The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from January 2006

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from January 2006

Save us from the truly frightful.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Ghosts, Freddie Kruger, vampires, Hannibal Lecter, witches and aliens. All have filled the silver screen with frightful horrors. And we went to see them for entertainment. There are some frightening images, however, that we'd prefer...

TM wrong on mortar clamp.(M1129 MCV Stryker ...)(Cartoon)
January 1, 2006... HI, I'M A MORTAR CARRIER VEHICLE STRYKER. MY TM--TM 9-2320-311-10-12--GIVES BAD INFO IN WP 0049 00 ON THE POSITION OF THE MORTAR WIPER SEAL BAND CLAMP. THE TM SHOWS THE CLAMP POSITIONED WITH THE TIGHTENING SCREW AT THE 12 O'CLOCK...

Striking Stryker suggestions.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Dear Editor, These suggestions will keep crews From striking out because of Stryker problems: * The gunner's panel must be moved in order to fire missiles. But if the rail that the panel slides on is never lubed, eventually the panel...

The future is here, today.(M1A1 AIM Tanks ...)
January 1, 2006... Troubleshooting your M1A1 AIM tank is getting easier all the time. With the introduction of embedded diagnostics (ED), your tank has an on-board history and malfunction identifier that can recognize faults on the tank in real-time. By...

Halt the hang-ups!(safety of tank screens of the vehicle)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Crewmen, some of you have a real hang-up with the turret safety screens in your tanks. The problem comes when you decide to hang gear, helmets and other items from the screens. The extra weight cracks and bends the screens. Bent screens...

New wrench brings relief.(M1-Series Tanks ...)
January 1, 2006... Tightening the king and thrust nuts during a tank's gun tube replacement requires a minimum of 1,000 lb-ft of torque. Problem is, the current torque wrench, NSN 5120-00-555-1521, has a maximum range of 1,000 lb-ft. The strain can break the...

Solving the panel puzzle.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... TACOM reports that the number of requisitions for the old configuration of the M1A1 tank's driver's alert panel (DAP), NSN 2510-01-073-0020, is pretty high, especially from Southwest Asia. "So what?" you might ask. Well, the old DAP...

Protect against knob knockers.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Dear Editor, The Feeder assembly on the Bradley's 25mm gun should probably be added to the endangered species list. When the feeder assembly is removed for cleaning and maintenance, it's sometimes dropped or knocked against; other...

CLP OK for all M242 barrels.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The word used to be that you cleaned the Bradley's M242 automatic gun's two kinds of barrels differently: For the chrome-lined barrel, you used CLP, and for the nitride-lined barrel, you used RBC (rifle bore cleaner). Well, no more. The...

voltage regulator a real trip.(circuit breakers' use)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Tripping the circuit breaker on top of the voltage regulator of your Hercules can be a real pain. The metal splash shield, NSN 5340-01-421-2084, that covers the circuit breaker has to be removed before you can reset the breaker. Your best...

Door hinges need lube, too.(M88A1 Recovery Vehicle ...)
January 1, 2006... * Generator toggle switch. Flipping the GENERATOR toggle switch back and forth while the engine is above idle speed can trip the breaker. There's no need to use the toggle switch at all since the Hercules has the 650-amp oil-cooled generator....

Easier mount dismounting.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Dear Editor, To fire blanks with the Avenger's M3P machine gun you must first install a blank adapter and that means removing the machine gun mount. Any Avenger repairman can tell you that's an industrial-strength headache. The holes...

Headspace & timing cable NSN?
January 1, 2006... Dear Half-Mast, Thanks for running the NGNs for the on-board Avenger M3P machine gun tool kit in PG 630 (May 05). But you left out the headspace and timing cable--and our Avenger unit needs seven of them. Can you help? SGT T.M. ...

MSU not a coat rack.(mass storage unit)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The mass storage unit (MSU) on your MLRS or HIMARS (high mobility artillery rocket system) is not something you should be using as a coat rack. If you hang stuff from the MSU handles, the weight causes the handles to break or work loose....

Tips for trucks with AoA.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Steering and Turning * Greater force is needed to turn the steering wheel when the truck is not moving or moving slowly. * At higher speeds, the truck will under-steer. That means the amount the vehicle turns will be less than what the...

Rough stuff PM.(DEUCE ...)(earthmover, preventive maintenance)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The DEUCE is a tough workhorse that needs lots of PM while working in the rough stuff. Operators, here are some PM pointers that will help your earthmover at the worksite. Hydraulic Oil Strainer Keep your oil supply covered and...

