Recovering an immobilized semi, bus or piece of heavy equipment is challenging enough. Reaching that equipment can be even more complex when a vehicle is stranded in wooded terrain, soft ground, snow or other difficult conditions.
Conventional wreckers provide substantial pulling power, but their size and accessibility can limit recovery options.
For Daryl Sheltry, founder of Ultra Built Mfg., that challenge presented an opportunity to develop a more compact, versatile recovery system.
Today, the Chickasha, Oklahoma-based manufacturer builds skid steer-mounted winch boxes powered by BRADEN TR Series hydraulic planetary recovery winches.
The combination brings substantial pulling power to locations where conventional tow trucks may be unable to reach and operate effectively.
Sheltry cultivated 15 years of towing and recovery experience when he began developing an alternative to conventional recovery equipment.
In 2019, he modified a four-wheel-drive Chevrolet Suburban with a rear-mounted winch system to access locations that were difficult or impractical for the bigger wreckers. That same year, he engineered a prototype skid steer attachment incorporating a hydraulically driven winch box.
The concept was straightforward: Pair a compact, maneuverable machine with a heavy-duty recovery winch. After approximately six months of refinement, Sheltry applied for his original patent, laying the foundation for Ultra Built Mfg.
Without relying exclusively on large wreckers or additional heavy equipment, the skid steer with its compact footprint and tracked undercarriage offered a practical alternative.
Sheltry describes the result as a wrecker in a much smaller package. “Traditional wreckers are always running into issues trying to recover stuff in places we can’t get tow trucks,” he says. “We usually ended up having to call a bulldozer.”
The winch box OEM’s attachment allows operators to navigate challenging terrain while positioning the winch box for recovery operations.
“Anywhere you can put a skid steer, you can put the power of a semi wrecker, in a 20-ft package versus a 40-ft package,” Sheltry explains. “It’s a semi wrecker in compact form.”
At the center of Ultra Built’s heavy-duty recovery systems are BRADEN TR Series hydraulic planetary winches, engineered for reliable pulling power, operating efficiency and demanding recovery applications.
The manufacturer’s HDRU20 and HDRU30 winch boxes incorporate BRADEN TR20 and TR30 recovery winches — providing 20,000 lb and 30,000 lb of rated first-layer line pull, respectively.
For applications requiring greater recovery flexibility, Ultra Built’s ELITE-40/60 system incorporates two BRADEN TR20 or TR30 winches. Its twin-boom design allows independent operation of each winch, providing additional options for configuring pulls from multiple directions.
Together, these configurations give towing and recovery operators choices for matching winch equipment to the demands of their work.
The demands of heavy-duty recovery extend beyond raw pulling power. Proper equipment selection, rigging, ground conditions and operating within rated capacities are essential considerations for every recovery.
Operators additionally require dependable winch control, effective rope management and equipment designed to withstand repeated use under challenging field conditions.
Ultra Built’s objective is to provide operators with a recovery attachment that combines substantial pulling capability with a manageable equipment footprint. They recommend tracked skid steers and incorporate an aggressive ground-engaging blade with cutting teeth to help establish a stable machine position during winching.
BRADEN TR Series winches incorporate a highly efficient planetary gear train designed for fast line speeds and continuous winch operation. Features such as oil-bath lubrication, wear-resistant urethane brake seals, low-friction ball bearing drums, and manual or air-actuated freespool clutches support performance and serviceability.
Their compact, low-profile configuration also provides flexibility for manufacturers integrating winches into specialized equipment.
Ultra Built’s winch boxes are also designed to work with standard-flow hydraulics, eliminating the need for high-flow hydraulic systems. This expands compatibility with commonly available tracked skid steers and supports the company’s focus on practical, adaptable recovery equipment.
The manufacturer has also continued refining its equipment with improved operator visibility, protective shielding and chassis configurations that make it easier to access components and enter or exit the skid steer cab.
As Ultra Built expanded its product lineup, optimizing the integration of the winches became an important part of the equipment’s evolution. Through collaboration with BRADEN, a specialized winch configuration was developed to accommodate the space constraints of Ultra Built’s compact winch boxes without compromising the required pulling performance.
Sheltry says that responsiveness and willingness to adapt the product to his application have been particularly valuable. For BRADEN, the collaboration demonstrates how manufacturer input and unique application requirements can inform the design and integration of proven winch technology.
Says Sheltry: “They (TR Series winches) are customized for my applications, tailored for my needs versus me having to change something.”
Compact winch attachments provide another option for towing and recovery operators, particularly when difficult terrain, limited access or challenging vehicle positioning makes conventional recovery equipment impractical.
For companies with suitable tracked skid steers, these attachments can also expand the versatility of existing equipment.
For OEMs developing specialized recovery equipment, choosing the right winch involves more than rated pulling capacity. Equipment integration, compatible configurations, product availability, technical expertise and responsive support before and after the sale all contribute to long-term equipment performance and manufacturer relationships.
Ultra Built’s collaboration with BRADEN reflects these considerations, combining proven hydraulic winch technology with a purpose-built attachment designed for demanding recovery applications.
Sheltry’s original concept has since developed into a product line serving recovery operators facing many of the same challenges he encountered in the field. Interest from fellow operators helped convince him that his initial solution had broader potential.
“Somebody asked if I could build them one,” he says. “After that happened three or four times, I thought, ‘This is probably a pretty good idea.’”
Opt in to receive email communications, including service bulletins, newsletters and product updates.
