The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from February 2004

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from February 2004

Failure to communicate.
February 1, 2004... IN THE MOVIE, COOL HAND LUKE, THE CAPTAIN OF ROAD PRISON 36 SAID TO THE GATHERED PRISONERS, "WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE IS FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE." IT WAS OBVIOUS FROM THE TONE OF THE CAPTAIN AND THE LOOK ON HIS FACE THAT THIS "FAILURE TO...

Steady mount stays on target.(M1-Series Tanks ...)
February 1, 2004... A jerky, unsteady M2 machine gun is no good to anybody--except maybe the enemy! But that's exactly what you get if the mount on your tank is mistreated. A wobbly mount is caused by two main problems: Problem 1: The mount is not a seat!...

Check O-rings for damage.(M1A1, M1A2, M1A2 SEP Tanks ...)
February 1, 2004... WE MAY JUST BE LITTLE O-RINGS, BUT IF WE'RE DAMAGED... YOUR TANK IS NMC! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crewmen, after firing the main gun on your tank, don't forget to service the bore evacuator. The maintenance instructions start on...

Let the light shine.(Combat Vehicles ...)
February 1, 2004... OOPS! HEY! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE PUTTING YOUR HANDS! WATCH OUT! IF ONLY THEY WEREN'T IN THE DARK ABOUT THESE DOME LIGHT REPAIR PARTS! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE DOME LIGHT, NSN 6220-00-337-7463, IS USED IN SEVERAL COMBAT...

Two tools for broken driveshaft.(M113-Series FOV ...)
February 1, 2004... Mechanics, removing a broken driveshaft from the blower housing in an M113-series carrier's 6V53 or 6V53T diesel engine can be frustrating. If the driveshaft is stuck, so are you. Usually not even a magnetic retrieving tool works. You...

Dipstick comes up short.(M109-Series SP Howitzer, M99A2 Ammo Carrier ...)
February 1, 2004... You're going to have a hard time checking the engine oil level on your howitzer or ammo carrier with replacement dipstick, NSN 6680-00-257-1396. It's a little too short for the job. You'll need to order dipstick, NSN 6680-01-503-4823,...

Gimme a brake!(AVLB ...)
February 1, 2004... What could be worse than driving an AVLB down a steep slope? How about starting down the slope only to discover you have no brakes? That's exactly what can happen if the brake line quick-disconnect (QD) separates during operation. ...

Never tire of tire safety.
February 1, 2004... If your vehicle or trailer has an under-inflated tire with a split rim wheel, what's your next step, drivers? That depends on just how under-inflated the tire is. If the rim appears undamaged and the tire still has more than 80% of its...

Bigger cages available.(Tires ...)
February 1, 2004... Mechanics need a bigger tire inflation cage to stay out of harm's way, especially when they have to inflate big tires, meaning ones larger than HEMTT tires. NSN 4910-00-025-0623 gets a cage 76 inches long, 32 inches wide and 78 inches...

Carelessness blinds your avenger.(Avenger Missile System ...)
February 1, 2004... Ignoring the needs of your Avenger's laser range finder and forward looking infrared receiver (FLIR) or just being plain careless with their delicate optics will kill accuracy and cost your unit big bucks. These simple sight savers help your...

Crane needs right rope.(Patriot Missile System ...)
February 1, 2004... Buying a new wire rope for the crane on the Patriot's M985E1 guided missile transporter (GMT) is not a time to try to save money. Some Patriot units have local purchased wire rope that was non-metric strand cable instead of the correct...

What have I got?(M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine, M203-Series Grenade Launcher ...)
February 1, 2004... M16 Rifle M16A1 Mode of fire: semi/auto Upper receiver: built-in (integral) carrying handle without elevation adjustment Barrel: 1/12 twist, 20 inches long [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] M16A2 Mode of fire: semi/burst Upper...

Got your warning decals?(M120/M121 Mortar ...)
February 1, 2004... Because three soldiers recently lost their lives during misfire removals with the M120/M121 mortar, the misfire and PMCS procedures have been changed by Change 3 to TM 9-1015-250-10. If you haven't seen the new procedures, see Pages 22-25 in PS...

