The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from February 2005

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from February 2005

You bet your life!(importance of vehicle preventive maintenance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Keeping up on your vehicle's preventive maintenance, day in and day out, is no easy task. So is PM really worth all the extra effort? You bet your life! Your vehicle is exposed to some of the worst conditions on the planet. Rocky...

Start up and shut down right.(M1/M1A1 Tanks ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Starting up and shutting down your tank should be as easy as flipping a switch, right drivers? Wrong! If you want your tank to start tomorrow, follow these critical startup and shutdown tips today: 1. Never use the combat start...

Pin problems?(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... If your tank suddenly loses throttle control and the FUEL CONTROL FAULTY caution light comes on during operation, don't panic. The problem could be something as simple as an electromechanical fuel system (EMFS) connector pin, NSN...

Stop plugging ahead.(M113-Series FOV ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... New roadwheel arms come with pipe plugs installed. Unless you mechanics replace the plugs with relief valves and grease fittings, you'll have to install more new roadwheel arms again real soon. That's because crewmen can't lube the arms...

Quick checks generate results.(MLRS ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... A few quick checks on your MLRS generator can generate powerful results during operations. Check that the voltage regulator is tightly screwed on the generator. Only two screws hold the regulator in place. If they work loose, the regulator...

Wrong cannon tube life?(M198 Towed Howitzer ...)
February 1, 2005... Crewmen, you want the M199 cannon tube on your M198 towed howitzer to last as long as possible. But in some cases, that's not happening. The problem comes when DS performs a pullover gauge reading. They usually post "Borescope Serviceable...

Howitzer 'how to' PM.(M119A2 Howitzer ...)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Dear Editor, We have learned these lessons the hard way--through experience. MII9A2 crews will save themselves grief if they remember these points: * The M119A2 has 3G grease fittings, but you'll miss some if you just; go by the LO...

To winch or not to winch.(HEMTT ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Dear Half-Mast, We've heard through the rumor mill that the self-recovery winch on our HEMTT shouldn't be used because it's not strong enough. I've looked but; haven't been able to find any safety messages of other write-ups to...

Missing threads not a problem.(M977-Series HEMTTs ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Dear Half-Mast, We have some concerns about; MWO 9-2320-279-20-9, Installation Instructions For Bolt Together Wheels For the M977-series HEMTTs. After installing the bolt-together wheels, we've found that there are zero stud threads...

Take the "cut" out of shortcut.(Hmmwv ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... When hooking up a PLGR or GPS directly to the HMMWV's batteries, taking a shortcut will only create more work later. Some operators run the power cable straight under the battery box lid. The lid pinches the cable until the insulation wears...

What about M35 trucks?(Machine Gun Mounts ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Dear Half-Mast, I thought your article in PS 621 (Aug 04) on how to mount; machine guns did a great job listing the NSNs you need For all the hardware. But you forgot to mention the M35 2 1/2-ton truck and that's what my unit has. Can you...

M35A3 pulley bearing.(Briefly Noted ...)
February 1, 2005... Use NSN 3110-01-5042167 to get the tensioner pulley bearing on the 21/2-ton truck. This NSN replaces the parts info shown as Item 3, Fig 49 of TM 92320-386-24P. This NSN brings two bearings.

M915A2/916A1/A2/917A1 tires.(Briefly Noted ...)
February 1, 2005... Fig 223 of TM 9-2320-363-24P lists wrong NSNs for tires on M915A2, M916A1/A2 and M917A1 trucks. Item 1 should be NSN 2610-01-0453688. Order NSN 2610-01-436-3334 to get Item 2 and NSN 2610-01436-3332 to get Item 3.

HET tachometer kit.(Briefly Noted ...)
February 1, 2005... Use NSN 2541-01-494-6557 to get a new tachometer for the heavy equipment transporter (HET). This tachometer replaces the old-style tachograph shown as Item 1, Fig 58 of TM 9-2320-360-24P (C2).

Not all cleaning tanks, solvents bad.(Small Arms...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... REMEMBER... NO ULTRASONIC CLEANING AND USE ONLY DRY CLEANING SOLVENT... ... AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE I WANT TO BE COMPLETELY LUBED! THE HEADLINE "NO CLEANING TANKS" IN PS 617 (APR 04) HAS MISLED SOME SMALL ARMS FOLKS. A BETTER...

Answers for avenger problems.(Avenger Missile System ...)
February 1, 2005... Dear Editor, We gave our Avengers some rough workouts in Afghanistan and as a result found some parts of the Avenger that needed a little more attention than what the TM prescribes. For instance... The mounting bracket for the ECU/PPU...

Easy on the flush.(See ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Operators, your small emplacement excavator just came back from the RECAP program looking show-room new and ready to go: If your mission involves loading dump trucks, though, eyeball the steel lines on the boom lift cylinders before you...

