Experts in the Sales, Hire and Service of lifting, Winching, Jacking and Load Securing products to a wide range of markets and industries

Experts in the Sales, Service and Hire of a wide range of Lifting, Jacking and Materials Handling products to the rail industry.

Arbil 4x4 is dedicated to bringing you the best brands, best quality and best technical support to give you maximum off roading enjoyment.

 

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Off Roading – Frequently Asked Questions

June 7th, 2011

If you are new to off roading then you probably have lots of questions about the activity. Although it’s a hugely exciting activity there are certain measures that need to be taken in order to remain safe and to keep your vehicle in tip top condition.

Have a look at some of these frequently asked questions to discover if you are following the off roading rules.

Should I follow a winch maintenance schedule?

The quick answer to this question is yes. Many winches are designed to be maintenance free but there are still several things you can do to make the lifetime of your winch longer.

  • Check the wire rope for kinks and flat spots after every use.
  • Rinse your winch after every off roading session, but don’t use a jet wash as this can cause damage.
  • Power the rope all the way out and then all the way in. Performing this action will dissipate any moisture that might have got into the winch and will also heat up the drum and the motor.
  • Get your winch inspected once a year to ensure that it is still working correctly.
  • You can use electric or hydraulic winches.
  • The maximum load that a winch can take is rated by the first layer of drum performance.  Each subsequent layer reduces the capacity by 25%. The amount of force also depends on the angle of pull.
  • Most winches undergo rigorous safety testing but you should check for this before you purchase.
  • It is possible to fit a winch yourself however it is a far more sensible option to have it fitted by a professional.

What about Safari Snorkels?

  • It’s recommended to have your snorkel fitted by a professional. This usually takes around two hours.
  • Even in the strongest of tropical storms only a tiny amount of moisture can find its way down a safari snorkel.
  • Fitting a Safari Snorkel will not obscure driver vision in any way.
  • Safari Snorkel’s are made from a special type of plastic called UV stable cross linked polythene
  • Fitting a Safari Snorkel will not change and may even improve your fuel consumption

What are the differences between batteries?

  • Deep cycle batteries perform differently to normal batteries. Many batteries that are used for 4×4 vehicles are designed to produce maximum power for a short time.
  • A deep cycle battery can be used for engine starting.
  • Many batteries can be charged with a solar charger or trickle charger.

For more off roading tips visit www.arbil4×4.co.uk

 

Essential Off-Roading Equipment

May 13th, 2011

If you love thrills and excitement then why not try off-roading? It’s a sure fire way to have fun and get your adrenalin pumping.

If you already own your off-road vehicle, then here’s a guide to the essential equipment you’ll need to turn your off-roading dreams into a reality.

Liftrax:

What are they?

Liftrax are made from specially designed reinforced fabric and are strong enough to support a four tonne vehicle using the pneumatic power of trapped air. They’re lightweight and compact enough to roll up into a small bag.

This inflatable drive on device will get you out of a tight spot when stuck in mud, sand or other difficult to negotiate terrain.

Hi-Lift Jacks:

What are they?

This is a rugged and highly versatile Jack that puts you in command of any situation where you need lifting, pulling, winching or clamping. It’s lightweight and easy to manage, but still maintains incredible lifting power.

Post Popper:

What are they?

This tool is designed to quickly remove posts manually. It attaches to any type of post in seconds and pulls them straight from the ground without bending them.

WARN Lights:

What are they?

These rugged and powerful lights are great for night driving and will light your way back to the pavement after an exciting day off-roading. You can get flood lights, spot lights and driving lights.

Optima Batteries:

What are they?

Optima batteries come in red top and yellow top varieties. The red top have the power to start demanding vehicles quickly when they need it most. The yellow top provides power for special vehicles with winches, engine heaters, larger audio systems and other applications that demand ultimate energy.

 

Safari Snorkels:

What are they?

These innovative inventions fit neatly over your exhaust and enable you to drive in wild water, sandstorms and heavy snow and rain. They help your 4×4 to keep going in the toughest of environments. They’re durable, stable and deliver a continuous cooler supply of air fro maximum performance.

Tow Ropes and Tree Strops:

What are they?

Tow ropes and tree strops will help get you out of any sticky situation. If you’re driving with others then tow ropes can be used to pull you out of a tight spot, or if you’re relying on yourself then tree strops can be utilised to get you unstuck.

