a. Have your soldiers first clear the truck bed of splinters,
protruding nails, and other foreign objects that could puncture or chafe the
tank. They should place plywood or a tarpaulin on the bed of trucks that
have rough or jagged surfaces. They secure the SMFT to the trailer with a
four-belt tie-down kit.
This is done by laying the tie-down straps
crosswise, at a slight diagonal, lengthwise on the semitrailer bed.
Make
sure the belts are centered accurately between the eyebolts.
Let the
remaining portion of the belts lie over the sides of the trailer. Check to
be sure that the straps are not twisted and are lying flat.
Ensure each
belt is secured to both anchor points to provide maximum support to the tank
during transport.
b. After you are sure the bed of the trailer is properly prepared, have
your soldiers install the SMFT on the trailer bed. Remind them not to walk
unnecessarily on the tank and not to drop sharp objects on the tank, such as
wrenches and fittings.
Using a forklift, take hold of the SMFT's lifting
slings by their straps and place the tank on the trailer so the SMFT will
unroll toward the rear of the trailer. The tank's end may be near and, in
some cases, even touch the trailer's bulkhead.
c. Have your soldiers remove the straps from the buckles on the sling
assemblies and unroll and unfold the tank over the tie-down straps.
Visually inspect the tank for damage while it is being unrolled. This would
be a good time to perform before-operation PMCS. Position the SMFT so that
when it is full, the ends or sidewalls of the tank will not rub against the
forward bulkhead or hang over the sides of the trailer. To complete placing
the SMFT on the trailer, have the sling assemblies removed from under the
tank and placed in the trailer stowage compartment.
d. If this is the first time the SMFT is used, flush the tank with
superchlorinated water.
During this procedure, inspect the tank for any
punctures or tears. Also inspect the fittings and components for evidence
of damage or missing bolts or gaskets.
Dispose of the superchlorinated
water in a special sump marked HAZARDOUS WASTE.
After flushing the SMFT,
clean with potable water.
Check to see that the tank and straps are
properly positioned on the trailer. A trailer which is not on level ground
must be moved to a new position, since unlevel ground could cause the tank
to roll on the trailer when being filled.
e. Check the tightness of the bolts in the fittings and tightened where
needed.
Use 70 pounds torque ( 5 foot pounds) on the 1/2-inch diameter
bolts in the end clamps. Remember that the rubber in a new SMFT tank will
"cold flow" under the
1-3
QM4912
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