Oregon Bulletin
April 1, 2011
Rule
Caption: Housekeeping change to keep rules
in line with ODOT and FHWY definitions.
Adm.
Order No.: OSP 3-2011
Filed with Sec. of
State: 3-8-2011
Certified to be
Effective: 3-8-11
Notice Publication
Date: 2-1-2011
Rules Amended: 257-050-0200
Subject: Replaces “Traffic Control on State Highways for Short
Term Work Zones” with current terminology “Oregon Temporary traffic Control
Handbook”.
Rules Coordinator: Cort Dokken—(503) 934-0228
257-050-0200
Mandatory Equipment Standards for
Tow Trucks/Safety Related Requirements
(1) All tow vehicles operated by a qualified tow
business under a letter of appointment under these rules shall have the following
minimum equipment:
(a) Minimum of two (2) lights mounted behind the cab of
the tow truck controlled by a dedicated on/off switch. This lighting must be
capable of illuminating the area of the tow under darkened, foggy or dangerous
conditions;
(b) An FCC licensed two-way radio, in conformance with
Part 93 FCC Regulations, or cellular phone (citizen band radios so not meet
this requirement);
(c) Cables or wire ropes as called for in each class.
Cable/wire rope lengths shall be measured from the point of attachment on each
drum. Cables/wire ropes shall meet the following requirements.
(A) Each cable shall be capable of being fully extended
from and fully wound onto its drum;
(B) Cables or wire ropes shall be free from the
following defects or conditions:
(i) There shall be no more than six randomly
distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or more than three broken wires in
one strand in one rope lay;
(ii) There shall be no evidence of any heat damage from
any cause;
(iii) There shall be no end attachments that are
cracked, deformed, worn or loosened;
(iv) Where a wire rope is attached to a hook with
clamps instead of being swaged, a minimum of three clamps shall be used on end
attachments. Clamps shall be spaced at least six rope diameters apart and
attached with the base or saddle of the clamp against the longer or “live” end
of the rope. The “U” bolt will be placed over the short or “dead” end of the
rope and will be of the proper size.
(d) Two revolving or intermittent red or amber lamps
with 360 degree visibility. The truck may also be equipped with flashing amber
lights, which may be used in conjunction with the red lamp(s). Such lighting
will not be used when responding to a call, but only at the scene when
necessary to warn approaching traffic of impending danger.
(e) A broom and a shovel. The broom shall be at least
twelve inches wide and have a handle at least four feet long. The shovel shall
be flat scoop type with a minimum width of seven inches and overall length of a
least three feet. Tow truck driver shall clean accident/incident scenes of all
vehicle glass and debris required by ORS 822.225.
(f) A tow sling, wheel lift, car carrier or other
comparable device made of a material designed to protect vehicles.
(g) Motorcycle Tows — A tow sling, wheel lift,
car carrier or other comparable device that has the ability to tow motorcycles.
(h) One fire extinguisher, 25 BC rating or equivalent.
(i) One snatch block, or equivalent block, in good
working condition for each working line.
(j) Commercially manufactured dollies on all class A
recovery vehicles and class B recovery vehicles up to 26,000 GVW. Commercially
manufactured dollies are required for all tow class categories when dollies are
used and/or defined for use up to 26,000 GVW.
(k) All class A and B tow vehicles that are inclusive
of class DA and DB tow vehicles shall carry at least one pinch bar, or an
equivalent device. The bar or equivalent device must be 4 feet in length and
3/4 inch in diameter, and the ends may either be tapered or flattened.
(l) Portable lights for unit being towed including, but
not limited to, tail lights, stop lights and directional signals.
NOTE: Class D tow trucks roll backs are exempt from this section if
not towing a second vehicle.
(m) All tow vehicles must have a minimum of two “wreck
ahead” signs to be placed by tow truck drivers as required by ORS 822.220. The
signs shall confirm to all specifications as set forth in the Oregon Department
of Transportation’s publication “Oregon Temporary Traffic Control Handbook”
(OTTCH) as adopted by OAR 734-020-0005 and the “Manual Uniform of Traffic
Control Devices.”
(n) All tow trucks and equipment used to perform
services under these rules shall be maintained in good working order. Failure
to maintain equipment shall be cause for suspension and removal of the
defective equipment from the non-preference list. If equipment does not meet
the Department’s criteria for non-preference tows under these Administrative
Rules, the Department may suspend and remove the equipment from the
non-preference list.
(2) Class A Tow Trucks (Small): Tow trucks shall be
provided that are capable of towing and recovery operations for passenger cars,
pickup trucks, small trailers or equivalent vehicles. All equipment used in
conjunction with the tow truck must be compatible with the manufacturer’s basic
boom rating and must comply with current state laws and Oregon Administrative
Rule 735-154-0040. In addition to the equipment required for all trucks used to
provide service under this rule, all trucks in this class shall have:
(a) Ten thousand pounds minimum manufacturer’s gross
vehicle weight rating or equivalent;
(b) Dual tires on the rear axle or duplex type tires,
referred to as super single with a load rating that is comparable to dual tire
rating;
(c) Six ton minimum boom rating dual or single boom
with dual or single winches to control a minimum of one service cable;
(d) A minimum of one hundred (100) feet of 3/8-inch
continuous length cable; and
(e) A wheel lift for this class of tow truck.
