AM MAGAZINE SHELL - Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine

4WD4WD COUNCILELECTIONSThe 4WD Council is governed byan elected committee of ninerepresentatives and one appointeefrom the AAAA National Council.It is now election time and in accordwith the 4WD Council charter, fivecommittee members will retire.Nominations are open to any member ofthe 4WD Council, including retiringcommittee members.If 4WD is your industry sector, why notget involved with the body that is active onbehalf of that industry.Committee meetings are held about fourtimes a year and members are required toattend at least two of the ‘face to face’committee meetings and the 4WD Councilevents in their state.Committee meetings are generallyteleconferences, or held at major 4WDindustry shows. The Governing Committeedetermines the direction and advocacyissues pursued by the Council and hasfinancial oversight of Council activities.Secretariat services are provided byGrahame McCraw of AAAA.Your commitment as a committeemember is not arduous, but is significantfor your industry, because the 4WD Councilis 4WD people working for the 4WDindustry.Nomination forms will be distributedamong the AAAA membership during July.If you require one, call Kirsty on03 9561 7044.Candidates must be 4WD Councilmembers and can self nominate ornominate any financial member of the 4WDCouncil.If required, a ballot of the membershipwill be undertaken to determine thesuccessful candidates.Nominations close midnight on FridayAugust 15, 2008RECOVERY STRAPS GUIDELINESANNOUNCEDRecovery straps are usually a heavy duty nylon or polyesterstrap that can stretch and spring back to its original length.The combination of the recoveryvehicle pull and the tension in the strapcreates a ‘snatching’ effect that canpull a stranded vehicle free from beingbogged or unable to move under itsown power.When used in accordance withthese guidelines, vehicles may berecovered with a minimal injury risk topeople or damage to vehicleequipment.Key information and safetyrecommendationsCheck the strap and its packagingfor the stated Minimum BreakingStrength (MBS).It is recommended that theminimum breaking strength of thestrap should be between two and threetimes the vehicle’s gross vehicle mass(GVM) and the strap must be suited tothe GVM of the lighter of the twovehicles used in the recovery process.Persons intending to use the strapshould consider completing anationally recognised four wheel drivetraining course or contact a four wheeldrive club for comprehensive advice onthe proper selection and use of thestrap.The strap must not be used forlifting or conventional towing.Persons intending to use the strapmust ensure that the strap is notdamaged and is in a usable condition.The strap’s strength and stretch arereduced when the strap is saturated.Something like a recovery damper,heavy bag or blanket must be drapedover the strap during use to reduce anyunintentional rebound of the strap.While the strap is being used,people outside of the motor vehiclesinvolved in the recovery process mustbe kept at a safe distance.The recommended distance is atleast 1.5 times the length of theunstretched strap from either of thevehicles involved in the recoveryprocess.They also must never placethemselves within the path of thevehicle performing the recovery andmust always follow the productinstructions.It is important to correctly attachthe motor vehicle recovery strap to amotor vehicle.A standard tow ball or vehicle tiedownpoint is not designed for thispurpose and may result in the strap ora vehicle component detaching from amotor vehicle and striking and seriouslyinjuring or killing a person.Only attach the strap to a vehiclerecovery point or device that is suitablyrated for use with the strap.Incorrect use has previously resultedin serious injury and death.Only attach the strap toa vehicle recovery pointor device that is suitablyrated for use with the strap.ImportantNever attempt to recover a vehiclewithout all the necessary equipment.Only use equipment that is properlyrated for the particular situation.If in doubt, don’t use it.Never exceed the MinimumBreaking Strength (MBS) of the strapor the Working Load Limit (WLL) ofshackles.Selecting the right recoverystrapIt is very important the correctlyrated strap is used.A strap with a ‘too light’ breakingstrength may break under load.A strap with ‘too heavy’ a breakingstrength may not stretch properly andmore stress will be placed on therecovery points, possibly causingdamage or injury.60 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E AU G U ST 2 0 0 8 www.aaaa.com.au