The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from December 2004

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from December 2004

The principle of preventive maintenance.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The principle of preventive maintenance is as sound as a dollar and as lasting as the love of freedom. Simply put, the principle is: Preventing equipment failure is better than dealing with equipment failure. Preventing equipment failure...

Dented primer OK.(M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine ...)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Dear Half-Mast, Here in Iraq we've noticed that; when we chamber--but; not; fire--rounds in our M16-serieG rifles or M4/M4A1 carbines, it dents the round's primer. Is there something wrong with our weapons or is this normal? SGT P.S....

New M4/M4A1 extractor spring.(M4/M4A1 Carbine ...)(rifle's breech bolt assembly)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... To improve the reliability of the M4/M4A1 carbine, the Army has gone to a new extractor spring assembly for the carbine's breech bolt assembly, whose NSN is now 1005-01-505-1035 because of the new extractor spring. The new extractor spring...

Where do I get info on gauges?(information on calibration of small arms)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Dear Half-Mast, We were trying to get info on inspecting and calibrating our small arms gauges. We tried to order TB 43-0240, Inspection and Calibration oF Small Arm Gauges, but it was rescinded in 1996. Where should we look? LT R.T....

Remove collar without breaking scraper.(M249 Machine Gun ...)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Dear Editor, We see quite a few broken scrapers for the M249 machine gun here at the Ft Leonard Wood Directorate of Logisitcs. We think gunners are snapping the scraper's tip when they remove the gas regulator collar. They pry the collar...

Learn how to use sights.(Small Arms ...)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Dear Editor, During my time at the National Training Center, I noticed many units had no SOP for training with the night vision amd laser-aiming sights that can now be installed on rifles and machine guns. As a result, too many soldiers...

Suggestions for sentinel success.(Sentinal Radar System ...)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Dear Editor, During our months fighting in Iraq we learned a couple of impotant lessons for our Sentinels that will help other radar crews. Seal out sand. The doors that cover the compartments on the Sentinel do not always do a...

Don't go halfway on halfshaft check.(HMMWV ...)(maintenance of high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle parts)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A little vibration over a long period of time. That's all it takes to loosen the bolts that hold the HMMWV's halfshafts in place, mechanics. If a halfshaft flies loose, it can take out the brake lines, coolant tube and cause serious engine...

Twice a year not enough?(HMMWV ...)(lubricating tie rod ends of high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Dear Half-Mast, LO 9-2320-280-12 says to lube the tie rod ends on our HMMWV every 3,000 miles or semiannually with GAA. Here in Iraq, we feel this just isn't enough. The terrain here is very hard on tie rods. Sand and dirt make things...

Performance hinges on lube.(lubrication of hinge pins of 5-ton dump trucks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... When you've unslung the ol' grease gun, don't forget to get a few shots off on the dump bed hinge pins, operators. Forget, and the pins rust. When the bed is raised, the hinge is forced to pivot on the rusty pins. A lot of stress results,...

Learn the ropes.(M977, M983, M985 HEMTTs ...)(maintenance of wire rope of heavy expanded mobility tactical truck)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Drivers, when you lift a load on your HEMTT's boom winch, you don't want the wire rope suddenly popping loose. That's a disaster for whatever it is you're lifting. Keeping the load secure means you have to properly attach the wire rope to...

Driving on air.(FMTV ...)(maintenance of air springs of family of medium tactical vehicles)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Drivers, you're in for a rough ride in your 2 1/2- or 5-ton FMTV if you don't keep the air springs inflated. Some operators seem to think it's necessary to deflate the air springs before tilting the cab. Then they forget to re-inflate them...

Watch the weight!(Jack Stands ...)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Dear Editor, While walking through some maintenance areas lately, I've noticed that some jack stands are not clearly marked with their tonnage capacity. The most important marking on a jack stand is the capacity rating. With no...

Here's mud in your eye!(maintenance of M1-series tanks's NBC system)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Water in your tank's NBC system is like you trying to breathe mud--stuff stops working real quick! You're on your own with the mud-breathing thing, but keeping water out of the NBC system will be a lot easier if you follow these tips: ...

