CFS appliances using ferries

[mack]

mmm our 24p is 12.5 roughly apparently... good thing theres no ferries near us

[SA Firey]

mmm our 24p is 12.5 roughly apparently... good thing theres no ferries near us

Just empty quarter of a tank of water and you'll be right Mack

[allan]

In respect of truck licence categories, I speak from Vict. experience however generally speaking the standards are the same Aust. wide. (Although there a few exceptions! Just to confuse us!).

It is correct that a Medium Rigid truck licence will allow you to drive any vehicle of any weight - so long as it has only two axles!!!

BUT (and herein lies the 'practical' limit) - subject to the manufacturer's ratings not being exceeded, the weight limit for a steering axle fitted with two tyres is 6.0 tonnes (although if fitted with special equipment may be permitted to carry 6.5), and the weight limit for a single axle fitted with 4 tyres is 9.0 tonnes.

Hence the so-called 15 tonne limit (6 + 9) for a Medium Rigid licence.

Note also that '15 tonnes and over GVM' (ie. not the actual weight, but the registered GVM) also is the point at which BAC of 0.00 kicks in - not just when operating Code One (lights/ sirens) - but all the time!

There are a few vehicles (not many that also have only a single axle rear axle) that have the steering axle upgrade, hence the theoretical limit for a Medium Rigid licence is 15.5 tonnes. I'll also admit that there are some specialist mobile cranes that have 4 tyres on both axles - whilst I have no experience with them, I'd presume that their maximum is 18 tonnes GVM (subject to manufacturer's specifications)?

[SA Firey]

Class: MR (previous classes: LT, LB) the holder may drive

any motor vehicle covered by class LR

any motor vehicle with 2 axles and a GVM greater than 8000 kg
eg 2 axle trucks, tippers and buses.

3 axle motor vehicles, but only where the GVM is 8000 kg or less

any special purpose vehicle with two or more axles and an unladen mass not exceeding 15000 kg

medium articulated vehicles, provided the GVM of the towing vehicle does not exceed 8000 kg
may tow
any farm implement or any trailer with a GVM not exceeding 9000 kg, provided it is within the GCM of the towing vehicle
may not drive
an articulated motor vehicle where the GVM of the towing vehicle exceeds 8000 kg

the combination of a vehicle and trailer where the GVM of the trailer exceeds 9000 kg

motor bikes or motor trikes
Minimum age/driving experience
must have held a class C Driver’s Licence for at least one year
Driver’s Licence must be carried if driving a vehicle over 8000 kg GVM.

Found here http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/licences_certification/drivers/classifications.asp

[RescueHazmat]

^ Already posted, page one.

[Shiner]

For info, for those of you in areas that may experience a ferry closure impacting on you, the following is a copy of the letter that has been sent by DTEI to all ferry operators/contractors with regards to operating under weight restrictions.  As mentioned before, if you are concerned, please talk to your local ferry operator first, if they are unable/unwilling to help/assist, ask them for further contact details of the relevant person here at the department, or PM me and I will give them to you......

OPERATION OF A VEHICULAR FERRY ACROSS THE RIVER MURRAY AT XXXXXXXXXX,
APPLICATION OF 12 TONNE WEIGHT RESTRICTION

The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure advises that it may be necessary to impose a 12 tonne weight restriction to the ferry service.

A 12 tonne limit was selected for the safety of users and will allow the majority of local traffic such as light farm vehicles and local delivery vehicles to cross but deny access to heavier vehicles such as semi trailers and tandem drive vehicles with low under belly fuel tanks.

There is some flexibility with the 12 tonne limit to allow slightly heavier vehicles access to the ferry but in most cases, the limit should not exceed 15 tonne.

Prior to loading any heavy vehicle, operators will be required to check the following:

•   The landing is adjusted to the correct setting.

•   The vehicle does not have a low hanging fuel tank which may catch on the flap/landing area while loading or unloading.

•   The vehicle does not have a low crash bar fitted to the front or rear that may scrape and cause damage to the ramps, landing, and ferry during loading or unloading.

•   The weight of the vehicle loaded allows enough movement for the ferry flap to release from the landing and relatch when required (flap ram chains may need to be adjusted).

In emergency situations the wooden bus ramps may be used to help in raising the rear of a vehicle.

Access to the ferry should not be provided to any vehicle that may be damaged or cause damage while entering or exiting the ferry.

Directions need to be provided to the driver of the vehicle which is denied access to a more suitable crossing point.  The registration number and owner details must also be recorded in the ferry log. 

[calspec]

I suspect that the following may be of some interest.

"any special purpose vehicle with two or more axles and an unladen mass not exceeding 15000 kg"

Does a Fire Appliance come under the description of Special Purpose Vehicle???

 

[uniden]

No a CFS appliance is not a special purpose vehicle. As they are built on commercially available chassis. Anyway the UL is nowhere near 15 tonnes anyway.

[Crank]

special purpose may include a fireking?