TM 55-7440-240-14
Table 7-5. Application of Chain Tiedowns for Securing of Truck, M813A1, and Power (Unit, PU732/M, on Flatcars Equipped with
Center Tiedown Rails
Application
Item
No. required
--
A
Brake wheel clearance. Minimum clearance required is 6 inches above, in back of, and on both
sides of, and 4 inches underneath wheel, 12 inches minimum clearance from end of car to load,
extending from center of brake wheel to side of car and 6 feet above car floor.
3/8-inch-diameter
alloy steel chain, proof tested to minimum of 13,200 lb for vehicles 8,500 lb or
4 ea unit
B
less. -inch diameter alloy steel chain, proof tested to minimum of 27,500 lb for vehicles over
25,000 lb to 40,000 lb inclusive.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Shippers should specify cars equipped with tiedown devices in the quantity shown in item B when ordering specialized railway
equipment. When carriers furnish cars that do not have built-in chains and tensioning devices, chains and turnbuckles of appropriate
size and strength will be used in lieu thereof for securement of vehicles. Load binders are not to be used in lieu of turnbuckles to
tension tiedown chains.
2. Vehicles must face in the same direction and be uniformly spaced along the length of the car to allow sufficient space at each end of
the car and between the vehicles for securement. Apply tiedowns parallel to each other at the same end of the vehicle and from the
vehicle tiedown provisions to the car tiedown facility. The angle of the tiedown should be as close to 45 as possible.
3. Hand brakes must be set on truck and trailer.
4. Vehicle transmissions must be placed in neutral and shift lever wire tied.
5. Open hooks must be secured with wire over the opening to prevent the hook from becoming disengaged from chain link to which
attached.
6. If turnbuckles are used to tighten chains and are not equipped with self-locking devices, they must be wired or locked to prevent
them from turning during transit.
Section III. TRANSPORT ON FOREIGN RAILWAYS
classify. In addition, c l e a r a n c e s vary between
7-7. General
c o u n t r i e s and within a c o u n t r y . C o n s e q u e n t l y ,
The transportability guidance contained in this sec-
evaluation of transport capability must be made on
tion is applicable when the TACFIRE system is
an individual basis.
transported on foreign railways. Consideration is
given to movement on the types of railcars
n o r m a l l y used for the transport of this type of
equipment. The system can be transported in its
Service Flatcars
operational configuration (figs 2-4 and 2-6) w i t h
restrictions within European countries complying
a. The TACFIRE system can be transported on
w i t h the international loading gauge. This also
a number of US Army-owned foreign-service flat-
applies to the majority of the countries in the Mid-
cars. These flatcars transport US military materiel
d l e East, South America, Australia, India, and
exclusively. Table 7-6 lists the flatcars available in
Pakistan. Because of the height, with the shelter
E u r o p e that are suitable for transporting the
mounted in the truck, special clearance and routing
system.
will be required for each country. In Australia,
b. The materials and procedures for blocking and
India, and Pakistan, wide- or broad-gauge railways
tying down the system on US Army-owned
provide greater clearance and fewer restrictions.
foreign-service flatcars are essentially the same as
Because of the various designation systems used by
those used within CON US.
different countries, foreign railcars are difficult to
