As a leading manufacturer in the recovery industry Boniface Engineering has always looked for a new opportunities.

Renowned for its innovative products, Boniface Engineering strives to forward this innovation in use.

After an invitation by Jean-Noel of Albertville Depannage to see the Muscle Machine in action. The Muscle Machine was a Scania R580 8 X 4 manufactured by Boniface Engineering in 2004. The equipment mounted on this unique recovery truck was a combination from the Miller family. The combination of a Century 1060S Boomer, Sumo Sidewinder and Eurotow 42 was chosen so that Muscle Machine could turn its hand to anything asked. Over the moon with his Tow Truck (Depanneuse) and keen to show it off the invitation was offered Jean-Noel and greatly accepted by Michael Boniface.

How to use this great opportunity to its full potential.

“Your next task David will be to go to France, down to Albertville and see how Jean-Noel and the Muscle Machine have been getting on.” Boniface Engineering has always been eager to embrace any opportunity, bearing this in mind I nervously replied with “not a problem Mike.” Not knowing what was entailed at the time?

Having opportunities such as this ensures that Boniface Engineering stays at the front of the recovery industry and keeps its well earned reputation of providing innovative products with outstanding build quality. Seeing some of the weather extremities that our products and yourselves have to operate in has shown just how crucial development of its products has been and will be for the future success of Boniface Engineering.

Still mesmerised by the sights and weather of the Alps, it felt like the peaks of the mountain spoke with an enchanting voice. On arriving I was struck down by the sight of the mountains, just looking back in my memory, the views still leaves me breathless today.

I had known that when it gets really cold diesel can freeze but I never thought I would see this, I could not believe that the temperatures in France at night went that low. When the temperature was cold at night it became a guarantee, that the next morning there would be a driver stuck because of frozen diesel.

I was surprised how little the idea of snow worried the drivers in France. It was announced that there was going to be five days of snow. All they could say was “that it would be good skiing afterwards”. The snow came, outcome the snow ploughs with snow chains. Every body just pulled over and placed their snow chains on when appropriate and then carried on as before. Seeing a recovery truck with snow chains on whilst doing a suspend tow, through the narrow streets of a mountain village. This showed me the difficulty that our customers have to get to for their customers. This was another unexpected sight and opportunity. The coach was guided through the narrow streets, at some stages missing the over hanging buildings by less than 20mm.

The friendship between Boniface Engineering and one of its customer’s was greatly enhanced by this trip, whilst forging many new friendships.

Discussions of products in the recovery industry highlighted a difference between the UK customers and continental customers. By sourcing such information from around the world allows Boniface Engineering to keep bringing novel and new developments to its customers.

Pure Muscle?

The grand Muscle Machine of Albertville Recovery, manufactured by Boniface Engineering, is always poised for action. The Muscle Machine is equipped with an Eurotow 42, 1060S Boomer with a Sumo-Sidewinder. The distinct recovery platform is just as happy trundling up and down the AutoRoute as climbing the heights of the Alps.

The following emphasises how the combination of a Century 1060S Boomer and Sumo-Sidewinder makes for an ultimate recovery truck.

It appears that no matter where a recovery is needed in the world, that the reaction by the operator to that elusive phone call is the same. The mad rush of bodies racing around to get to the accident. With scenes resembling that of a 100m dash witnessed by parents at Christmas morning by the children, hurdling any obstacles.

The joy that arrived came in the form of an articulated milk tanker, which was fully freighted. On arriving at the accident, the sight of a man hugging a tree was the first thing to great us. Both Jean-Noel and myself looked at each other with confusion; it was not until we went a little further around the corner that we realised why he was hugging a tree.

The Volvo tanker had slid off the road and was precariously resting on two trees. To add to the problem just the other side of the trees was a 50-60m vertical drop.

The recovery was made particularly difficult by having the insurance assessor watching every move of the recovery team. The tanker was assessed on sight and with its minor damage needed a delicate recovery.

The delicate recovery off the tanker was carried out under the watchful eye or Jean-Noel Hestroffer (Directeur General) of Albertville Recovery.

After being lifted from the banking, the trailer was collected by the company and taken to finish its delivery. The damage free lift by the 1060S Boomer was accomplished with ease. Safety guidance came from a Fassis crane that is also owned and used by Albertville Depannage