TM 55-2320-242-15-1
NOTE
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Bi-level cars with standard friction
type draft gear cannot be used. Use
1. Shippers should specify cars equipped with
only bi-level cars with end of car
tiedown devices in the quantities and with
chain strengths specified in Item "B".
Table 7-3.
Application of Chain Tiedown for
2. Trucks must face in the same direction and
Securing M561 on Special-Purpose Bi-Level
be uniformly spaced along the length of the
Cushioned Car (Fig 7-2)
railcar to allow sufficient space between the
trucks and at each end of the railcar for proper
Item
No.
Application
securement.
Required
3. Tiedown chains must be free from twisted
A
Brake wheel clearance. Minimum
or kinked links prior to their application to the
clearance required is 6 in. above,
vehicle.
in back of, and on both sides of
4.
Tension each chain until a slight
4 in. underneath wheel.
depression is noted in the vehicle suspension
B
4 ea unit
Chain tiedown device. 5/16-in.-diam-
system. After chains have been tensioned
eter alloy, steel chain, proof-
they should be hit sharply with a hammer to
tested at a minimum of 8,500 lb
relieve any binding.
Retention chains if
or %-in.-diameter high test
required.
chain, proof-tester at a minimum
5. All open hooks must be secured with wire
of 8,500 lb. Pass one chain tie-
over the openings to prevent the hook from
down through each of the ve-
becoming disengaged from the chain to which
hicle tiedown shackles, front
it is secured.
and rear. Attach hooks into an
appropriately located link on
each chain. Hand tension each
chain as tight as possible. Fur-
ther tensioning should be ac-
complished by utilizing the ten-
sioning device supplied with the
car.
Section III. TRANSPORT ON FOREIGN RAILWAYS
7-7. General
The M561, when loaded on a suitable railcar, can be transported without restrictions within European countries complying
with the International Loading Gauge (formerly Berne International); the majority of the countries in the Middle East; and
South America, Australia, India, and Pakistan.
7-8. Transport on US Army Foreign-Service Flatcars
a. General. The M561 can be transported on a number of US Army-owned foreign-service flatcars. These flatcars
are used exclusively for the transport of US military materiel. Table 7-4 represents a few of the US Army-owned flatcars
available in Europe that are suitable for transportation of the M561.
b. Materials. The materials required for blocking and tiedown of the M561 on US Army foreign service flatcars are
essentially the same as those used for transporting the vehicles within CONUS. For general guidance, refer to figure 7-1
and tables 7-1 and 7-2.
Table 7-4. Characteristics of US Army-Owned Flatcars Available in Europe for Transporting M561
Flatcar
Platform
designation
Capacity
Length
Width
height*
FF
50-ton
40-ft. 9-in.
8-ft. 7 1/8-in.
4-ft. 1 1/8-in.
(45.36 MT)
(12.42 m)
(2.62 m)
(1.25 m)
SSY
55-ton
31-ft. 2-in.
10-ft. 4-in.
4-ft. 2 3/4-in.
(49.90 MT)
(9.50 m)
(3.15 m)
(1.29 m)
SSYS
66-ton
31-ft. 2-in.
10-ft. 4-in.
4-ft. 2 3/4-in.
(59.88 MT)
(9.50 m)
(3.15 m)
(1.29 m)
SSYM
88-ton
39-ft. 1/2-in.
10-ft. 4-in.
4-ft. 3 1/2-in.
(79.83 MT)
(11.90 m)
(3.15 m)
(1.31 m)
FFLM
90-ton
46-ft. 8-in.
10-ft. 3-in.
4-ft. 2 3/4-in.
(81.65 MT)
(14.42 m)
(3.12 m)
(1.29 m)
*Above top of rail.
7-5
