The arrival
of spring causes two problems with repossession-style tow trucks:
failure of switches in the remote control, and blowout of the main
pressure hydraulic hose under the hood.Remote
Control Switch Failure
Remote control switches always
seem to fail during and after extended periods of rainy or misty May and
June weather. Because the switches are wired together to run the
clutch pump on a snatch truck, one failed switch can disable the entire
unit, and burn up the pump. When you replace switches, you're
working in close quarters. Be careful to transfer each wire
correctly to the new switch, and make sure the terminals on one switch
don't make contact with those on another switch. If all the switches
are old, it's a good idea to replace them all rather than have to spend
many hundreds of dollars replacing clutch pump parts later.
Out in the field, in an
emergency, you can sometimes get a failed switch to work temporarily by
gently jiggling the switch to the side at the same time as you press it up
or down.
Hydraulic Hose Blowout
In order to get from the engine
compartment to the wrecker bed, the main pressure hydraulic hose is
usually routed near the engine's exhaust manifold, and the cumulative
heating the hose endures eventually causes the hose to blow out, usually
right next to the exhaust manifold. Large gasoline V8 engines worsen
the problem because of their high exhaust temperatures and their wide
cylinder banks leave less space for the hose under the hood.
When
you replace the main pressure hose, tie it as far away from the exhaust
manifold as possible. Even an extra inch of clearance will extend
its life. Use high-quality, 2-wire braid rubber hydraulic hose
instead of thinner-walled hose. Budget for the replacement of the
hose at least every couple of years.
