Technique, Equipment, & Placement

The roll-over stiff leg is an excellent device for up-righting an overturned vehicle, because the compression load on the stiff leg will force the vehicle to turn on its axis. Once the vehicle is on its side, the stiff leg will fall out as you continue the upright.

NOTE

Today, many operators now use PVC, Schedule 80 plastic pipe, instead of using the heavier hard wood 4”x 4”.

Cut in the appropriate manner, a stiff leg can be made quite easily out of a 3 1/2 foot (42”) length of 2 1/2”, Schedule 80 PVC plastic pipe, as illustrated above.Pay special attention to the detail of the notching, as this is the critical part of the design. The use of the roll-over stiff leg is outlined below.

FRONT VIEW

SIDE VIEW

A short piece of chain (1/4” grade 8 alloy); approximately 15” to 18” in length, along with grab hooks at each end (WreckMaster calls this piece of rigging a Sister Chain). This piece of rigging is needed for use in this up-righting procedure. You will be sure to find the roll-over stiff leg a great asset for you and your personnel in the up-righting of passenger cars as well as many uses for recoveries.