Mechanical Equipment

Hydraulic rescue equipment

This equipment is designed specifically for the rescue of casualties at road traffic accidents trapped in or by vehicles. The various tools are used to cut, spread, lift, pull and separate vehicle parts. Actuation of all the tools is by a star wheel at the bottom of the handle. Push the wheel, right to open and left to close the tool.

All the tools can be used in water up to a depth of 40 metres.

Hydraulic Pump

This is used to power the combitool and telescopic ram. This unit is capable of powering any tool in the Lukas range. It is designed to operate only one tool at a time but two tools can be connected and used individually. The oil supply is changed over manually, as required.It is powered by a manual start 4 stroke petrol engine.

Combitool

This is a double acting hydraulic tool selected for high power-to-weight ratio and ease of use. The tool is protected against excessive internal pressure build up by a relief valve within the handle. The combitool is able to crush, spread or cut material.

Hoses

The 10 metre hoses are twinned and colour coded at the tool and at the pump, (red feed & blue return). All couplings have dust caps to keep them clean when not in use. The couplings cannot be incorrectly connected so that flow is reversed. The operating pressure is approximately 10,000 PSI and the burst pressure is 40,000 PSI.

10 ton Porta-power kit

This kit consists of a manually operated hydraulic hand pump. The pump connects to a single acting ram. The ram has various extension tubes and end caps, enabling it to be adjusted for length. There is also an end cap and boby fitting to allow it to be used as a spreader. The kit also contains a mini spreader known as a "wedgie" due to its wedge shape. The pedal cutter (shown left) is used with the hand pump, to cut pedals and steering wheel rims.

Saws

Saws can be divided into two main groups, powered & hand. Powered saws include the battery saw, which is quick to deploy and readily cuts through door hinges and lock pins, as well as roof pillars. The oscillating helmet saw can be either battery or air powered. The circular blade oscillates (rotates back and forth) and will only cut when pressed against a solid object. Soft tissue, which is free to move with the blade is not damaged by its action. A hacksaw and junior hacksaw are carried in case the power saws should fail. A bow saw is carried for cutting wood, in case of an "off" in a forest section of a rally. Rally cars are attracted to trees for some strange reason!

Other power tools

An air chisel/zip gun is carried. The different tools enable it to be used for cutting metal or as a punch. An air wrench and sockets can be utilised to remove nuts and bolts, it may be easier and quicker to unbolt an obstruction than trying to cut it or work around it. Sometimes it is prefferential to remove a casualty in their seat, especially if it is a tight fitting "bucket" seat.

Hand tools

A selection of hand tools are carried. These include combiation spanners, socket sets & allen keys in metric and imperial sizes. Pliers, side cutters and mole grips. Hammer, chisels and punches. Crowbar, bolt croppers, tin snips, a selection of screwdrivers and a spring loaded centre punch, for breaking windows.

Click on the image to take a tour of the unit