General Instructions - TM-55-2320-210-20-40014

Item

No. of Pieces

Application

the lifting clevis located at the rear of the other vehicle as shown in sketch 5,

fig. 8. Substitute, if desired, /2-in. dia chain with grabhook and turnbuckle

equipped with a-safety-lock device, proof-tested at a minimum of 22,500 lb.

Attach one end of the chain to the rub-rail of the car by looping the chain

through the slots in the rub-rail. Attach the other end of the chain to the vehicle

in the same manner as described above. See 2 below for further details.

Brandon single chain tiedown device with /2-in.-dia Excelloy chain, or similar.

proof-tested at 27,500 lb. Locate as shown. Attach chain around the front

axle* of the first vehicle facing one end of the car and through the lifting

chains located at the rear of vehicle facing the opposite end of the car. Sub-

stitute, if desired, /2-in.-dia chain with grabhook and turnbuckle equipped

with a safety-lock device, proof-tested at a minimum of 22,500 lb. Attach one

end of the chain to the rub-rail of the car by looping the chain through the

slots in the rub-rail. Attach the other end of the chain to the vehicle in the

same manner as described above. See 2 below for further details,

*Caution: Tiedowns installed around front axles must not come in contact with electrical wiring,

hydraulic lines, vehicle controls, or other appurtenances. If tiedowns cannot be installed without con

tact with any of the above-mentioned appurtenances, then point of attachment at the front of the

vehicle will be the lifting clevis, the same as at the rear of the vehicle.

2. General Instructions

c. Handbrakes on vehicles must not be set.

d. Gearshifts lever for automatic or conven-

a. When ordering specialized railroad freight

tional transmissions must be placed and wire tied

equipment, shippers should order cars equipped

in neutral position.

with tiedown devices in the quantities specified

e. Open hooks must be secured with wire over

for items B and C (sketches 1 and 2, fig. 8). In the

the opening to prevent the hook from becoming

event conventional chain tiedowns are supplied in

disengaged from the chain link to which it is

lieu of the tiedown devices specified, two of the

secured.

four tiedowns required for each vehicle must have

f. Turnbuckles used to tighten chains must be

an adjustable turnbuckle equipped with a safety-

wired or locked to prevent them from turning

lock device (see sketch 3, fig. 8) located in the chain

during transit unless the turnbuckles are equipped

for tensioning purposes. The chains must be

with self-locking devices.

applied in the following manner.

g. When conventional chains are tensioned, care

(1) Attach the two chain tiedowns without

should be taken to avoid tensioning to such extent

the turnbuckle (see sketch 4, fig. 8) to one end of

that rub-rail may start to rise. Brandon, or similar,

the vehicle and to the car tiedown facility. Pull

tiedown devices when attached to the vehicle

as tight as possible by hand, and attach the hook

tiedown shackles should not be tensioned beyond

to an appropriately located link of the chain.

the point where the springs of the vehicle start to

(2) Attach the two chains with the adjustable

compress. After chains are tightened, they should

turnbuckles to the opposite end of the vehicle and

be struck with hammer or bar to eliminate any

to the car tiedown facility. All four chain tie-

possible misalignment of links. Further tightening

downs should then be made taut by tightening

may be required to take up any slack that develops

the turnbuckles.

because of link alignment.

Note. Load binders are not to be used in lieu of turn-

h. Brandon tiedown devices are not to be at-

buckles to tension tiedown chains.

b. Vehicles must face in the same direction and

tached to the tslots in the cushioned rub-rail

be uniformly spaced along the length of the car

adjacent to the position of the recessed trailer

to allow sufficient space at each end of the car

hitches. This is to preclude the flange edge of the

and between the vehicles for securement. Apply

device, which rests over the inner side of the car's

tiedowns parallel to each other at the same end

center sill, from coming in contact with any por-

of the vehicle and down from the vehicle point of

tion of the trailer hitch when in recessed position

and thereby restricting the action of the cushioned

attachment to the car tiedown facility. The angle

rub-rail. When placement of vehicles on cars

of the tiedown must not be greater than 45.