TM 9-2350-247-10
OPERATE CARRIER IN EXTREME COLD: BELOW -25
F (-31
C) Continued
0039 00
WARNING
Touching metal surfaces of carrier with bare hands may cause injury to personnel. Wear gloves.
CAUTION
Even with antifreeze in it, coolant can freeze. So can batteries. Ordinary oil can get so thick it
wont pour, and grease gets as stiff as cold butter. Bare skin can stick to cold metal so tight that
you tear skin getting free. Rubber gets hard, and cracks or breaks easily.
CAUTION
You must follow approved methods and precautions for extreme cold operations. FM 9-207 is
required reading. It contains information and instructions necessary to operate this carrier in
extreme cold (below -25
F (-32
C)).
NOTE
Make sure your carrier has been prepared as described in FM 9-207. You should also become
familiar with FM 31-70, FM 31-71, and FM 90-6. They contain important information on
operation in extreme cold.
In addition to using special fuel, lubricants, and coolant in extreme cold, the carrier should be
equipped with an engine coolant heater. See WP 0040 00, WP 0041 00. If you must operate in
extreme cold without the coolant heater, you must drain the coolant and remove the batteries to
a warm place every time the carrier is shut down. The engine must be preheated before
replacing the coolant and engine start up. If you dont have the engine air intake and exhaust
covers, use tarpaulins to cover grilles. See WP 0026 00, WP 0027 00.
DOS
1.
Be alert at all times for the effects of cold on the carrier.
2.
Keep an eye on your engine instruments all the time. If you get an unusual reading, stop and check it out right away.
3.
Install air inlet and exhaust grille covers and adjust for conditions.
4.
Start engine coolant heater as soon as you stop for more than a few hours.
5.
Read FM 21-306 to learn about the methods and special hazards of driving on snow, ice, and unusual terrain.
6.
Drive carrier slowly in 1 Range for about 100 yards (91 M), before you move out, to warm up the lubricant in the drive
train and suspension.
7.
Park in shelter whenever you can. If theres no shelter, park so the carrier doesnt face the wind.
8.
If you cant park in shelter, put a footing of planks or brush under the tracks so they wont get frozen in.
9.
Clean snow, ice, or mud off your carrier as soon as you can.
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