Fundamental Operational Instructions for Industrial Tractors

TM 38400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

simultaneously. In such an operation, the fork truck

operator should take the pallets first from one end and

should be taught to place 40by 48-inch pallets for unit

then the other, alternately.

load shipment in a standard boxcar floor layout marked

4. Handling palletized loads. If the loads in

on the practice area floor. Actual pallet loads of

the boxcar have been shipped palletized, the fork truck

unbreakable goods should be used if possible and a half

operator can work directly into the car and bring out one

car should be worked two tiers high in the practice area.

load at a time. In this type of operation, it is sometimes

After the trainee has demonstrated the ability to unload

possible to have two trucks unloading the same boxcar

a boxcar on the practice floor, they should unload

without interfering with each other.

merchandise from an actual car in a fairly quiet location

under the supervision of a competent operator.

5. Handling large items. The following is a

suggested procedure for the loading of large cases that

(d) Instruction in actual car loading

have been stored on short dunnage:

should include the following:

a Drive the loaded truck into the boxcar.

1. Bridge plate placement. Make certain the

bridge plate between the boxcar and the loading

b Place the case in the desired position.

platform cannot slip or slide. It should be securely

c Set the case down on a two-by-four to

fastened to prevent accidents. Inspect car floors to be

permit the forks to be withdrawn.

sure the floor is strong enough to carry the combined

d Withdraw the forks of the truck to within

weight of the truck and its load.

about 2 inches of the edge of the case.

e Lift slightly to withdraw the two-by four.

2. Necessity for caution. When entering or

f Set the load on the floor of the boxcar

leaving the boxcar, the fork truck operator should drive

and back the truck away.

over the bridge plate slowly and carefully-especially

This procedure is reversed for the

when loading. Fast operation at this point can cause

unloading of large cases from boxcars.

accidents and damage. A fork truck with two or more

speeds should always be operated in low speed when

4-38.

Fundamental Operational Instructions for

entering or leaving the boxcar with a load. By keeping

Industrial Tractors.

the truck in low speed, the operator will be less likely to

slip the clutch, thus preventing undue wear on clutch

lining and facings. Boxcars are not always level with the

a. Preparation. In beginning the course on the

loading platform.

Sometimes they are higher,

operation of industrial tractors and tractor-trailer trains,

sometimes lower. This irregularity effects the method of

the instructor should show the same film as shown for

loading and unloading with the fork truck. The following

fork trucks and make the following preparations:

are considered good practices:

(1) Provide one piece of equipment for every

(a) If the boxcar is level or higher than

two students. The same training area, maze, and

the platform, the operator should drive forward into the

obstacle course, as used for training fork truck operators

boxcar with the load and drive out backwards.

can be utilized (fig 4-112).

(b) If the freight car is lower than the

(2) Provide, if possible, one or more tractors

unloading platform, the operator should back in with the

representing each model used at the activity for the

load and drive out forward.

appropriate periods of instruction. If two or more types

3. Handling loose containers.

When

are equipped with identical controls, only one example

unloading loose containers, the operator should place

of these types will be necessary. As mechanical

the pallet as near to the boxcar door as possible, with

operation of the tractor is all that is to be explained

fork entries placed in the proper position for easy pickup

during the preliminary period, it is not necessary to have

by the fork truck. Commodities are removed from the

the trailers available.

doorway first and palletized outside of the boxcar. After

(3) Point out to the trainees that operating a

a sufficient number of containers have been removed,

tractor is similar to driving an automobile. Functions of

the remainder can be palletized on the boxcar floor.

controls and preventive maintenance checks should be

Again, care should be exercised to see that the fork

explained in the same manner as for fork trucks.

entries are in the proper position. When containers in

(4) Before mounting the truck, the trainee will

the center section of the boxcar have been removed,

be instructed to check the following:

the unloading should continue towards the ends of the

car. Pallets can be loaded at each end of the boxcar

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