Operation of Heavy Tow Trucks in South Australia · Types of tow trucks There are four types of tow...

Operation of Heavy Tow Trucks

in South Australia

POLICY MR1567 06/2015

This policy document outlines the various means of

towing heavy vehicles in South Australia and details

the types of towing operations allowed, mass and

dimension limits, and operating requirements and

responsibilities.

Policy Objective

The objective is the safe, efficient and timely removal

of damaged or disabled heavy vehicles from roads to

minimise traffic disruption and congestion. It is also to

assist in the transfer of vehicles between premises.

The aim is to provide industry with greater efficiency

by streamlining the access decision and moving

heavy tow trucks from a permit based scheme to a

South Australian notice as an initial step towards

nationwide consistency. In order to minimise the

number of notices, all towing operations will be

covered under the one notice.

To facilitate this objective, increased mass and

dimensions are provided for towing different types of

heavy vehicles. The following are important

requirements in meeting the objective:

To ensure road safety and to protect road

infrastructure, vehicles that are to be towed

(where safe and practical) must be reduced in

size and weight to allow them to be readily

moved. Where possible, they must be unloaded

or trailers disconnected.

For safety reasons, at no time are a vehicle

manufacturer’s ratings to be exceeded. This

includes a vehicle’s axle, suspension and tyre

ratings, Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and Gross

Combination Mass (GCM).

Premises to premises towing is only permitted for

transporting a single, unladen vehicle between

premises/depots.

Designers of heavy tow trucks should continually

seek to minimise the tare mass of tow trucks to

reduce the impact on road infrastructure. The

design must also ensure that laden tow trucks

have sufficient mass on the steer axle to maintain

safe steering.

Types of towing operations

There are three types of towing operations:

Towing between premises/depots– this includes

all other towing such as the transport of unladen

vehicles between a transport depot and a

workshop.

Accident towing – is the removal of a heavy

vehicle that has been damaged as a result of an

accident and cannot be safely driven on its own

from the crash site, or cannot be driven on a road

without compromising the safety of other road

users.

Disabled vehicle towing – is the removal from a

road or road related area of a broken down

vehicle due to a mechanical or system failure.

Types of tow trucks

There are four types of tow trucks:

Hook tow truck – has a cable and hook mechanism to

lift and tow vehicles.

Underlift tow truck – has a rigid arm that extends

under disabled vehicles and lifts one axle or axle-

group off the road surface for towing.

The ‘Light Duty’ hook or underlift tow trucks may

operate with mass limits and conditions for operators

who do not require higher masses or increased

dimensions, with a GCM rating of 70t or less.

The ‘Heavy Duty’ hook or underlift tow trucks may

operate sufficient capacity to tow heavier

combinations such as B-Doubles.

Tilt deck truck – a rigid truck where the deck can

hydraulically tilt to enable a disabled vehicle to be

winched on to its deck.

A Tilt-tray tow truck may operate with an increased

laden height limit.

Low-loader or Drop-deck semi-trailer –a prime mover

and semi-trailer combination where the semi-trailer

has a low deck and loading ramps or a tilt deck for

winching a disabled vehicle on to its deck.

A Low-loader or drop-deck semi-trailer tow truck may

operate with increased laden mass, height and length

limits.

1. ‘Light Duty’ hook and underlift tow truck

Unladen travel

‘Light Duty’ hook and underlift tow trucks operating under a Class 3 permit or notice can be up to the following

mass and dimension limits:

Unladen ‘Light Duty’ tow truck with a hook or underlift towing mechanism

Axle Mass (t) Dimensions (m)

Single steer axle 7.0 t Width 2.5m

Twin-steer load sharing axle group 11.0 t Height 4.3m

Tandem axle group (with 8 tyres) 16.5 t Overall Length 12.5m

*Mass limits in this table do not over-ride manufacturer’s ratings (e.g. axles, suspension, tyres or components).

