TM 55-2200-001-12
Change 3
Section No. 1--General Rules (Rev.-9-1982)
(f)
Securement Devices-Holes, Slots, Stake Pockets and Strap Anchors.
(1)
Holes not to exceed 1 1/2 inches in diameter may be made in car bodies (excluding stakes, braces and
sills) for the application of wires. bolts or rods. Holes may not exceed 1 inch diameter in top chord angles. To prevent
making holes larger than necessary, the drilling instead of cutting of round holes is preferred.
(2)
Slots 1/2" inch x 2 1/2 inches may be made in car bodies (excluding top chord angles, stakes, braces and
sills), except when equipped with lading strap anchors the length of the slot must not exceed l1' inches, for the
application of wires or bands.
(3)
Cutting of holes or slots in heavy duty flat cars, such as well hole, depressed floor or specially designed
cars may be done only with the authority of the car owner. For other cars, exacting efforts must be made to refrain from
cutting unnecessary holes or slots or to confine them to the minimum number and dimensions, required to secure the
load.
(4)
Points of attachment must be at least as strong as securement used.
(5)
When a figure requires wires or bands to be secured to stake pockets, it will be satisfactory for these items
to be secured to lading strap anchors provided the strength of the anchors is equal to or greater than the strength of
anchors shown on page C-22A (latest revision) of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices. Cables, rods
or chains are not to be attached to lading strap anchors.
(6)
"U" bolts, closed "I" bolts, 3/4 inch in diameter, or similar devices may be used for securing bands to car
bodies except as otherwise specified.
(7)
Attaching rods, bands or wires to stake pockets, inside of gondola cars, is not permitted unless they are so
constructed and so attached to car to approximately equal the strength of each rod, band or wire tire.
(8)
(a) The welding of such items as rods, flat bars and straps directly to both the load and car for the
purpose of securing the load is prohibited unless otherwise provided for in a specific figure.
(b)
One end of the aforementioned items may be welded to either load or car and the opposite end
secured In an approved manner.
(c)
Slotted angles, eye bolts and similar devices may be bolted or welded to the load or the car body for
the application of rods, flat bars and straps. When the aforementioned items are bolted to the load and car, the in
between securement items may be welded. When the aforementioned items are welded to the load and car, the in
between securement items must not be welded but may be secured in an approved manner.
(d)
The strength of such attachment devices and the portion nf the load or car to which they are attached
must equal the breaking strength of the ties.
(9)
Turn-buckles must not be locked by welding turnbuckle to threads.
(10)
The welding of lading directly to car is prohibited.
(11)
Securement items must not be attached to or interfere with car safety appliances, which include handholds,
ladders, coupler operating levers, etc.
(g)
Chain and Chain Assemblies:
1.
At least one link in every five feet of chain shall carry the manufacturer's permanent and distinctive mark
of symbol identifying the grade of chain.
2.
Grabhooks shall be of the clevis type except as provided elsewhere in this rule.
3.
Closed eye grabhooks of high test steel or alloy steel may be used with chains of the appropriate size and
grade when such hooks carry the manufacturer's permanent and distinctive mark identifying the grade of the hook.
Note: Chain assemblies provided by a chain manufacturer with the grabhooks joined by a flash or butt-welded
connecting link or grabhooks attached by a repair type connecting link of the type pictured in Fig. 1, and carrying the
manufacturer's permanent and distinctive mark identifying the grade of the link are exempt from the previsions of the
Rule 15 (g) (3). All grabhooks shall carry the size, manufacturers identification and maximum chain grade identification.
4.
Chains, binders, chain attachments anchor points shall be maintained In good condition. The following
conditions, which are Illustrative and not all-inclusive, are prohibited:
4.1
Cracked welds or links in binders or binder attachments.
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