cleats are nailed down. Cleats, 2 by 4 by 36 inches, are at D. Label E has
been purposely omitted from both drawings in this paragraph.
For a moment, study this end view of the semitrailer. At each point
marked F are four strands of the same No. 8gage black annealed wire you see
in use in previous sketches, but notice that it is attached to the wheel.
The twisted strands are actually passed around spokes or through holes in a
disc wheel and also through stake pockets. Only the outside wheels are
braced in this way. To prevent the wire from chafing the tire where the two
come in contact and to prevent the wire from becoming chafed where it
touches the stake pocket, put some cushioning material at those points.
Waterproof paper, a piece of old inner tube, or rags can be used.
Now back to the first sketch in this
paragraphthe side view. The braces labeled G,
H, and J are used to lessen vertical movement.
Each brace consists of eight strands of No. 8
gage wire. Brace G is attached to front and
rear spring shackles and to stake pockets, each
pair of wheels getting four strands. Brace H is
attached to the pulling hook on each side of the
frame near the front of the truck tractor and to
stake pockets. Brace Jthere is no I because
it might be mistaken for the numeral 1is
attached to a 1/2inch bar specially made for
bracing the semitrailer. Wire is passed through
a hole at each end of the bar and then attached
to the stake pockets.
2.6. OUTSIZE EQUIPMENT
Some military equipment may be wider or longer than the flatcar it
must travel on. Provided that the items when loaded on the cars do not
exceed limits already discussed, decks can be widened and additional cars
used to take care of the overhang. One other restriction: vehicles must not
be so wide that more than onehalf the surface of tires or tracks extends
beyond the side sill.
a. Widening car floor. To provide a bearing surface for wheels or
tracks, the flatcar floor can be widened by attaching a plank over the stake
pockets nearest the overhang. The plank must be long enough to extend
beyond the chocks and thick enough to be
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