TM 55-2200-001-12
Change 3
Sec. 6-Fig. 300 (New-10-1966)
2 ½ TON TRUCKS-85 FT. OR 89 FT., HEAVY DUTY, BI-LEVEL RACK CARS
Item No. of Pcs.
Description
A
Brake wheel clearance. See Fig. 2, Sec. 1.
B
4 ea. vehicle.
Chain tie-down device with a minimum proof test of 22,500 pounds. Attach one tie-down chain
over and around each front and rear lifting shackle, and attach hook into an appropriately
located link of each chain. See sketches 1 and 2. Care must be exercised to ensure that tie-
downs are properly tensioned and that all slack is removed from the tie-down devices.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1.
Shippers should specify cars with normal complement of tie-down chains when ordering rail equipment.
2.
Load binders are not to be used as tensioning devices.
3.
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 chain tie-downs parallel to each
other at the same end of the vehicle. The angle of tie-down shall not exceed 45 degrees.
4.
Tie-downs when installed shall not come in contact with electrical wiring, vehicle controls and other
appurtenances.
5.
Hand and/or parking brakes on vehicles must be set in "ON" position.
6.
Gear shift levers must be secured in a neutral position with a wire tie.
7.
Open hooks must be secured with wire over the openings to prevent the hook from becoming disengaged from
the chain link to which it is secured.
8.
Turnbuckles when used to tighten chains must be of the same or higher proof test as the chains and must be
wired or locked to prevent them from turning during transit unless the turnbuckles are equipped with self-locking
devices.
9.
"A" and "B" deck car floors must have a 100 in. clear span width, maintained to a height of 80 in. above "A"
deck car floor.
10.
Vehicles must be centered on car floors to maintain a 1 ½ in. minimum clearance between vehicle and rack
framework.
11.
On 85 ft. rail cars, three vehicles not exceeding 304 in. in length may be loaded on each deck. On 89 ft. rail
car, three vehicles not exceeding 320 in. in length may be loaded on each deck.
12.
Weight of vehicles loaded on either "A" or "B" deck shall not exceed 50,000 pounds or the load limit of the
individual decks whichever is less.
Note.
When car and rack are both equipped with cushioning devices, 18,000 pound proof test chain may
be used to secure the vehicle.
See General Rules 4, 5, 7, 15 and 19A for further details.
E-130.1
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