TM 5-5420-203-14
Section IV. OPERATIONS UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS
2-9. LAUNCH, RETRIEVAL, AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS.
a. Launching on a Slope
This paragraph Covers:
b. Retrieving on a Slope
c. Launching in Wetlands or Marshy Areas
d. Retrieving in Wetlands or Marshy Areas
e. Recovery/Retrieval of an Impacted Bridge
f. Recovery by Other than a Launcher
a. Launching on a Slope.
Launching
This Task Covers:
Serviceable
EQUIPMENT CONDITIONS:
Two
PERSONNEL:
(1) Precautions must be taken when launching on slope. The following precautions shall be
adhered to:
(a) The bridge, when lifted from the launcher, exerts leveraged forces on the launcher. The
higher the lift, the greater the forces. When the bridge is raised to the vertical position,
the forces are at the maximum point. If the bridge and launcher maximum launching
launcher to turn over resulting in serious damage to the bridge, the launcher, and
serious injury or death to the crew.
(b) When launching on a slope, either up or down a hill or on the side of a hill, make sure
the launching will occur within the range specified in Chapter 1 and shown in FIGURE
1-3. Do
not, under any circumstances,
attempt to
launch a bridge on
the side of a
hill
with greater than an 8% side slope on an uphill or downhill grade of greater than 15%.
(2) If an attempt to launch on an uphill or downhill grade or a side slope has resulted in other
than normal launch position (launcher and bridge appear to tilt more than allowed due to
soft footing, slippage, etc.), immediately stop operations.
(3) If bridge is past highest vertical position and is on its way down, make a decision whether to
continue the launching operation. If bridge has not yet reached its highest point, stop the
current operation and return the bridge either to the ground or the bridge seat on the
launcher.
Change 2 2-65