![](media/image1.jpeg){width="1.073611111111111in" height="9.0in"}Number
range CHAPTER**[National Interagency Fire Center]{.smallcaps}**

3833 South Development Avenue

Boise, Idaho 83705

9216 NFES (FA240)

June 7, 2007

**National Fire Equipment System**

**Cache Memorandum No. 07-5**

To: NFES National Incident Support Caches

> From: Paul Naman, NFES Representative
>
> Subject: Cargo Swivel Retrofit Project -- Final Call
>
> Cache Memorandum 04-3, Cargo Swivels, Retrofit Project was released on
> August 10, 2004 with the intention of accelerating the transition from
> the old style 3000 lb cargo swivel hook with the spring type gate to
> the newer, gateless hook type. Although a large number of older,
> spring hook style swivels have been retrofitted to the gateless type,
> it is suspected that a sizable number of these swivels have not yet
> been converted. The original deadline to initiate cargo swivel
> retrofit has been extended to December 1, 2007 to allow owners of
> unmodified cargo swivels a final opportunity to have the work
> completed. Owners of cargo swivels requiring retrofit should follow
> the process described in Cache Memorandum 04-3, which is re-produced
> below with the updated deadline:
>
> Recent quality control complaints have identified failures of the
> spring gates on old style (pre-1992 models) 3000 lb cargo swivels
> (NFES #0526) resulting in the inadvertent release of several sling
> loads during fire suppression operations. These complaints prompted a
> review of the various cargo swivel designs currently in use in order
> to resolve these concerns.
>
> In the early 1990's, the San Dimas Technology and Development Center
> (SDTDC) evaluated and subsequently recommended a change in the hook
> design installed on the 3000 lb cargo swivel hook. The typical old
> style design included a hook with a spring returning gate (see figure
> 1). Other variations of the old style design can be seen in
> Attachment 1. The new design uses the gate as part of the
> load-suspending system through a hinge with the hook part, see figure
> 2. The improved hook was added to the cargo swivel and the cargo
> swivel hook assembly has been procured in this configuration since
> that time.
>
> ![](media/image2.png){width="3.125in" height="1.8284722222222223in"}
>
> Figure 1 -- Spring Hook
>
> 2
>
> ![](media/image3.png)
>
> Figure 2, Load Closing Hook

Replacement due to attrition was the intended process for the "phasing
out" of the older spring gate swivels, but this method does not appear
to be working. A significant number of older swivels still exist within
the cache system and the aviation community due to the robustness of the
overall design.

In order to maximize the investment in the older swivels and to take
advantage of their inherent durability, the possibility of retrofitting
older swivels with the new load closing hooks was investigated. These
efforts were successful and have resulted in the establishment of a
four-year contract for the retrofit of the old hooks to the newer load
closing hook design. Although there are several variations and differing
manufacturers of the older spring gate sling swivel, the hook retrofit
is compatible with all known patterns of the spring gate design.
Retrofitted swivels will be in an "as new" condition in regard to
expected service life and function.

SDTDC will be responsible for all aspects of contract administration for
this retrofit project, including the coordination of all related
shipping and receiving operations, billing and collection of funds for
contract payments, and for providing overall technical oversight.
Special funding is not being provided so the cost of the retrofit
conversions and initial shipping to SDTDC will be the responsibility of
respective sling swivel owners. The price for retrofit of each swivel is
dependent upon several factors including the type and quantity being
refitted. See Attachment 2 for the detailed pricing structure. Spring
gate type swivel assemblies should be sent directly to SDTDC at the
following address:

San Dimas Technology & Development Center -- Attn: Carl Bambarger

444 East Bonita Ave.

San Dimas, Calif. 91773

3

Include with each shipment a completed copy of the "3,000 Pound
Helicopter Swivel Hook Retrofit Information" form (Attachment 3) which
will ensure all required contact and financial information is provided.
This form is also available at <http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/>. Both the
user name and password for this site is "t-d". Once logged in select
"Resource Topics" and then "Aviation". SDTDC will inspect all spring
gate swivels it receives to first determine suitability for retrofit
based on the degree of wear or damage present. The extent of work
required for retrofit worthy swivels will be assessed and specific
retrofit cost totals will be determined. SDTDC will then contact owners
with disposition and cost/billing information. Retrofit processing times
may vary, but an eight week turn-around time should be anticipated.
SDTDC will assume shipping costs for returning retrofitted swivels to
the original shipping location.

