Dunnage.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

tight polyethylene encased in layers of 100-pound test

(7) In not seriously affected by changes in

extensible kraft paper. The outer layer of kraft paper is

temperatures and altitude encountered during surface

coated with a weather-resistant polyethylene coating.

transport (pneumatic dunnage is not for use in aircraft).

The ends of the bag are sealed by a procedure in which

d. Comparative dunnaging costs.

the polyethylene inner bag and all layers of paper are

(1) Use of pneumatic dunnage can result in

wrapped around a 7/16 inch wooden dowel. The inner

substantial savings in certain applications when used in

bag and paper are held in position on the dowel by a 1/s

lieu of conventional-type dunnage.

To effectively

inch thick tubular metal sleeve. An inflating valve is

assess the possibilities of savings by use of this method

heat-sealed into the inner bag. This valve is not

as compared to fixed dunnage in a particular situation, it

designed for rapid deflation of the unit. At destination,

is necessary to consider the following:

disposable pneumatic dunnage is deflated by cutting or

(a) Man-hours required for the dunnage

otherwise puncturing the bag.

operations as well as hourly rates for workers (skilled car

c. Dunnage.

Performance and cost are two

blockers are not required for pneumatic dunnage).

principal considerations in dunnaging of material in

(b) Cost of conventional dunnage

transportation conveyances. Regardless of costs, the

material as opposed to the cost of reusable pneumatic

selected methods must do the job; however, there is

dunnage. In the case of reusable pneumatic dunnage,

usually more than one method that will achieve the

usage cost is obtained by dividing the original cost of

performance goal; hence, cost comes into clear focus.

the unit by the number of trips expected from the unit

Over many years of experience, the application of fixed

(this could range up to 100 or more trips).

dunnage is well understood. This technique is explained

(c) Miscellaneous costs to include any

elsewhere in this part. So that a method may be

cost of the return or reusable pneumatic dunnage as

properly explored in determining the most preferable

well as administrative costs to control accountability.

dunnage to install under a given situation, the

Maintenance of the reusable units is considered

advantages and considerations in the use of pneumatic

negligible.

dunnage are listed below:

(d) Salvage value of conventional

(1) Allows more rapid installation and

dunnage.

removal than conventional dunnage.

Under many

applications, this method is more economical in total

(e) Dunnage removal costs.

than other dunnaging methods (see d below).

(f) The choice between use of

(2) Provides a highly resilient load restraining

disposable or reusable pneumatic dunnage. Where the

method.

return of dunnage units can be reasonably assured, the

reusable types are generally the more economical to

(3) Provides relatively low pressure bracing

use. The choice to be made is not solely a judgment as

(2 to 5 PSI) for loads. (Inflation pressure for pneumatic

to whether pneumatic dunnage is more economical to

dunnage units in truck trailers/containers must not

use than the more conventional method. A further

exceed three-quarters PSI maximum.)

determination must establish which type and size of

(4) Is capable of tightening loads in which

pneumatic dunnage offers the greater cost advantage.

compactness was not sufficiently achieved during

(g) A loading pattern which results in

loading; however, efficiency of loading procedures

the very minimum void space so as to eliminate the use

should not be reduced because of this corrective action

of any dunnage is the most economical procedure.

of pneumatic dunnage. (There is no substitute for

When applied to specific dunnaging problems

proper loading, regardless of type of dunnage material

employing various methods for staying a load, the

used.)

savings to be realized through application of pneumatic

(5) Is capable of repositioning cargo loads

dunnage are in direct relation to the type and extent of

shifted by sudden impact and also will expand to take up

conventional dunnage which would otherwise be

slack developed through normal load jostling in transit.

utilized.

When a load does shift on sudden impact, the dunnage

e. Accessories.

In addition to a source of

unit cushions the load, whereas fixed bracing does not.

compressed air, an inflation kit (fig 3-44) is required for

This cushioning action is advantageous for even slight

the use of pneumatic dunnage (reusable or disposable).

impacts.

This kit consists of an air pressure gauge 015 pounds

(6) Is capable of retaining adequate

with 1 pound graduations and an inflator gun (air chuck)

cushioning air pressure during long-distance shipments

with a /4-inch inside pipe thread. The gauge and gun

up to 30 days.

3-77