Publications

TM 38-260

8-18. Publications

a. Loading, blocking, and bracing requirements vary with the different modes of transportation and the type of

equipment furnished by the carriers. Basic requirements of each type of transportation are published by the various

carriers covering tariffs, classifications, loading rules, or other publications.

b. The most complete collection of rules and regulations pertaining to the loading, blocking, bracing, and

handling of machinery is published by The Association of American Railroads (AAR). These publications provide detailed

guidance in connection with the loading procedures for rail movement. The techniques described therein also have

application to loading for other modes of transportation.

8-19.

Selection of Carrier Equipment

a. Equipment furnished by the carriers should be inspected by the shipper to detect the presence of corrosive

elements from the previous loading. Evidence of salt, sulfur, or carbide would be cause for rejection of carrier equipment.

b. Carrier equipment accepted for loading must have sound and reasonably smooth floors and be equipped with

substantial intermediate floor supports. Floors must be of a condition to prevent the seepage of water, dust, or other

elements.

c. With the exception of barges, only carrier equipment with wooden floors should be loaded. Metal floors do not

provide the natural fiction afforded by the wood-to-wood contact, or metal-to-wood contact in the case of aluminum skids,

nor do they provide the flexibility in blocking and bracing.

8-20.

Wood Materials

a. All wood materials used in the blocking and bracing of IPE on carrier conveyances shall

be as specified in MIL-STD-73 1.

b. Any of the wood species used shall be as specified in the Rules and Regulations

published by the AAR.

8-21.

Shipment by Open Conveyance

a. The final step in preparing an item of IPE for transportation is to protect the item from

contamination by water-, dirt, or other elements.

(1) All shipments of machine tools made on an open conveyance must be protected by

watershed tarpaulins, plastic sheet, or strip thin gauge polyolefin conforming to L-P-378, class I,

type I, or waterproof barrier material conforming to PPP-B-1055 class E, or heavier. The scams

shall be sealed with water-resistant adhesive conforming to MMM-A-260.

8-42