MECHANICAL TRANSPORT AND ROUGH TERRAIN DRIVING
Chapter 15
MECHANICAL TRANSPORT AND ROUGH TERRAIN DRIVING
Mechanical Transport
When driving to the team’s weekend training area, correct convoy procedure should always be
followed. This entails driving at the most suitable speed for the slowest vehicle in the convoy and is
normally achieved by positioning this vehicle at the front. Sufficient space to allow controlled breaking
and other road users to overtake should always be maintained between vehicles.
On operations, the above convoy procedure is often discounted depending on the speed of reaction
required for the incident.
Remember however, that the use of blue lights and sirens in no way exempts drivers from complying
with the Road Traffic Act, including speed restrictions and giving way.
When travelling in Team vehicles, all passengers must be seated in a safe position and are to wear
seat belts if fitted.
Remember also that Mountain Rescue Team vehicles are very high profile and any deviation from
the highway code will seldom go unnoticed.
FIG:181 RAF MRS Landrover with a Command, Control and Communications (C3) Vehicle
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FIG:182 RAF MRS Load Carrying Vehicle
As a driver you should:
a. Take pride in being a good driver.
b. Not drive at excessive speeds.
c. Not show off.
d. Ensure that you change over before becoming too tired to drive.
e. Be aware that you are responsible for the safety of your passengers.
f. Secure your vehicle whenever it is to be left unattended.
g. Take FMT3 action if involved in an accident.
h. Be familiar with the current breakdown procedures.
ROUGH TERRAIN DRIVING
There is every likelihood that, as a MRT driver, you will be required at some stage to take a team
vehicle “off road”. The following notes can in no way replace practical training and experience; they
will however give drivers guidance in the skills required for safe and successful rough terrain driving.
Before you are allowed to drive a military vehicle off-road, you must have successfully completed a
recognised training course, preferably an Emergency Response Driver Training course at the Defence
School of Transport.
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Before Embarking on Cross-Country Driving
Before embarking on cross-country driving, the driver should always take the following action:
a. Adjust the seat further forward, in order to avoid being thrown about and losing
control.
b. Adjust tyres to cross-country pressures.
c. Ensure stowage is good and equipment firmly secured.
Before Leaving Hard Road or Track
a. Reconnoitre, the ground to be crossed on foot to select the best possible route.
b. Engage Diff lock and low range gear ratios, where applicable.
Driving Techniques
Match engine speed to the gear selected: Before traversing a difficult section, select low range
differential locked and a suitable gear, which, for most purposes, second or third is satisfactory.
Remain in this gear whilst crossing and use care when applying the accelerator pedal, since a
sudden power surge may cause wheel spin. Unlock the differential as soon as it is practical.
Riding the clutch: Keep the foot away from the clutch pedal. The practice of resting the foot on the
clutch pedal should be avoided. Apart from premature clutch wear a sudden bump could cause
the pedal to be depressed too far, disengaging the drive, and causing the vehicle to go out of control.
Braking: Keep the application of the brake pedal to a minimum. Braking on wet or muddy slopes can
induce sliding and loss of control.
Use of engine for braking: Before descending steep slopes, first gear low range with differential
locked should be selected and the engine should be allowed to provide the braking. This it will do
without assistance from the wheel brakes. Failure to adopt this procedure may result in loss of
control.
Driving on soft ground: Where conditions are soft, such as marshy ground or sand, reduced tyre
pressures will increase the contact area of the tyres with the ground. This will help to improve traction
and reduce the tendency to sink. Tyre pressures should be reinflated to the standard pressures when
firm ground is reached or at the first opportunity.
Rough rocky tracks: Although beaten rough tracks can be negotiated in normal drive, it is advisable
to lock the differential if there is excessive suspension movement likely to induce wheel spin.
As the track becomes rougher and more rocky, low range may be necessary to avoid slipping the
clutch and to make the Land Rover easier to control. Do not hold the steering wheel with the fingers
and thumbs inside the wheel. A sudden violent kick of the wheel could damage or even break the
fingers. Grip the wheel on the outside of the rim when travelling across country. See FIG:183.
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FIG:183 Correct Hand Position on Steering Wheel
Climbing steep slopes: This will usually require the use of low range second or third gear with
differential locked. Should the slope be slippery, use the highest gear that the engine can manage
without labouring and stalling.
If the vehicle fails to climb a slope but does not stall, the following procedure should be carried out.
Hold the vehicle on the footbrake and engage reverse gear as quickly as possible. Release the
brakes and allow vehicle to reverse down the slope whilst ensuring that both feet are clear of the
brake and clutch pedals.
If the vehicle stalls on a slope, hold the Land Rover on the footbrake, engage reverse gear and
remove the feet from both clutch and brake pedals. Start the engine whilst in gear and allow the Land
Rover to reverse down the slope, using only the retardation effect of the engine for braking.
