The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from February 2008

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from February 2008

Actionable information.(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Occasionally we hear of people who don't want to implement what's in PS Magazine. They look at PS as an unofficial source of information on par with SOLDIERS Magazine or installation newspapers. Actually they...

Remember to unlock the lock.(M1126 ICV Stryker ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] You don't expect to cause damage to your M1126 ICV Stryker during PMCS, but it can happen! PMCS requires you to check the inhibit zones on the remote weapons system (RWS) followed by combat override to check...

It's in your best interest.(Stryker ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When you're in the field, finding the right place to discard trash, bottles, MRE pouches, soda cans, cigarette butts and other junk is one of the last things on your mind. So most Stryker drivers just toss it on the...

EFC update for M1028.(M1A1, M1A2 SEP Tanks ...)(equivalent full charge)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Crewmen, there's been a change to the equivalent full charge (EFC) count for the M1028 canister round in your MIA1 and MIA2 SEP tanks. Originally, the M1028 was given an EFC of 2. And that's how it's listed in...

Prevent remote biocular display damage.(M2A3/M3A3-Series Bradley ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bradley remote biocular displays (RBD) are taking a beating because crews forget two rules: Keep the M242 gun's feeder handle lowered in the locked position. If the handle is left up in the unlocked position,...

Breaker can trip you up.(M577A3, M1068A3 Command Post Carriers ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] If the 5-KW generator on your command post carrier suddenly shuts down and won't restart, don't go running to your mechanic to complain. You'll look kinda' foolish if the problem turns out to be nothing more...

A little lube'll do it.(M88A1 Recovery Vehicle ...)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mechanics, a little battery acid in the wrong place will damage more than the batteries. You have to worry about what's under the batteries, too. In the case of your M88A1 recovery vehicle, that's the steering...

Prevent end connector problems.(M109A5/A6 SP Howitzers, M992A2 Ammo Carrier ...)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mechanics, the T-154 track used on howitzers and ammo carriers has a clamp style end connector that relies on a specific torque to apply the proper clamp load to the track pins. This clamp load is what keeps the end...

Blowup over a blowout.(M198 Towed Howitzer ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Is there anything that'll make you blow your top faster than a tire blowout on your M198 towed howitzer during maneuvers? Don't blow up at the tires, though. It may not be their fault. Improper tire inflation and...

Change is in the air for tire repair.(Wheeled Vehicles ...)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, Last year we started promoting awareness and use of the AMC tire and wheel repair program (TARP) (instead of unit repair and replacement of those tires). TARP supports modularity and the emerging...

Get smarter on your starter.(Wheeled Vehicles ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... WHEN IT'S TIME TO MOVE OUT, YOU WANT YOUR VEHICLE TO START. BUT IN COLD WEATHER ESPECIALLY, VEHICLES END UP IN A MAINTENANCE BAY WAITING FOR STARTERS TO BE REPLACED. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That's because all it takes is operating...

Tow bar checks.(Wheeled Vehicles ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Basic Checks [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Check welded joints for cracks and for bent tow bar components. Replace bent or cracked components. Some tow bars show their age through cracks and wallowing at the...

Are they turned off?(HMMWV ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Well, keep those thoughts in mind when it comes to your HMMWV If your vehicle is fitted with special equipment-a rear-mounted radio, a commo shelter, an ambulance or an arctic personnel carrier-listen to this:...

Wheel stud stumper.(M939/A1 5-ton Truck ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast After eyeballing TM 9-2320-272-2HP-1, I ordered front wheel studs for my M923. But, unfortunately, I got the wrong part. Then I placed another order, and the same thing happened. I'm stumped!...

Need an M66 ring mount cover?(Machine Guns ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, Is there a cover in the supply system for the MGG ring mount? It would really help us protect the MGG from sand and rain. CPT W.H. Dear Captain W.H., Certainly. Order the cover with...

No damage M242 removal.(M2/M3-Series Bradley ...)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Dear Editor, Here at the MATES at the Louisiana National Guard, we have seven M2H2 automatic gun receivers that have been damaged by careless handling when being removed from Bradleys. We're sure other Bradley...

Half-cocked clearing.(M249 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Editor, We're running into soldiers who have been told when clearing their M249 machine gun to pull back the charging handle and bolt just far enough to allow the safety to be depressed. Then they return the...

