TM-9-2350-358-BD M109A6 Battlefield Damage Assessment and Repair Download
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TM 9-2350-358-BD SECTION VI. TRACK ASSEMBLY 10-15. GENERAL a. A track is a temporary roadbed laid for vehicle wheels to roll on, without sinking in. Center guides ensure that the wheels remain on the road. Track pins are hinge-pins which permit pick-up and transport of the road (track). Because the ground contact area of the track is much greater than the combined contact areas of all wheels, tracks distribute the vehicles weight better than wheels. The more rigid the ground contact area is, the better the weight distribution will be. Track rigidity is achieved through tension applied to the track by roadwheels, arms and torsion bars. b. When track and suspension components are damaged the vehicle can still operate by eliminating some wheel positions. With reduced ground contact area, however, weight distribution is decreased, and each of the remaining wheel and suspension positions must support a heavier load. This will result in reduced ground clearance, loss of agility, imbalance in steering, and loss of engine power, thereby directly affecting top speed of the vehicle. To compensate, the crew must reduce vehicle speed, select smoothest terrain available and avoid sharp turns. c. Track assembly provides howitzer with mobility over a variety of different terrain. Without an operable track assembly, the howitzer has near zero mobility. 10-16. TRACK WEDGE OR BOLT, MISSING General Information: This procedure allows continued operation of vehicle at reduced speeds with suspension damage. Limitations: Repair will be of an extremely short duration. Personnel/Time Required: • 1 soldiers • 0.3 hour Materials/Tools: • Rod, welding (item 51, Appendix C) • Welding equipment References: TM 9-2350-314-20-1-2 10-17