Easy on the flush.(See ...)
February 1, 2005... Mechanics, when you flush or bleed the brake fluid from the excavator, keep the air pressure between 14.5 and 29 psi. That's the word on Page 4-263 of TM 5-2420-224-20-2. Air pressure above this will crack the brake fluid reservoirs. A...

Peek at tire leak.(See ...)(excavator's tire pressure)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Operating in rocky soil plays havoc with the excavator's tire pressure. Small rocks get stuck between the tire and wheel rim. This causes the tire to leak slowly. Get down on your hands and knees and eyeball the wheel assembly for rocks...

Attention to suspension.(Deuce ...)(earthmovers)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Operators, there's one grease fitting on the earthmover that's sorely neglected. It's the one that lubes the swing (shaft) arm for the vehicle's front recoil suspension. Without lube, the swing arm seizes up, causing the suspension to...

Fuel line crack.(D7G Tractor ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... It could be a crack in the air/fuel ratio line that mounts into the air/fuel ratio valve that mounts into the fuel injector pump on the vehicle's curbside. Because of the age of the equipment and vehicle vibration, this line often cracks where...

Float blade reminder.(D7G Tractor ...)
February 1, 2005... Operators, do not use the dozer's quick drop feature when the blade is over a ditch or edge of a sand berm. That's not spelled out in the CAUTION you'll find on Page 2-31 of TM 5-2410-237-10. In the desert, some have found out the hard way...

Add to BII list.(Large Tug Boat ...)
February 1, 2005... HERE'S A LIST OF NSNS YOU NEED TO KEEP ME, THE LARGE INLAND AND COASTAL TUG BOAT, NSN 1925-01-247-7110, ON THE WATER. ADD THESE NSNS TO THE BASIC ISSUE ITEMS (BII) IN TM 55-1925-207-10. ADD TO BII LIST Item ...

Your sight, your choice.(Combat Eyewear ...)
February 1, 2005... The answer depends on the soldier and the mission. Fortunately, the Army offers plenty of choices, everything from the trusty old sun, wind and dust goggles (SWDG) to high-fashion spectacles that look as stylish on Sunset Boulevard as on the...

Snatch or grab.(AH-64A/D ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Pilots and gunners, there's a right and wrong way to disconnect your Apache's Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS) from the ICS wiring harness attached to the seat. The right way is to hold the helmet harness connector...

Curious George and aircraft doors.(UH-60A/L/HH-60L ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Dear Sergeant Blade, We often have static displays of Black Hawks in our Facility For visitors to look at. One problem though: the visitors are like Curious George. They touch, grab and pull! Many of them pull the cockpit door...

Latch on to latch fix.(CH-47D ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Mechanics, you've heard of the old saying, "Leave no stone unturned." The same is true when it comes to daily Chinook inspections. At your next inspection, check out the aft pylon work platform latches and the holes the latches fit into...

Don't mark NATS.(Aviation Tools ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Some mechanics believe that DA PAM 738-751, TAMMS-A, authorizes marking of tools in the aviation tool system (NATS) kit for tracking. But that belief is wrong. The PAM says nothing about tool marking! In fact, according to the PM, Sets,...

All about the batteries.(AN/CYZ-10(V3) DTD ...)
February 1, 2005... Using the Right Batteries The DTD uses three 3-volt lithium batteries, BA-5123/U, NSN 6135-01351-1131. Before you insert the batteries, make sure they are fresh. Meter them. Good batteries will meter out between 9.25 and 9.50 volts....

It's a cold, cruel world for batteries.(batteries maintanience)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Cold-Resistant Batteries Look at your equipment's TM and SB 11-6 for specific information on batteries for cold-weather operation. Both list primary battery-using equipment, battery type numbers, descriptions, storage temperatures and...

Some insights on inserts.(Interceptor Body Armor ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... For starters, don't play rough with the inserts. That means no throwing them to the ground. And no dropping them on hard surfaces. Even though they're tough, the inserts are ceramic and they can crack if you manhandle them. And cracks weaken an...

What knees need (and elbows, too).(Personal Equipment)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Slivers of glass, shards of steel, bricks, rocks and rubble. That's the landscape of the urban battlefield. If you have to crawl through it, you'll soon tear up your knees and elbows. You need the protection of knee and elbow pads. The...

Oil and inspection required.(Hydraulic Jacks ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Dear Master Sergeant Half-Mast, Our unit's motorpool has a 10-ton hydraulic jack that's used to lift HMMWVs, 2 1/2- and 5-ton trucks. What NSN do we use to order the jack's hydraulic fluid? Also, what criteria do we use to inspect the...

So long to canvas.(Tents ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Army's "retiring" canvas (cotton duck) tents, tarps and vehicle covers. Since the Revolutionary War, soldiers have depended on canvas to shelter them and their gear. But now the Army's replacing it with 21st century vinyl-coated polyester....

Did heat affect your CAM?(CAM/ICAM ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... If your chemical agent monitor (CAM) or improved chemical agent monitor (ICAM) has been in the extreme heat of Iraq or any desert, it may have problems. The CAM/ICAM is supposed to be able to take temperatures up to 158[degrees]F, but CAM/ICAMs...