When back on level ground or where forward traction can be regained, then possibly a faster
approach will overcome the inertia and the extra momentum will often enable the slope to be climbed.
Ground clearance: Be aware of the need to maintain ground clearance under the chassis and a
clear approach and departure angle. Avoid existing deep wheel ruts, sudden changes in slope and
obstacles which could interfere with the chassis.
Rutted and existing wheel tracks: Generally the tendency is to over-steer the vehicle under these
circumstances, resulting in the vehicle being driven on left - or right-hand lock in ruts. This should be
avoided as it produces drag at the road wheels and can be dangerous, causing the vehicle to veer off
the track the moment the front wheels reach level ground or find traction.
Negotiating a ‘V’ shaped gully: This should be tackled with caution since steering up or down the
gully walls could lead to the vehicle becoming trapped on the bank or on an obstacle such as a
tree or rock. See FIG:184.
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MECHANICAL TRANSPORT AND ROUGH TERRAIN DRIVING
FIG:184 Negotiating a “V” Shaped Gully
Crossing ridges and ditches: Bearing in mind the ramp break-over angle and the action of the
differential, select a path so that the condition under each wheel is similar to that under the opposite
wheel of the same axle. This principle should be applied both in avoiding dissimilar ground surfaces
under opposite wheels and in assessing the correct angle of approach to an obstacle so as to avoid
the wheels being lifted off the ground.
Crossing over a ridge: Approach a ridge at right angles so that both front wheels go over together.
If approached at an angle, traction can be completely lost through diagonally opposite wheels leaving
the ground. See FIG:185.
FIG:185 Crossing a Ridge
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MECHANICAL TRANSPORT AND ROUGH TERRAIN DRIVING
Crossing a ditch: Ditches should be crossed at an angle so that three wheels are kept in
contact with the ground. If approached at right angles the two front wheels will drop into the ditch,
effectively preventing forward or rearward movement. See FIG:186.
FIG:186 Crossing a Ditch
Traversing slopes: Traversing a slope should be undertaken in the following way. Check that the
ground is firm under all wheels and that it is not soft under the downhill side wheels. Also avoid the
uppermost wheels climbing up over a rock or tree root, both of these situations could result in the
vehicle rolling on to its side. See FIG:187.
FIG:187 Traversing Slopes
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Descending steep slopes: Stop the vehicle at least a vehicle’s length before the slope and engage
first gear, low range with the differential locked. Check gear engagement before moving off. Do not
touch the brake or clutch during the descent - the engine will limit the speed, and the vehicle will
remain perfectly under control while the front wheels are turning. If the vehicle begins to slide,
accelerate to maintain directional stability. See FIG:188.
FIG:188 DESCENDING STEEP SLOPES:
a. Stop at least a vehicle’s length before the slope. Select first gear low range with the
differential locked.
b. Engine retardation.
c. Now unlock differential and change into second or third gear.
Wading: The maximum advisable wading depth is approximately 0.5 metres (20 in). See FIG:189.
Before wading, make sure that the timing cover drain plug fitted to the diesel model only; and the
flywheel housing drain plug are in position, and if the water is deep, slacken off the fan belt.
To prevent saturation of the electrical system and air intake, avoid excessive engine speed. A low
gear with the differential locked is desirable and sufficient throttle should be maintained to avoid
stalling if the exhaust pipe is under water.
FIG:189 Wading
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After being in water: Make sure that the brakes are dried out immediately so that they are fully
effective when needed again. This can be accomplished by driving a short distance with the footbrake
applied. Also re-tighten and adjust the fan belt, remove the flywheel housing drain plug and, on
diesel models remove the timing cover drain plug.
Do not rely on the handbrake to hold the vehicle once the transmission brake has been subjected to
mud and water; leave the vehicle parked in gear.
Driving in soft, dry sand: When conditions are soft, reduced tyre pressures will increase the contact
area, help improve traction and reduce the tendency to sink. Select a gear, lock the differential and
stay in it.
Because of the drag of the sand, the instant the clutch is disengaged the vehicle will stop. If a
standing start in sand or on the side of dunes is necessary, exercise care in applying the accelerator
pedal, as sudden power will induce wheel spin and cause the vehicle to dig itself into trouble.
Ice and snow: 4x4 vehicles are, of course, used extensively in snow and icy conditions. The driving
techniques are generally the same as driving on mud or wet grass. Select the highest gear possible
with the differential locked and use only sufficient engine revolutions to just move the vehicle forward
without labouring. Avoid violent movements of the steering wheel and use the brakes, with care, only
if necessary. Learn how to fit vehicle snow chains correctly.
After Driving Across Country
Cross country driving subjects a vehicle to considerably greater strains than normal road driving. In
consequence the following points will require particular attention as soon as possible after leaving a
cross-country section:
a. Check steering assembly for excessive play or distortion.
b. If tyre pressures have been reduced, then tyres will be re-inflated to normal road
pressures.
c. Check levels of oil and water.
d. Check for damage due to ‘Bellying’.
e. Disengage Diff Lock; this must never be used on a hard surface.
f. Dry out brakes.
