should not use forklift trucks for traveling with
individual loads for distances of more than 400 feet.
Use tractor-trailer trains if the operation requires travel
for greater distances. When using tractor-trailer trains
or other material-handling equipment, use a forklift
truck at each end of the haul for loading, unloading,
and stacking. This will make the operation faster and
easier. Figure 7-1 shows a 6,000-pound truck, and
figure 7-2 shows a 15,000-pound forklift truck.
TRACTOR-TRAILER TRAINS
The tractor-trailer train (figure 7-3) is a system that
consists of a self-propelled power unit connected to a
series of trailers. There are various types of tractors
used for pulling the trailers. Tractor-trailer trains can
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Figure 7-2.--A 15,000 pound forklift truck.
haul heavier tonnage than carrier-type trucks of equal
horsepower capacity. They can pull trains up to the
total drawbar pull of the tractor. The number of trailers
one tractor can continuously pull depends upon the
length trailer, nature of material, and weight of the load
of each trailer. Under normal conditions, one tractor
should be able to operate with three sets of trailers.
Tractor-trailer trains are effective for hauling loads
between 400 feet to 1 mile.
WAREHOUSE TRACTORS
A warehouse tractor is an electric or gasoline
powered vehicle designed to pull a train of warehouse
trailers. The gasoline-powered models used in the
Navy have pneumatic tires and a rated drawbar pull of
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4,000 to 7,500 pounds. Electric-powered models
Figure 7-3.--Tractor-trailer train.
commonly used in the Navy have solid rubber tires and
a rated drawbar pull of 2,000 or 4,000 pounds. The
normally far more than the drawbar-pull rating. For
drawbar pull, the motive force that a tractor can exert in
example, a tractor with a drawbar pull of 4,000 pounds
pushing or pulling loads, is merely a means of saying
may have an actual towing capacity of 90 tons.
tractor capability. The actual capacity of the tractor is
Five different models of tractors were adopted as
standard for the military services. The 2,000-pound,
drawbar-pull, electric-powered warehouse tractor has
solid rubber tires. It is a light-duty tractor for operation
in warehouses and other closed storage areas.
The 4,000-pound, drawbar-pull, electric-powered
warehouse tractor has solid rubber tires. It is the
83'
standard heavy-duty tractor for indoor warehousing
operations. This type of tractor is used in a similar
manner and for the same purposes as the light-duty,
2,000-pound model.
T h e 4 , 0 0 0 - p o u n d , d r aw b a r- p u l l , g a s o l i n e -
40'
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powered warehouse tractor has pneumatic tires. It is a
Figure 7-1.--A 6,000 pound forklift truck.
standard medium-duty tractor for outdoor storage
7-2
