The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from December 2006

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from December 2006

Mistaking the urgent for the important.(maintenance)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Soldiers, it's no news to you that you don't seem to ever have enough time to complete a PM job. Often, you're rolling through the middle of a PM job and heading toward the finish line when you're yanked away for something "more...

Set seat before crawling.(military vehicles)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Drivers, sometimes it's necessary to exit your Stryker to the rear instead of through the hatch. When that happens, take it easy on the seat. Some drivers don't take the time to lay the seatback all the way down. When they try to crawl...

Cap color is critical.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Mechanics, what color are the cartridge filters on top of the fuel caps of your unit's M1-series tanks? The cartridge filter check valve is supposed to pop open whenever there's a pressure imbalance between air inside and outside the fuel...

Put out fires with new extinguisher.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... At long last there's a replacement available for the Halon 1301 hand-held fire extinguishers (HHFE), NSN 6830-00-555-8837, in your M1-series tanks. Halon 1301 is a Class I ozone-depleting substance, which is harmful to the environment....

Bracket missing in action.(M1A2 SEP Tank ...)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The mounting bracket, NSN 5340-01-479-2532. for your tank's eyesafe laser range finder (ELRF) may not look like much, but you've got a real problem if it's missing in action. Since the ELRF is bolted directly to the gunner's primary sight...

Full hubs are quite a sight!(M2/M3-Series Bradleys ...)(Bradley Fighting Vehicle's maintenance and repair)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Crewmen, checking the oil level in your Bradley's roadwheel, idler wheel and support roller hubs is a daily check. If one of those hubs goes dry, the bearings will burn up and the wheel will seize. That could throw the track. It's an easy...

No swimming allowed!(M113A3 FOV military tanks)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Over the years, the M113A3 FOV has undergone quite a few changes and modifications. As a result, it has gotten heavier and heavier. In fact, the vehicle weighs so much that it can no longer swim. So the swim requirement was lifted more than...

Leaky plug a problem.(M88A2 recovery vehicles)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Mechanics. it doesn't do much good to change the oil in your M88A2 recovery vehicle if you don't reinstall the oil drain plug properly. A loose drain plug causes oil leaks and a loss of engine oil pressure. Without that pressure, engine...

Stay out of the doghouse.(military vehicles)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Crewmen, if you don't have the doghouse cover installed over the PTO shaft in your AVLB, you could be in the doghouse--and in danger. Sure, installing the doghouse cover is a hassle. Space is limited and you're probably thinking the cover...

Don't remove the door latch striker!(military tanks)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... DOORS ON VEHICLES HELP KEEP YOU SAFE, BUT THAT SAFETY IS COMPROMISED IF YOU REMOVE THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER ON YOUR M1114. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REMOVING THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER IS NOT AUTHORIZED, SO [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHY...

Tire cage NSNs.(M1114 Up-armored HMMWVS ...)
December 1, 2006... If your under-inflated tire has a split rim wheel, you must inflate it using a tire cage. That'll keep you safe if the split rim flies off. For HEMTT, PLS, and other smaller tires, use tire cage NSN 4910-01-373-0267. For tires on most...

No lube a steering stopper.(HMMWV ...)
December 1, 2006... The principle behind your HMMWV's steering wheel is pretty simple: You just turn it in the direction you want to go. But things get a lot more complicated when you forget to lube the intermediate steering shaft! Without lube, the steering...

Tank full of PM.(M978 HEMTT Tankers ...)
December 1, 2006... Open V15 Valve Always open the V15 valve to drain the filter separator before you operate the tanker. That gets rid of water and other contaminants that were filtered out of the pumped fuel. Opening the valve keeps that gunk from going...

How to get parts faster.(Wheeled Vehicles ...)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... As tempting as it is, don't remove items that make up an assembly. Or if you do remove a part, at least do a controlled exchange and return an inoperable item as part of an assembly you need to turn in. TACOM writes contracts for the...

Drain air line moisture.(M939-Series Trucks ...)
December 1, 2006... Moisture in the air brake lines of your M939-series truck leads to corrosion. In cold weather, it turns to ice. Both clog the lines and slop air flow to the brakes. Your get-up-and-go won't slow down and stop! 1. Drain all four tanks....

New collapsible buttstock available.(M249 Machine Gun ...)
December 1, 2006... M249 gunners can now order a collapsible buttstock that is very similar to the one used with the M4/M4A1 carbine. The buttstock comes with NSN 1005-01-515-8268. Here are the NSNs for its parts: These parts and their NSNs will be added...

Weeding out bad bolts.(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... A bad bolt for your M2 machine gun means dangerous firing. Unfortunately, some poorly manufactured bolts have gotten into the system and must be weeded out immediately. The bad bolts were not heat treated correctly in the breech lock slot...

Our dot disappeared.(M9 Pistol ...)(maintenance and repair)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Dear Half-Mast, The M9 pistol comes from the manufacturer with a white dot on both the front and rear sights that helps the shooter sight. But over time the white dots disappear. Does a missing dot deadline the pistol? Can we replace dots...

Don't forget to shut LCU door.(Patriot Missile System ...)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... Dear Editor, On the PAC 2 version of the Patriot launcher, you're required to open the circuit card basket door in the launcher electronic module (LEM) while doing diagnostic testing. The problem is that the door has a catch to keep it...

Diagnosing diagnostic problems.(Sentinel Radar System ...)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... Dear Editor, Trying to diagnose Sentinel problems with faulty diagnostic equipment is about as bad as trying to operate at night with Faulty night vision goggles. These two tips can save you hours of troubleshooting: * Test all the...

