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Some Quick Questions to Ask When You Need Heavy Machinery Roadside Assistance

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Heavy machinery can sometimes need roadside assistance just like any other vehicle, and if you find that you need assistance for a crane, forklift, or other such equipment that has broken down while in use, you want to know you're calling the right company for assistance. Note a few questions to ask and topics to cover when you call for this assistance so you ensure you get the right company to your location.

Ask if they tow the equipment or have a flatbed and crane

Some heavy-duty equipment will sit every low to the ground so it shouldn't be towed, as any towing will mean tipping up one end so the other end is even closer to the road. If the truck hits a slight bump, this can mean damage to your crane, forklift, and the like. Even if you need roadside assistance for a vehicle with tires rather than with treads, ask if they have a flatbed for maximum protection of your equipment.

Note the pavement conditions and if they can accommodate

If your crane or other equipment is in soft soil, you want to ensure you find a towing or roadside service truck that won't get stuck themselves! Be sure you note if you're working on a jobsite with mud or sand or if your vehicle has slid off the side of the road because of being on a slight hill. This will ensure they send out the right truck for assistance and know what to expect by way of the jobsite or roadside conditions.

Ask if they can perform repair work onsite

You may not know why your forklift, crane, or other equipment has stopped working while onsite, so it can be good to call for assistance from a company who may do more than simply tow it back to your yard or a shop. If they can diagnose a wiring problem, low fluid levels, or otherwise make quick assessments of the problem, you might find that they also offer roadside services and you may not even need your equipment actually towed.

Note any special condition of the vehicle to be towed 

As an example of what this means, a forklift may have stopped working with the forks fully lifted, and you cannot lower them and fold them up. The same may be true of a crane arm, and there may be materials in the bucket that you cannot remove. If the vehicle to be towed or hauled has any such special conditions, be sure to note this and ask if they can accommodate the vehicle in that condition. 


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