10 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Heavy Towing Wanganui T T Russell Fredric No job too tough for busy firm Heavy Towing Wanganui’s recovery rig is a 500 horsepower Volvo FH500 that can tow or recover eight-wheeler trucks and can even tow truck and trailer units within certain weight and safety limits When it comes to difficult and sometimes complex large vehicle recovery or simply routine transport, Heavy Towing Wanganui is right in its element. The company’s Facebook page showcases some of the challenging call-outs owner Richard Swain attends day or night using a specially designed rig with industry-standard Miller Industries equipment which is manufactured in the United States. The Miller unit includes an under lift that elevates either the front or rear wheels to enable towing, and a winch for recovery. Heavy Towing Wanganui’s recovery rig is a 500 horsepower Volvo FH500 that can tow or recover eight-wheeler trucks and can even tow truck and trailer units within certain weight and safety limits. In the case of a rolled truck or truck and trailer unit, extra winching or other assistance may be required and Richard can facilitate this if needed. In some cases righting a rolled truck can require using large air bags to control the momentum as it is winched to the vertical again. The role of Heavy Towing Wanganui in recovering a rig is crucial when a breakdown or an accident blocks a State Highway so Richard is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to its specialised recovery unit, the company’s fleet comprises two flat deck trucks plus a Kenworth tractor unit for a new trailer currently being built in Christchurch for transporting machinery and heavy vehicles trucks, including for the forestry industry, with a capacity of a total payload of about 40 tonnes. “We built a brand new Isuzu five axle transporter two years ago. It can take the bigger weight ranges into smaller places.” Richard and his wife took over Heavy Towing Wanganui as a well-established business from his uncle when it had just one tow truck and one transporter in 2021 He previously worked as a diesel mechanic for another Whanganui firm, then for Heavy Towing Wanganui for five years before purchasing it. “I pretty much ran the recovery truck and transporter as my own during that time.” This experience as well as his trade skills has proved invaluable in vehicle recovery, especially when it comes to the mechanical side and knowing the technical aspects of heavy vehicles. With being on-call 24 hours a day and with just one staff member, Richard’s role can be demanding at times, but he expects the adding another employee in the near future to make a big difference. His wife Gina also works in the business taking care of accounts and administration. “It has definitely grown; we are trying to grow it with [adding] staff as well to take a bit more pressure off myself. Having two staff on the transport side will help free me up as well as enhancing our customer service.” WHANGANUI Well keep you moving! 357 Heads Rd, Wanganui | 06 344 5055 Emmetts Truck Services Whanganui
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=