“…the world’s safest vehicle recovery system” 

The Ditch Hitch system is a practical tool for vehicle recovery that has become a lifesaver and injury preventer for industry workers and off roaders worldwide. According to Ditch Hitch, it is the world’s safest vehicle recovery system.

Designed for shock loading

With its light weight, aluminum and anti-corrosive design the Ditch Hitch vehicle recovery system is certified by a professional engineer to withstand shock load forces – the sudden and intense stress that results when a tow driver ‘takes a run at it’. Shock loading is often the necessary evil to build the momentum required to free a stuck vehicle. The unique 180 degree swiveling ‘U bar’ turns with the pull to eliminate side loading and reduce wear and tear on the straps.

Strength tested and industry approved

Strength tested at 78,000 pounds, the Ditch Hitch has a 4:1 safety ratio and is stamp rated at 19,000 lbs. The Ditch Hitch can be shock loaded at 19,000 lbs for 1 million cycles before needing to be recertified. Ditch Hitch states that with 10 years and over 10,000 units in the industry incident free; Ditch Hitch has certainly earned the name of the safest vehicle recovery system. It is no longer necessary to unsafely recover a stuck vehicle using chains, slings with tail chains, tow ropes with hooks, trailer balls, shackles or pintle hitches. With the Ditch Hitch users are able to eliminate the use of hazardous towing mechanisms that were never intended to support the forces required to free a stuck vehicle.

Ditch Hitch to Ditch Hitch

The system works by bringing together a recovery vehicle and a stuck vehicle by inserting a Ditch Hitch into each of their standard 2×2” / 2.5” with reducer frame-mounted receivers. With both the recovery vehicle and the stuck vehicle equipped with a Ditch Hitch, it will ensure a safe recovery as the units can withstand the massive force needed to pull the stuck vehicle free.

Recovery straps

Connecting each Ditch Hitch unit is a Fuse Link strap designed to be the weakest link in the system. This 25-foot Fuse Link strap is designed to break at 19,000 pounds ensuring that it will be the only item to fail in the system. With this Fuse Link strap being the weakest link, vehicle recovery has become a much safer task as the two vehicles and their operators are not at risk of any flying broken metal objects that have been a major hazard throughout this process in the past.

Snap Trap

Another exceptional safety product in the Ditch Hitch line is the ‘Snap Trap’. The Snap Trap is designed as a kinetic energy diffuser. The Fuse Link vehicle recovery strap is threaded through the loops of the Snap Trap. If the Fuse Link strap connecting each Ditch Hitch were ever to break during a recovery operation, the Snap Trap will absorb the energy being released from the strap and stop it from coming into contact with a vehicle or personnel involved in the recovery.

Safety first

Keeping consistent with its commitment to safety, the complete Ditch Hitch System includes a number of additional crucial safety components as follows:

Pre-Job Check List – The Vehicle Recovery Pre-Job Check List is filled out by both parties involved in the vehicle recovery process to ensure all parts are installed and properly secured and all safety measures are in place. The 2-Part carbonless Checklist ensures nothing is overlooked before the recovery operation begins.

Lock Rings – Unique to Ditch Hitch, the Lock Ring ensures the receiver pin can never be dislodged by tall grass or improper installation. The Lock Ring replaces the lynch pins or spring clips and provides a quick, safe and easy-to-use fastener for the Ditch Hitch pins.

Visi-Sleeve – The Visi- Sleeve is a high visibility sleeve that is placed in the middle of the recovery strap to illuminate the strap during nighttime vehicle recovery operations and allow oncoming traffic to see the strap and avoid collision.

New product announcements

Later in 2015, Ditch Hitch will be launching the ‘Son of A Hitch’- a smaller version of the Ditch Hitch that is designed to fit the 1¼ receivers found in quads, argos and small SUVs. Also, a larger version of the Fuse Link recovery strap and larger Snap Trap will be available for heavy equipment extrication / recovery.

For further information on Ditch Hitch products contact your local EMCO Waterworks location, or visit: www.emcowaterworks.com