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APPENDIX F

MATERIALS-HANDLING EQUIPMENT

INTRODUCTION

Materials-handling equipment includes vehicles and other devices used to aid in packaging, handling, transporting, or other manipulating of cargo in preparation for air shipment. Although there is a long list of materials-handling equipment, this chapter describes the most commonly used equipment.

MHE ACCEPTABILITY

Figure F-1 will be used to determine what type of loaders will be needed to load aircraft at the APOE/APOD.

FORKLIFTS

Forklifts are used to lift, transport, and stack cargo or equipment. Their use saves money and many man-hours of labor in handling cargo. Forklifts are located at nearly every installation in the world. Their value cannot be overstated as they will be used in almost every phase of air deployment from the construction and staging of equipment to the loading of aircraft.

RT 4000

The 4K forklift (Figure F-2) is used in warehousing, storage, and shipping operations. Within the air movements arena, it is mainly used in the construction of 463L pallets and as a pusher vehicle (loading towed loads).

RT 6000

The RT 6000 forklift (Figure F-3) can be used in many different roles, from the building of pallets to the actual loading of 463L pallets with tine extenders.

10K Forklift

The 10K forklift (Figure F-4) is the largest, most capable forklift in the airlift inventory. The 10K standard forklifts are required for moving 463L pallets that exceed 6,000 pounds.

NOTE: The movement of 10K forklifts aboard C-130/C-141 aircraft is not advised because of special loading procedures. On certain models, the rear counterweights must be removed before loading.

Tine Extenders

Tine (fork) extenders have two configurations: bare (Figure F-5) and rollerized (Figure F-6). They are used to provide additional length to forklift tines. In order for a forklift to lift or move a 463L pallet without causing damage to the pallet, the tines must be at least 72 inches long. Either type of extension is acceptable for use; however, the rollerized tines will expedite loading and unloading 463L pallets from aircraft. The tines are available through the supply system. Also, tines may be locally manufactured through most welding shops.

K LOADERS

K loaders provide the capability to rapidly load and unload 463L pallets from airlift aircraft. Three types of K loaders are mainly used by moving units. Each has its own capabilities, limitations, and common features. Their quantity is limited. All are large, heavy, and difficult to transport from location to location. The K loaders will interface with, and are a part of, the 463L pallet system. They are particularly useful for handling married pallets (use rollerized trailers to build married pallets on) and airdrop platforms. Any time K loaders are required where they are not prestaged, contact your affiliated ALCS early for coordination.

NOTE: A 60K loader is currently being field-tested that will accommodate up to six 463L cargo pallets and carry a maximum of 60,000 pounds. This K loader will also be capable of direct loading wide-body aircraft, including the KC-10, DC-10, and B-747, without the requirement for specific wide-body loaders.

25K Loader

The 25K loader (Figure F-7) is a self-propelled cargo transportation platform that can lift and transport three 463L pallets or 25,000 pounds of cargo. Its deck may be raised, lowered, or tilted forward or aft, permitting alignment with the aircraft floors. The deck can also roll from right to left. The deck has rows of recessed rollers installed the entire length of the vehicle. These rollers are used as conveyers for palletized loads and may be stowed to provide a continuous, smooth surface to handle nonpalletized loads. The 25K loader is also equipped with a telescoping ladder to allow for easy access to the cargo load with the platform either lowered or fully raised.

TAC Loader

The 25K TAC loader (Figure F-8) provides the same capacity as the 25K loader but also provides the capability to operate in an unpaved ramp environment. It can lift 25,000 pounds of cargo on unimproved surfaces and a maximum of 38,000 pounds on smooth, paved surfaces. The TAC loader will normally hold three 463L pallets. It can be modified with extensions to fold five pallets (Figure F-9), but the front extension is seldom used. The TAC loader can be used to load the C-130, C-141, and C-5 aircraft. However, the C-5 must be kneeled to accommodate the TAC loader because of height restrictions. Like the 25K loader, the TAC loader is equipped with rollers and a telescoping ladder and can raise, lower, and tilt its cargo deck.