Spring gate type swivel assemblies will be accepted for retrofit until
December 1, 2007. Ample time is being provided to accomplish the
retrofit since the reported occurrence of dropped loads due to spring
gated swivels has been determined to be insufficient to identify this
problem as a major safety issue. Managers responsible for equipment
should make an inventory of their equipment and establish a reasonable
schedule for retrofitting their existing swivels to meet the December
2007 deadline. Old style swivels found in use after this deadline shall
be removed from the system and scrapped.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the sling swivel
retrofit project please contact Dave Haston, SDTDC at (909) 599-1267 ext
294 or Carl Bambarger, SDTDC at (909) 599-1267

ext 253.

/s/ Paul E. Naman

Attachments

cc:

State Fire Management Officers - BLM

Regional Directors Fire and Aviation Management - USFS

Technology Development Centers - San Dimas, Missoula

Agency Directors - NIFC

Logistics Center - NICC

Bill Hicks - GSA

Tory Henderson - USFS

![](media/image4.wmf){width="1.975in" height="1.6125in"}

# 

Attachment 1

![](media/image5.png){width="2.458267716535433in"
height="1.4381889763779527in"}![](media/image6.png){width="2.458267716535433in"
height="1.5200787401574802in"}![](media/image7.png){width="2.459055118110236in"
height="1.4791338582677165in"}![](media/image8.png){width="2.459055118110236in"
height="1.4381889763779527in"}

Old Style Spring Hooks

Attachment 2

There are three retrofit line items of work to the contract.

The first line item is the retrofit of the hook from the spring gate
hook to the self-closing under load style hook that has been procured
over the last 10 years.

The second line item is replacement of the link. This is not normally
expected to be done, but if the swivel's link is under sized or in
unacceptable shape it will be replaced.

The third item is the replacement of the link attachment device. Some
swivels in the past have been delivered with cotter pins and other
"safety" devices that provide sharp points or catch hazards. These
attachments will be replaced with better fastener systems.

The prices for retrofit are provided by fiscal year and based on
quantity.

  -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
  Line Item 1 --                                              
  Hook Retrofit                                               

                 Price per each                               

  Quantity       FY04           FY05           FY06           FY07

                                                              

  1 to 99        \$93.62        \$102.05       \$109.14       \$122.24

  100 to 999     \$90.90        \$99.15        \$106.00       \$118.78

  1000 +         \$88.32        \$96.26        \$102.96       \$115.32

                                                              

  Line Item 2 --                                              
  Link                                                        
  Replacement                                                 

  Quantity       FY04           FY05           FY06           FY07

                                                              

  1 to 49        \$11.00        \$11.88        \$13.30        \$14.90

  50 to 399      \$10.69        \$11.54        \$12.93        \$14.98

  400 +          \$10.38        \$11.21        \$12.55        \$14.06

                                                              

  Line Item 3 --                                              
  Link Fastener                                               
  Attachment                                                  
  Replacement                                                 

                                                              

  Quantity       FY04           FY05           FY06           FY07

                                                              

  Any            \$6.73         \$7.21         \$8.06         \$8.06
  -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------

Attachment 3

**3,000 Pound Helicopter Swivel Hook**

**Retrofit Information**

Ship swivels requiring retrofit to:

USDA Forest Service -- Attn: Dave Haston Phone: (909) 599-1267

San Dimas Technology and Development Extention 294

444 East Bonita Avenue Email: dhaston@fs.fed.us

San Dimas, CA 91773 FAX: (909) 592-2309

Please provide the following information:

Agency Name:

Address:

Technical Point of Contact:

Phone No.: Email:

Financial Point of Contact:

Phone No.: Email:

Financial Information:

> (Purchase Order No., Job Code, etc.)

Return Shipping Address:

(If different than above.)

Quantity in shipment:

Estimated Retrofit Cost:

Signatures:

> Technical Financial

Date:

**Please provide one copy of this form with your shipment**

**and email or fax one copy prior to your shipment.**

**Thank you.**