The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from January 2007

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from January 2007

What do you expect?(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Some of these problems are caused by events beyond your control. It's not your fault that funding doesn't cover total maintenance costs. Or that the repair parts supply system doesn't always measure up. Or that institutional training has...

When the wheels fall off.
January 1, 2007... The last thing yon need while on a mission in Iraq is to have the wheels fall off your Stryker. But that's exactly what has happened in several instances. The problem comes from cracks in the Stryker's hub/spindle assemblies. Most at risk...

"Hawker" batteries last longer.(M1-Series Tanks ...)
January 1, 2007... Got dead batteries in your M1-series tank? Before replacing those old 6TMF batteries with more of the same, consider ordering "Hawker" absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries instead. The newly authorized Hawker AGM, NSN 6140-01-485-1472, is a...

Relay box is on shaky ground.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... When you take your MLRS on a tire mission, you'll be moving over all types of terrain. All those bumps, jolts, and bounces add up to a lot of vibration. And that can lead to damage to the second generator relay box. The relay box is welded...

Oil's well that ends well.(M88A1 Recovery Vehicle ...)
January 1, 2007... Mechanics, you've had the option in the past of switching from OE/HDO to CAT 10 oil in your M88A1's XTI410-4 transmission. Now the switch is mandatory. TACOM maintenance advisory message 06-041 directs you to change the oil used in the...

Air box needs a blowout.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... If it has been a while since you cleaned the air cleaner boxes in your howitzer or amino carrier, they need your attention now. That's because dust and grit collect all over the boxes even under normal conditions. In Iraq, the dirt and sand...

Cargo box containment net.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... NSN 3940-01-509-9096 GETS AN INTERIOR CONTAINMENT NET FOR THE CARGO BOX AREA OF THE M1114 UP-ARMORED HMMWV. THIS NET HELPS KEEP CARGO FROM BOUNCING AROUND INSIDE THE HMMWV. IT CAN ALSO KEEP FLYING CARGO FROM HITTING THE DRIVER ANT...

Lube the linkage.(HMMWV ...)
January 1, 2007... Coming up on a sharp curve as you drive your HMMWV is not the best time to find out the accelerator pedal linkage is sticking. If the linkage won't move after you've taken your foot off the pedal, slowing down can become a little more...

Weather cap.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Drivers, little things can cause big problems when it comes to your HMMWV. For example, if the air cleaner's weather cap is pushed down too far, snow and ice will accumulate around the cap. Enough snow and ice will cut off the airflow through...

Free battery box grommets.(M977A2/A2R1-Series HEMTTs ...)
January 1, 2007... The rubber grommets that protect the battery cables as they pass through the battery disconnect box are deteriorating from the elements. Once the grommets crumble apart and end up missing, the edges of the box can cut through the cable's...

Tire chains on fuel tankers OK.
January 1, 2007... Dear Half-Mast, What's the policy for using tire chain on M967/M969 5,000-gal fuel tankers? TM 9-2330-356-14 doesn't cover tire chains. Square me away so I'll be OK. SSG P.O.L. Dear Sergeant P.O.L., Can do. It's OK to use...

Checks for better battery PM.(Particulate Matter )
January 1, 2007... Mechanics, doing PM on the batteries in your M939-series truck is a must! That PM is a lifesaver for the batteries. And since the batteries are in the truck cab, that PM can be a lifesaver for everyone in the truck, too. Not doing good...

Light up gunner's quadrant.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... A new gunner's quadrant lighting kits is available that makes the M1A1 quadrant readable at night. Using a flashlight was previously the only way to read the quadrant, which signals your position to the enemy. The lighting kit uses a...

RFI NSNs for M16/M4.(Radio frequency interference)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... RFI items include both additional authorized list (AAL) items supported by the Army and those that are not yet AAL or basic issue items (BII). But all RFI items, including those listed below, are authorized and accountable. See DA Message...

Don't suffer buffer confusion.(Machine guns)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Some M240 gunners and repairmen are confused about what to look for when inspecting the buffer. No need to suffer buffer confusion. Make these changes to the TMs so you'll know what to look for: TM 9-1005-313-10 WP 0020 00-7, Item 3:...

Short barrel suppressor installation.(machine gun)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... THE M249 MACHINE GUN NOW HAS A REPLACEMENT FLASH SUPPRESSOR FOR ITS SHORT BARREL... ORDER THE SUPPRESSOR WITH NSN 1005-01-529-6234 AND ITS WASHER WITH NSN 1005-01-528-5007. BUT REMEMBER WHEN INSTALLING THE FLASH SUPPRESSOR THAT THE...

Finding good ground.(radar system)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The Sentinel radar system puts out huge amounts of voltage, which makes proper grounding critical... as in life and death. A poor ground can not only cause blown fuses and circuit cards, but also prevent you from doing the high-voltage...