40K Loader

The 40K loader (Figure F-10) can lift and transport cargo loads up to 40,000 pounds, and the deck will hold five 463L pallets. The 40K deck can raise or lower, tilt forward or aft, and roll, as well as shift right or left. The 40k loader is also equipped with removable safety rails, cat walks, ladder, and 463L system rails and locks.

40K Extender

The 40K extender (Figure F-11) is used as a primary or alternate method of loading and unloading wide-body aircraft. The extender is used as an elevator only and is not used to transport cargo. When not in use, it doubles as a highline dock. The extender is locked into the bed of the 40K loader, enabling it to reach the main deck of wide-body aircraft. It handles loaded 108- by 88-inch pallets up to a five-pallet train and can also be used to load rolling stock. The extender weighs about 10,000 pounds, thereby decreasing the capacity of the 40K by 10,000 pounds. The extender is 60 inches high and enables the 40K to reach a maximum height of 216 inches.

WIDE-BODY LOADERS

There are three primary types of wide-body loaders currently in use. Each of the loaders is air-transportable, but most must be shipped disassembled upon arrival at the APOE/APOD. Wide-body loaders cannot be used to load C-130, C-141, or C-5 aircraft because of their size and configuration. Currently, only wide-body loaders can be used to load wide-body aircraft because of the height of cargo doors. For these reasons, you must contact your affiliated ALCS if wide-body loaders will be required to ensure they arrive well before the operation commences. As a general rule, loading and unloading wide-body aircraft consumes much more time than loading and unloading AMC aircraft.

316A Cochran Loader

The 316A Cochran loader (Figure F-12) is a commercially designed elevator designed to accommodate commercial-type wide-body cargo aircraft. It was the first of the wide-body loaders purchased by the military and is currently used extensively in direct support of the KC-10. The 316A can lift 25,000 pounds and will accommodate two 463L pallets. The 316A is an elevator-type loader and will not be used to transport cargo. (The same rule applies to all wide-body loaders.) All cargo must be placed on the 316A at the aircraft and then elevated to the aircraft cargo compartment. The 316A loaders have been modified to mate with the C-141 auxiliary loading ramps for loading wheeled loads (Figure F-13). The 463L pallets must be transferred from forklifts or K loaders to the Cochran loader.

316E Cochran Loader

The 316E Cochran loader (Figure F-14) is an advanced version of the 316A and has increased capabilities. It is very similar in appearance and operation to the 316A loader. The 316E loader can lift 40,000 pounds of cargo and will accommodate three 463L pallets. The 316E is the most commonly used of all the wide-body loaders and is located at. most major AMC bases.

CL-3 Wilson Loader

The CL-3 Wilson loader (Figure F-15) is the newest of the wide-body loaders. It was purchased to support the acquisition of the KC-10 and additional Civil Reserve Air Fleet aircraft.

NOTE: Because of the aircraft fuselage curvature, the CL-3 Wilson loader cannot be used to load wide-body lower lobes. Rollers can be turned over to permit loading of wheeled loads without the plywood subfloor.

PUSHER VEHICLE

The pusher vehicle is a vehicle with a rated towing capacity modified by the addition of a front pintle hook (Figure F-16). These vehicles dramatically aid in loading trailers on military cargo aircraft. Pusher vehicles allow the drivers a direct view of the trailer as it moves aboard the aircraft. This is quicker and safer than having the driver rely on rearview mirrors or hand signals. Probably the best vehicles to use as pusher vehicles are the RT 4000-series forklifts as they swivel in the middle, allowing the driver to adjust the position of the trailer without moving the pusher vehicle. Any time quantities of trailers will be moved on aircraft, you should arrange for pusher vehicles. TB 9-2300-415-40 gives specific guidance for front pintle hook construction.

ROLLERIZED FLATBED TRUCKS

Rollerized/flatbed trucks (Figure F-17) come in a variety of sizes, lengths, and load-carrying capabilities. Most flatbed trailers (not lowboys) may be modified by attaching lengths of rollers to accommodate building, transporting, storing, and loading cargo on 463L pallets. These flatbeds facilitate the speedy handling of palletized cargo, particularly when K loaders are not available. The trailers will also allow units to stage pallets in chalk order and construct married pallets without tieing a K loader up with the load.