How to Operate the Bridge Leg Stabiliser

The Bridge Leg Beam and the Outer Leg are extended or retracted via the remote control joysticks. The table below shows how the joysticks control the two stabiliser legs.

Over Companion Mode

This mode of operation is where the Bridge Leg Beam and Outer Leg are deployed over the top of the companion trailer or rail wagon. This provides maximum stability and allows for rapid loading and unloading of companion trailers.

Positioning The Foot

It is important that the foot is positioned so that:

• The Bridge Leg Beam is as horizontal as possible
• The foot is in full horizontal contact with the ground
• The angle between the vertical axis of the foot and the vertical axis of the Outer Leg is no more than + or - 10 degrees

Deploying the Bridge Leg in Over Companion Mode

1. Extend the Outer Leg first until it is about 90 degrees to the Bridge Beam.
2. Extend the Bridge Leg Beam until the Outer Leg foot makes contact with the ground. The Bridge Leg Beam and Outer Leg may be deployed together as long as you ensure that the Outer Leg foot does not make contact with the ground (or anything else) before reaching its final deployment position.
3. Ensure the Outer Leg foot is in full contact with the ground and that the angle between the vertical axis of the foot and the vertical axis of the Outer Leg does not exceed 10 degrees. Do not load the stabiliser so that the Sidelifter chassis lifts up, only contact is required.

Retracting the Bridge Leg in Over Companion Mode

1. Ensure that you have completed your container lift and the container is secure on the Sidelifter or companion vehicle.
2. Ensure chains and crane arms are stowed securely.
3. Start retracting the Bridge Leg Beam first until the Outer Leg foot is above the ground.
4. Both leg and beam may be retracted together so long as you ensure that the Outer Leg and foot do not make any contact with the ground or the companion vehicle.
5. Ensure that the Outer Leg is securely stowed against the Bridge Leg Beam with the Outer Leg foot in contact with the Bridge Leg Beam base.

On Companion Mode

This mode of operation is used for trailer to trailer container transfers where the Outer Leg is stowed against the Bridge Leg Beam and the Outer Leg rests on the deck of the companion vehicle. The part of the Outer leg that rests on the companion vehicle deck is a load transfer area where a pressure plate protrudes through the Outer Leg. This mode is used in situations where the Bridge Leg Beam cannot be deployed in Over Companion mode due to space restrictions.

Positioning the Outer Leg

It is important that:

• The Outer Leg is fully stowed into the Bridge Leg Beam with the Outer Leg foot in contact with the Bridge Leg Beam base. If this is not done then the Outer Leg structure could fail when deployed to the companion vehicle deck.
• Timber dunnage is placed at the point where the Outer Leg pressure plate will contact the deck of the companion vehicle. If this is not done then the deck of the companion vehicle may be damaged.

Deploying the Bridge Leg in On Companion Mode

1. Ensure that the Outer Leg is securely stowed against the Bridge Leg Beam with the Outer Leg foot in contact with the Bridge Leg Beam base.
2. Place appropriately sized dunnage on the deck of the companion vehicle at the point where the Outer Leg pressure plate is expected to make contact with the companion vehicle deck.
3. Extend the Bridge Leg Beam until it the point where the Outer Leg pressure plate is about to make contact with the dunnage timber.
4. Adjust the dunnage timber position if necessary.
5. Extend the Bridge Leg Beam until it makes firm contact with the dunnage timber. The Outer Leg pressure plate should just rest on the dunnage but should not be loaded so as to raise the chassis of the Sidelifter.

Retracting the Bridge Leg in On Companion Mode

1. Ensure that you have completed your container lift and the container is secure on the ground on on the Sidelifter or companion vehicle.
2. Ensure chains and crane arms are stowed securely.
3. Retract the Bridge Leg Beam to the fully stowed position.
4. Remove the timber dunnage from the companion vehicle.