TM-55-2320-273-14
TRUCK TRACTOR, LINE-HAUL
TECHNICAL MANUAL; TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE
AUGUST 1986
TM-55-2320-273-14 - Page 32 of 40
TM 55-2320-273-14
Table 7-3. Application of Chain Tiedown for Securing M915 FOV Trucks on Flatcars Equipped With Center Tiedown Rails (Fig 7-3)
Item
No. Required
Application
A
Brake wheel clearance. Minimum clearance required is 6 inches above, in back of, and on both sides of
and 4 inches underneath wheel.
B
8 ea unit
l/2-inch diameter alloy steel chain proof-tested to minimum of 22,500 pounds for vehicles over 16,000
pounds and up to 25,000 pounds, inclusive.
l/2-inch diameter alloy steel chain, extra strength, proof-tested to minimum of 27,500 pounds for vehi-
cles over 25,000 pounds and up to 40,000 pounds inclusive.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Shippers should specify cars equipped with tiedown devices in the quantity shown in item B when ordering specialized railway equipment.
When carriers furnish cars that do not have built-in chains and tensioning devices, chains, and turnbuckles of appropriate size and strength will
be used in lieu of turnbuckles to tension tiedown chains.
2. Vehicles must face in the same direction and be uniformly spaced along the length of the car to allow sufficient space at each end of the car
and between the vehicles for securement. Apply tiedowns parallel to each other at the same end of the vehicle and from the vehicle tiedown point
to the car tiedown facility. The angle of the tiedown should be as close to 45° as possible. When the length of a vehicle loaded on an 89-foot car
precludes facing all vehicles in the same direction, one vehicle ma y be reversed to ensure application of tiedown at a floor angle of 45°.
3. Handbrakes must be set.
4. Gearshift levers on vehicles equipped with automatic or standard transmissions must be wire-tied in neutral position.
5. open hooks must be secured with wire over the opening to prevent the hook from being disengaged from chain link to which it is secured.
6. Turnbuckles used to tighten chains must be wired or locked to prevent them from turning during transit unless turnbuckles are equipped
with self-locking devices.
7. When vehicles are shipped in a loaded configuration, the gross weight of the vehicle and cargo combined must be determined to assure that
the proper size and/or number of tiedowns are used to secure the vehicles to the railcar.
7-6
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