TM-9-2350-247-20-1 Unit Maintenance Manual Volume 1 M548A1 M548A3 Tracked Cargo Carrier Download
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TM 9-2350-247-20-1 THEORY OF OPERATION — Continued 0003 00 SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS The suspension system supports the carrier and delivers engine power to the road. It allows the carrier to maneuver and be stable. Suspension system components are the drive sprockets, tracks, idler wheels, track tension adjuster, road wheels, road wheel arms, torsion bars, and shock absorbers. The drive sprockets drive the tracks. The M548A1 drive sprockets are powered by left and right final drives from the differential. The M548A3 drive sprockets are powered by left and right final drives from the transmission. The tracks consist of two flexible chains of track shoes. The tracks ride on the drive sprockets and are guided by the road wheels and idler wheels. The idler wheels can be adjusted to maintain correct track tension. The tracks consist of track pads bolted to track shoes that are linked together by pins to form a continuous track. The tracks, each driven by a track drive sprocket secured to the final drive, provide the surface on which the road wheels roll. Track guides keep the track centered under the road wheels. A track tension adjuster at each track idler wheel is used to adjust track tension. The track tension adjuster cylinders are filled with grease. Rubber bumpers cushion the road wheel arms when the suspension bottoms out in rough terrain. There are five pairs of road wheels per side. Track center guides fit between each pair of road wheels. Road wheels mount on arms that are individually splined to the torsion bars. The torsion bars extend the width of the hull, are secured by torsion bar anchors bolted to the hull, and act as springs to keep the road wheels on the ground and from hitting the bottom of the carrier. Shock absorbers stabilize the carrier when operating over rough terrain. Shock absorbers are at each first two road wheels and each rear road wheel. 0003 00-13 Change 1