Chapter 6. TRANSPORT OF ONE OR TWO M88 RECOVERY VEHICLES

TM 55-2220-058-14

CHAPTER 6

TRANSPORT OF ONE OR TWO M88 RECOVERY VEHICLES

6-1. Scope

This chapter provides guidance for transport of one or two M88 recovery vehicles on the 140-ton flatcar and

prescribes the loading and tiedown procedures.

6-2. General

The M88 recovery vehicle with the machine-gun removed is 135 inches (3.43 m) wide and 117.2 inches (2.98

m) high. When the vehicle is loaded on the flatcar, its tracks extend about 6 inches (0.15 m) beyond each side

of the car. The M88 recovery vehicle can be transported on the flatcar without major disassembly, but will

require special routing by the railroads because its width exceeds the 128inch limit for unrestricted movement.

6-3. Loading M88 Recovery Vehicles

a. A single M88 recovery vehicle can be loaded onto the flatcar either by being driven onto the car over

an end-loading ramp or by being lifted onto the car with a crane or cranes of at least 55ton capacity. The

vehicle must be centered on the car with about equal overhang of its tracks on both sides of the car. A

difference of 1 inch between the left-side and right-side overhang is the maximum permitted by many railroad

load inspectors. The vehicle must be positioned so that the white mark at the center of the flatcar side is

centered between the third and fourth roadwheels. The chain tiedown arrangement for a single M88 recovery

vehicle is shown in figure 6-1. The bill of materials required to secure one M88 recovery vehicle on the flatcar

is provided in table 6-1. The application of materials and chain tiedowns for a single M88 recovery vehicle is

explained in table 6-2.

6-1