TM 9-2330-384-14&P
2-12. COUPLING SEMITRAILER TO TRACTOR.
WARNING
All personnel must stand clear of semitrailer and tractor during coupling
operation. Failure to follow this warning may result in serious injury or death
to personnel.
NOTE
Use a ground guide to assist in coupling operation.
a. Remove chock blocks from stowage brackets and place firmly behind wheels (see
b. Aline tractor with semitrailer. Slowly
back up tractor, maintaining alinement of fifth
wheel coupler jaws (2) with kingpin (1). Stop
tractor before its fifth wheel plate contacts
pick-up plate of semitrailer. Recheck aline-
ment.
c. Check that kingpin (1) is approxi-
mately equal to height of tractor approach
ramps (3). If kingpin needs to be raised, have
ground guide lower landing gear legs by un-
stowing handcrank and rotating it clockwise un-
til proper height is reached.
d. Slowly back tractor until fifth wheel
coupler jaws (2) engage kingpin (1). Inch
forward and check that coupling is locked. If
coupling is not locked, rock back and forth until
kingpin locks. Visually check coupling. Daylight
should not be visible between fifth wheel and
kingpin.
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