Log Truck Rollover in Oakridge
A loaded log truck ran into trouble on a narrow, twisting road deep in the mountains outside of Oakridge. The driver misjudged one of the sharp curves on National Forest Service Road 21, an old logging town road with 15 to 25 MPH corners. His truck tipped over, landing on its side. Thankfully, he escaped with just a few bruises. The truck, which weighed around 80,000 pounds fully loaded, was now lying on its side, with logs scattered everywhere. We knew this would be a tough towing job. That’s how this Oakridge heavy recovery story began.
Tackling the Challenge
The truck was located in a remote spot in the Diamond Peak Wilderness, where narrow roads cling to steep hillsides. It’s easy to see how a heavy log truck could run into trouble on such tricky terrain. The driver’s manager arrived quickly, along with the company’s risk manager, to assess the damage. The logs had already been unloaded to make the recovery easier, but the truck was still in a tough spot to move.
Coming Up with a Game Plan
When our Puddle Jumper team arrived, we had to carefully weigh our options. The road sat right next to a steep drop leading down to Hills Creek Reservoir. The truck was resting dangerously close to a steep drop-off leading to Hills Creek Reservoir, so we first checked the stability of the ground and road conditions to ensure there was no risk of further sliding.
We had to make sure everything was stable before starting the recovery.
Then, we observed power lines and other hazards in the area, paying close attention to the soil density and the distances from the embankment. Next, we gathered specific details like the length and weight of the overturned truck, its attachments, and the resistance we’d need to overcome to lift it.
The Heavy Recovery Process
For a job like this, we brought out the NRC rotator, along with a medium-duty truck and an incident support vehicle. The rotator is a key tool for Oakridge heavy recovery work. It’s perfect for these situations because it can extend its boom and reach the truck without needing to position our own vehicles too close to the edge.
We explained our plan to the risk manager on-site. The goal was to lift and rotate the truck as smoothly as possible without causing more damage. Using the rotator’s boom and three winches, we slowly lifted the log truck and began to rotate it upright. The risk manager asked if we could “set it down easy,” and we assured him that’s exactly what we do.
Transporting the Truck Back to its Ship
With the truck back on its wheels, we then prepared it for transport, ensuring that everything was secure for the journey to the company’s shop. The damage to the passenger side of the cab made the truck undrivable, so towing was the only option. With the truck back on its wheels, it was clear how significant the damage was, but the Oakridge heavy recovery had gone smoothly.
Puddle Jumper Handles Your Oakridge Heavy Recovery
Puddle Jumper handles tough recoveries, even in the most challenging environments. Our crew’s experience and dedication allow us to tackle complex Oakridge heavy recovery jobs like this with absolute confidence. Our ability to assess the scene quickly and use the right equipment made all the difference in getting this Oakridge heavy recovery done without further damage. From start to finish, we deliver results. Contact us for all your Oakridge heavy recovery needs.