Before Fording

TM 2320-273-10

DESCEND MODERATE GRADES IN THE GEAR YOU WOULD NORMALLY

USE TO ASCEND THE SAME GRADE. ON STEEP OR VERY SLIPPERY

GRADES, LOCK DIFFERENTIAL, USE AT LEAST ONE GEAR LOWER AND

ACTIVATE ENGINE RETARDING SYSTEM.

After driving through slush or water, drive slowly and test the brakes. Keep driving

slowly, maintaining moderate pressure on the service brake pedal to create a slight

drag. When you are sure that your brakes are dried out and operating smoproperly,

resume normal speed.

If you come to a difficult stretch of road, stop and inspect it carefully before driving

on it. SELECT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR RANGE THAT YOU FEEL IS MOST

LIKELY TO GET YOU OVER THAT STRETCH OF ROAD AND LOCK DIFFER-

ENTIAL.

If tires start spinning, back up and try again. If necessary, try rocking out by locking

the differential, shifting to a forward gear, accelerating lightly, and shifting into

reverse when your truck's forward motion stops. Repeat this alternate shifting and

acceleration until your truck can use the momentum created by the rocking motion

to rock out of the slippery area. Make every effort not to spin tires.

STOPPING:

EASE UP ON ACCELERATOR, leaving truck in gear.

APPLY BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY AND LIGHTLY, using engine brake to full

a d v a n t a g e for braking effect.

Always AVOID SUDDEN BRAKING on slick roads; this can cause your truck to

skid.

PARKING:

IF YOU HAVE TO PARK THE TRUCK ON AN ICY, SLUSHY, WET OR MUDDY

SURFACE, PLACE BOARDS, BRUSH OR OTHER MATERIAL THAT WILL

PROVIDE TRACTION UNDERNEATH TIRES. This will guard against tires

freezing to the ground or becoming pocketed in ice, and will provide some traction

when your truck is started and moving again.

Instead of setting parking brake, BLOCK TIRES AND LEAVE TRANSMISSION

IN NEUTRAL.

2-24. Fording.

Before you attempt fording with the M915 thru M920 trucks, check the bottom surface

condition of the water body. Make sure the bottom surface is hard enough that you can

ford without exceeding the maximum fording depth of 20 inches for the M915 thru

M920. If the bottom surface is too soft, do not attempt fording. Ford to the maximum

depth for short periods or short distances only.