Squelch that squeak!(M1-Series Tanks ...)(lubrication)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... THE SQUEAKY WHEEL IS SUPPOSED TO GET THE GREASE, CHAIRMAN. SO WHEN YOU HEAR METAL SCRAPING ON METAL, IT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE SOMETHING ON YOUR TANK NEEDED SOME LUBE A WHILE BACK... EITHER YOU'VE GOT A MOUSE INFESTATION... ... OR...

Get pushy with loose hardware.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... When you check for loose or missing hardware during PMCS on your tank's mine clearing blade, you need to look everywhere, crewmen. There are six triangular access plates, NSN 5340-01-277-5670, on the blade's frame assembly. Crewmen...

Tow's a no-go without pintle.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(lubrication )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Try as you might, you can't tow if the pintle on your M1-series tank won't open. And that's what will happen if the pintle doesn't get regular lubing. Without lube, the pintle develops a severe case of lockjaw. And if it won't open, you...

Keep tires in place.(Stryker ...)(tank maintenance)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The little things can make a big difference when it comes to PM on your Stryker, drivers. One such little thing is making sure the vehicle's wheel nuts are tight. Simple, sure, but important nonetheless. One loose nut puts more strain...

Tie it up ... right!(M2/M3-Series Bradleys ...)(elastic straps for military tanks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Crewmen, elastic straps are the thing to use for stowing equipment in your Bradley. But you need to use the right strap in the right place. A strap used in the wrong place or for the wrong purpose can snap or slip loose. You could lose an...

Driver's compass not working?(M2/M3-Series Bradleys ...)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Dear Editor, If the driver's compass display on your Bradley is not displaying, the solution may be right underneath the display unit. The unit has a circuit breaker there. Flip the circuit breaker on the right before you call your...

Show some respect for ramp.(M113-Series FOV ...)
December 1, 2004... The ramp is not a storage rack for tent poles, barbed wire and camouflage nets. The ramp is heavy enough as it is. Strapping extra weight to the ramp can break the ramp cable or damage the hydraulic pump. * Never move the carrier while...

Engine snag's a real drag.(M992A2 Ammo Carrier ...)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... In the event of an engine fire, the crew is going to need the fire extinguisher nozzles in the M992A2 ammo carrier's engine compartment. Trouble is, one of 'em won't be there if you're not careful, mechanics. The front engine fire nozzle,...

PM Family Feud.(Comic)
December 1, 2004... WELCOME TO PM FAMILY FEUD! TODAY, DELTA COMPANY DUKES IT OUT WITH CHARLIE COMPANY TO WIN BIG MONEY FOR AER. SPECIALIST MAXWELL AND PFC QUINTON, YOU TWO WON THE COIN TOSS TO GO FIRST. WE SURVIVED 100 CREW CHIEFS. NAME SOMETHING YOU...

Better hydraulic systems service.(All Aircraft ...)
December 1, 2004... Mechanics, hydraulic system contamination causes aircraft problems and can cause crashes. Servicing aircraft reservoirs has been a problem. Take the Apache, for example. The old way of servicing its reservoirs required: * open cans of...

APU suckin' sand?(HH-60L/UH-60A/L ...)(aircraft engine maintenance)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Mechanics, repeated Black Hawk engine start-ups suck air into the APU. Unfortunately desert sand gets in the mix, clogs the APU and causes the engine control valve to stick open. When that happens, the APU does not shut down, and the No. 1...

Give latches T-L-C.(AH-64A/D ...)(tender loving care)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Operators and mechanics, your first inclination when something doesn't work properly is to kick, bang or force it. That seems to be the case with the Apaches, engine cowling door latches. They get plugged with sand in the desert and become...

First, do no harm.(AS-3900A/VRC Vehicle Antenna ...)(maintenance)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The AS-3900A antenna, NSN 5985-01-308-8988, used with the SINCGARS ground radio is getting damaged far too often. The damage is happening when it's assembled, when it's installed, and when it's removed. The damage is happening to both the...

Extended warranty?(Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver ...)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Dear MSG Half-Mast, At one time, we were told the PLGR warranty was extended indefinitely. Is that still the case? SGT T.J.T. Dear Sergeant T.J.T., The original PLGR warranty has been extended several times, but the...

