9-15-10   Called to respond to Lenni Road in Media, PA in the area of the railroad tracks for a concrete pump truck that had slid off a driveway.  We were advised that the front end had started to slide down the embankment, there was concerns expressed about the entire truck sliding down the bank.  We were also advised that the truck was “heavy”.  

With the information given my father and I were immediately dispatched in the 3001S and the 50/65SR.  It was unclear at the time whether two trucks would be required however with the information, distance from our facility (a little over an hour each way), and knowing the traffic conditions in the area on a Friday afternoon we felt it would be better to have two trucks on the way, then to arrive on scene and have to wait for a second truck.

Upon the arrival we walked back the muddy driveway to assess the situation.  We found a tandem axle pump truck that the passenger side had gotten to close to the edge of the driveway.  The edge had started to give away allowing the truck to lean towards the approximately 20 foot drop off.  On the other side of the truck was a concrete wall.  Access was limited to the front and rear of the truck.  A recovery plan was established.

I backed in the muddy driveway to access the rear of the pumper.  I then rigged to the rear pull ring with a two part line; this would be used to pull the rear portion of the truck sideways away from the drop off.  Once that was complete I would continue to hold the rear of the truck away from the drop off.

Dad then backed in from the Lungren Road to access the front of the pumper.  He rigged to the front of the pumper via a two part line.  A strap was then placed around a near-by concrete pillar to act as a “dead man” to help pull the front of the pumper away from the drop off.  

The pumper was successfully recovered from the precarious location with no damage.

Looks like a bad chosen clean out spot. Some times its smart to go against the rules and lift your boom out of the cradle whit no outriggers.

Interesting,I have several issues with that senerio.I only trust the owner did too.

The issues might have something to do with the nearby voltage and amperage?

That was Stupid !

Some of you guys give the impresion that you never been stuck it could have been much worse nothing was broken or anyone hurt, the tow truck operators done a good job keeping it stable.

Ok,I'l bite.

So why would the pump be over younder? 1st impression,didn't want to get it dirty,shovels are so much easier.Oh,and once unit was secured why wasn't boom cradled? Or why wasn't at least the L/R outrigger deployed? Stuipid is as stuipid does,head wasn't getting fresh air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsIzsWRCwG8

Perfect recovery!! Using the boom as counterweight and all. A lot of us could learn something of this. They would just follow the rules and let the truck (maybe) tipp over. If I was the owner of this pump I would give the guy(s) a bonus!!

HAHA many!! funny movie. But it doesnt have any,  I repeat ANY thing to do with this recovery.

Sure it does,stuipid is as stuipid does.

I ran heavy tow for a few years and this could have been a disaster.Once unit reached a flatter ground the weight transfered,could have been enough to take it the other way.The smart thing to do was extend L/R outrigger as a catch vehicle just in case.As in the vid,a great example of not thinking ahead.

Now answer my question,what was he doing over yonder?

Can't tell for sure, but it looks like there is no exit in front of the pump. He would have to back out to exit the area. Probably moved over to wash so he wouldn't have to back through his wash on the way out. Just a thought, could be wrong. Anyway, from the pics the soil conditions where the pump slid and where the wreckers are don't look that much different, but again hard to tell. Just got stuck, it happens.

Just goes to show you...the guys that trained me lied! A pump don't actually tip over if you slew over the center with no outriggers extended. Seriously, I think evryone knows its a bad feeling to get stuck but might not have been a bad idea to at least extend that back outrigger in she started to go over!