Laden Travel

Towing between premises / depots

‘Light Duty’ hook and underlift tow trucks operating under a Class 3 permit or notice can undertake towing

between premises and depots on the South Australian road network up to the following mass and dimension

limits when laden:

Laden ‘Light Duty’ tow truck with a hook or underlift towing mechanism


Single steer axle 7.0t Width (to provide for distorted/ damaged vehicle)

3.0m

Twin-steer load sharing axle group 11.0t Height (B-Double routes only) 4.6m

Tandem axle group (with 8 tyres) 18.5t Overall length (including tow truck and towed vehicle)

26.0m

Overall length for towing buses (including tow truck and towed articulated or Controlled Access bus)

32.0m


Towing between premises and depots is limited to the towing of single vehicles only. With the exception of

articulated buses, the towing of articulated combinations between premises and depots in not permitted.

Accident and disabled vehicle towing

‘Light Duty’ hook and underlift tow trucks operating under a Class 3 permit or notice can undertake accident and

disabled vehicle towing on the South Australian road network subject to travel requirements and conditions, up

to the following mass and dimension limits when laden:

Laden ‘Light Duty’ tow truck with a hook or underlift towing mechanism



3.0m


Tandem axle group (with 8 tyres) General towing 18.5t Overall length (including tow truck and towed vehicle)

26.0m (general towing)

Tandem axle group (with 8 tyres) ^Emergency towing

21.0t

Overall length for towing buses (tow truck and towed articulated or Controlled Access bus)

32.0m (general towing)

35.0 metres overall length (tow truck and towed combination)

35.0m (Emergency

towing)


^Emergency towing is for travel only to clear an accident site or remove a disabled vehicle blocking a road or road related area.

When either the mass or dimension exceeds the general towing limit of:

a. 18.5 tonnes on the tandem axle group; or

b. 26.0 metres overall length (except when towing an articulated or Controlled Access bus):

travel is restricted to the minimum distance required to clear an accident site or remove a disabled vehicle

from a road or road related area that is blocking a carriageway only;

the disabled vehicle must be towed to the first suitable and safe location, or, when operating outside of the

Adelaide Metropolitan Area, to a suitable and safe location within a maximum of 100km from the recovery

site, for breaking-up/unloading in order to comply with general access limits of 18.5 tonnes for a tandem axle

group, 21.0 tonnes for a tri-axle and 26.0 metres overall combination length.

‘Light Duty’ hook and underlift tow truck specific conditions:

The following operating conditions apply when towing using a ‘Light Duty’ hook or underlift tow truck:

Towing to suitable and safe location

When the tow truck and towed vehicle combination exceeds 3.0 metres wide or 26.0 metres overall length

(except when towing an articulated or Controlled Access bus), travel is only permitted to the first suitable and

safe location off the carriageway for breaking down the combination.

2. ‘Heavy Duty’ hook and underlift tow truck

Unladen travel

‘Heavy Duty’ hook and underlift tow trucks operating under a Class 3 permit or notice can be up to the following

mass and dimension limits:

Unladen ‘Heavy Duty’ tow truck with a hook or underlift towing mechanism


Single steer axle 7.0t Width 2.5m

Twin-steer load sharing axle group 11.0t Height 4.3m

Tandem axle group (with 8 tyres) 16.5t Length (tow truck and lift equipment) 12.5m

Tri-axle group (with 12 tyres) 20.0t


Laden travel

Towing between premises/depots

‘Heavy Duty’ hook and underlift tow trucks operating under a Class 3 permit or notice can undertake towing

between premises and depots on the South Australian road network up to the following mass and dimension

limits when laden:

Laden ‘Heavy Duty’ tow truck with a hook or underlift towing device



3.0m


Tandem axle group (with 8 tyres) 18.5t Overall length (tow truck and towed vehicle)

26.0m

Tri-axle group (with 12 tyres)

Tri-axle group (with 12 tyres & operating under HML requirements)

21.0t

22.5t

Overall length for towing buses (tow truck and towed articulated or Controlled Access bus)

32.0m


Towing between premises and depots is limited to the towing of single vehicles only. With the exception of

articulated buses, the towing of articulated combinations between premises and depots in not permitted.