How do I lock rack?(MK19 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, How do I lock the rack for the MK19 machine guns? The padlocks we use on the other small arms racks aren't long enough. SFC D.W. Dear Sergeant D.W., To lock the MK19's rack, NSN...

Wear OK in mounting slots.(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... SOME ARMORERS ARE UNSURE IF WEAR IN THE MK19 RECEIVER MOUNTING SLOTS MEANS THE GUN SHOULD BE CODED OUT. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE ANSWER IS NO. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WEAR OR INDENTATIONS IN THE MOUNTING SLOTS IS THE RESULT...

Firing plastic ammo.(M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine ...)(ammunition)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We fire the DODIC AOGS plastic ammo for training. We know you can use the M2 practice bolts NSN 1005-01-184-4041, to fire plastic ammo with the M1G rifle but what do we use to fire plastic ammo...

Zeroing with M68 sight.(M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Dear Half-Mast, We are being told that when you remove the M68 close combat optic sight from the MlG-series rifle or M4/MHA1 carbine for storage, you must re-zero the weapon when the MGS is reinstalled. Is this true? CPT E.R. Dear...

Don't forget cocking lever.(M2 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Editor, I noticed on Page 17 in PS GSG (July 07) that your article on replacing the M2 machine gun sear spring said to first depress the sear and remove the sear slide. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That...

Storing M1 and M14 rifles.(M2 Machine Gun ...)
February 1, 2008... Dear Half-Mast What rack can we use to store M1 or M14 rifles? The M12 rack won't work for them. L.H. Dear Mr. L.H., Use the old M11 rack, NSN 1095-00-897-8755. It can securely hold MI or M14 rifles. Half-Mast

A few things to remember.(Multiple Launch Rocket System maintenance)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Make sure you have the Duo- Chek battery tester. It should be part of every MLRS repairman's tool kit. The tester lets you easily test every battery cell, which is critical for the MLRS. Because the MLRS needs all...

Hydraulic level critical.(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When you shut down your MLRS launcher for the day, don't forget to check the fluid level in the hydraulic reservoir. Because the launcher has to be raised and the struts put in place to do it safely, a lot of...

But what exactly is wrong?(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The continuity check in the MICLIC's TM 9-1375-215-13&P does a great job telling you when you have a short in the electrical system. But it isn't very specific about where the snort is. Here's a quick way to find...

One more time: our story today concerns a reserve unit that learns a valuable lesson or two about preventive maintenance. We'll call this lesson ...(Cartoon)
February 1, 2008... WHAT AM I SO SORE ABOUT? I'LL TELL YA WHAT I'M SORE ABOUT! I'VE HEARD THE SAME STORY OVER AN' OVER AGAIN! 'ONE MORE TIME'! THEY SAID. ONLY ONE MORE TIME! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT ALL STARTED AWHILE BACK AT THE MOTOR POOL... ...

Free helmet liner cover.(ALSE ...)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This TPL cover is used in place of the pro-mask during fitting and flying in a non-NBC environment with the IHADSS helmet. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To get free TPL covers you must "free issue" signal code M or...

Don't forget the filters.(AH-64A/D ...)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pilot and co-pilots, if you don't want to sweat the small stuff in the desert, then check the small stuff, like filters. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] The filters keep dust and dirt out of the cockpit and avionics...

Take heed of warnings.(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Mechanics, attention to detailed warnings is a good practice when inspecting components in your AH-64's right hand aft avionics bay. Pay attention to the IETM for the D-model and TM instructions for the A-model...

Watch your feet and hands.(aircraft piloting)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When you're hiking, be aware of where you put your hands and feet. Snakes and other critters can hurt you or you can hurt yourself stepping in the wrong place or grabbing the wrong thing. The same goes for...

Take care of test set.(aircraft maintenance)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mechanics, water doesn't belong in the pitot static system of your bird. But water can get in while you're in flight or on the ground. While performing the pitot static test, the tester creates a vacuum that...

Battery options.(AN/PRC-112D Survival Radio ...)
February 1, 2008... By now you've exchanged all your broken and busted AN/PRC-112 survival radios, NSN 5820-01-279-5450 and NSN 5820-01-458-6018, for the new D model, NSN 5820-01-500-1535. You're excited about the new features like built-in test (BIT)...

