TM 9-3990-260-14&P
Section II. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS, CAPABILITIES, AND FEATURES.
a.
Equipment Characteristics.
(1)
The M3A1 CROP is a welded steel, galvanized, steel-floored, flat cargo body with a fold-
ing front A-frame assembly for stacking and front and rear load restraint plates. The M3A1
CROP is usually loaded and unloaded by the Load Handling System (LHS) onto a PLS
truck, but can also be moved by forklift or other material handling equipment capable of
handling such loads.
(2)
A fully loaded M3A1 CROP can be inserted into and extracted from an ISO container
directly from a PLS truck or by using a forklift. M3A1 CROP has built-in shoring devices
to secure it inside an ISO container. No additional shoring is required.
(3)
M3A1 CROP has four twistlock devices on the deck which allow each stacked M3A1
CROP to be secured by the M3A1 CROP directly beneath it. Up to six M3A1 CROPs can
be stacked for movement on a PLS truck or trailer. A stack of six also fits into an ISO con-
tainer. The two front and three rear load restraint plates must be repositioned to the stored
position prior to stacking for an M3A1 CROP upon which another is to be stacked.
(4)
Although M3A1 CROP twistlocks function similar to ISO twistlocks, M3A1 CROP twist-
locks are not positioned for use as ISO securing mechanisms due to the smaller footprint of
the M3A1 CROP when compared to an IPF Flatrack, or regular ISO compatible piece of
equipment.
(5)
M3A1 CROPs can be shipped on railcars, on PLS trucks and trailers, on flatbed trucks, and
in ISO containers.
(6)
Each M3A1 CROP is provided with fourteen (14) web straps to allow transport of cargo.
b.
Capabilities.
(1)
The M3A1 CROP can be loaded to and from the ground, a loading dock, an ISO container,
or PLS trailer using the PLS truck-mounted LHS. The M3A1 CROP will accommodate
payloads of 32,250 lbs (14,629 kg) when loaded in an ISO container or on a PLS truck or
trailer.
(2)
The M3A1 CROP is capable of being transported on C-130, C-141, C-5 and C-17 aircraft
while secured to a 463L pallet train, while loaded to 36,250 lbs (16,443 kg) maximum gross
weight.
(3)
The M3A1 CROP is capable of being sling lifted by a CH-47D helicopter, utilizing a dual
point lift, at a gross weight of 25,000 lbs (11,340 kg), by use of MIL-STD-209, Class 3
Multipurpose D-rings.
(4)
Six empty M3A1 CROPs, five with the A-frame assembly folded down, can be stacked
together and loaded in an ISO container, on the PLS trailer, and on the PLS truck using the
LHS.
(5)
M3A1 CROP can be moved by a forklift with forks that are a minimum of 68 in. (173 cm)
in length.