Towing equipment.

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

Figure 5-23. Wood dunnage for stacking vehicles in storage.

being incapable of moving the same item up even a

slight grade. Such conditions will cause damage to the

(2) Fork extensions and adapters. By adding

towing vehicle. The same logic applies when towing

fork extensions to the common forklift truck (chap 4, sec

items over rough, uneven terrain. Considerably more

II), it becomes possible for the truck to handle larger and

effort must be exerted when towing an item over rough

bulkier items which it might otherwise not be capable of

terrain than when towing the same item on a smooth,

handling.

Considering the extended load centers

level surface since the towed item's drag (inertia) is

involved, care must be taken to assure that the forklift

more on rough terrain (see chap 4, sec IV).

truck is not overloaded. Fork adapters may also be

used for handling some vehicles and artillery pieces.

Fork adapters are similar to fork extensions except that

(4) Towing equipment.

they are designed to accommodate specific types or

styles of undercarriage configuration.

As with

(a) Prime movers. There are two basic

extensions, when using adapters and extended load

types of prime movers, either of which, when properly

centers are involved, caution must be exercised to

outfitted, may be used to tow or push even the heaviest

assure that the forklift truck is not overloaded.

vehicles and artillery. One is a pneumatic-tired, diesel-

(3) Towing in storage.

Towing offers a

powered industrial tractor with four-wheel drive which

distinct advantage over handling by MHE since, in many

can operate on rough terrain as well as on improved

instances, towing may be accomplished by means of

surfaces (fig 5-24). The other common type of prime

nonspecialized equipment already on hand. However,

mover is the tracked tractor (fig 5-25) which can also

towing is a preferred method of movement only when

operate on rough terrain as well as on improved

item preservation will not be adversely affected by

surfaces.

However, tracked tractors can damage

moving the item on its own wheels or tracks. Care must

improved surfaces unless their tracks are filled with

be exercised in the selection of a towing vehicle with

rubber track blocks (fig 5-26).

adequate capacity (drawbar pull). A towing vehicle may

be capable of moving an item on level ground while

5-28