(3) Class B Tow Trucks (Medium): Class B tow trucks
shall be capable of towing and recovery operations for medium size trucks,
trailers, motor homes or equivalent vehicles. In addition to standard equipment
required for all trucks used to provide service under this rule, all trucks in
this class shall have:
(a) Seventeen thousand pounds minimum manufacturer’s
gross vehicle weight rating or equivalent;
(b) Ten ton minimum boom rating dual or single boom
with dual or single winches to control a minimum of one service cable;
(c) Class B tow trucks in excess of 26,000 pounds GVW
will not be required to carry dollies when used for heavy towing;
(d) A wheel lift for this class of tow truck; and
(e) A minimum of 150 feet of seven-sixteenths inch
cable.
(4) Class C Tow Trucks (Large): Tow trucks that are
capable of towing and recovery operations for large trucks, trailers, motor
homes or equivalent vehicles. In addition to the standard equipment required
for all trucks used to provide service under this rule, all trucks in this
class shall have:
(a) Twenty-seven thousand five hundred pounds minimum
manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or equivalent;
(b) Twenty-five ton minimum boom rating dual or single
boom with dual or single winches to control a minimum of one service cable;
(c) Minimum of 150 feet of cable, five-eighths inch
diameter;
(d) Air brakes and an air system capable of supplying
air to the towed unit;
(e) Portable dollies are not required;
(f) Tandem rear axle truck chassis (three axle truck);
(g) May include an under-lift for this class of tow
truck.
(h) Exception to commercially manufactured tow vehicles
(for Class C recovery tow trucks/equipment only). Class C Recovery Tow
Equipment that has been approved by the Oregon State Police to be used on the
Department’s non-preference towing list prior to the adoption of these
Administrative Rules, but does not meet the criteria outlined under these
Administrative Rules, may continue to be used for the Department’s
non-preference tows if the following conditions are met:
(A) The equipment must first be inspected and approved
by the Oregon State Police;
(B) If a qualified tow business has the only “Class C”
tow truck in a zone, then the qualified tow business must replace the equipment
after 5 years from the adoption date of these rules. The Oregon State Police
reserve the option to extend the time period for the use of Class C Towing
Equipment under this exception based on operational need by the Department; and
(C) If it is determined at any time that the equipment
does not meet Oregon State Police criteria for towing under these
Administrative Rules, then the Oregon State Police can remove the equipment
from the non-preference list.
(5) Class D Tow Trucks (Trucks and equipment in this
class are not considered recovery vehicles):
(a) Tow trucks and other vehicles in this class are to
be used for towing and/or hauling purposes only. No recovery can be performed
by equipment in this class;
(b) Equipment in this class capable of towing/hauling
passenger cars, pickup trucks, trailers, trucks or equivalent vehicles, and
debris is based on the size and ratings of the Class D tow unit used. All
equipment used in conjunction with the tow truck must comply with current state
laws and Oregon Administrative Rule 735-154-0040. In addition to the equipment
required for all trucks used to provide service under this rule, all trucks in
this class shall have:
(A) Class D-A:
(i) Eleven thousand pounds minimum manufacturer’s gross
vehicle weight rating or equivalent;
(ii) Dual tires on the rear axle;
(iii) A minimum of fifty feet three-eighths inch
continuous length cable;
(iv) May include wheel lift, if chassis GVW is over
14,500 pounds; and
(v) If a Metro unit, dollies and a wheel lift.
(B) Class D-B:
(i) Seventeen thousand pounds minimum manufacturer’s
gross vehicle weight rating or equivalent;
(ii) Dual tires on the rear axle;
(iii) A minimum of 50 feet of three-eighths inch cable;
(iv) May include wheel lift; and
(v) If a Metro unit, dollies and a wheel lift.
(C) Class D-C:
(i) Twenty-seven thousand five hundred pounds minimum
manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or equivalent.
(ii) Minimum of 50 feet of cable, five-eighths inch
diameter.
(iii) Tandem rear axle truck chassis (three axle
truck).
(iv) May include wheel lift; and
(v) Air brakes and an air system capable of supplying
air to the towed unit.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 181.440
Stats. Implemented: ORS 181.440
Hist.: OSP 5-2005, f. & cert.
ef. 11-18-05; OSP 1-2006, f. 3-29-06, cert. ef. 3-31-06; OSP 1-2009(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 8-6-09 thru 1-31-10; OSP 2-2009, f. 10-8-09 cert. ef. 1-1-10;
OSP 3-2009(Temp), f. 12-18-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10 thru 6-29-10; OSP 3-2010, f.
6-1-10, cert. ef. 6-30-10; OSP 3-2011, f. & cert. ef. 3-8-11
Notes
1.) This online version of the OREGON BULLETIN is provided for convenience of reference and enhanced access. The official, record copy of this publication is contained in the original Administrative Orders and Rulemaking Notices filed with the Secretary of State, Archives Division. Discrepancies, if any, are satisfied in favor of the original versions. Use the OAR Revision Cumulative Index found in the Oregon Bulletin to access a numerical list of rulemaking actions after November 15, 2010.
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