Jacks keep your unit stable and firmly in place when deployed. Make sure that your jacks are in good working condition and securely anchored when you deploy your equipment. Otherwise, the jacks can give way, causing the unit to fall.
It is essential that you check your jacks for the following eight issues every time you are preparing to deploy.
1. Make sure your jacks and mounting plates are not bent or crooked. Never deploy a damaged jack. Any bent, structurally weakened or otherwise damaged jacks must be replaced before you deploy the unit.
2. Check that your trailer is on levelled ground. Never deploy the unit on a slope (more than 15°) to avoid it slipping.
3. Ensure that jacks are all on solid ground (no mud, slush or ice), with outriggers fully engaged. In the cold season, make sure that you are not deploying onto ice where the jacks can slip, or into sludge where they can sink.
4. In the field, always deploy your unit in a cross-plane position. This position ensures maximal wind resistance. If you do not plan on using it for a while, lower your unit while keeping the same cross-plane position.
TIP: Do not deploy during a storm with high winds, as it may knock your unit over.
5. Make sure snap rings are solidly in place.
6. Check that jacks are deployed straight down, and that all four jacks are resting solidly on the ground. Properly deployed jacks should look like this:
7. Ensure that all jack pins snap into position to make sure the unit doesn’t move. You should be able to hear the pins click when engaged.
8. All wheels should be lifted off the ground when the unit is deployed. Verify that no wheels are in contact with the ground.
