TM 55-2320-272-14-1
3-3. Vehicle Preparation
Truck preparations for rail transport include:
a. Securing all loose items.
b. Removing all trash and mud from the vehicle.
c. Checking for fluid leaks and repairing defects.
d. Inspecting the engine and brakes, and repair-
ing any defects.
e. Inspecting tiedown provisions, and repairing
or replacing any defective or missing provisions or
shackles.
*NOTE*
Most of the trucks’ heights can be reduced by
removing bows, tarpaulin, and exhaust pipe
extensions. If necessary, remove these items
and stow them within the cargo or passenger
compartments.
3-4. Loading Procedures
Place the trucks onto the railcar with a crane of
adequate capacity, or drive them onto the railcar if
a suitable ramp or bridge is available. (See para 4-4
for lifting procedures. ) The trucks must face in the
same direction and be uniformly spaced along the
length of the flatcar to allow sufficient space for
securement at each end of the flatcar and between
the trucks.
Set the parking brakes.
Put transmissions in neutral, and wire them in
place,
**CAUTION**
Use railcar and ground guides when loading
or unloading the trucks.
**CAUTION**
Do not allow the trucks to exceed 3 miles per
hour (walking speed) during loading or un-
loading operations.
3-5. Blocking and Tiedown
Procedures
Rail tiedown of the trucks depends on the type of
railcar, materials available, the truck series, and
the trucks’ GVW at time of shipment, The type of
tiedown provisions on the trucks depends on the
truck series. The M939- and M939A1-series trucks
have two tiedown provisions (one set) while the
M939A2-series trucks have four tiedown provisions
that act as one set. Figure 3-1 shows the proper use
of the four front provisions on the M939A-series
trucks. Most often, the trucks will be transported
on cushion draft, chain-equipped railcars. Instruc-
tions for this tiedown pattern are given in figure 3-
2 and table 3-2.
The shipping unit should reference MTMCTEA
Pamphlet 55-19 for additional guidelines on tying
down its trucks.
Table 3-2. Rail Tiedown Procedure
Item
Procedure
Chain Tiedowns
Install 1/2-inch chains at indicated locations symmetrically around
(4-1/2-inch chains with
the truck with an angle from railcar deck to chain of about 45
a WLL of 13,250 pounds)
degrees.
Note: When chain-equipped railcars are not available, the shipping unit must provide chains or wire rope for tiedown.
All trucks will require blocking when transported
*NOTE*
on a wooden deck, standard draft gear railcar.
If transporting cargo in the truck cargo
Construction and application instructions for chock
beds, it must be properly secured.
and side blocks are in MTMCTEA Pamphlet 55-19.
**CAUTION**
Blocking is required on wooden deck, standard
draft gear railcars, The shipping unit must
provide blocking materials.
3-2
