GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS - TM-55-5811-900-140068

TM 55-5811-900-14

Table 7-3. Application of Chain Tiedown for Securement of M1015 Carrier on Flatcars Equipped with

Cushioned Rub Rails (Fig 7-2) - Continued

Item

No. Reqd.

Application

4 ea unit

Devices. Use the Brandon single-chain tiedown device with 1/2-inch-diameter Excelloy chain, or similar,

proof-tested to 27,500 pounds. Apply the chain from the shackle on the vehicle to the car rub rail

(detail 1, fig 7-2). When required, items D and E may be substituted for item C when required as

indicated below.

2 ea unit

Chains with turnbuckles. Attach the chains and turnbuckles to the shackles and car rub rails (detail 3,

fig 72). Other Details are listed in General Instructions, below.

2 ea unit

Chains. Attach chains to the shackles and car rub rails (detail 3, fig 7-2). Other details are listed in

General Instructions, below.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. When ordering specialized railroad freight equipment, shippers should specify cars equipped with tiedown

devices along with the quantity shown in item C. If conventional chain tiedowvns are provided in lieu of the

tiedown devices specified in item C, they must conform to the requirements of items D and E and must be

applied as follows:

a. Attach the two chain tiedowns (detail 3, fig 7-2, item E) to one end of the carrier and to the car tiedown

facility. Pull as tight as possible (by hand), and attach the chain hook to an appropriate link.

b. Attach the two chain tiedowns with the adjustable turnbuckles (detail 2, fig 7-2, item D) to the opposite end

of the carrier and to the car tiedown facility. Tightening the turnbuckles to make all four chain tiedowns taut.

NOTE

Load binders are not to be used instead of turnbuckles in tension tiedown chains.

2. Carriers must face in the same direction and must be uniformly spaced along the length of the car, to allow

sufficient space for tiedown at each end of the car and between the carriers. Tiedowns must be applied parallel

to each other at the same end of the carrier and down from the carrier point of attachment to the car tiedown

facility. The angle of the tiedown chain must not be greater than 45

3. Handbrakes on carriers must not be set.

4. Gearshift levers must be placed in the neutral position.

5. Open hooks on chains must be secured with wire over the opening to prevent the hook from becoming

disengaged from the chain link to which it is attached.

6. Turnbuckles not equipped with self-locking devices must be wired or locked to prevent them from turning during

transit.

7. Carriers weighing up to 25,000 pounds each, in the quantities shown below, can be loaded on 85-foot or longer

cushioned rub-rail that cars or similar flatcars, with center tiedown positions running the entire length of the car.

Model

No. per

M1015

85-foot Car

89-foot Car

8. For further details, see General Rules 4, 5, 7, and 19A. Section I of the Rules Governing the Loading of

Commodities on Open-Top Cars and Trailers, published by the Association of American Railroads.

7-11