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Disclaimer

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

Up Armoured Vehicle Recovery Consideration: Fitting a Winch

Published April 6, 2017 By Mick Farmer

Armoured-Vehicle Winch

Is it Worth Fitting a Winch to An Up Armoured Vehicle? It's considered standard that recovery equipment should have a safe working load/working load limit of 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: armoured vehicles, winch

My Thoughts on Using Synthetic Shackles

Published October 27, 2016 By Mick Farmer

using-synthetic-rope-shackles

Recently purchased some synthetic shackles (Gator-Jaw) from Bubba Rope in the States. I had gotten one of their kinetic energy ropes through someone that was leaving Uganda and was very impressed. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: 4wd, Equipment, Gator-Jaw, off-road driving

A Look Around Blind Spots

Published July 28, 2016 By Mick Farmer

HF Antenna Fittings and Visibility - Exterior View

Blind spots are anywhere where we can't see without moving our vision. Most common ones which everyone is (or should be aware of) are the ones to the side of the vehicle. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Rants and Raves Tagged With: HF Radio, modifications, road safety

A Few Points about Armoured Glass and Maintenance

Published March 29, 2016 By Mick Farmer

Armoured Glass

I recently visited IAGs new factory in UAE. As I got shown round the unit that produces the armoured glass (amazed to see the process first hand) I got to confirm and get new information. A new set of windows, including front screen, costs anywhere between 10,000 to 20,000 US dollars, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 4wd Vehicles Tagged With: armoured vehicles

Why I Don’t Like Roof Racks

Published March 10, 2016 By Mick Farmer

Loading Roof Racks

I don't like roof racks and don't have them fitted to any of our vehicles. Reasons for this dislike are many but the main one is safety. Roof racks encourage loading fairly heavy stuff on the top of vehicles. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: Equipment, off-road driving, roof rack

Coolant and Thermostats – Are They Necessary?

Published October 5, 2015 By Mick Farmer

No Coolant Corrosion

Coolant. Water is great as a coolant. However, the disadvantages are it causes corrosion and evaporates easily when hot. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mechanical Tagged With: 4wd, Mechanical

Low Bed Trailers and Speed Bumps

Published September 30, 2015 By Mick Farmer

Concrete-Speed-Bump-Uganda

Some of the speed bumps on the main corridors in East Africa have become mountainous to the degree that some trailers cannot get over them. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Rants and Raves Tagged With: road safety

How I Store Hand Winch Wire

Published September 21, 2015 By Mick Farmer

Hand Winch Wire Storage

Hand Winch One of the most versatile pieces of recovery kit. Couple with a pulley block or two and a length of synthetic rope, to extend, it can do a lot (obviously the synthetic won't work in the winch). … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: Equipment, recovery gear, winch

Key Benefits to Using Push-Pull Steering

Published July 1, 2015 By Mick Farmer

Push Pull Steering

Push-Pull aka Pull-Push Steering It's proactive: Hands are always in a position to make an immediate counter manoeuvre. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: driving, road safety

Why You Should Care Which Handbrake System Your 4wd Has

Published June 30, 2015 By Mick Farmer

interior landrover defender 110

There are two common types of handbrake systems fitted to 4wd vehicles: A handbrake which works on the rear brake shoes. A transmission brake that is fitted to the rear output of the transfer box. … [Read more...]

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

Use Dipped Headlights as a Proactive Driving Technique

Published June 26, 2015 By Mick Farmer

Dipped Headlights Comparison - With and Without

Being Seen Most organisations I work with have older /African spec vehicles that don't have daytime running lights (DRL) fitted. Therefore, I recommend using dipped headlights as a proactive defensive driving technique. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: driving, hazards, headlights

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