Section Il. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
Features and Technical Data
1-10. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION. The M977 series vehicles are 8x8,
TM 9-2320-279-34-1
AND DATA
on/off road vehicles produced in a
number of different configurations. For equipment operation data, refer to operator instructions,
TM 9-2320-279-10, TM 9-2320-354-10, and TM 9-2320-355-10.
1-11. EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS, CAPABILITIES, AND FEATURES. Refer to
TM 9-2320-279-10 for equipment characteristics, capabilities, and features.
1-12. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS. Refer to TM 9-2320-279-10 for location
and description of components.
1-13. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MODELS. Refer to TM 9-2320-279-20 for major differences between
models.
1-14. SAFETY, CARE, AND HANDLING.
a. Significant Hazards and Safety Recommendations. Significant hazards and safety
recommendations are listed in Table 1-2.
Table 1-2. Significant Hazards and Safety Recommendations
Operating
Hazard
Safety Recommendation or Precaution
Condition
1
Low air pressure for
Do not drive vehicle while low air pressure warning
Abnormal
brakes.
buzzer is sounding or red light is on.
Vehicle instability with
Ensure that outriggers are down on firm ground, side
Abnormal
crane use.
slope does not exceed five degrees, and crane is not
overloaded.
Fire with M978 tanker.
No smoking, flames, or sparks within 50 feet (15 m).
Normal
Disconnect batteries for all electrical work.
Fuel spills with M978
Test tank automatic shutoff before bottom loading
Abnormal
tanker.
per procedure in instructions. Do not bypass
dead-man controls.
Connecting towing devices.
Do not go between vehicles until vehicles are
Normal
stopped and brakes are set.
Refueling vehicle.
Shut off engine and no smoking when filling tank.
Normal
1Category of hazards as to whether or not they maybe expected under normal or abnormal operating
conditions.
b. Cranes. Material handling cranes for models M977, M983, M984, M984E1, M985, and M985E1 all
have overload shutdown and/or tilt warning (unstable) systems.
(1) On M983, M984, and M985E1 models a yellow caution light and an audible warning signal alert
the operator when an unstable crane condition occurs.
(2) On all models an overload shutdown system prevents overloading the crane. The system will shut
down the crane to prevent hoisting, swinging, or boom extension when an overload condition exists. Load
lowering and boom retraction functions will not be affected.
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