TM-55-2350-262-14
ARMORED COMBAT EARTHMOVER (ACE), M9
TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE
TM-55-2350-262-14 - Page 26 of 42
TM 55-2350-262-14
CHAPTER
5
HIGHWAY TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE
Section I. GENERAL
5-1. Scope
CAUTION
This chapter provides highway transportability
Vehicle must not exceed 3 miles per hour
guidance for the movement of the M9 ACE vehi-
(mph) during loading or unloading.
cle. It covers technical and physical characteristics
and safety considerations and prescribes the mate-
5-3. General
rial and guidance required to prepare, load, tie
down, and unload the vehicle.
The M9 ACE is considered self-deliverable only
5-2. Safety
under appropriate tactical situations. The M9
ACE vehicle has a maximum operating range
Besides the safety precautions contained in chap-
of 230 miles (370 km) and a maximum speed
ter 3, movement is subject to all safety laws, rules,
of 30 mph (48 km per hour). Even with rub-
and regulations applicable to commercial carriers.
ber tracks, the M9 ACE must have a special
Overseas, such movements are governed by the
permit for its movement over public high-
theater regulations.
ways.
Section Il. TRANSPORT BY SEMITRAILER
5-4. Transport of the M9 ACE by
Semitrailer
When loaded on a semitrailer, the M9 ACE can be
transported over highways; however, movement
over public highways in CONUS and overseas
should be made only when other transport modes
cannot be used. Normally, highway shipments are
made with the vehicle loaded on a military or
commercial low-bed semitrailer of adequate capac-
ity. In CONUS and overseas, a special permit is
required because the vehicle, when loaded on a
semitrailer, exceeds the length, width, and weight
limitations. The M9 ACE must be reduced to its
lowest shipment configuration before shipment.
5-5. Transport of the M9 ACE on the
M870 Semitrailer Towed by the M920
Truck Tractor
a.
General. The
combined length of the tractor
and semitrailer exceeds the generally accepted
CONUS and overseas unrestricted length of 55
feet. The width and weight of the vehicle and
semitrailer combination exceed the legal limits for
CONUS and overseas. The legal limits for CONUS
are established by the American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials. The
legal limits for overseas are given in the Limits of
Motor Vehicle Sizes and Weights,
published by
International and Road Federation, Geneva,
Switzerland.
b. MTMC Assistance.
Assistance in obtaining
approvals for highway movement of the loaded
transport system can be obtained from Director,
Military Traffic Management Command, Transpor-
tation Engineering Agency, ATTN: MTTE-SA,
720 Thimble Shoals Blvd. PO Box 6276, Newport
News, VA 23606-0276, when highway movement
can be certified as essential for national defense
and no other mode can be used.
c.
Materials. The
bill of materials for blocking
and tiedown of the M9 ACE on the M870 semi-
trailer is shown in table 5-1.
d. Loading.
(1) The
vehicle may be driven onto the semi-
trailer if a ramp is available or backed onto the
semitrailer if the gooseneck of the semitrailer is
extended. However, should physical facilities and/
or equipment preclude these loading methods, the
vehicle may be lifted onto the semitrailer by a
crane of sufficient capacity. Lifting procedures and
precautions are provided in paragraph 6-4b. The
handbrake must be set and the transmission
placed in park.
CAUTION
Since the track width is 106 inches and
the trailer width is 96 inches, about 5
inches of the treads will project beyond
the sides of the trailer. Care must be
taken to ensure an equal amount of tread
overhang occurs on both sides.
5-1
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