Vehicle recovery: Should the vehicle become immobile due to loss of wheel grip, the following
hints could be of value:
a. Avoid prolonged wheel spin; this will only make matters worse.
b. Try to remove obstacles rather than force the vehicle to cross them.
c. If the ground is very soft, reduce tyre pressure if this has not previously been
done.
d. Clear clogged tyre treads.
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MECHANICAL TRANSPORT AND ROUGH TERRAIN DRIVING
e. Reverse as far as possible, then the momentum reached in going forward again
may get the vehicle over the obstacle.
f. Brushwood, sacking, or any similar ‘mat’ material placed in front of the tyres will help in
producing tyre grip.
g. If possible, jack up the vehicle and place material under the wheels. Great care must
be taken when doing this to avoid personal injury.
Note: The vehicle winch fitted to RAF MRS Land Rovers must only be used by trained personnel. It’s
use is limited to vehicle recovery and great care must be taken during operation.
Vehicle Skids
Skids do not JUST happen, they are caused by what a driver does to his vehicle.
Causes
Acceleration: Sudden or heavy use of the accelerator, especially in the low gears, can cause
the driving wheels to spin on the road surface, instead of gripping it and driving the vehicle. Unless
the accelerator pressure is eased off, the vehicle could go into a skid because of the wheels spinning.
Braking: Harsh and uncontrolled braking is one of the chief causes of skidding. Mainly because
heavy braking can lock the wheels. The heavier the braking, the more the weight of the vehicle is
thrown forward causing loss of weight and grip to the rear wheels, they are then more likely to lock.
Unless braking is eased off, the front wheels lock too. The fact that the rear wheels lock first means
that the vehicle tends to swing, if not to spin.
Cornering: When a vehicle is cornering more weight is thrown on to the front wheel on the outside
of the curve. Not only is the steering affected but the lessening of weight on the rear wheels can
cause them to lose grip and skid.
The Answer
Accelerate Gently: Drive at a speed appropriate for the prevailing conditions. Watch out for wet
roads, ice, snow or fallen leaves, all of which can cause skidding.
Brake Gently and also allow yourself and other road users room to manoeuvre. Finally, allow at
least twice your normal braking distance between you and the vehicle in front.
Corner Gently: Brake on the straight and take the corner at a steady speed and in as high a gear as
you reasonably can. Steer smoothly. Sudden movements of the steering wheel must be avoided
at all costs.
If All Else Fails and you find yourself in a skid, release the brake. The wheels locked will only make it
worse. A rear wheel skid can be corrected by steering into it. ie Rear of the vehicle skids to the right /
driver steers to the right. Beware of over correction as too much could cause a skid in the opposite
direction. If the front wheels seem to be sliding instead of or as well as, the rear ones, release the
accelerator until the wheels regain some of their grip. With a front wheel drive vehicle, too much
power can produce a front wheel skid but easing the accelerator will usually help to correct this.
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MECHANICAL TRANSPORT AND ROUGH TERRAIN DRIVING
Use of Snow Chains
On occasions when traction is threatened as a result of snow, ice or mud on the road/track it may
be necessary to fit snow chains to your vehicle. Fitting of chains should not be left until the vehicle
has already become stuck and should ideally be carried out on firm level ground. Once snow chains
are fitted, drivers should avoid excessive speeds and should normally avoid driving on metalled
surfaces where chains can cause damage to the vehicle or road surface. Great care must be taken
throughout the fitting/removal operation to avoid injury to personnel.
All MRS drivers should be aware of the correct procedure for fitting/removing chains, which are as
follows:
Fitting Snow Chains:
1. Ensure that the chains are free from tangles.
2. Holding the hoop so that the chain net is hanging freely, place the middle blue section over the
back of the tyre, followed by the red ends behind until the whole hoop is behind.
3. Ensure that the side chain is positioned in the centre of the wheel and tangle free.
4. Taking great care to ensure that all hands are clear, slowly move the vehicle forward/
backward until the locking plate is in the 3 or 9 o’clock position.
5. Pull through the red/silver tensioning chain until tight, and lock off in yellow locking plate.
6. Feed any spare chain tightly around the inner ring around the wheel, attaching the end hook to the
nearest spare link.
7. Drive a short distance (approx. 200m), stop and check that chains are still tight. Adjust as
necessary.
Note: It should be possible to fit snow chains simultaneously to wheels on the same axle.
Removing Snow Chains:
1. Completely free the tensioning chain by reversing the previous actions.
2. Taking great care to ensure that all hands are clear, move the vehicle so that the yellow
locking plate is in the 12 o’clock position.
3. Remove chains.
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