Higher chance of equipment damage during frigid temps?

[chim]

Here's a quote and a link from an engineering site that would indicate there's something to cold temperatures and steel:

" Many components on a crane have even a higher DBTT for instance many blocks are rated with a service temperature of -20 degrees C. What does this mean in the field? Obviously people are using this equipment below temperatures of -20C so right off the bat they are assuming liability for doing so. It also means that an engineer cannot accurately predict the mode of failure in the low-temp zone. Any brittle failure will be catastrophic but the failure wont necessarily be predictable. It will be from a random impact, dynamic loading or propagate out of a crack or nick."




http://www.spartaengineering.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/block.jpg

 

[RFB]

Diesel Lover,


Try this technique for using chains to pull a stuck vehicle.

Needed: 2 chains; 1 old/ discarded tire

Rig the chains like this:

Towing vehicle chain::::::::::::::::: Tire::::::::::::::::::::Stuck vehicle

The tire inserts elasticity into the system and allows you take up slack without stressing the chain or vehicles, and also allows the towing vehicle to build some slight momentum thereby helping to overcome the inertia of the stuck vehicle.

 

[k0ua]

I have an open tractor, and my prothesis on my left leg stub gets really cold. I try not to work on the tractor in real cold weather.

A 12 volt plug in heater on that thing would probably feel pretty good. Like the old B17 pilots used to plug in their clothing to the airplane 28 volt power. Riding along with open windows at 25000 feet was bound to be a little chilly. Not to mention dangerous with the 20MM cannon shells flying around form the "opposition"

 

[k0ua]

Diesel Lover,


Try this technique for using chains to pull a stuck vehicle.

Needed: 2 chains; 1 old/ discarded tire

Rig the chains like this:

Towing vehicle chain::::::::::::::::: Tire::::::::::::::::::::Stuck vehicle

The tire inserts elasticity into the system and allows you take up slack without stressing the chain or vehicles, and also allows the towing vehicle to build some slight momentum thereby helping to overcome the inertia of the stuck vehicle.

I need to remember that trick.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Diesel Lover,


Try this technique for using chains to pull a stuck vehicle.

Needed: 2 chains; 1 old/ discarded tire

Rig the chains like this:

Towing vehicle chain::::::::::::::::: Tire::::::::::::::::::::Stuck vehicle

The tire inserts elasticity into the system and allows you take up slack without stressing the chain or vehicles, and also allows the towing vehicle to build some slight momentum thereby helping to overcome the inertia of the stuck vehicle.

While in a pinch, I guess you gotta do whats neccessary. For all the more a rated towstrap is, why wouldn't you keep one handy? They are better at freeing stuck vehicles (especially if its really slick or the stuck vehicle is larger) and they are orders of magnitude safer. I have a 30' and clevis's in my truck at all times and just used it last night. The International (2WD) has a 50 foot piece of amsteel blue in it just in case (Yes I have dually chains for it, but it may sink in the mud with some of the places it goes as well). Not to mention a couple shorter straps for anything else that pops up.

 

[oldballs]

I've used RFB's chain...........tire...........chain method. It works fine. Except ...one time I used it to pull over a Cottonwood tree, and used a rope on the far end. You guessed it. The rope broke and the tire was shot right over the cab of my truck. 'Twas my lucky day that it went over the cab.

 

[DocDryden]

Try this technique for using chains to pull a stuck vehicle.

Needed: 2 chains; 1 old/ discarded tire

Rig the chains like this:

Towing vehicle chain::::::::::::::::: Tire::::::::::::::::::::Stuck vehicle

The tire inserts elasticity into the system and allows you take up slack without stressing the chain or vehicles, and also allows the towing vehicle to build some slight momentum thereby helping to overcome the inertia of the stuck vehicle.

Thanks RFB, :thumbsup:
That sounds like a great way to pull a stuck vehicle