Load kills truck driver

[bcp]

Clarksville Now - UPDATE: Name Released Of Man Involved In Freak Accident



More photos:
http://www.clarksvillenow.com/pages/15260086.php

One comment:
"I agree, I got my own pictures when there was only 3 cops/fireman there, and there was not a single chain/binder. Anything over 10k lbs requires minimum 4 chains."

 

[MasseyWV]

There is no way to say this without sounding cold and uncaring so I'll just say it. While I'm sorry to see that someone died, I also feel that if indeed the loader was not chained down, that the man should have known better. It's common knowledge that anything with wheels will have a tendency to roll, so it goes without saying...

If anything good can come of this, perhaps it will serve as a lesson to others, a lesson that may indeed save lives. :2cents:

 

[dhagood]

if (and i stress if) the load wasn't secured at all then i don't see how this could be considered a freak accident. i frankly find it not credible that a flatbed driver with more than 30 seconds of experience would drive off with a load totally unsecured.

 

[cqaigy2]

I feel for the family.
Why would one ever move something that big and not secure it.

 

[kevin37b]

I do not see how that loader could get over the main frame on the dropneck hitch . I have looked at this several times .I really don 't understand this . Must have been a panic stop .

 

[brin]

I do not see how that loader could get over the main frame on the dropneck hitch . I have looked at this several times .I really don 't understand this . Must have been a panic stop .

Me too - I agree with you...even if he slammed on the brakes but I also cannot come close to imagining how he would not have at least one tie down or just chocks...I mean something...I don't see how you forget something like that...RIP to him.

 

[tlbuser]

Did any of you look at the pictures? In the ones labeled Frost 1 and frost 2 load binders are visible. Frost 4, there is a piece of chain in the foreground and the same two binders are at the feet of the rescue crews.

 

[MasseyWV]

Did any of you look at the pictures? In the ones labeled Frost 1 and frost 2 load binders are visible. Frost 4, there is a piece of chain in the foreground and the same two binders are at the feet of the rescue crews.

After looking at the pictures again, I now see what appear to be ratchet-type chain binders and remnants of chain laying on the ground at either side of the truck. If that is the case, perhaps the load exceeded the capacity of the chain/binders (too small?) or the chain/binders failed (China made?).

 

[aczlan]

After looking at the pictures again, I now see what appear to be ratchet-type chain binders and remnants of chain laying on the ground at either side of the truck. If that is the case, perhaps the load exceeded the capacity of the chain/binders (too small?) or the chain/binders failed (China made?).

Looking again at the daylight pictures (http://imgsrv.clarksvillenow.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/201301/12107323.jpg?1360615583 , http://imgsrv.clarksvillenow.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/201301/12107322.jpg?1360615595 and http://imgsrv.clarksvillenow.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/201301/12107320.jpg?1360616051 ) I see the binders you are talking about laying on the ground. It would be interesting to see the incident report when all is said and done.
I wonder if the chains weren't tight enough and the loader slid, tightened the chains, but had enough inertia to snap the chains...

Aaron Z

 

[deepNdirt]

Is there a reason for hauling a loader backward? I can't help but to think if it were turned around having the bucket lowered to the deck once it started rolling the bucket would have at least stopped it from rolling to the upper level and over the cab, while if the bucket was firmly planted on the deck perhaps might have minimized it's movement..... I'm just speculating,
was a terrible incident indeed, and makes one re-think about the possible danger of not properly securing a load, or if having enough tie down points, I for one would not use the minimal DOT requirement, If required to use 6 tiedown points I would use 10 ,

 

[hosspuller]

Is there a reason for hauling a loader backward? I can't help but to think if it were turned around having the bucket lowered to the deck once it started rolling the bucket would have at least stopped it from rolling to the upper level and over the cab, while if the bucket was firmly planted on the deck perhaps might have minimized it's movement
,

The loader was driven onto the flatbed from the front. Then the tractor & neckover backed up to pick up the trailer front. You can see in the photos the characteristic ramp between the trailer & tractor.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Is there a reason for hauling a loader backward? I can't help but to think if it were turned around having the bucket lowered to the deck once it started rolling the bucket would have at least stopped it from rolling to the upper level and over the cab, while if the bucket was firmly planted on the deck perhaps might have minimized it's movement..... I'm just speculating,
was a terrible incident indeed, and makes one re-think about the possible danger of not properly securing a load, or if having enough tie down points, I for one would not use the minimal DOT requirement, If required to use 6 tiedown points I would use 10 ,

I am sure it had to do with balancing the load.