Water PM tidbits.(600-Gph ROWPU ...)
February 1, 2004... Deionization Cartridge Word from the ROWPU headshed is the deionization cartridges, NSN 4610-01-116-0501, used in the removal of nuclear contaminants now have an extended shelf-life. These cartridges, also known as ion-exchange...

Swing bearing needs lube.(HYEX ...)
February 1, 2004... A drop in temperature may cause the slowdown in your excavator's upper structure when it turns (rotates) during construction operations. But when it continues to move in an unusual way or at a snail's pace, the structure probably needs...

Strainer stays put.
February 1, 2004... Don't remove the strainer from the excavator's fuel tank when you refuel the vehicle. The strainer keeps dirt and crud from getting into the fuel tank during refueling. It also has a guide rod that helps you leave room in the tank for fuel...

No grit mustache here.(HYEX ...)
February 1, 2004... Operators, you can stop damage to the excavator's track adjuster cylinders by keeping sand and dirt out of 'em. Dirt and sand stick to grease. With a dirty grease gun extension and a dirty grease fitting, an abrasive, sandpaper-like combo...

Wash away mud.
February 1, 2004... Operators, before you leave your HYEX for the day, make sure you dig and wash out all the mud it has picked up during operations. That excavator can work in mud up to the upper deck of the undercarriage. But the mud will harden around the...

The right cover up for painting.(See ...)
February 1, 2004... Indicator Button Be sure to tape over the indicator button located on top of the hydraulic reservoir tank behind the spare tire and cab. The indicator button pops up when the tank's filter element gets clogged and needs to be changed....

Follow the warning.(Deuce ...)
February 1, 2004... Make sure you remember the WARNING on Page 51 of TM 5-2430-200-10 before using the Deployable Universal Combat Earthmover's winch. That is, do not move the winch's clutch lever to the DISENGAGED position when there's a load on the cable....

An ideal invention.
February 1, 2004... THE YEAR IS 1879... THE PLACE, A STREET IN NEW YORK CITY AS A NEWSBOY SHOUTS THE HEADLINES... EXTRA! EXTRA! REAL ALL ABOUT IT! ... THOMAS EDISON INVENTS THE LIGHT BULKB! HERE! BOY... LET ME HAVE A PAPER. SO... ONCE...

Cables need slack.(AH-64A/D ...)
February 1, 2004... Mechanics, to stop cable chafing and broken connectors in the right and left forward avionics bays (FAB), give 'em a little slack and protection. When you inspect your Apache's FWD components, look for slack, chafing and tight cable wire...

A crushing problem.(OH-25D ...)
February 1, 2004... Repairers, there is one place to stand while doing maintenance on your Kiowa Warrior. But the universal weapons pylon (UWP), the ejector rack and electrical harness are not it. Use either a maintenance stand or your bird's maintenance step...

There's new on bottled gases and ODS!(All Aircraft ...)
February 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you need guidance or information on ordering an turn-in of industrial compressed gases and cylinders, contact DLA item manager, Alphonso Robertson, at DSCR, DSN 695-5340, (804) 279-5340 or by email at ...

Mishandling ground handling wheels.(OH-58D ...)
February 1, 2004... If you don't take care of your car's wheels, it's a sure bet you won't be rolling any-where. Crews, the same is true for your Kiowa Warrior ground handling wheels. If you abuse, neglect or continually use them without doing PMCS, they...

When should you use it?(MK-2551A/U Grounding Kit ...)
February 1, 2004... The surface wire grounding kit (SWGK) MK-2551A/U, NSN 5820-01-263-1760, is a good way to get an electrical ground in some situations, but not in others. The SWGK does not work well where the topsoil layer is very loose since it relies upon...

All about wire. Reely!(Field Wire ...)
February 1, 2004... THEY'RE NOT TREATING ME RIGHT! MAYBE I CAN HELP! Some of you are the agressor in an abusive relationship. You're puttin' the hurt on field wire. And, folks, the wire is sick and tired of it! The wire has told PS that if you don't start...

