hydraulic pistons

[dferraro]

Does anyone have any advice on cutting a roof that has a hatchback with hydraulic pistons?

[MetalMedic]

Yep... Break out the glass in the hatchback, use a haligan (or other suitable tool) and pop the hydraulic cylinder off of it's hindge on the hatchback door BEFORE you start cutting. The piston will extend harmlessly as long as you control where it is pointed when you knock it off the hindge.

This is a rather important safety step when cutting a C post on a hatchback, since if you do not do it, the hatch could come up at the time of the cut and cut the resquer or you could cut the hydrailic cylinder and wind up with some form of projectile.

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Richard Nester
Orrville (OH) Fire Dept.


[This message has been edited by MetalMedic (edited June 05, 2000).]

[Ken Metzler]

I agree, the other thing to watch out for, on some hatchbacks they have a spring on them instead of a cylinder that will pop up when you make your cut. Watch out for the ones that are under the hood especialy on car fires. got pics of one that blew out through the headlights and went through a FF's leg, MAJOR OWWE
Ken