Stacking

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

stacking since the increased handling costs for such

items will tend to negate the short-term space saving.

stacked in open storage areas, except as noted in (b)

above. The costs for materials handling, racks, and

dunnage far outweigh any potential benefit since open

(g) Racks may initially be the most

storage space is the least costly of all storage space.

costly of the three types of stacking aids, but their cost

(d) When stacking vehicles and artillery

may also be more rapidly offset by their minimal

in covered storage areas, the floor load rating of the

incidence of repair and the limited requirement to

area must be known. The combined weight of all items

handle and rehandle them during stacking operations.

in the stack, plus the nominal additional weight of

Most racks are designed to accommodate one general

stacking aids (racks, stands, or dunnage), must not

type or size vehicle. They are constructed in one of

exceed this rating; otherwise, damaged floors, structural

three basic configurations: roll through, cantilever, and

damage, and damage to the stored material may result.

suspension. Roll-through racks are well suited to the

stacking of lightweight vehicles (fig 5-18); these are

(e) A variety of MHE types may be

basically commercial pallet racks modified by adding

used to stack vehicles and artillery. The type required

channels upon which equipment may roll forward when

must be determined prior to making the decision to

inserted in the input end of the rack. Since roll-through

stack. Some of the heavier MHE with sizeable lifting

racks may make up long rows and are both loaded and

capacities may be too large to move through warehouse

unloaded from the ends, they may be placed close

doors or may result in a need for oversize aisles. This

together in a block pattern with minimal aisle

would reduce the savings to be derived through

requirements. This configuration will enhance the ease

stacking. The various types of MHE which may be used

with which the FIFO principle may be practiced. The

for stacking are covered elsewhere in this section.

second type of rack is of cantilever design (fig 5-19).

(f) To facilitate the actual stacking of

This type of rack consists of a pair of stanchions fitted

vehicles and artillery, racks, stands, or dunnage may be

with cantilever-type "arms" which support the stored

used. The cost of these aids rises in direct relation to

item from underneath. The cantilever type of rack may

their weight capacity. Racks and metal stands may be

be used to stack items considerably heavier than those

obtained from commercial sources while wood stands

which may be stacked on roll-through racks. The

and precut dunnage may be fabricated locally. Items

suspension-type rack (fig 5-20) consists of a pair of

which experience a relatively rapid rate of turnover

stanchions fitted with brackets from which lightweight or

should not be considered as prime candidates for

medium weight vehicles may be suspended by their

bumpers, lifting eyes, or pintles.

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