Accident and disabled vehicle towing

‘Heavy Duty’ hook and underlift tow trucks operating under a Class 3 permit or notice can undertake towing of

accident and disabled vehicles on the South Australian road network subject to travel requirements and

operating conditions, up to the following mass and dimensions limits:

Laden ‘Heavy Duty’ tow truck with a hook or underlift towing device



3.0m


Tandem axle group (with 8 tyres) General towing 18.5t Overall length (tow truck and towed vehicle combination)

26.0m

Tandem axle group (with 8 tyres) Emergency towing

21.0t Overall length for towing buses (tow truck and towed articulated or Controlled Access bus)

32.0m

Tri-axle group (with 12 tyres) General towing

Tri-axle group (with 12 tyres & operating under HML requirements)

21.0t

22.5t

Overall length (tow truck and towed vehicle combination) Emergency towing

39.0m

Tri-axle group (with 12 tyres) Emergency towing 24.5t


When either the mass or dimension exceeds the general towing limit of:

a. 18.5 tonnes on the tandem axle group; or

b. 21.0 tonnes on the tri-axle group; or

c. 22.5t on a tri-axle group operating under Higher Mass Limits (HML) requirements; or

d. 26.0 metres overall length (except when towing an articulated or Controlled Access bus):

travel is restricted to clear an accident site or remove an incapacitated vehicle from a road or road related

area that is blocking a carriageway only;

the disabled vehicle must be towed to the first suitable and safe location, or, when operating outside of the

Adelaide Metropolitan Area, to a suitable and safe location within a maximum of 100km from the recovery

site, for breaking-up/unloading in order to comply with general access limits of 18.5 tonnes for a tandem axle

group, 21.0 tonnes GML or 22.5 tonnes HML for a tri-axle and 26.0 metres overall combination length.

‘Heavy Duty’ hook and underlift tow truck specific conditions:

The following operating conditions apply when towing

using a ‘Heavy Duty’ hook or underlift tow truck:

On-board weighing devices

To prevent damage and stresses to road pavements,

culverts and bridges occurring, ‘Heavy Duty’ hook

and underlift tow trucks operating under permit must

have a functioning on-board weighing device installed

by 1 January 2016. It must measure the mass on the

rear axle group of the tow truck and readily display

the measured mass for the tow truck driver, an

Authorised Officer or Police Officer to view.

Rotator Crane Boom

When towing a disabled vehicle with the underlift, the

rotator crane boom may be positioned pointing

forward (directly towards the cab of the tow truck),

providing it does not exceed the maximum height of

4.6 metres.

When travelling unladen, the rotator crane boom may

be positioned pointing rearwards (directly towards the

rear of the tow truck), providing it does not exceed

the maximum height of 4.3 metres.

General conditions for tow trucks operating

under a ‘Light Duty’ or ‘Heavy Duty’ hook

and underlift tow truck


Travel is only valid for the purpose of towing a

disabled vehicle/combination from the scene of

accident or disabled vehicle to a suitable and safe

location (refer to explanatory notes for further

information).

Travel time restrictions

With the exception of emergency towing to clear a

disabled vehicle from a roadway to the first suitable

and safe location, where the towed vehicle

combination exceeds 2.5 metres wide or 25.0 metres

long, travel in the Adelaide Metropolitan Area is

prohibited between the hours of 7:00am - 9:00am,

and 4:00pm - 6:00pm.

Towed vehicle

The maximum axle and axle group mass of the towed

vehicle should not exceed:

Single steer axle 6.5t

Twin-steer load sharing axle group 11.0t

Single drive axle 9.0t

Tandem axle group with 6 tyres 14.0t

Tandem axle group with 8 tyres 17.0t

Tri-axle group with 6 wide profile tyres or 12 tyres

20.0t

Tri-axle group with 12 tyres and Road Friendly Suspension

22.5t


Unladen underlift tow trucks

Unladen hook and underlift tow trucks can have

increased mass on the steer axle of up to 7.0 tonnes.

This assists in maintaining steer tyre friction when

towing a vehicle. From 1 January 2016, to be eligible

for 7.0 tonnes on the steer axle, heavy tow truck

registered for the first time in South Australia must

comply with conditions of operation applicable to the

nationally agreed 6.5 tonnes steer axle mass

exception.

Flat towing / partial lifting

To minimise axle loadings and the resulting stress on

bridges, flat towing or only partial lifting of the towing

vehicle’s steering axle should occur whenever

possible and when it is safe to do so.