Cold days a comin'.(IHMEE ...)
January 1, 2006... Routine checks and services won't hack it when it comes to interim high-mobility engineer excavator PM during cold weather. Read the good info in TM 5-2420-23010 and keep these pointers in mind. Rough Start? Operators, your excavator...

Pulley lubing.(road graders)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... One small PM tip that really matters on this road grader is the grease fitting for the fan hearing. The fitting is located behind the engine's screen door (roadside). Without lube, the bearing seizes up. Then the blade stops turning,...

Shutdown reminders.(SEE ...)
January 1, 2006... Operators, follow the word on Pages 2-84 and 2-85 of TM 5-2420-224-10 when you shut down the excavator. Doing it wrong can cost your unit about $300 for a new generator. The right way is real simple: 1. Park the excavator and let the...

Air drain reminder.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Temperatures drop when the sun goes down. Nature puts the thermometer into a nosedive. The days may be warm, but the nights are cold! A change in temperature means trouble is brewing if you don't drain your vehicle's air tanks. That's...

How do you mount M68 sight?(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Dear Half-Mast, How do you mount the M68 reflex sight on the M16 rifle and MH carbine? SGT F.S. For mounting the M68 on an M16A2, you need a mount, NSN 1240-01-410-7427 which should be assembled with short machine screws, NSN...

Where's the BFA?(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Dear Half-Mast, I Found very helpful your layout in PS 615 on what can be mounted on the different rifles, carbines, and machine guns. Could you do something similar on what blank firing attachments (BFA) to use for each weapon and why...

Unserviceable M2A2 aiming circles needed now!(Cartoon)
January 1, 2006... BUT... WHY!? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO GO? IT'S FOR THE BEST! I'M GOING TO HELP OTHER ARMY UNITS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND! DON'T GO LET ME EXPLAIN. THE ARMY IS RUNNING SHORT OF WORKING M2A2 AIMING CIRCLES. WHY ARE THEY RUNNIN OUT?...

Magazines with correct coating?(M9 Pistol ...)
January 1, 2006... Dear Half-Mast, We received a message that; we needed to replace the magazines For our M9 pistols because they had the wrong coating. But we can't find the NGN For the new magazines. Can you help? SSG N. B. Dear Sergeant N.B., ...

You want it gauged? Clean it first.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Dear Editor, Here at Ft Stewart's DOL small arms shop, we have a problem with units bringing dirty weapons to us for gauging and inspection. Sometimes it appears that the weapons haven't even been cleaned since they were last fired. And I...

Watch your step!(Black Hawk's maintenance)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Mechanics, trying to fit into small spaces like the Black Hawk's tail cone is a daunting task. As you low crawl through the maze in the transition area to perform checks or inspections on avionic radio and antenna cables in the tail cone,...

Another fire starter.(ALSE ...)
January 1, 2006... ALSE techs, your aircrew integrated recovery survival armor vest and equipment (AIRSAVE) gets another optional item to carry. You can order an all-weather use firestarter from GSA's website: https://www.gsaadvantage.gov (Do a search...

Protect countermeasure set from water.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The sets have been modified with a new air filtration system both top and bottom that cannot take wash water. After shutdown, always allow the set to cool down. Otherwise the cover can stick to a hot set. Then place a cover, NSN...

A little less tightening.(M130 Chaff Dispenser ...)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Mechanics, maintenance on the M130 chaff dispenser shouldn't turn into a job for the AVIM shop. When doing any repair on the payload module's retaining plate or installing the payload module, don't overtighten the stud nuts. Snug is...

There's only one PLGR memory battery!(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Dear Editor, I inspect PLGRs. I can't begin to tell you how many I find with the "Low Memory Battery" message that have a standard AA battery installed. An AA is a 1.5 volt battery. The PLGR memory battery, NGN 6135-01-301-8776, is a 3.6...

It's all about good reception.(Global Positioning Systems ...)
January 1, 2006... Global positioning systems (GPS) like the AN/PSN-11 PLGR rely on line-of-sight (LOS) access to satellite signals. That means you'll get your best reception when there is nothing between your GPS antenna and the satellites but the clear sky....

We need the parts!(GBS TGRS ...)
January 1, 2006... The global broadcast service (GBS) transportable ground receive suite (TGRS) models AN/TSR-4 and AN/TSR-7 are being replaced by the internet protocol versions, AN/TSR-8 and AN/TSR-9. Until this replacement is done, repair parts for the -4...

