One Slip, One Machine, and One Clean Recovery
A Bobcat T66 with a brush hog attachment isn’t exactly light. When one ends up halfway on its side in a roadside ditch, things can go south fast. Especially if it’s mid-job on private property. We got the Oak City Bobcat towing call on NC Hwy 11 on a sunny day. Our customer’s equipment had slid into a ditch while clearing overgrowth and brush, leaving the machine leaning at a precarious angle. Not quite overturned, but close enough that one wrong pull with our tow truck would’ve tipped it the rest of the way.
One Operator, One Truck, Total Control
Time is money, and downtime on a worksite adds up quick. So we knew we had to work fast.
Our heavy operator Christopher “Bull” Jaris showed up with our 16-ton twin line wrecker. This truck’s a beast in a compact package: small enough to maneuver on tight job sites but packing enough winch power to lift most midsize equipment without breaking a sweat.
We pulled up on the customer’s private property, giving us the space and angle we needed. Bull took a quick look at the scene and got to work.
Here’s How We Got It Done
You don’t yank a machine like this out of a ditch, but you guide it out with control and patience. Here’s what the recovery looked like:
- We staged the wrecker on stable ground beside the ditch.
- Rigged both winch lines: one to the upper lifting point, one to the lower.
- Pulled hard on the lower line to pivot the machine upward.
- Maintained tension on the upper line to keep the machine steady and upright.
- Once rotated 90°, we re-rigged both lines to the lower lift points.
- Pulled it straight up to solid ground. No tipping, no drama.
This Oak City Bobcat towing job took less than 45 minutes start to finish.
No Damage, No Delay, Back to Work
This is what we aim for every time: zero damage, zero extra downtime. The Bobcat T66 was fully operable after recovery. No hydraulic issues, no bent components, no broken glass. Our customer fired it right back up and kept working.
That’s the kind of Oak City Bobcat towing result we’re proud of.
FAQ: Bobcat Towing
1. What makes Bobcat towing different from towing regular vehicles?
Bobcats are compact but heavy machines with a low center of gravity and attachments that add weight and complexity. They require specialized recovery techniques and equipment to prevent tipping or damaging hydraulic systems.
2. Why can’t you just pull a Bobcat straight out of a ditch?
A straight pull risks flipping the machine or damaging key components like the arms, hydraulics, or cab. Controlled recovery uses tension and angles to guide the machine back to stable ground safely.
3. What equipment is typically used for Bobcat towing and recovery?
A mid-capacity wrecker, such as a 16-ton twin-line truck, is often ideal. It’s compact enough for job sites yet powerful enough to lift and control midsize equipment like a Bobcat T66.
4. Does proper recovery prevent damage to the Bobcat?
Yes. Using controlled pulls and the correct rigging prevents stress on hydraulic lines, avoids bending lift arms, and keeps the machine stable throughout the recovery.
5. What are the risks of rushing a Bobcat recovery?
Rushing can cause rollovers, equipment damage, hydraulic leaks, or injuries. A steady, calculated recovery minimizes downtime and keeps both operators and machinery safe.
6. Can heavy equipment like Bobcats be recovered without backup trucks?
Often yes, if the right operator and truck are used. In this incident, the 16-ton twin-line wrecker handled the job solo thanks to its power and the operator’s experience.
7. Why should you call professionals for Bobcat towing?
Experienced operators understand how to stabilize heavy equipment, select the right rigging points, and recover machines without further damage—something untrained attempts can’t guarantee.
8. What makes Coastal Towing the right choice for Oak City Bobcat towing?
Coastal Towing combines skilled operators with specialized gear and a focus on safety. We approach every job with a plan, not just force, ensuring quick, damage-free recoveries on job sites or roadside.
Coastal Towing Handles Your Oak City Bobcat Towing with Care
We’ve seen what can go wrong when heavy equipment gets stuck. Slips turn into rollovers. Rushed recoveries end in damage. That’s why we take the time to plan each pull and bring only what’s needed. Our 16-ton twin line wrecker and our operator Bull handled this Oak City Bobcat towing job without any outside help, police involvement, or backup trucks.
Oak City Bobcat towing is never just about brute force. It’s about knowing how to pull without pulling the machine apart. It’s about using the tools that fit the job, not just the biggest ones in the yard.
From roadside ditches to job site mishaps, we’ve got the know-how to bring your equipment back up and running. Call Coastal for all your Oak City Bobcat towing needs.