not intelligently). i don't know of/haven't ever come across any courses that could offer such training in the civilian world.