So why not start equipping yourself today with all the essentials and before you know it you could be flying along the tough terrains of the UK in your very own fully kitted out 4X4.

 

A Guide To Off Roading Etiquette

April 21st, 2011

Off Roading can be a fantastic and exciting experience, but just as there are rules of the road in towns and cities, there are rules that apply to off roading. Most of these rules are designed to keep you safe and you can be sure that if you follow them it can only make your off roading experience more enjoyable. So follow these simple off roading rules and make sure that you stay safe while you have the time of your life.

  • Stay right to avoid oncoming traffic. If there is only room for one vehicle to pass then it’s generally the more experienced driver who should give way – but use your common sense
  • When two vehicles meet on a hill and there is no safe place to pull over then the vehicle going up the hill has the right of way.
  • When driving your goal should be to have as little impact on the environment as possible
  • Keep the driver’s side of the vehicle close to any obstacles when driving through, but don’t forget to keep an eye on the rest of the car.
  • Heavily used tracks can cause your undercarriage to get stuck. Try driving with one wheel on the middle hump if you find this is happening.
  • When driving in mud, snow or deep sand, deflate your tyres slightly, this will give them a greater surface area and therefore more grip. Don’t forget to re inflate them when you are finished.
  • Approach obstacles such as ditches at an angle. That way one wheel can tackle the obstacle while the other three remain on solid ground.
  • If you encounter large rocks or boulders then consider whether you will need to build a ramp in order to cross them
  • Think about the kind of safety equipment you might need to take such as a self recovery winch
  • If you know you will be in an area where there will be few other people about you may need equipment like this.

Remember to always consider your safety and the safety of your passengers and other road users when off roading to ensure that you have fantastic fun but remain safe.

 

Why Use A Safari Snorkel?

April 21st, 2011

Safari Snorkels were first introduced in Australia in the 1980’s. They were created as a response to the increased popularity of touring and off roading in four wheel drives. The Safari Snorkel helps protect 4×4 engines from sand, dust and water that might be encountered on an excursion.

Since the 1980’s Safari Snorkels have been thoroughly researched and finely homed to make any 4×4 experience more enjoyable and more worry free.

Safari Snorkels are always manufactured to the highest standards and in cross linked, UV stable polyethylene material. They deliver a constant cool air supply to ensure maximum engine performance. Each Safari Snorkel comes with quality fixtures and fittings for superior sealing, presentation and durability.

Why Do I Need A Safari Snorkel?

If you love off roading adventure then you’ll know a high performance 4×4 can make or break your experience. You want your excursion to be as exciting and challenging as possible. A Safari Snorkel will allow you to travel over dusty and sandy terrain and through water without causing damage to your engine or harming your car’s power or performance.

If you use your 4×4 for work then you’ll know how important it is to maintain a healthy, happy car. With a snorkel you can rest assured that you can put your 4×4 through the mill and still come out smiling on the other side.

Safari Snorkels are a great choice when you are travelling in rainy conditions. All Safari Charge Air Rams feature a fantastic water separator system that is built to remove rain from the incoming air stream, meaning you can carry on driving through even the most torrential downpour.

The Safari Snorkel is even great in the snow. The clever design means that the snorkel can be rotated away from the prevailing wing in a snow storm so that your engine is protected from the choking effects of air build up in the air intake.

So choose a safari snorkel if you want to make the most of your 4×4 and offroad through every season, every type of weather and every type of terrain, safe in the knowledge that your engine is being protected.

 

Essential snatch strap

April 1st, 2011

Buying a snatch strap is not just a case of buying the first one that you see. Careful research needs to be conducted and it is imperative you purchase a snatch strap with the correct rating. A snatch strap whose breaking strength is light will break under the load it is pulling, whereas a strap that has a heavy breaking strength will be unable to stretch correctly, causing damage and stress to the recovery points and even injury.

A formula needs to be used when buying a snatch strap. This formula determines the correct minimum breaking strength of the strap. The correct strength should be between 2 and 3 times the gross vehicle mass of the lighter of the two vehicles being used in the recovery process. It is important that you only use industry standard equipment when recovering a vehicle and that the snatch strap is of the correct rating.

Never be under the misconception that you will never find yourself in dire straits stuck in mud. If you off road in your 4×4 then chances are you will get stuck. Having the snatch strap as part of your recovery gear will save the day and you will never leave home without one again.

 

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