With construction season coming to an end, many work zones will soon be taking their units off the road. Discover best practices to safely take them down, tow them away, and store them until next season.
Here are the 12 steps to follow:
1. Align your truck with the unit, in position for towing.
Make sure that:
2. Turn the sign’s power off using the touch screen.
3. Remove the mast locking pin and lower the sign case enough to have access to the manual brake. (Ensure that there are no obstacles below the sign as you will need to turn it.)
a. Release the manual brake (if your unit has one).
b. Turn the sign into its transport position, just above the transportation cradles.
c. Tighten the brake (if your unit has one).
4. Lower the unit onto the transportation cradles.
IMPORTANT
Do not hold the “down” button after the unit has been securely lowered. This will make oil leak out of the pump reservoir.
5. Check brakes and locks.
Make sure that:
6. Do the following if you have a tilt-and-rotate solar panel system:
a. Unlock the system.
b. Align solar panels over the transportation cradles using the handle.
c. Lower the jack down to set the panels firmly onto the transportation cradles.
d. Re-engage the brake.
e. Unlock system by releasing the hand brake.
7. Position the unit for towing:
a. Carefully back the tow vehicle as close as possible to the trailer and align the coupler with the hitch.
b. Lower jacks and stabilizer legs until wheels are on the ground and the coupler is in place.
c. To make sure your unit doesn’t roll away if it is on a slope, block the wheels with a wheel chock
d. Swivel all but the front right jack into their horizontal travel position.
8. Attach the unit to tow vehicle:
a. Attach the coupler/hitch securely and insert the adapter safety pin. Make sure the coupler fits snugly to the tow vehicle’s hitch ball.
b. Once the hitch ball is on and secured, swivel the right front jack back into travel position.
c. If your unit has a breakaway cable, attach it to the tow vehicle if the trailer is equipped with brakes. Make sure it is not taut, nor around the ball, nor caught in the chains.
d. Connect the trailer to the truck’s power plug.
e. Cross the safety chains under the hitch and attach the hooks to the tow vehicle from the underside. Please make sure the chains are not dragging on the ground.
9. Perform a final walk-around check to ensure that:
a. All the latches and pins are in place.
b. The jacks are up and outriggers fully in and locked (if your unit has them).
10. Make sure the trailer’s lights are operational.
11. Check if:
a. Wheel bolts are tight and tire pressure is good.
b. The adapter is properly attached and operational.
12. Towing procedures
Respect all towing procedures for single or nested trailers. Refer to your OSM manual for your unit’s specific instructions. Please drive safely.