TM-55-2320-279-14
M977 SERIES, 8x8 HEAVY EXPANDED MOBILITY TACTICAL TRUCKS (HEMTT)
TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE
TM-55-2320-279-14 - Page 35 of 46
TM 55-2320-279-1 4
CHAPTER 7
RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE
Section I.
GENERAL
7-1. Scope
This chapter provides rail transportability guid-
ance for movement of the HEMTTs. It covers tech-
nical and physical characteristics of HEMTTs, as
well as safety considerations. It also prescribes the
materials and guidance required to prepare, load,
tie down, and unload the vehicles.
7-2. Maximum Utilization of Railcars
Additional cargo, as approved by the activity offer-
ing the vehicles for transport, may be loaded with
the vehicles.
7-3. Safety
In addition to the safety precautions contained in
chapter 3, the following items should be noted as
applicable.
Section Il. TRANSPORT
7-4 General
The transportability guidance contained in this
section is applicable when the HEMTT is trans-
ported on CONUS railways. When loaded on a
standard deck-height flatcar, the HEMTTs are
within height and width limitations of the Associa-
tion of American Railroads (AAR) “Outline Dia-
gram for Single Loads Without End Overhang on
Open-Top Cars” and can be moved without restric-
tion. No special preparation of the HEMTTs will
be required.
7-5. Preparation for loading
The decree of preparation for shipment depends on
the operational commitment. As a minimum, the
following should be accomplished.
a.
Vehicle should be in its minimum shipping
configuration.
b.
Antennas should be removed and stowed.
c. All basic issue items (BII) should be removed
and stowed.
a.
The HEMTTs should not exceed 3 mph when
on loading ramps and railcars.
b.
Guides should be in full view of the vehicle’s
operator.
c.
Guides should maintain a safe distance and lo-
cation in front of the vehicle or on the next rail-
car.
d.
Cranes, gantries, outriggers, and movable
parts should be secured in their shipping position
with half-inch wire rope and cable clamps whether
equipped or not equipped with positive locking de-
vices for movable components.
ON CONUS RAILWAYS
7-6. Loading on General Purpose Flatcars
a.
The HEMTTs may be placed in the tiedown
position on the flatcar by a crane of adequate ca-
pacity, or they may be driven or towed onto the
flatcar if a suitable ramp or bridge is available.
b.
The load illustrated in figure 7-1 is based on a
minimum flatcar width of 9 feet 6 inches. Figure
7-1 provides a tiedown diagram that is compatible
with standard loading practices that will offer ade-
quate restraint. Blocking and tiedown details are
shown in figure 7-2. The bill and application of
materials for blocking and tiedown are provided in
tables 7-1 and 7-2, respectively.
NOTE
A staggered nailing pattern should be
used when lumber of laminated lumber is
nailed to the floor of a railcar. The nailing
pattern for an upper piece of lumber
should be adjusted as required so that a
nail for that piece will not be driven into
or against a nail in the lower piece.
7-1
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