Author Topic: (Answered) Time to un/load vehicles in cargo bays  (Read 2171 times)

gomiville

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(Answered) Time to un/load vehicles in cargo bays
« on: 03 April 2014, 10:32:57 »
Referencing "Units and Personnel in Cargo Bays," pp 43-44, (c)2009 PDF.

I'm wondering how long it takes to offload vehicles (and 'mechs) from a cargo bay.  For all examples, let's assume a small craft with 100 tons cargo and a cargo-manipulator equipped exoskeleton.

First the rules say units in cargo are treated as regular non-containerized cargo, as per the chart on p 42.  So, our exoskeleton can unload 1.2 tons per minute.

Then it says a 'mech can't use its own hands to help the process.  But does that mean a vehicle can use itself to help the process?  So, a 100t 'mech would take 83.33 minutes to load or unload (100/1.2), but a 100t tank would take 1.67 minutes (100/60)?

Finally, it says the unitary nature of non-infantry units halves the needed time, except for 'mechs.  So, does that mean the 100t tank above can be loaded or unloaded in 0.83 minutes (1.67/2)?

Or, going back to the first question, if the 100t tank can't use itself to help the process, it also takes 83.33 minutes, with the aid of an exoskeleton, which is then halved to 41.67 minutes (83.33/2)?

I can see arguments either way, but considering the HUGE time difference (50x!), I figured I'd ask.

Also, can that cargo exoskeleton even be used to load or unload units and personnel? It's not like you can lift that tank and carry it out of the bay.  And can an exoskeleton, or pack animal or whatever, help with unloading infantry from a cargo bay? Especially when they can probably grab their own gear (though unpacking and organizing takes some time).

Thanks.
« Last Edit: 11 May 2014, 01:30:05 by Xotl »

gomiville

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Re: Time to un/load vehicles in cargo bays
« Reply #1 on: 09 May 2014, 09:14:11 »
Bump

Welshman

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Re: Time to un/load vehicles in cargo bays
« Reply #2 on: 11 May 2014, 00:58:17 »
Hello,

So you are correct that an Exoskeleton, with Cargo Lifters may move 1.2 tons per minute. You can have one Exoskeleton per door on the DropShip.

BattleMechs- They are stored on a transport pallet. These pallets are little more than Mech scale lift jacks like you see in warehouse stores. Exoskeletons help in maneuvering the transport pallet as there is still a fair amount of brute force involved.

Vehicles- Vehicles carried as cargo can't help themselves. The divisor for being unitary cargo already covers this. Remember, the bulk of the time to move a vehicle is in the securing and unsecuring of the vehicle. So a 100 ton vehicle being helped by a single ExoSuit (Without lifters) will take 100 minutes, halved to 50 minutes as unitary cargo. (Yes, the system is a little abstracted here as it would seem a crew of men would be more effective to unsecure a vehicle strapped down than an IndustrialMech. We'll hand wave that as being the equipment securing the vehicle is partially automated but is big and bulky and better handled with cargo manipulating equipment, not flesh hands. )

Infantry- Yes, Exosuits still help. Only a small portion of an Infantry unit is the man and his personal kit. You have ammo crates, food crates, supplies crates, heavy weapons crates, light vehicles or Jump Packs or waiting for transport trucks, etc. And because he's being transported as cargo and not in a designated infantry bay, even his personal kit and rifle are packed away. Transported as cargo, all the PBI has are his BDUs and personal effects.
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