Overview of Grab Hook

Fully retract the Grab Hook cylinder (open the Grab Hook) before backing the Gooseneck/prime mover to the lowboy.

With the Gooseneck Pick-up Hooks positioned completely under the Pick-up Shaft, close the Grab Hook fully around the Pick-up Shaft. This properly aligns the Gooseneck to the lowboy and ensures the proper connection.

Due to the geometry of the Gooseneck and the toe, the Grab Hook cylinder is forced to retract while raising the lowboy. Even though the Grab Hook cylinder is being forced to retract, the pressure from the toe keeps the Grab Hook firmly seated around the Pick-up Shaft through the raising process. The Grab Hook will remain seated around the Pick-up Shaft during transport

When the lowboy is being lowered, the Grab Hook will slowly unseat from the Pick-up Shaft until the lowboy touches the ground.

Once the lowboy is resting on the ground, there will be a gap between the Grab Hook and the Pick-up Shaft. This gap will transition from being between the Grab Hook and the Pick-up Shaft to being between the Gooseneck Lower Hooks and the Pick-up Shaft as the toe is retracted further. This is key because this is often how the unit will be parked. The final step is crucial.

Once the toe is fully retracted, the Gooseneck Lower Hooks are resting on the ground with the Pick-up Shaft floating above the Gooseneck Lower Hooks. With the lowboy coming in contact with the ground before the toe is fully retracted, the Gooseneck and lowboy separate slightly causing the Gooseneck to be misaligned to the lowboy. If the lowboy is lifted in this configuration without the Grab Hook being reapplied, a miss-hook may occur and the lowboy could potentially be dropped. Even if a miss-hook is avoided, premature wear of the Gooseneck Lower Hooks and Pick-up Shaft is likely. It is important to train operators to reapply the Grab Hook every time they raise the lowboy.