On Tuesday, January 21st, a safety incident occurred on State Highway 30 involving a self-loading log truck that became unexpectedly detached from its trailer during transit. An inspection of the vehicle's ring feeder and tow eye confirmed that both components were in good working condition. However, the investigation revealed that the truck had been equipped with an electronic ring feeder release system, controlled from the cab of the truck via a simple switch.

Unfortunately, during the journey, a newly-installed radio transmitter (RT) became dislodged and struck the switch, causing the ring feeder to disengage and leading to the detachment of the trailer. The design of the switch, lacking sufficient safety redundancies, was identified as a critical factor in the incident.

To prevent such occurrences in the future, it is recommended that: Any electronic release system for a ring feeder incorporates safety redundancy mechanisms. A two-step switch be installed that only activates when the Power Take-Off (PTO) is engaged, ensuring improper operation is avoided during transit.

The Log Transport Safety Council (LTSC) emphasises the importance of adopting these safety measures to ensure secure and sustainable operations across the log transport industry. For more information, safety resources, or to report incidents, contact Emma Godwin, LTSC Secretary, at admin@logtruck.co.nz.