Towing damaged or disabled vehicles

Where a tow truck tows a damaged or disabled

vehicle that is operating under a valid notice or

permit, then the damaged or disabled vehicle may

only be towed along relevant routes authorised for

use in the notice or permit.

Lights/Light-board on towed vehicles

A towed heavy vehicle combination behind a rigid tow

truck with a hook or underlift mechanism must have a

light-board that:

can be securely placed on the rear of the towed

vehicle and connected electrically or wirelessly to

the tow truck; and

includes lights and reflector lamps that would, if

attached to the rear of the tow truck, meet the

standards that apply to a tow truck;

includes tail lights, brake lights, direction indicator

lights and rear reflectors.

Where a towed vehicle has side marker lights and is

being towed at night or in low visibility, they must be

lit or, alternatively, portable side marker lights must

be fitted.

3. Tilt tray tow truck

Tilt tray tow trucks can undertake accident or

disabled vehicle and premises to premises towing

throughout the South Australian road network.

Provided the vehicle has a tandem rear axle group

and a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) rating of at least

23.0 tonnes, it can operate up to the following mass

and dimension limits:

Axle Mass Dimensions

Single steer axle 6.0t^ Width (to provide for

distorted/ damaged

vehicle)

3.0m

Twin-steer load

sharing axle

group

11.0t Height

(B-Double routes

only)

4.6m

Tandem drive

axle group (with

8 tyres)

16.5t Length

(General Access)

12.5m

Tandem drive

axle group (with

8 tyres) with

Road Friendly

Suspension

17.0t Height

(if operating in

accordance with

Code of Practice for

Transport of

Indivisible Items in

South Australia)

4.9m


^The steer axle mass exception may apply to some vehicles.

Where the loaded height exceeds 4.6 metres on a B-

Double route or 4.3 metres on a General Freight

route but does not exceed 4.9 metres – refer to the

DPTI Code of Practice for the Transport of Indivisible

Items in South Australia.

Operators should be aware that some parts of the

road network, such as bridges, overhead services

and wires, roadside furniture (such as traffic lights,

signs, etc) and vegetation, may not provide adequate

clearance for a vehicle and load travelling at a height

above normal limits.

4. Low-Loader or Drop-Deck tow truck

Low-Loader or Drop-Deck semi-trailers can

undertake accident, disabled vehicle and premise to

premise towing throughout the South Australian road

network up to the following mass and dimension

limits:

Axle Mass Dimensions

Single steer

axle

6.0t Width (to provide for

distorted/ damaged

vehicle)

3.0m

Twin-steer

load sharing

axle group

11.0t Height (B-Double

routes only)

4.6m

Tandem

axle group

(with 8

tyres)

18.5t Length 19.0m

Tri-axle

group (with

12 tyres)

25.0t Height (if operating

in accordance with

Code of Practice for

Transport of

Indivisible Items in

South Australia)

4.9m

*Mass limits in this table do not over-ride manufacturer’s ratings for suspension, tyres or components.

Where the loaded height exceeds 4.6 metres on a B-

Double route or 4.3 metres on a General Freight

route but does not exceed 4.9 metres – refer to the

DPTI Code of Practice for the Transport of Indivisible

Items in South Australia.

Where the length exceeds 19.0 metres – refer to the

appropriate Low-Loader Gazette and Code of

Practice.

If operating in accordance with a Low-Loader Gazette

Notice and Code of Practice, all conditions and

requirements of that notice must be complied with

and a permit is not required.

Operating conditions that apply to all tow truck operations

Stated areas or routes

When the South Australian notice is made, it will

initially include access to the state managed 26m B-

double network and will be expanded as consent is

obtained from Councils for B-double routes under

their care and control.

In the interim, operators can apply to DPTI for a

permit to operate Heavy Tow Trucks under the new

policy which will provide access to the state managed

26m B-Double network and Council B-double roads

where consent has been granted.

Bridge restrictions will be specified in the individual

permit for each Heavy Tow Truck. Travel is not

permitted on a prohibited bridge or structure identified

in the bridge restrictions included in a tow truck

permit.

Specific Operating Conditions

Minimum steer axle mass

To maintain adequate steering when towing, the tow

truck must be designed to the applicable Australian

Design Rules and Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 -

Heavy vehicle modifications - Section T - Tow Trucks

(refer to explanatory notes for further information).