Connect to correct connecting link.(M17-Series Decon ...fitting solutions for masks)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Some soldiers have heads that are bigger or smaller than average, which makes finding a mask that fits them difficult. These fitting solutions may solve your fitting problems, NBC NCOs: Use the M41 protection assessment test system (PATS)...

Connect to correct connecting link.(M17-Series Decon ...)
February 1, 2005... Dear Editor, In my role as a roving troubleshooter/inspector for the M17-series decon, I find that; 25 percent; of the M17 connecting links between the carburetor and the engine vane are either missing or have had a piece of coat; hanger...

Starting after sitting.(M17-Series Decon ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Dear Editor, If you try to fire up your M17 decon after it's been sitting idle for weeks, you could end up sending crystallized gas chunks or gummed-up fuel into the fuel nozzles. Then you've got a plugged fuel system and a major cleaning...

Which 'common' pliers are which?
February 1, 2005... WHICH 'COMMON' PLIERS ARE WHICH # NSN 5120-00- Type-Class-Size external, straight tips, 1 293-0044 3.15 to 3.5-in ring size, 2 3 4 .115-in dia ...

Parts for filler bleeder.(Tools ...)
February 1, 2005... IF YOU NEED PARTS FOR THE FILLER BLEEDER, NSN 4910-00-273-3658, THAT'S PART OF THE NO. 1 COMMON TOOL SET YOU'RE IN LUCK. ALTHOUGH THERE AREN'T NSNS FOR ALL FILLER BLEEDER REPLACEMENT PARTS, THERE ARE PART NUMBERS YOU CAN USE TO ORDER PARTS...

Old M2 barrel supports temporary OK to use.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2005... Because there is a shortage of barrel supports for the M2 machine gun, the old barrel support with rectangular cooling holes is temporarily OK to use. This means you can ignore the barrel support hole size rejection criteria on Page 0020...

M149A2 trailer elbow.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2005... Use NSN 4730-00-253-5765 to get a 90[degrees] elbow for the water trailer. This NSN replaces the parts info shown as Item 16, Fig 28 of TM 9-2330-267-14&P.

M149A2 water tank.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2005... Griping to your buddy about your trailer may get it off your chest, but doesn't get you an improved trailer. Instead, give the folks who design trailers your thoughts on improvements and challenges by filling out the U.S. Army TACOM Tactical...

M149A2 water tank.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2005... The water tank on the M149A2 water trailer is no longer available separately. To get a tank, order NSN 2510-01-091-5167. The NSN includes Items 2 through 29 in Fig 27 of TM 9-2330-267-14&P.

Crush proof drip pans.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2005... NSN 4510-01-433-0396 gets the single faucet for the M149A2 water trailer. The NSN shown as Item 1, Fig 28 of TM 9-2330-267-14&P gets the wrong faucet.

Crush proof drip pans.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2005... Use these NSNs to get crush proof drip pans for the motorpool. NSN 4940-01-490- Size 2455 3-gal 2463 6 1/2-gal 2470 15-gal These newer pans are made of a special collapsible rubber...

Rifle slings and top sling adapters.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2005... TM 9-1005-319-10 gives the wrong NSN for M16 rifle slings. The right NSN is NSN 1005-01-216-4510. The M4 carbine sling is NSN 1005-01-368-9852. Top sling adapters for M16/M4s can be ordered using NSN 1005-00-406-1570. Appendix B of TM...

FMTV paint patterns.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2005... For the latest info on your FMTV's camouflage paint patterns, go to this website: http://peocscss.tacom.army.mil/pmMTV/index.html Once you're in the website, click on Logistics-Maintenance and go to the first sub-bullet that says,...

A20 heater parts.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2005... The impeller and vent fan motor that make up the A20 personnel heater's vent fan motor assembly, NSN 6105-01-498-3867, can now be ordered separately. The NSN for the impeller is 4140-01-503-2369. But you can save a lot if all you need is the...

Rope lock NSN..(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2005... Order NSN 4030-01-477-0524 to get a rope lock that keeps 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. This NSN gets a package of 12 rope locks.

Windshield wiper actuator NSN.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Use NSN 1680-01-483-2097 to order the windshield wiper actuator for your Chinook helicopter, The NSN shown for Item 7 in Fig 396 of TM 55-1520-240-23P-3 is wrong. Make a note until the TM is updated in the next change.

Finding NSNs for unit patches.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Need to order colored or subdued unit uniform patches but don't have an NSN? Go to DLA's Clothing and Textiles website, Warfighters Clothing Support webpage at: http://ct.dscp.dla.mil/Ascot/ Search for SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA and...

Order M2 recoil buffer by parts.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Armorers, your support can no longer order the M2 machine gun's recoil buffer as an assembly. Its SMR code has been changed to AFFFF, which means it must be ordered with the parts listed in Fig 6 of TM 9-1005-213-23&P. Make these changes on...