For example my 28HP tractor weighs right at 5,000# with the loader. If I haul it with nothing on the 3 point I need to back it on my 18' trailer to balance it. If I have something on the 3 point I must pull it on forward to balance it.

Either way it would not matter. You don't tie it down its going to move. My neighbor wrecked his suburban years ago into a pole at 35 mph. The spare tire was just thrown in the back. It broke the third seat back completely off and pushed the front passengers seat up 12". If it would have hit him or his seat he would be dead by a 50# tire.


Chris

 

[Bladehauler]

some states require the bucket or dozer blade to be loaded to the rear for safety reasons,that looks to be a 40,000lb class machine , my tiedown procedure would be 1/2" chains ,2 front , two rear, articulation lock in place with two 3/8" at the center joint and one on the bucket .

Sorry for the families loss

 

[bcp]

Sometimes when something obvious is not done, two or more people were involved. Each thought the other did what they were expected to do, and no one checked to see if it was actually done.

The driver may not have loaded the truck, but was just told it was ready. They expected him to tie down, he expected them to tie down. Didn't inspect before driving.

Bruce

 

[aczlan]

The driver may not have loaded the truck, but was just told it was ready. They expected him to tie down, he expected them to tie down. Didn't inspect before driving.

I'm sorry, but if someone else loaded a lawnmower onto a trailer that I was going to be towing, I would do a walk around and make sure it was tied down, the trailer was connected properly and nothing was going to fall off before I drove off. If towing long distances, I also check the tiedowns at each rest stop before we head out.
I once had a situation where I drove for almost 3 hours with the trailer coupler unlatched (someone else had hooked it up on Friday night and I didn't do a walkaround before I headed out on Saturday morning). Nothing happened that time, but it will never happen again.
With something that big he had to have a CDL, so there is no excuse not to at least to a walk around and make sure everything was kosher before heading out.

Aaron Z

 

[MasseyWV]

With something that big he had to have a CDL, so there is no excuse not to at least to a walk around and make sure everything was kosher before heading out.

Agreed. Regardless of who may load a trailer, it is the drivers responsibility to ensure that it's loaded properly and that it stays that way. Regardless, it's an unfortunate incident that appears as if it might have been avoidable.

 

[kevin37b]

That is a dropneck lowboy . You unlock the goose neck and drive forward and load the machine . You back up to the trailer , engage the lower hooks pick it up with hydraulics and put lock pins in . You drive them on going forward so you can see what you are doing . Unloading is easy , just put it in reverse . I wonder if the driver had a health issue , I just cannot believe this was his first rodeo .

 

[texasjohn]

Just another reminder to me...

Always walk around the rig EVERY TIME before driving off...even when just stopped to get gas, or still hooked up from previous run...every time.

Things happen when I'm tired and tempted to cut corners...be extra careful and double check when tired.

I only pull trailers occasionally, but it's all too easy for flats, burned out lights, disconnected chains, unlatched hitches, shifted cargo, doors not latched, etc. to happen...as driver, I have to remind myself that getting on down the road depends on everything being truly ready to roll. Also, there is the rare chance that someone could be mischievous...like remove a hitch pin, or open a gate latch so cattle will spill out on road when a speed...hasn't happened, but could....had one animal hauler tell me it did happen to him.

 

[aczlan]

Also, there is the rare chance that someone could be mischievous...like remove a hitch pin, or open a gate latch so cattle will spill out on road when a speed...hasn't happened, but could....had one animal hauler tell me it did happen to him.

Thats why I check the straps before we leave every stop. Don't want to have something shift and now a strap is loose, or some idiot walks by and slices a strap or loosens a binder, then the next thing you know, something that should be on the trailer is on the road or going through someone else's windshield...
Not worth the savings in time to not check the load before leaving.


Aaron Z