[MV] split rims
Ken Boge (ken@clovermachine.com)
Sun, 20 Sep 1998 11:43:32 -0700
In 1969 when I was an ammo Sgt in Vietnam, we used 5 ton
trucks to haul 16,000 to 20,000 lb loads of 105mm ammo from
the ammo dump to the firing batteries. We always had
problems with flat tires and would spend the first hour or
two of each morning fixing flats. As I recall our methods
were rather crude but effective with very little in the way
of safety precautions and a total lack of safety equipment.
Our basic tire tool was one of the pioneer tools (mattock)
to beat the tire down from the split ring and then pry off
the ring so we could get to the tube and either patch it or
replace it. We would then reinstall the tube and ring and
reinflate the tire. We had the whole process down to about
10 minutes per tire with a crew of 6 working in a sort of
production line manner. I don't think any of us knew the
potential dangers involved. Luckily, for the 3 or 4 weeks I
worked there before transferring to a firing battery, no one
was hurt.
The other day I received a pamphlet from the Wheel and Rim
Instutute of Safety, Inc. which gives some very specific
safety precautions to be taken when dealing with split rims.
For anyone interested they can write to:
Wheel & Rim Institute of Safety
A Non-Profit Affiliate of National Wheel & Rim Association
PO Box 47402
Jacksonville, FL 32247-9968
In addition to safety procecdures, this manual has pictures
of various types of rims for identification and recommended
nut torque values and tightening sequences among other
things.
I would recommend it for anyone who works with split rims.
It could be a lifesaver.
Ken
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