A drink tube clean enough to drink from.(M40/M-42 Series Masks ...)
February 1, 2004... THAT SOLDIER SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO KEEPING THE DRINK TUBE CLEAN. Imagine how gross it would be to drink through the same straw day after day. It will be equally gross if you don't keep the drinking tube in your M40 or M42 mask...

Internet site for NBC NCOs.
February 1, 2004... RUNNING AN NBC ROOM IS ALL NEW TO ME. I WISH THERE WAS SOMEPLACE I COULD GO FOR HELP. THERE IS, MY GOOD MAN! LOOK AT THE CHEM SCHOOL'S INTERNET SITE. THEY'VE GOT ALL SORTS OF INFO. If you're looking for good info on how to do...

New nosecup valve seat and inlet valve.(M40-M42-Series Masks ...)
February 1, 2004... Good news, NBC NCOs. You no longer have to fool with using RTV silicone to glue in a new nosecup valve seat assembly on the M40/M42-series masks. And there's a new NSN for the inlet valve body. There is now a valve seat assembly that snaps...

Keep your M17 in hot water.(M17-Series Decon ...)
February 1, 2004... THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP INDY! THERE IT IS! WE FOUND IT! WELL IT'S ABOUT TIME! MY BURNER IS KAPUT. YOU MIGHT AS WELL SCHEDULE ME FOR MAJOR REPAIR. OH, IF ONLY YOU'D TAKEN ME OUT FOR A LITTLE EXERCISE ONCE IN AWHILE...

Making use of online resources.
February 1, 2004... THE INTERNET OFFERS MAINTENANCE AND SUPPLE SOLDIERS MANY ADVANTAGES NOT AVAILABLE IN THE PAST. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE ARE BEING SHARED ACROSS THE WEB. One of the most obvious Web advantages is the ability of...

Rf tags are reusable.(Supply Parts ...)
February 1, 2004... HEY, MSG HALF-MAST! THIS RADIO FREQUENCY TAG SURE HELPED US TRACK THIS PART DOWN. I DON'T NEED IT ANYMORE, DO I? YOU SURE DO! RF TAGS ARE REUSABLE AND THEY ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY. RF TAGS NEED TO BE RETURNED TO THE SUPPLY SYSTEM ONCE PARTS...

Is the price right?(Supply ...)
February 1, 2004... Are you trying to use the Standard Study Number System (SSNS) to get current price quotes for equipment replacement? The prices in SSNS aren't wrong, they're just not current. The SSNS is being updated, but to report price discrepancies call...

Radio refreshers tutorials available online.(Training ...)
February 1, 2004... Shoot, move, and communicate is a popular military axiom. Shooters have weapons ranges and simulators to keep their skills honed. Commanders are always training soldiers on mounted and dismounted movement. Communicators have a set of...

Convective space heater.
February 1, 2004... Defeating Overheating When you run the convective space heater, NSN 4520-01-431-8927, in moderate climates (like the southern U.S., for example), you're liable to overheat your tent. Once the temperature inside exceeds 90[degrees]F, the...

Tent mod kit lets air flow.
February 1, 2004... The convective space heater, NSN 4520-01-431-8927, efficiently heats your modular command post shelter (MCPS) as long as there's a free flow of air. The heater draws cold air from the shelter through the air supply duct. The air's forced...

Rope lock NSN.
February 1, 2004... Use a rope lock, NSN 4030-01-477- 0524, to keep a tent rope, loose gear, flight line or canvas cover snug. The rope lock doesn't need continual adjustments once it's secured or fastened in place. This NSN gets a package of 12 rope locks.

Connie's post scripts.
February 1, 2004... Online PS Articles By Email You can now send individual articles from PS Magazine online to the people you know. PS Magazine's online Internet web page is at: http://www.logsa.army.mil/psmag/psonline.htm >From PS 611 (Oct 03) on,...