The CLT system, M1022-A1 Dolly Set and CLT Dolly Set are all designed to roll on and roll off of a C-130 aircraft while attached to a 20 ft ISO container (either 8 or 8.5 ft tall). Each half part can be hydraulically adjusted throughout the loading process to maintain the container in a relatively horizontal position as is goes up the ramp and into the aircraft.

The front, steerable CLT or Dolly Set half part can be pushed up the aircraft ramp using a suitable tow vehicle with a high front pintle attachment, or the entire assembly can be winched up the ramp from the rear using the aircraft winch (recommended method).

The limiting factor for container weight for C-130 loading is typically the aircraft's allowable axle load of 13,000 pounds. For the 25 ton CLT system (based on a half part weight of 7000 pounds), this limits container weight to 12,000 pounds. For the 10-ton capacity CLT Dolly Set and M1022-A1 System (both hereinafter referred to as Dolly Set), the maximum container weight increases to 20,000 pounds based on a dolly set half part weight of 3,000 pounds.

Use of Single Axle C-130 Kit for Loading of One Container

Use of Double Axle C-130 Loading Kit to Load One Container

If it is desirable to load two containers onto a single C-130, the single axle C-130 kit is installed onto the back end of the container (that which enters the aircraft first) while the steerable CLT or Dolly Set front part attaches to the other end. The container can then be pushed onto the aircraft with a suitable truck (front pintle required) or winched on-board with the aircraft’s winch. Once inside the aircraft and lowered onto the rollers, the C-130 loading kit can me manually removed.

For two 20 ft long containers to be loaded onto a C-130, the first container must be pushed forward inside the cargo bay as far as possible to the cargo stops. To do this, the container should be strapped to standard 463L pallets or special ISO container pallets which mate with the aircraft's roller system so the container can be moved forward inside the aircraft once the loading equipment is disassembled and removed. The dual rail locking system can also then be used to secure the container for flight.

After the first container is pushed forward against the cargo stops, a second container can be loaded. After loading, the C-130 loading kit and front CLT or Dolly Set half can be removed from the aircraft and left behind, or can be left inside the aircraft to off-load the containers at the final destination. The C-130 loading kit is stored on a rack attached to the end of the second container, and the front CLT or Dolly Set half is moved slightly away from the bottom of the second container to permit closing of the loading ramp/door. The CLT or Dolly Set half can then be transported on the ramp with the tires removed.

Use of Dual Axle C-130 Loading Kit to Load Two Containers

The dual-axle C-130 loading kit can also be used to load two heavier containers sequentially into the aircraft as described for the single axle system. The dual axle system can also be supplied with interconnecting hardware and cylinders to load two connected containers at the same time. In this case, the interconnecting cylinders adjust the attitude of each container as is goes up the ramp and into the aircraft so two containers are loaded in one step.

Disconnecting CLT or Dolly Set Inside Aircraft

There is not sufficient height inside the aircraft to position the CLT or Dolly Set to its normal 3-wheel mode for handling. To disconnect and remove the front CLT or Dolly Set half from a container inside the aircraft, a small set of auxiliary rollers is required to install to the lower beam of the unit while the upper beam is still attached to the container. The small rollers will permit the CLT or Dolly Set half to be rolled off the aircraft without positioning the unit into its normal 3-wheel handling mode.

Aircraft Tiedown

Each CLT and Dolly Set half, and each C-130 loading kit are equipped with tiedown provisions for secure transport aboard the aircraft.

The transported container must be secured separately from the loading equipment. The container can be tied down in a number of ways:

    •  Secured via standard tie down procedures from connections at the upper
       corner castings

    •  Secured into the dual rail system via pallets

-  Standard 463L pallets married together and chained to the
    container
-  Type 5 airdrop platform equipped with ISO lock fittings for 8-ft
    tall containers
-  Special low profile pallets and rollers for 8.5-ft tall containers

Alternate Loading With CLT Outside the Aircraft

As an alternate to loading and unloading a CLT or Dolly Set half part for connection to and disconnection from a container inside the aircraft, it is also possible to disconnect from the container while the CLT or Dolly Set half is still on the ground.

In this scenario, the container is loaded as before with the C-130 loading kit. Once the container is inside the aircraft, with the CLT axle near the ramp, the aircraft's ramp can be raised to the horizontal position and supported with the jackstand. Once supported, the weight of the container can then be set on the ramp and the CLT or Dolly Set half removed while its axle is still outside the aircraft. The container can then be pushed forward inside the aircraft on pallets and a second container loaded in a similar manner.

A weight and CG balance of the containers and aircraft is required to determine the acceptability of this procedure in each case to ensure that the aircraft does not tip backwards while the ramp is being transitioned from the down to the up position.