SHIPPENVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — To call Bauer Truck Repair’s new vehicle a tow truck, is a little like describing Niagara Falls as a little waterfall.
The new Powerbilt PB70SR with a 70-ton sliding rotator is Powerbilt’s largest rotator, and Bauer’s model is the first in the United States, built by Missouri Wrecker Sales from St Clair, MO.
The new equipment joins Bauer’s fleet of vehicles and will mainly be used in connection with disabled trucks and loads on I-80, both with towing and recovery.
Bauer, in business since 1981, specializes in truck repair, towing and recovery, roadside repair, and heavy-duty truck parts.
“We aim for the recovery of the truck and loads in the best possible shape,” said Randy Bauer. “Recovery is important because in some cases the loads are more valuable than the truck. Many loads are worth more than $100,000.00.”
Most heavy truckloads on I-80 and other well-traveled roads in the area are under contract for the delivery of goods. Bauer says the importance of recovery and getting the load up and running can also help save the contract for the trucking company involved with a wreck.
Bauer’s services include whatever is needed for each individual situation. Sometimes they are required to lift a truck onto its wheels while safely reclaiming the load. Other times, his crew must unload the disabled vehicle. Whatever it takes is often an unofficial motto.
In addition to the new vehicle, Bauer is also in the process of purchasing its own inflatable air bags to help lift or move a vehicle back onto its tires. The inflatable bags can gently lift a truck back upright and have more of a chance of saving the load.
Another plus with the Powerbilt is the ability to only require closing one lane of I-80.
“Normally, we must shut down both lanes of I-80 when we’re working on truck recovery,” said Bauer. “Now we can utilize only one lane and permit traffic in the other lane because of the long and rotating crane.”
Bauer recently displayed the equipment at the Midwest Regional Tow Show in Mason, Ohio.
Bauer Trucking also records video of all truck recovery projects to allow insurers a better view of each individual situation.
All of Bauer’s recovery employees are WreckMaster certified wrecker operators and available 24 hours a day for to tow trucks and trailers.
“We also offer load transfer services, either on scene or at our cross loading docks,” said Bauer.
“The POWERBILT PB70SR is outfitted with dual 66,000 LB main winches and dual 35,000 LB AUX, winches,” states the company specifications. “Designed for extreme recovery operations, this rotator is designed to tackle the toughest recovery applications. This rotator can turn in a continuous 360 degrees and has dual house locks. The boom can be transported in forward or rear position.”
Bauer Truck Repair was established in 1981 by Randy Bauer in Venus, Pennsylvania. In 2011, Bauer Truck Repair made the move to a larger, state of the art facility in order to keep up with the growing demand for truck and trailer repair.
Over the years, the trucking industry has changed, technology has changed, and the way that trucks are repaired has changed. Bauer Truck Repair has kept up with those changes as shown by their continued success and their dedication to customer satisfaction.