Warning devices

Requirements for warning devices such as

delineators, flags and signs and when they are

required to be used are as specified in the permit or

notice .

Thin load projections

Where any load or projection protrudes more than

150mm from the side of a vehicle and is less than

500mm thick, a yellow rigid retro- reflective delineator

complying with Class 1 or 2 of AS1906, at least

300mm x 300mm must be attached to the front and

rear of the projection.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb_06.aspx

Laden night travel

When travelling laden at night (between sunset and

sunrise):

Side marker lights must be fitted and operating at

least 2.0 metre intervals along any part of a load

projecting from a vehicle.

A yellow rotating warning light is to be displayed

on the tow truck and at the rear of a vehicle

combination that is wider than 2.5 metres or

longer than 22.0 metres.

A pilot vehicle must accompany the combination

if the towed truck and towed vehicle combination

exceeds 2.5 metres wide or 25.0 metres long.

Warning lights when switched on, must:

emit a rotating, flashing, yellow coloured light.

flash between 120 and 200 times a minute and

have a power of at least

o if LED technology is used – 25 watts; or

o if another technology is used – 55 watts;

and

not be strobe light.

A warning light must be clearly visible at a distance of

500 metres in all directions. If one warning light is not

clearly visible from all directions, additional warning

lights must be used (usually at the rearmost part of

the vehicle combination) to ensure that at least one of

the lights is always clearly visible from a distance of

500 metres.

No travelling if low visibility

Other than emergency towing to clear an accident

site or move a disabled vehicle blocking a

carriageway to the first suitable and safe location, no

further laden travel is permitted during periods of low

visibility (refer to explanatory notes for further

information).

Pilot vehicles

When the towed vehicle combination exceeds 2.5

metres wide or 25.0 metres long and travelling at

night, the combination must be accompanied by a

pilot vehicle operating in accordance with the DPTI

Escorting Guidelines for Oversize and Overmass

Vehicles and Loads.

Accident Towing Roster

When removing an accident damaged vehicle in the

greater metropolitan area of Adelaide (the “declared

area”) as per the Motor Vehicles Act 1959 in which

the Accident Towing Roster Scheme is in operation,

removal can only be undertaken if the owner of the

tow truck holds a position on the heavy vehicle

accident towing roster and the tow truck driver holds

a current tow truck certificate.

Rail crossing restrictions

Unless specific approval has been granted by the rail

owner, the maximum length of the tow truck and

towed heavy vehicle combination must not exceed

the maximum vehicle length approved for the route

network on which the rail crossing occurs.

General towing

Road-Train, B-Double, PBS L2 or L3 routes:

Max length 26.0m

General Access or PBS L1 routes:

Max length 20.0m

Emergency towing:

Double Road-Train, PBS L3A routes:

Max length 36.5m

B-Double, PBS L2A routes:

Max length 26.0m

General Access or PBS L1 routes:

Max length 20.0m

To request specific approval to exceed these limits,

contact the relevant rail owner.

Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)

– 08 8217 4313 (Fax 08 8217 4277)

Genesee & Wyoming Australia / Australia

Southern Railroad

– 08 8343 7654 (Fax 08 8343 7780)

Steam Ranger Preservation Society

– 0417 818 218 (Fax 08 8297 0992)

Pitchi Richie Railway Preservation Society

– 0428 581 110

Public Transport Services (Trams & Metro Trains)

– 08 8218 4001 (Fax 08 8297 0992)

Carrying documents

The driver of a heavy tow truck must keep a copy of

the permit or notice in accordance with the Heavy

Vehicle National Law s133(1) and produce it in

accordance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law

s568(2).

Explanatory Notes

Initial inspection and weigh

Inspection and weight requirements remain

unchanged.

General bridge restrictions

A tow truck can travel on the South Australian road

network provided it does not cross any mass

restricted bridge where the vehicle or combination

exceeds the posted mass limit.

When towing vehicles, as far as possible travel

should be restricted to the Higher Mass Limits road

network, where the bridges are generally of a higher

capacity. Conditions may apply to travel over any

bridge not on the Higher Mass Limits road network

due to infrastructure and safety considerations. .