Filter out the desert.
January 1, 2006... Your radio terminal set AN/TRC-170 (V)2 or 3 needs a strong defense against desert sand. Part of that defense is having on hand a good supply of air and gas particle filters. But some of the filters in TM 11-5820-934-23P-1 and -2 have changed...

It's easily fooled.(AN/PRC-148(V) MBITR ...)(multiband inter/intra team radio)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The microphone-handset connection on the AN/PRC-148 (V) multiband inter/intra team radio (MBITR) needs to be fooled if you want to connect the improved tactical headset (ITH) to it. The microphone-handset connection has six pins. One pin is...

You've got some choices.(generator batteries)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... When it comes to the 12-volt, lead-acid batteries that get your 5-KW tactical quiet generators up and humming, you have several choices. The cheapest, and the one that requires the most maintenance is 2HN, NSN 6140-00-057-2553. With this...

Grease, acid destroy parkas.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Motor pools and your extended cold weather parka don't mix well. If acid and grease get on your parka, they will leave it spotted and holey. When battery acid gets on your parka, nothing can stop it from eating away at the fabric. You will...

Grip it, then zip it!.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... IS YOUR COLD-WEATHER SLEEPING BAG'S ZIPPER DEVELOPING A MIND OF ITS, OWN? ZIPPER TEETH THAT SEPARATE CAN BE CHILLING, TO SAY THE LEAST, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO FIX THE COLD AIR BLUES ON YOUR OWN. IF THE ZIPPER GOES OFF TRACK,...

A can could freeze.(Cartoon)
January 1, 2006... HEY, BUDDY, Is THIS ANY WAY TO TREAT A PLASTIC 5-GAL WATER CAN? YEAH, I'M FREEZING MY CAN OFF. HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL GET OUTTA ME THEN? ARE THOSE CANS TALKING OLLIE? IT APPEARS SO, STANLEY. OH, DEAR. I'M AFRAID...

Free up your fingers.(gloves used for cold weather)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Cold-weather mittens keep your fingers warm, but they're too bulky to do too much more than shoot a rifle. But ice-cold metal can freeze your skin if you touch it with bare hands. So what do you do when you need to free up your fingers to do a...

Make a beret a good fit.(Cartoon)
January 1, 2006... ONE BLAST THE NORTH WIND CAN SNATCH THAT LOOSE BERET RIGHT OFF YOUR HEAD. IT NEEDS T FIT SNUG SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO MAKE LIKE A GOLDEN RETRIEVER AND FETCH IT. SOME HOT WATER AND A LITTLE KNOW-HOW CAN SHRINK YOUR BERET DOWN TO A PERFECT...

Left out M17 decon NSNs.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT ENGINES, WHICH ENGINES, WHICH MEANS I HAVE DIFFERENT NSNS FOR SOME PARTS. GET OUT YOUR PENCILS AND MAKE THESE CHANGES IN YOUR TM. The M17 decon has two versions of the Cuyuna/2SI engine. Those engines with serial...

Starting made easy.(M17-Series Decon ...)
January 1, 2006... I JUST CAN'T START WITH ALL THIS OLD FUEL IN MY BURNER. HERE ARE SOME GOOD WAYS TO STOP STARTING PROBLEMS. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

How do I get CD?(M12 Decon ...)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Dear Editor, Through our work supporting units with the M17-series decon, we've come up with these three tips to make starting easier: * Page 2-35 of the M17 TM 3-4230-228-10 says the burner fuel Knob at startup should be turned fully...

SB 38-101 functions are now online.(Maintenance Management ...)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Dear Half-Mast I've been running a copy of SB 38-101 EM-0010 (1 Jul 00) for the end use of miscellaneous parts. Is a newer version available, and does it track parts info faster than the 1 Jul 00 version? Thank you. Sgt L.K. ...

Who keeps DA Form 348?
January 1, 2006... Many units are confused about what to do with the DA Form 348, Equipment Operator's Qualification Record (Except Aircraft), after its information is entered into ULLS-G. Para 4-1b(10) of Page 8 of AR 600-55 (31 Dec 93), The Army Driver and...

Connie's post scripts.(Cartoon)
January 1, 2006... WHEN YOU GET BACK TO THE FUTURE, DON'T FORGET YOUR TIME MACHINE PM! I WON'T. THANKS!