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a. Shoring is using lumber to spread the weight of highly concentrated loads over a greater area of the cargo floor than that covered by the cargo alone. It also protects the cargo floor from damage that might be caused by tracked vehicles, steel wheel rims, packing case bands or studs, and rollers. For more information on shoring, see paragraph 6-11.

b. When cargo that requires roller shoring is to be moved and shoring is in short supply, the number of pieces of shoring can be minimized by using the leapfrog method (Figure 5-1). As a load item is moved from the number one shoring, the number one shoring is repositioned in front of number two, thus becoming number three. This method is continued until the load reaches its final position.

5-3. TYPICAL RAMP-TOE EXTENSION

a. Loading personnel can construct a ramp-toe extension to change the angle of approach for a piece of equipment being loaded into the helicopter. This prevents the equipment from scraping the ground and gouging the ramp. The ramp-toe extension is usually made of 2- x 12-inch lumber (Figure 5-2).

b. To construct a ramp-toe extension, open the helicopter ramp (door) and lower the ramp to the ground. Install the auxiliary ramps to match the tread width of the cargo item. Place two boards of equal length with the forward ends on the helicopter and the rear ends on the ground. Shore the boards by placing pieces of blocking material under each board. The length of space between the ends of the board and the blocking material or between each set of blocking material should be no longer than 4 feet. If a flat board surface on the ramp-toe extension is required, place sheets of plywood on top of the 2- x 12-inch boards. When possible, transport the boards and blocking material with the cargo, since the ramp-toe extension will also be needed during the unloading of the helicopter. Load these items inside the helicopter and secure as directed by a crew member.

NOTE: The length of boards to be used depends on the desired angle of approach into the helicopter. Obtain a smaller angle of approach by using longer boards rather than shorter boards.

5-4. TOWING BRIDLE

a. Towing bridles are used as points of attachment for the winch cable hook on nonpowered items of equipment whose physical characteristics make it impractical to manhandle them into the helicopter. Generally, 10,000-pound capacity tie-down chains are used to form a towing bridle (Figure 5-3). In some instances, 5,000-pound capacity tie-down straps may be used, but only when the items to be loaded are lightweight and the maximum tow stress does not exceed 3,000 pounds.

b. To form a towing bridle using one tie-down chain, pass the link end of the chain through or around the right point of attachment, then through or around the left point of attachment. Hook one of the end links of the chain in the grabhook.

c. Using two tie-down chains (method 1), pass the link end of one chain through or around the right point of attachment (Figure 5-4). Hook one end link of the chain into the grabhook to form a circle. Pass the link end of the second chain through or around the left attachment point, then through the circle of chain number one. Hook one of the end links of the chain in the grabhook to form a second circle. Attach the helicopter winch cable hook to both chains in the center of the bridle.

d. Using two tie-down chains (method 2), pass the link end of one chain through or around the right attachment point (Figure 5-5). Pass the link end of the second chain through or around the left attachment point. Hook one of the end links of the first chain in the grabhook of the second chain, and hook one of the end links of the second chain in the grabhook of the first chain. The helicopter winch cable hook may be attached to both chains in the center of the tow bridle or hooked to only one chain if more length is desired.

e. Three or more chains may be used if necessary by adding more chains to the above tow methods.

NOTE: Attach the towing bridles to the item of equipment only at a strong point that can withstand towing stresses.

NOTE: Attach the helicopter winch cable hook to the chains(s) in the center of the towing bridles. Make sure that the chain grabhooks are positioned to either side of the center of the towing bridle.

5-5. HELICOPTER CARGO WINCH HOOKUP

a. The CH-47 is the only helicopter the Army uses that has an on-board winch (Figure 5-6). If the cargo has to be loaded into any other aircraft, use the winch/tow vehicle method.

b. When using the CH-47 on-board winch, center the cargo at the foot of the loading ramp or ramp-toe extension. Lay out the helicopter winch cable and attach the hook to the item of the towing bridle. Always connect the cable hook with the hook pointing up to prevent it from catching or digging into the helicopter floor. A helicopter crew member operates the winch. The unit loading team aids in guiding the items and adjusting shoring. The cargo is pulled into the helicopter and positioned for tie-down.

c. Use the winch/tow vehicle method to load heavy, wheeled, tracked, skid-mounted, or palletized cargo when an aircraft winch is not available or when the weight of the cargo item exceeds the capacity of the aircraft winch. A winch or tow vehicle positioned outside the aircraft provides the power to move the cargo up the aircraft's loading ramp and into position in the cargo compartment. Use snatch blocks in the aircraft to change the direction of pull of the winch/tow vehicle.