TM-55-2350-215-10-15 M60 Series Transportability Guidance Download
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TM 55-2350-215-10-15 CHAPTER 7 RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE Section I. GENERAL 7-1. Scope This chapter provides rail transportability guidance for movement of the M60-series tank. It includes technical and physical characteristics and safety considerations and prescribes the materials and guidance required to prepare, load, tie down, and unload the vehicle. 7-2. Maximum Utilization of Railcars Additional cargo, as approved by the activity offering the items for transport, may be transported on the same railcar with the tank. Section II. TRANSPORT ON CONUS RAILWAYS 7-3. General. The transportability guidance contained in this section is applicable when the vehicle is transported on CONUS railways. Consideration is given to single and multiple movements for the types of flatcars normally used in the movement of this vehicle. The vehicle, when loaded on a suitable flatcar, can be transported without sectionalization or major disassembly. The M60-series tank exceeds width limits for unrestricted movement and will require special routing as determined by officials of the railroad accepting the load. 7-4. Preparation for loading. a. M60-Series Tank. Preparation of the M60- series tank will vary among loads to be transported over various routes on different rail equipment and with different restraint procedures. When tanks are moved short distances over a single railroad line, preparation is minimal. When tanks are moved long distances through interchange points of several railroad lines, preparation must be adequate to assure safe and economic delivery at their destination. loading procedures are described in paragraphs 7-5 through 7-9. b. Sixty-Eight Foot, 140-Ton, Chain-Tiedown DODX Flatcar. (1) The 140-ton flatcar is a heavy-duty, six- axle flatcar with a loading deck 816 inches (20.73 m) long and 123 inches (3.12 m) wide except for the ends, which are tapered to 117 inches (2.97 m). Its metal deck has four lengthwise channels holding 48 chain tiedown assemblies. The two outboard channels marked A and D are 34 inches (.86 m) from the centerline of the flatcar. The two inboard channels marked B and C are 239/16 inches (.60 m) from the centerline of the flatcar. Each channel has 44 primary tiedown positions marked on the deck of the flatcar. Between each marked position are four more positions; each is 3 inches (.08 m) apart. (2) Each chain tiedown assembly is made up of an anchor, which is movable in the channels; a turnbuckle; a compression unit, and a 1/2-inch alloy- steel chain, 8 feet (2.44 m) long, with an open hook on the load attachment end and a grabhook on the turnbuckle end. (3) Before loading, the chain anchors must be locked at proper locations. With the use of the turnbuckle as a handle, the chain anchor must be slid along the bottom of the channel and lifted to the required locking location in the channel. For the anchor to be locked in position, the tabs at each end of the anchor must be rotated up and moved sideways to retract the movable pins in the anchor, and the anchor must be lifted to completely seat in the channel notches. This position must be held while the tabs at each end of the chain anchor are moved sideways, to extend the movable pins so they rest on top of the channel. The tabs must be rotated down and into the recess keeper. Each turnbuckle must be extended to its mechanical stop. (4) Each tiedown chain (and its fittings) to be used be inspected for visible breaks, cracks, gouges, open welds, or deformed components. Special attention must be given to the connector link that attaches the chain to the anchor fitting. If defects are found, the chain or fitting must be replaced. (a) Flatcars manufactured by Fruit Growers Express Company are equipped with chains that have a sliding hook at the free end of the chain. If all components are free of visible damage, the eight-link segment next to the free end of the chain must be compared with the eight-link segment 7-1