Posted by Nick Chapman from cooma on 20/05/2009 at 11:50 AM in Community / Cooma

Bermagui man, Christopher Reid, is lucky to be alive after the 24.5 tonne concrete pumping truck he was driving lost its brakes and careered off the side of Brown Mountain last Friday afternoon.

The truck, owned by TCR Concrete Pumping, was being driven back to the coast after a day’s work in Jindabyne.

The accident happened at about 2pm on Friday, 500 metres past Pipers Lookout.

Mr Reid lost brakes and steering for about 500m before the truck rolled on its side and then travelled through the guard-rail, ending up 35m off the edge of the road.

Mr Reid was able to walk away from the accident, with some bruising and a gash on his head. He was able to ring his brother and partner, Tim, to advise of the accident.

Tim, at home in Berridale recuperating from an operation, jumped straight into his car and drove to the scene.

On any other occasion, Mr Reid would probably have had passengers in the truck.

The accident was attended by Bega police.

The truck will be retrieved this week, but it is expected to be cut into about five pieces to be moved.

But, TCR Concrete Pumping will be back operating as usual from next week,

The brothers will travel to Sydney today to collect a new truck.

TCR Concrete Pumping has been in business for only six months and has received plenty of local support. The partners, Tim and Natalee and Christopher and Sonya, do not want to disappoint their customers, so it will be business as usual, as soon as possible.

You don't just 'lose' air brakes, they are neglected and badly worn, and ill-adjusted. Air brakes in good condition can always be 'dynamited' in case of a valve malfunction. My bet is he lost his 'fatty' on the floor, and was more interested in salvaging $6.00 worth of weed than steering the damn truck.

The roads out there are pretty bad even in a car its hairy , i do a bit of fishing out that way!

bad roads keep a lower gear. glad no one was hurt.  It would be interesting to know what did go wrong with the brakes, usually lack of maintenence

Thank goodness for the outcome

The best question,was this a preventable accident.Most likely,yes.As a former driver trainer (city/mountain) I have noticed we are over driving the class 8 trucks.

Growing up (old school) I remember how the road drivers never used a clutch,braked with there left foot and shifting was so smooth the driveline never knew it happend (the shift).Nowdays one sees the ricky racers shifting with jakes (driveline has nervous breakdown),over driving the mountains and things like this happens.

Next time your out on the road (even in your pov) and you see part of a brake drum on the highway you may understand.The damage was done many miles ago (overheated) and the drum became brittle.I honestly feel before a driver recieves his/her CDL they need to trip with a true old school driver,learn respect for the unit.

To safer driving,salute

Red hot brakes do not work well. If there all not working together evenly they loose grabbing power and over heat. Self adjusting? Mine doesn't seem to work? Haldex on a 02 Mack. I've heard once you overheat the pads they get baked and need replaced? I don't know but my brakes are adjusted, mechanics seem to be in good shape, and I still can't stop real quick? A buddy was telling me the adjuster pins might need replaced?

b-alto

Remember the problem your exoeriencing may be treddle valve,4-way valve (drain tanks daily),slack adjusters,drums to far out of spec (worn out).If your shop is not knowledgable/equiped take it to a shop that knows.It only takes one booboo to pay for good brakes,see example above.

Oh,some mack air compressors can be very bad about passing oil.Watch your tanks for signs of oil.

I'm soooooo happy all new trucks over here have disc brakes. Hate drums, especially with our 'off-road' driving.

Shop? Thats me, owner operator. The DOT guy inspected and said they looked good, the trucks in great shape. But you might be on to something with the trendle valve. I'll look into it. I haven't been draining my tanks I thought it was automatic? I've only had this truck for a couple months.

b-alto  do you self a favour, if youve only had the truck a few months stick it on a rolling road and get them properly tested , you ll soon know if they come up to standard or not.

Hey,I just looked and your in the usa (dah).Give the mack dealer a call (free) and give the service manager a chance to help you.I know times are tough but may be worth looking into.

Yeah, maybe i will. 56,000 lbs @ 65 MPH, HMM,needs to be right. There not that bad I'm just nit picking, but i'll look into it. Thanks Brian PS If I find something I'll post.

My brakes were out of adjustment. I adjusted today and they were mostly 1 1/2 turns out. Now they work good. I do keep a check on them but not lately ( week or two), I didn't. I was relying on the auto adjusters? I think it might need new slack adjuster pins? When the slack adjuster pins get loose they don't work? I'm going to replace them all.

The bit of play in the pins means that you lose that extra little bit when you need it most, with worn pins you can't get max braking. Check your slack adjusters while you are there , if you are starting to loose the ratchet click sound and feel when you adjust them up then the adjuster will be on the way out.

Take a bandaid for you nose tomorrow... youll need it when you butt the windshield... its amazin how you get used to crap brakes!!!