Operational Instructions for Truck Straddle Carry (or Gantry Trucks).

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

truck straddle carry operations. Because the truck is

(4) Learn to properly position and park the

designed principally as a lumber carrier, a lumber

trailer train perfectly on the first try, since the train

storage yard would be ideal as a training area. The only

cannot be backed into position.

other equipment needed will be several unit loads of

(5) Always park the train at the side of an

lumber, placed on bolsters in such a way that they may

aisle, leaving as much aisle space as possible for other

be handled by the truck (fig 4 125). In the handling of

traffic.

the load, the shoes of the truck engage the ends of

(6) Execute a smooth, slow stop so that the

these bolsters. One short and one long load should be

trailer loads are not jarred.

available for use in training. The trainee practices first

d. Uncoupling tractor-trailer trains.

After the

with the short load and later with the long one in order to

tractor-trailer train reaches its destination, the tractor

gain experience in maneuvering the truck under difficult

should not stand idle while the trailers are being

conditions.

unloaded. Instead, the operator should uncouple the

tractor from the trailers, pick up the previously unloaded

trailer train, and return again to pick up a loaded train.

4-40. Operational Instructions for Truck Straddle

Carry (or Gantry Trucks).

a. Preliminary instructions. At the beginning of the

course, the instructor should display and discuss

appropriate illustrations of the straddle truck. Before

starting the equipment, the instructor should point out to

the trainee the necessity and method of checking

gasoline, water oil, tires, battery, parking brake and foot

brake, drive chains, positions of hoist shoes, lights,

horn, position of gear shift lever (should be in neutral),

and position of hoist lever (should be in neutral).

b. Instructor's demonstration.

The instructor

should now demonstrate to the trainee how to drive

forward and backward.

c. Turning. The truck straddle carry is equipped

with fourwheel steering. Although steering the truck

when it is carrying a long and awkward load can be very

Figure 4-125. Material handled by truck straddle

difficult, the instructor should, in the preliminary

carry is usually stacked on bolsters.

instruction, merely make certain that the trainee knows

the operation of the steering mechanism.

f. Elementary operation. Under the instructor's

d. Using the hoist. Because power to operate the

supervision, the trainee should start the trucks properly

hoist comes from the truck engine, the engine must be

and drive it slowly around the training area. Following

running while the shoes are raised or lowered. The hoist

the instructor's direction, the trainee should start and

is controlled by switch buttons or by a lever, which is

stop the truck, drive forward and backward, turn left and

moved to the "raise" or "lower" position. An automatic

right, and maneuver it into various positions.

cutout is provided to release the power and apply the

g. Training with hoist. After the trainees perform

brakes when the load is bound in the truck or when the

the elementary operations satisfactorily, they should

shoes reach the extreme upper and lower positions. A

practice use of the hoist. The trainees should then

booster level is provided to furnish additional power for

practice this operation until thoroughly familiar with the

the hoist when needed. If the truck is equipped with

use of all the controls. They should be cautioned to

swinging shoes, the swinging action may be controlled

abide by all safety rules governing the operation of truck

by a separate lever or it may be automatic with the

straddle carry.

raising and lowering of the shoes.

h. Picking up the load. Before the truck can pick

e. Training area and equipment. A large outdoor

up a load, the load must be properly stacked on

area should be used as a training area for

bolsters. This stack must not be too high or too wide for

the truck to handle and its weight must not exceed the

maximum capacity of the truck. Be-

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