Lift gate broke. Boss wants me to strap it up with ratchet straps to get back to shop. Is there anything somewhat safe about this?

Posted by occasionallyvertical@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 33 comments

Leaking what I assume is hydraulic fluid everywhere and it’s smoking. Am I good to just strap it up? Reupload to show better video.

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RayAlmighty13@reddit

Don’t touch that shit!!! The hydraulic fluids can be corrosive and necrotize your skin!!! Not edible bro!!

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occasionallyvertical@reddit (OP)

I already had to smack it to get it to shut up. That’s what the boss said to do

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Outside_Squirrel_839@reddit

Chains are the best way unless u have super heavy duty straps

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Feisty-Season-5305@reddit

If you were by it when it blew I'd be looking for a hydraulic injection wound very hard to find very lethal if not taken care of.

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Rat_King1972@reddit

Just had to look up what that was. I work with lots of hydraulics, always thought the biggest danger was fire.

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Feisty-Season-5305@reddit

They played me a 3 minute video when I started working at this factory and I never forgot it even tho I didn't work with the hydraulics I was around them enough that it was important.

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Rat_King1972@reddit

Jeez, I run PTO conveyor booms. I’ve had lines blow on me and leak everywhere just like this video. Never had a clue. Thanks

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Crashy1620@reddit

My dad recently spent 10 days in the hospital and nearly lost a finger because of a hydraulic leak puncture. You’re a 100% right how dangerous it is.

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americandoom@reddit

Ratchet strapped one up with a small 500lb load ratchet that the service guy had in his truck and drove 2.5hours back to the yard. Was shocked it held but it did

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Slater_8868@reddit

Make sure you get the "OK" in writing (text message etc).

Because if something happens on the way back - DOT fine, strap or chain breaks and goes through someone's windshield, etc - companies all of the sudden get real forgetful and will throw you under the bus with the old "I didn't tell the driver to do that".

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mkgla@reddit

I used a strap on the throttle b4 to get in when the pedal broke.

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Cardinal_350@reddit

I ran one ratchet strapped up about 250 miles last year. I told the boss to send me a text message from his personal phone telling me to pull the trailer with it strapped up. He did and I made it back fine. But cover your ass

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nosamwilliam@reddit

That’s a hard pass. I wouldn’t even be touching that thing if it’s broken. What if something shifts or breaks as your moving it manually or driving down the road? That’s all on you as the driver..

Sit tight for someone to come and fix it

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occasionallyvertical@reddit (OP)

Thank you all for your replies. I’ve decided to throw some chains on her and limp it back. I appreciate the input.

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kakarota@reddit

I've done this with chains idk if id trust a strap some life gates are heavy af

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Filmfan7427@reddit

Isn't hydraulic fluid hazmat? I mean at that flow rate I'm sure it will be empty soon but there seems to be something wrong with driving a fountain of fluid spewing all over town.

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quackdamnyou@reddit

To say nothing about local laws about making a mess in the road or improperly disposing waste, hydraulic fluid and other lubricant oils are not hazmat when transported in bulk.

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Filmfan7427@reddit

Thank you for the clarification.

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IVEGOTAHUGEHAND@reddit

It depends on a few things.

Does the gate move back to a safe position.
Does the leak stop when the pump isn't running.
Is there somewhere to tie down to.

If it's yes to all 3 of these, then you're probably safe. Otherwise, it may just have to be a roadside call out. It's shitty but that is the cost of running vehicles sometimes.

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Decorus_Somes@reddit

If you get pulled over do you feel comfortable explaining it to the DOT?

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occasionallyvertical@reddit (OP)

Absolutely not

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nastyzoot@reddit

Why wouldn't he? "My lifgate is fucked. I strapped it up and am driving back to the barn." It happens. Dude's definitely local.

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Ton_in_the_Sun@reddit

This is the 10000$ question

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Jasonh123_@reddit

If it wasn’t leaking hydraulic fluid everywhere, maybe. They need to send a mobile tech out to stop the leak then figure out how to limp it home

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nastyzoot@reddit

If you can move it to get it up, then sure. You do not want to sit there while some dude comes to get the busted hose, goes gets a new hose made, then comes back, and hopefully it works. Usually, round about 3+ hours. Just take it slow. Keep the radio off and the window cracked so you can hear what it's doing.

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Shallow-Thought@reddit

If you can lift it up to the transport position, then yes. You’d just have to secure it enough you’re not relying on the hydraulics to hold it in place.

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clapped-out-cammy@reddit

As long as all the hydraulic fluid leaks out, or stopps then chain it up and you're good to go. It's just load securement. No different than strapping a spare tyre to your catwalk. Just make sure it is secure. If you do use straps then use edge protectors.

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Puzzleheaded_Pea_753@reddit

If you can get it up to the safety locked position and the fluid finishes draining out of it you're probably fine.

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10lugthuggin@reddit

If you can GET it chained up and powered off that fluid should stop leaking, and the smoke is probably not really smoke. If you're where the air is cold, that fluid is probably warm so it's no different than seeing your breath. Idk I'd find a way to get it up and limp it home but you do you

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