TM 9-2350-256-10
SECTION II. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
1-9. EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS, CAPABILITIES, AND FEATURES.
a.
General. The Recovery Vehicle, Full-Tracked: Medium, M88A1 is an armored, full-track-laying, low silhouette
vehicle. It is used for hoisting, winching, and towing operations for tanks and other vehicles. It is equipped to
assist in repairing disabled vehicles under general field conditions. The vehicle carries a crew of three: driver,
mechanic, and commander.
NOTE
Refer to FM 20-22, Vehicle Recovery Operations for recovery methods.
b.
Major Vehicle Systems and Assemblies.
(1)
The M88A1 is powered by a 12 cylinder, diesel engine. The vehicle transmission is a combined
transmission, differential, steering and braking unit. Controls for these components are located in the
driver's area.
(2)
The suspension system for each side consists of six pairs of roadwheels with support arms, three pairs of
track support rollers, three shock absorbers, one track adjusting link, two bumper assemblies, track drive
sprockets and hubs, compensating idler wheel, and track. Primary springing is done by individual torsion
bars for each roadwheel arm.
(3)
The hull and cab assembly armor protects the crew and equipment against small arms fire, medium
artillery, shell fragments, and 20-lb anti-tank mines. The vehicle is divided into three sections: crew
compartment, hydraulics compartment, and engine compartment.
(4)
The vehicle is equipped with a main and an auxiliary hydraulic system used for recovery and maintenance
operations. These systems power the spade, boom, main winch, hoist winch, refuel pump, and the
hydraulic impact wrench. The primary purpose of the auxiliary system is to allow emergency retrieval of
hydraulic systems in the event of main engine failure.
(5)
The vehicle is also equipped with a main and auxiliary generating system. The primary purpose of the
auxiliary system is to charge the vehicle batteries when they are too low to start the main engine.
1-10. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR COMPONENTS.
Refer to figures 1-1 thru 1-5 for location of major components.
1-5