300bhp, after your previous quote of the rules, I posted a query on a UK landrover site as to a clarification on why it is allowed. Two things should be noted. Firstly that the standard tow ball is of a different design to those used in Oz and the US. The second point is that some clubs in the UK allow the tow balls for recovery, but not when using a KERR (snatch strap). So I do not believe that your comments are valid for a number of places in the world and therefore not appropriate on a US or international forum.
Here are the comments from your countrymen:
“I think there is a lot of confusion over tow balls.
To clarify :
The majority of towballs used in AUSTRALIA, USA and many other countries consist of a ball and 'neck' or shank which is threaded to fit in a horizontal hole. A single nut is tightened on the shank to hold it down.
THIS TYPE of Tow ball IS NOT suitable for heavy recovery for the reasons stated.
HOWEVER the standard 50mm ISO towball used in UK and other countries, which is a larger cast item secured by TWO very large bolts IS suitable for recovery which is why it is listed as acceptable in many offroad competition regs. Ideally it should be bolted horizontally so that it becomes a ball headed hook. I would not recommend one for snatch recovery when used in the standard 'upright' position though.
It may have a rating of 3.5 Tons, but this is the rated continuous towing capacity. It has a BREAKING strain rating of probably SIX times this amount.
Don't panic if you use a standard UK two bolt towball, BUT make sure the rope doesn't slip off.”
“it's not too surprising that a tow ball could shear when using a snatch strap/KERR a standard 35mm tow ball is only rated to something like 3.5t whereas a KERR is rated to about 12t. “
“Whilst a tow ball is an allowable recovery point, it is far from ideal. The chances of the strap or hook dislodging are high, and the retraction of the rope due to the resulting release of forces could be quite dangerous.
in an emergency they are fine, but if you are going to be needing recovery frequently then you really should have proper recovery points.
As to snatch recoveries- the forces involved are ridiculous, and i would be very very wary of using a snatch recovery on any vehicle unless you are absolutely sure of the the recovery points- there are just too many cases of sever injury from failed snatches to make this type of recovery a safe one in most circumstances! “
“In all seriousness though I was surprised to see how widely used KERR type ropes or snatch straps were used over there. in the UK they aren't that commonly used with most recovery being done with static ropes.
The ALRC rule you quote is for a specific club but holds true for most clubs, however, the recoveries using a tow ball tend to be done with the limitation of the tow ball in mind. The tow ball is a MINIMUM requirement after all. I can't remember what the ALRC rule is for the use of KERR ropes, I have a vague feeling they're not allowed to be used.
Our club doesn't normally allow the use of KERR because our minimum recovery point requirement is a tow ball.”
|
