Intro to LD: Locked Wheels

Locked wheels are a common issue a light-duty operator will be asked to deal with. They can be caused by a brake issue or a wheel bearing issue. Regardless of the cause, they can be easily dealt with when using the right tools. While it is unlikely that all four wheels will lock simultaneously, it can occur. In that scenario, similar techniques can be used to load a vehicle with four locked wheels as would be used when loading a vehicle with the parking brake enabled.

Loading a vehicle with locked wheels on a carrier can be straightforward with the right equipment. The most common and useful tool is the WreckMaster skate. The skates reduce resistance and allow a vehicle to more easily slide along the ground.

Place a skate in front of the locked wheel or wheels and lightly hammer it under the wheel with a block of wood. Be sure not to hammer the skate too far or it could damage the skate or cause further damage to the wheel. Once the skate has been placed under the wheel, the vehicle can be safely winched onto the carrier bed. After the casualty is safely on the bed, the vehicle can be secured with at least four points of securement and transported.