Keep track of chemical detectors.
December 1, 2006... The Army had to report last year the loss of an ACADA M88 chemical detector that had been installed on a Stryker to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The resulting investigation showed that many units weren't tracking their ACADAs....

Coupling button points out.(military uniforms)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Which way the button points is important on your JSLIST's hoodstring coupling. If the coupling button points in, your mask Could accidentally bump it and cause the button to release. Then your hood won't be tight and can let in Chemical...

New bag JSLIST friendly.(tool bags)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The bag is designed to easily store the JSLIST coat. trousers, gloves, and overboots. The bag can be secured to the top of the MOLLE large rucksack. Pass the closure straps on the MOLLE lid through the tiedown loops on the JSLIST bag and fasten...

How to replace strap?(AN/VDR-2 Radiac Set ...)
December 1, 2006... Dear Half-Mast, We have lost the strap for the AN/ VDR-2 carrying case and we can't find anything in TM 11-6665-251-10 on it. Is there a way to order one? SPC R.H. Dear SPC R.H., Sure. Order it with NSN 5340-01-289-5063. ...

System removes broken bolts, studs.
December 1, 2006... Mechanics need help removing broken bolts and studs. The Army now has a new extracting kit that makes the job easier. The X-tractalloy kit uses a welding rod as filler material to attach to the broken bolt or stud. along with a special flux...

Horse opera pictures presents: Rio Loco.(Comic)(Cartoon)
December 1, 2006... A Western Saga of Loss and Redemption Part Two * starring: REX STERLING, King of the PM Cowboys SWEET NELL McGILLACUTTY, the Virtuous Schoolmarm SCRATCHY BUTTES, the Trusty Sidekick and featuring: Prissy Eastern Dude ...

Gauge extends life of Gatling gun.(barrels)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The barrel life for the 7.62-mm Gatling gun (also called mini-gun) used to be 16,666 rounds per barrel or 100,000 rounds total for the gun's set of six barrels. A new barrel erosion indicator gauge, NSN 1005-01-535-5576, now makes it...

Blade pins need more curing time.(UH-60 Series ...)(Cartoon)
December 1, 2006... IN PS 633, PAGE 35, WE TOLD YOU THAT BLACK HAWK BLADE PINS NEED SIX HOURS CURING TIME AT THE 500-HOUR PHASE MAINTENANCE, ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE SOLID FILM LUBRICANT CAN. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOWEVER THAT CONFLICTS WITH...

It's not what it always looks like.(UH-60 Series ...)(maintenance and repair)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Mechanics, looks can lye deceiving when inspecting the hydraulic deck of the Black Hawk in cold weather. If you notice hydraulic fluid seepage, don't assume there are component leaks or bad seals. Determine if you have an actual...

The word is out.(binoculars)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Upon returning from your deployment, service your binoculars at the normally scheduled six-month intervals like it says in TM 11-5855-263-23&P and TM 11-5855-313-23&P. Maintenance can be performed only by an authorized AVIM, AASF, ASF, or...

Radar modification.(CH-47D/UH-60 Series ...)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... If your CH-47 and UH-60 has had either MWO 1-1520-240-50-90 or MWO 1-1520-237-50-84 applied, then you have the AN/APX-118 common transponder, NSN 5895-01-504-0407. That means the battery replacement requirement has changed. For the new...

Get the inside story.(roof ventilation)
December 1, 2006... Ventilation Closing the door to your shelter makes it nearly airtight. If the outside temperature changes, condensation forms in the closed shelter. But you say it's dry where you are? All the water you're drinking to stay hydrated is...

Get the outside story.(roofs)
December 1, 2006... Thinned Skinned Punctures in the shelter's skin and seams that are split are open invitations to leaks. Look for punctures and tears during operator PMCS. If you find any, have your unit repairman patch them right away. TB 43-0124,...

Your hands versus the cold.(gloves to keep warmer)
December 1, 2006... If you're facing brutal cold, get the extreme cold weather mitten set. The set includes shells, liners and a harness. They'll protect you down to -60[degrees]F. Here are the NSNs: NSN Size 8415-00-782- Small 6715...

The rhyme and reason of RESET.(Mobile Kitchen Trailer ...)
December 1, 2006... The RESET program rebuilds and restores the MKT, transforming it to a like-new condition. Reasons for RESET RESET corrects structural damage to the MKT. It also helps to counter the wear and tear that comes with age. Some of the MKTs...

Flame detector goes infrared.(M-85, M-85-100, M-85-200 Laundry Units ...)
December 1, 2006... The IR system monitors the flame in the dryer's and water heaters' burners. It replaces the old ultraviolet (UV) flame detection system. The new IR does a better job of monitoring me name man me old UV did. The UV system is made up of the...

What's an IETM? ... and how do I get one?(Interactive electronic technical manuals)
December 1, 2006... Interactive electronic technical manuals (IETMs) are the technical manuals for their associated items of equipment. They do come on CDs, and some are available online at the Logistics Support Activity's ETM website: ...

Getting unit equipment publication lists.(Cartoon)
December 1, 2006... MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE PUBLICATIONS YOU NEED TO MAINTAIN YOUR EQUIPMENT CAN BE A DAUNTING TASK... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ... , UNLESS YOU LET THE LOGISTICS SUPPORT ACTIVITY (LOGSA) HELP. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LOGSA...