When following any other heavy or oversize vehicle,

maintain a distance of 200 metres from that vehicle,

where it is practical to do so.


When the mass of the rear axle group of the tow truck

exceeds 18.5 tonnes for a tandem axle group, 21.0

tonnes for a tri-axle group (non road-friendly-

suspension (RFS)) or 22.5 tonnes HML (with RFS),

travel must only be to clear an accident site or

remove a disabled vehicle blocking a carriageway.

The vehicle may only be towed to the first suitable

and safe location or, when operating outside of the

Adelaide Metropolitan Area, travel is permitted to a

suitable and safe location within a maximum of

100km from the recovery site.

Similarly, when the overall length of the tow truck and

towed vehicle (other than an articulated or Controlled

Access bus) exceeds 26.0 metres, travel must only

be to clear an accident site or remove a disabled

vehicle blocking a carriageway. The vehicle may only

be towed to the first suitable and safe location or,

when operating outside of the Adelaide Metropolitan

Area, travel is permitted to a suitable and safe

location within a maximum of 100km from the

recovery site.

After towing to the suitable and safe location,

adjusting the vehicle combination may include

disconnecting trailers from the vehicle or removing

the load. This includes disconnecting trailers that do

not have quick-release systems. It also includes

using appropriate equipment, which may include

portable landing legs or a mobile crane to support

trailers without fixed landing legs.

The first suitable and safe location for breaking up the

combination where the sections of towed vehicles

can be readily disconnected and each section towed

separately means a location where the operator

reasonably believes the disabled heavy vehicle will

pose a reduced risk or no appreciable risk of harm to

public safety, the environment, road infrastructure or

public amenity.

Examples of a suitable and safe location can include,

but is not limited to:

a road or road related area with little traffic; or

an off-road rest area; or

a depot; or

a weighbridge; or

a town.

When breaking up or unloading at the side of the

road or road related area the operator and driver of

the towed vehicle combination are responsible for

ensuring all relevant Dangerous Goods and WH&S

legislative requirements, and also the placement of

triangles required by Rule 227 of the National Road

Rules, are met.

Where the towed vehicle is transporting Dangerous

Goods, any ‘Recovery Plan’ requirements relating to

the Dangerous Goods vehicle must be complied with

but do not over-ride or take precedence to the

requirements or limitations of this document.

The fact that costs will be incurred to disconnect a

trailer, unload a vehicle, or provide security for the

vehicle and any load are not reasons to deem a place

unsuitable for the breaking down of the combination

into its component vehicles.

Minimum steer axle mass

To maintain adequate steering when towing, the tow

truck must be:

designed to the applicable Australian Design

Rules and Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 - Heavy

vehicle modifications - Section T - Tow Trucks;

and

capable of being safely controlled when towing,

with the minimum steer axle mass of the tow

truck sufficient to maintain safe and adequate

steering in all prevailing road, traffic and weather

conditions.

Single steer axle mass above 6.0 tonnes

South Australia has adopted the nationally agreed

requirements for trucks with a single steer axle mass

above 6.0 tonnes as per the Heavy Vehicle (Mass,

Dimension and Loading) National Regulation,

Schedule 3 “Steer axle mass exception limits”

outlines the following requirements:

an engine complying with the emission control

requirements contained in ADR 80/01 (Euro IV

engine) or a later version of ADR 80;

a front underrun protection device that complies

with UN ECE Regulation No 93 or ADR 84–Front

Underrun Impact Protection;

a cabin that complies with UN ECE Regulation

No 29;.

appropriately rated tyres, axle and suspension to

permit 6.5t on the steer axle;

a GVM of 15t or more.

No travelling if low visibility

A period of low visibility exists if, due to

circumstances such as fog, heavy rain, smoke, dust

or insect plague, visibility is less than 250 metres in

the daytime or the headlights of a vehicle

approaching within 250 metres cannot be seen at

night.

If a laden tow truck is already travelling when visibility

is reduced to the level described above, the driver

must drive it to the first suitable and safe place and

wait until visibility improves beyond the above levels

before continuing to travel.

Operation of Heavy Tow Trucks in South Australia · Types of tow trucks There are four types of tow...

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