Safe for cleaning.(Commo Supplies ...)(environmentally safe clening agents for communications-electronic equipment )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... TB 43-0135, ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE SUBSTANCES FOR USE WITH COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT, IS A "MUST HAVE" ON YOUR COMMO GEAR MAINTENANCE PUBS SHELF. HERE'S A SAMPLE OF WHAT'S INSIDE THE PUB... --A list of environmentally safe I...

Alfred? Betty? Charlie?(phonetic alphabet decals )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Hey, radio operators, the phonetic alphabet is used to make your life easier. But sometimes trying to remember whether it's Baker or Bravo or Delta or Dawn can put a strain on the brain. Stop the strain with a phonetic alphabet decal, NSN...

New zinc-air gives you a choice.(Batteries ...)
December 1, 2004... Your patience and your endurance can be stretched to the limit by hauling all the batteries you need for extended missions. A new zinc-air battery, BA-8180/U, NSN 6135-01-500-0572 can reduce the number of BA-5590s, BB-390s and BB-2590s you need...

Choose to reuse.(Shipping Materials ...)(reusable containers)
December 1, 2004... If you had a choice between a new or used car, which would you choose? You'd probably pick the new one, right? Same goes for furniture, appliances, clothes. But new isn't always better. Sometimes used makes more sense. Take, for instance,...

Flash! Filters available.(opticl filters for flashlights )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... YOUR MX-991, NSN 6230-00-264-8261, OR MX-992, NSN 6230-00-269-3034, FLASHLIGHTS CAN WORK WITH ANY OF SIX DIFFERENT FILTERS. IF YOU NEED REPLACEMENT FILTERS, THE FIRST SOURCE OF SUPPLY IS A BUM FLASHLIGHTS. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Don't get steamed.(maintenance information for steam cleaners)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Steam cleaners come in many makes and models. No wonder it's hard to find repair parts and maintenance information. But don't get steamed. Instead, turn to the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command-Rock Island (TACOM-RI) for help....

An easy climb.(LC-240/U Tree and Poel Climber's Set)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... YOU'LL FIND MANY WAYS TO CLIMB THE LADDER OF SUCCESS, BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE SAFE WAY TO CLIMB A TREE OR A TELEPHONE POLE. YOU NEED TO STRAP ON THE LC-240/U TREE AND POLE CLIMBER'S SET, NSN 4240-00-273-9668. IT'S DESIGNED FOR LINEMEN AND...

Did you set the alarm?(ACADA ...)(automatic chemical agent detector/alarm's maintenance)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Batteries: The ACADA can use rechargeable battery BB-390A/U as well as the non-rechargeable BA-5590/U. But you won't get much use out of the rechargeables unless your unit gets the PP-8444A/U battery charger. It comes with NSN 6130-01-443 0970....

Let maintenance reports support your budget.(Maintenance Management)(Missing Army Materiel Status System)
December 1, 2004... Army Materiel Status System Missing Army Materiel Status System (AMSS) reports may not affect a unit in combat--but they can reduce maintenance dollars for the unit's equipment in the next budget. Missing reports make it difficult for the...

Training at your fingertips.(Fed Log: 5th of 5)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The most obvious way to learn about everything FED LOG offers is to attend classroom training. You can find out where the course is being taught at this Defense Logistics Information Service website: ...

2004 Supply Excellence Awards.
December 1, 2004... ACTIVE ARMY MTOE Company With Property Book Winner: HHD, 59th Sig Bn, Ft Richardson, AK Runner-up: HHC, 8th MP Bde, Yongsan, Korea MTOE Company Without Property Book Winner: 11th Sig Detachment, Mannheim, Germany ...

Connie's post scripts.(SCAMP Latch Kit, D7G water pump, engine oil filters)
December 1, 2004... THE TOP 14 HOT BRIEFS FOR THIS MONTH... AND THE SURVEY SAYS... YOU'LL GET NO FEUD FROM ME ON THAT! SCAMP Latch Kit Use NSN 4030-01-467-4737 to get the latch kit for the hook block assembly on the 4-ton self-propelled SCAMP crane....