Simple key loader advice.(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As the AN/CYZ-10 heads out the door and the AN/PYQ-10(C) simple key loader (SKL) heads in, here are two things you need to know. First, bookmark this website as one of your favorites: ...

Send them in for repairs.(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Real time coordination between all the services is what the AN/USC-55A, NSN 5895-01-443-9072, and AN/USC-55B, NSN 5895-01-443-8178, commander's tactical terminal three channel (CTT3) are all about. But a busted...

Don't go inside.(PP-2953D/U ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Busting into the sealed case of a less than four-year-old PP-2953D/U power supply, NSN 6130-01-522-3494, is verboten! (That means a really bad idea!) Power supplies less than four years old are still under...

Missing knobs and screws?(AN/PSC-5C ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The three control knobs-squelch, dim and volume-on the AN/PSC-5C tactical satcom radio are each held in place by a setscrew. That setscrew is PN MS5-1021-21, NSN 5305-00-531-0137. It is not setscrew, PN130937-1, NSN...

Out with the old, in with the new.(Buyers guide)
February 1, 2008... ARE YOU IN CHARGE OF MAINTAINING AN AN/VAS-5A DRIVER'S VISION ENHANCER? YES. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HERE'S SOME INFO YOU NEED TO KNOW THEN. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE OLDER MODEL OF THE PVC MADE BY RAYTHEON IS GONE FROM...

Fast shutdown bad for bids.(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To do a proper shutdown takes 15 minutes. That's because a proper shutdown includes flushing the entire biological detector. To do that you must remove the biological detector assay reservoir and replace it with the...

Remove batteries or I'm ruined!!(AN/UDR-13 Radiac Set ...)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To many AN/UDR-13 radiac sets are taking an unwelcomed trip to TMDE repair because CBRN NCOs aren't taking out their batteries for storage. If the four AAA batteries are left in the radiac set when it's just...

Sealing compounds hold fast.(Table)
February 1, 2008... WHEN YOU NEED TO LOCK AND SEAL THREADED FASTENERS, APPLY SEALING COMPOUND. IT'LL HOLD THEM TIGHT. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE COMPOUND COMES IN VARYING STRENGTHS AND FOR ALL KINDS OF APPLICATIONS. THE TABLE BELOW SPELLS OUT THE...

The latest view.(Combat Eyewear ...)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In addition to the old standards-the sun, wind and dust goggles (SWDU), the ballistic/laser protective spectacles (BLPS) and the special protective eyewear cylindrical system (SPECS)-the Army has tested and approved...

Ordering army publications.(Website overview)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] The Army Publishing Directorate is no longer the source for Army units ordering Army publications and forms. The Army's Office of the Administrative Assistant through its Directorate of Logistics (DOL) has taken...

Ordering PS Magazine.
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We often get asked how to order PS Magazine. Here's the best (and only) way to get a subscription to PS, The Preventive Maintenance Monthly (aka: TB 43-PS-[series]). Go to the Directorate of Logistics website...

Little Yellow Book: a guide to explosives (since 1974).(Munitions ...)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Little Yellow Book on the "Hazard Classification of United States Military Explosives and Munitions" is available from the U.S. Army Defense Ammunition Center (DAC). The Yellow Book is only a guide and is...

New M240B ammo pouch.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... A new ammo pouch for the M240B machine gun is being distributed to units through the rapid fielding initiative (RFI). The pouch attaches to the M240B's feed side and holds a starter belt of 50 rounds. The pouch's collar assembly opens so that...

Shotgun breaching catridge available.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2008... A 12-gauge shotgun cartridge is now available that is designed specifically to breach padlock hasps and deadbolts, knobs and hinges on wooden doors. The M1030 cartridge, NSN 1030-01-475-7440, can be used with both the Mossberg 500/590 and...

AOAP helps prevent failures.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Army Oil Analysis Program)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The Army Oil Analysis Program (AOAP) is here to help the Warfighter. Oil analysis on your equipment can mean the difference between an operational weapon system or one that fails. Oil analysis tests determine the condition of engines,...

M1-series tank recoil stenciling stopped.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2008... Para 2-2a(4) of TB 9-1000-234-13, Exercising of Recoil Mechanisms and Equilibrators (Sep 93), says to stencil the date on the cannon tube after exercising you tank's recoil mechanisms. That's no longer true. Instead, you should enter the...