Mick's Blog

My thoughts, findings and rants.

  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • ONCOURSE 4×4

Connect

  • E-mail
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Disclaimer

The words and opinions expressed here are my own, and do not, in any way, represent the views of my employer (OnCourse).

How To Prevent A 4wd Rollover On Unsealed Roads

Published October 5, 2004 By Mick Farmer

4wd Rollover - Landcruiser

Having rolled a vehicle back in my early days working upcountry in Uganda, I learnt the hard way about the dangers of unsealed roads. Since then, I've treated this very dangerous road surface with the utmost respect. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: driver training, driving, off-road driving

A Daily Morning Vehicle Checklist

Published May 26, 2004 By Mick Farmer

under-the-bonnet-view-toyota-landcruiser

Here are a few points of what to check, what to look for and why it needs checking.  Also, when checking levels make sure the vehicle is on flat, level ground. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mechanical Tagged With: checklist, Mechanical

Do I Need to Buy a 4wd for Uganda?

Published April 3, 2004 By Mick Farmer

murchison falls road sign

Do I need a 4wd for Uganda? It depends on what you intend to do. If you are based in Kampala and only going on safari once a year then a two wheel drive vehicle will suffice. You can always hire out a 4wd. The main roads in Kampala are mostly tarmac although can be pot holed. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: 4wd, driving, off-road driving, questions

Get A Grip On Tire Selection – Radial or Cross-ply Tires?

Published February 20, 2004 By Mick Farmer

Pirelli Scorpion Radial Tyre

When I first came to Uganda, the choice of tyres was limited to either Firestone Translug or Firestone Translug! So, you were forced into a situation of having to pay over the odds for tyres that were, many times, unsuitable for the work that was expected of them. I was working for a project that was primarily operating in Southern Sudan, where the roads were poor, to say the least. This particular Firestone model, being a cross-ply (bias-ply) tyre was suited for the harsh demands of that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mechanical Tagged With: tyres

Free Wheeling Hubs: Why Have Them?

Published January 22, 2004 By Mick Farmer

Free Wheeling Hub

What they do and don't do Free wheeling hubs then; first let me dispel a few myths; They do not engage 4wd - this is done in the transfer case; They do not lock the front differential. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 4wd Operation Tagged With: free wheeling hubs, Mechanical, off-road driving

Learning How to Drive a 4wd the Hard Way

Published November 29, 2003 By Mick Farmer

Back in 1995 I was given a Land Rover to drive as part of my job escorting and supporting trucks taking food relief into Southern Sudan. The roads and conditions were extremely poor to say the least. The trucks, although 6x6 ex military AEC, were having a problem getting through especially in the rainy season. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: off-road driving

Seatbelts and Crash Helmets – Attitude vs Behavior

Published November 26, 2003 By Mick Farmer

wear seatbelt sign

Sometime back, I had the privilege to give a talk on defensive driving, at an event organised by the Uganda Red Cross. The event was to: Promote the use of seatbelts and crash helmets and; To give an award to the best driver of the year. I was encouraged by the turn out and by organisations such as the Uganda Police and UTODA having a major role to play in the event. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: road safety

Axle Wind Up – A Potentially Damaging Phenomenon

Published February 22, 2003 By Mick Farmer

With the rainy season upon us in force - I expect a lot of people with off-road vehicles have been selecting their 4wd.  Especially those who live on the outskirts of Kampala and upcountry where the roads can be bad, if not seemingly impassable, at times. When you do select 4wd, make sure your vehicle does not suffer from extreme axle wind-up, as this can cause expensive damage - $3,000 and upwards! It is important that 4wd is disengaged and the warning light goes off before travelling off an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 4wd Operation Tagged With: 4wd, off-road driving

Pull-Pal Review – Product Tested in Uganda

Published July 12, 2001 By Mick Farmer

Preparing Pull-Pal

First impressions were "why would anyone want this monstrosity in the back of their vehicle?" Just unpacking it from the box was an ordeal in itself! Only joking. Although, it does take up a lot of room in the back of your 4x4. When you start to use the beast, you can see why it's a popular piece of equipment. We had the use of an 11,000 lb Pull-pal; there is a smaller 9,000 lb version available. We put it through it's paces by first getting our Land Rover stuck in our mud strip (the Congo … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: Equipment, ground-anchor, land-anchor, off-road driving, recovery gear, winch-anchor

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10

Recent Posts

  • Releasing Axle Wind-Up
  • Example of Tyre Delamination and Tread Separation
  • Avoid Fitting HF Aerial Like This
  • Under Pressure – Armoured Vehicle Tyres
  • Still got split rims on your 70 Series Landcruiser?
  • Managing Available Traction

Recent Tags

4wd 4wd operation armoured vehicles awareness levels buttons and switches checklist co2 convoy driver training driving Equipment facility fleet free wheeling hubs gallery Gator-Jaw ground-anchor hazards headlights HF Radio high-lift jack land-anchor Low Traction Mechanical modifications off-road driving OnCourse Pressure Pro questions raised air intake recovery gear review road safety roof rack safety gear seatbelts security shock absorbers snapshot speed bumps target fixation toyota landcruiser tyres winch winch-anchor

Find It Here

OnCourse Links

  • About OnCourse
  • 4×4 Courses
  • Contact