Clearing the way.(Earthmoving machinery)
January 1, 2007... Bulldozing through rubble and building debris can do some real damage to the excavator's drive wheels, belt guides, scraper bars and drive belts. Here are some PM pointers to keep in mind when you eyeball these components: Drive Wheel...

Ordering parts.(M-Gator ...)
January 1, 2007... Dear Half-Mast, I'm witch the 321st Theater Materiel Management; Center in Kuwait. Units we support are asking how they can get parts and technical manuals for the John Deere M-Gators. What's the scoop? CW4 Harry Moore ...

Filling out paperwork correctly.(AN/ALQ-144A/C ...)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... To prevent delays in repair or replacement of a countermeasure set, make sure all paperwork is filled in right so maintenance can be tracked on the set. You can find maintenance management info on page 127 of TB 1-1500-341-01. Before the...

Handheld fire extinguishers.(Department of Defense Activity Address Code)
January 1, 2007... Handheld fire extinguisher (HHFE), NSN 6830-00-555-8837, contains a Class I ozone depleting substance (ODS). It's a controlled item of supply, but most rotary wing aircraft systems are still required to requisition and use them with no...

The time has come.(Aviation Vibration Analyzer)
January 1, 2007... The AMCOM head shed has a repair contract for AVAs. Any units needing their AVAs repaired should check out General-MIM-2006-009 for turn-in instructions and information. All version 6.01 AVA kits need upgrading to 7.01. Units supporting...

TWS parts for SWA.(AN/PAS-13 TWS ...)
January 1, 2007... Dear Editor: I am the C-E LCMC Item Manager for the AN/PAS-13 Thermal Weapon Sight (TWS) repair parts. The Army authorizes Army Unit and DS maintainers to order, remove, and replace Org (Unit;) level parts (SMR = PAOxx). If I receive...

Out with the old, in with the new.(AN/PRC-112 Survival Radio ...)
January 1, 2007... Forget about fixing or destroying a broken or busted AN/PRC-112 survival radio, NSN 5820-01-279-5450 or NSN 5820-01-458-6018. Instead, exchange it for the Delta model, AN/PRC-112D, NSN 5820-01-500-1535. The Delta model has many advantages...

Batteries: there are only two!(5-KW TQG ...)
January 1, 2007... There are only two batteries tested and approved by C-E LCMC for use with the 5-KW tactical quiet generator. They are the Optima D51R, NSN 6140-01-529-7226, and the 2HN, NSN 6140-00-057-2553. If you are using non-approved batteries, stop!...

So, when do you check the air flow restriction indicator?(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Half-Mast, Our generator have an air filter air flow restriction indicator go tell us when we have a clogged air filter. When the filter is clogged, the indicator turns red. Why is checking the indicator a before-operation check?...

Ask and you might receive.(acoustic suppression kits)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Dear Sergeant R. J. A., We went to the expert on ASKs for this answer. He's Nick Petouses. Write down his phone number, DSN 992-7122 or (732) 532-7122, and his email: Nicholas.Petouses@us.army.mil If you have any other questions after...

Which is which and what is what?(Power Plants and Units ...)
January 1, 2007... POWER PLANTS HAVE TWO GENERATORS. THE POWER UNIT HAS ONE. DESIGNATIONS AND TRAILERS ON POWER PLANTS AND POWER UNITS CAN BE CONFUSING. FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE THE CONFIGURATIONS FOR MOST OF THE POWER PLANTS (PP) AND POWER UNITS (PU)...

Drash tents: what's at stake.
January 1, 2007... Although the TMSS medium tent isn't hard to put up, its design is unlike that of most tents. The TMSS has a strut frame covered on both sides with polyester blend fabric. And that design calls for some special set-up and strike procedures. ...

Army direct ordering.(Clothing ...)
January 1, 2007... Soldiers deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom can now replace worn-out Army combat uniforms (ACU) and ACU accessory items through an online ordering program called Army Direct Ordering (ADO). The...

Air out sand, clean often.(mask)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... It doesn't take long in SWA to find out sand is the big enemy of Army equipment. It clogs everything, including your M40/M42-series masks, which leads to poor breathing and seeing. The only ways to fight sand are to keep your mask in its...

Check your M48/M48A1 GPFS... now!(gas particulate filters)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... There are M48 and M48A1 gas particulate filters (GPF) in the field that may be dangerous or that may not protect you. MWO 3-4240-325-12-1, which covers the problem, has been extended to March 2007, to get rid of every defective GPF. ...

Just what is shelf life?
January 1, 2007... Shell life expiration dates and inspect/test dates depend on items being properly packaged and stored. For instance, storage temperatures affect shelf life. If they are too high or too low, shelf life is reduced. Another aspect that...

Connie's post scripts.
January 1, 2007... M1 Equilibrator Spring Lubing LO 9-2350-264-12 (25 Sep 06) says to lube the commander's weapon station equilibrator spring. That's wrong. This spring is under 265 pounds of pressure, so attempting to move it could cause serious injury....