The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from July 2004

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from July 2004

Fight the next battle now.(military equipments maintanence)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... "We have the world's best equipment." That's a statement that was proven over and over during the challenge of Operation Iraqi Freedom. But never forget that even the world's best equipment can't do its mission without maintenance--tough,...

Do you do windows?(Stryker ...)(cleaning of on board display monitor screens of armored vehicles)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... When the driver's vision enhancer (DVE), video display terminal (VDT), or remote weapons system (RWS) sights on your Stryker get dirty, don't use a shirt tail or a greasy rag to wipe them off. Using whatever's handy to clean those items...

No pumping air brakes.(Stryker ...)(armored vehicles)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Are you up-to-snuff on your Stryker's brakes, drivers? Just because it looks like an oversized SUV with eight tires doesn't mean you can brake it like one. Some first-time Stryker drivers have never driven vehicle with air brakes. So they...

No step zone.(engine maintanence)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... HEY, WATCH THE FEET That's what the Stryker would like to say every time you mechanics put your size 12s on the thermal control manifold in the engine compartment. Stepping on the manifold can loosen or even crack the seals on the two...

Move engine exhaust outdoors.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Running your tank engine indoors can be downright dangerous. Besides the usual health problems with exhaust gases, the exhaust itself is much too hot. The US Army Armor School at Ft Knox developed an exhaust outlet that lets you safely...

Play the angles.(M2/M3-Series Bradleys, MLRS Carrier, M113-Series FOV ...)(Multiple-Launch Rocket System )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... When assembling single pin track on your Bradley, MLRS or M113, you'd better play all the angles! When assembling track on the ground, you've got to properly angle the shoe before inserting the pin. If you don't, the bushing will fail and...

Generate some PM.(MLRS Carrier ...)(periodic maintanence, Multiple-Launch Rocket System )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Pulleys The V-belt passes over the pulleys at high speed. That builds up a lot of friction between the belt and the pulley grooves. So take a close look at the sides of the grooves on each pulley. If the grooves are cupped, the pulley is...

Weapon card goes cyberspace.(DA Form 2408-4 ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... So you've just returned from the range. That means it's time to update your DA Form 2408-4, Weapon Record Data Card. Since the only way to determine gun tube life is to keep track of the number and types of rounds fired, the form's...

How do I get a weapon shield?(HMMWV ...)(High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Dear MSG C. W., There is good news and bad news on the HMMWV weapon shield. The good news is that although the shield was originally designed only for the M1114 Up-armored HMMWV, it now can be used on the M1025/M1026 also. The weapon...

Stopping M6 pedestal cracks.(HMMWV ...)(High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Units mounting the M6 pedestal over the back wheel wells of HMMWVs in order to increase their range of fire, hear this: That can damage the pedestal and the HMMWV's bed. But there is a fix. If you can locally purchase steel stock, nuts, bolts,...

Cargo tie-down kit.(Trucks ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A snug fit in the fight place can make all the difference when it comes to delivering the goods in your truck. Use a universal quick tiedown kit, NSN 39990-01-512-9476, to bundle cargo and gear bags in place, keep tents and tarps snug, of...

Give water a chill!(Water Trailers ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Hot days in the sun means hot water in your water buffalo. Put some "chill" in the water with the help of a small mobile water chiller that comes with NSN 4130-01-315-7583. Use the chiller on all M149-series trailers, the 250- and...

No fabs or mods allowed.(Machine Gun Mounts ...)(fabrications or modifications)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Some units are looking to save money by fabricating their own machine gun mounts. Those units should immediately stop looking at fabrication as a way of saving a few dollars. That kind of savings can cost lives. Before a piece of equipment...

Troubles with your stud?(M2 Machine Gun ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Dear Half-Mast, We have run into problems on our M2 machine guns with the notched stud on the side plate that acts as a bolt; stop on some MZS. Sometimes gouges develop on the stud and then the extractor arm catches on the gouge. The M2...

Tighten up loose barrel check.(M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine ...)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Dear Editor, Riflemen and armorers are supposed to check that their MIGs and M4/M4Als don't; have any play In the barrel. IF the barrel is loose at all, the weapon shouldn't; be fired. The problem is that soldiers often hold the...

Mounting AN/PVS.4 on machine guns.(night vision)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... To mount the AN/PVS-4 night sight on your M240B or M249 machine gun, you use the adapter and rail grabber assembly. Here are the parts you'll need: 1. Remove the two screws for the sight's metal adapter with a 5/32-in hex key. Take off the...

SOP for DLTM, LMRD and LEM.(Patriot Missile System ...)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Dear Editor, The data link terminal module (DL TM), launcher missile round distributor (LMRD), and launcher electronics module (LEM) on the Patriot's launcher just; don't get the PMCS attention they deserve. As a result, they suffer...

Lube to prevent frozen torque bolts.(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Dear Editor, IF a torque bolt on the Patriot launcher becomes Frozen with corrosion, you can break the bolt trying to turn it. Then you've got to spend O of more hour cutting off the bolt with a hacksaw. That is not an afternoon of Fun....

Safety skinning your mask.(M40/M42-Series Masks ...)(military supplies)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Dear Editor, If you're not; careful when you remove your M40/M42-series mask's second skin, you can break the drink tube off where it connects to the mask facepiece. Then the mask is ruined. At the U.S. Army Chemical School, we teach...

Boosting your particles.(M41 PATS ...)(military supplies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... As you NBC NCOs know, to use PATS to check a mask you need a particle count in the room's air of at least 1,000 particles per cubic centimeter. It it's lower than that, you can't test. When you have trouble with a low particle count, try...

The case of the leaking storage case.(M56 Smoke Generator ...)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Dear Editor, We have lots of trouble with the M56 smoke generator's weapons storage case not sealing out water. The M56s sit between missions and nobody thinks to open the weapons storage case during PMCG. When the case is opened,...

Suck it up on hose care.(M17-Series Decon ...)(military supplies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Once your M17-series decon's suction hose dies, so does your deconning. You can't decon without water and you can't get water without a suction hose. The reason a suction hose gives out is usually that a section of it collapses. Anytime...

Bumps in the road.(military supplies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Clutch Pedal No-No Using the excavator's clutch pedal as a footrest is a big no-no! Any bump or pothole you hit disengages or engages the SEE's transmission. This yo-yo effect puts a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the clutch and...

Tire PSI reminder.(military supplies, Pressure per Square Inch)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The excavator just got back from the paint shop looking like new... except. Before the vehicle heads out of the motorpool, you mechanics have to make sure "40 PSI" is stenciled on the fenders as a reminder to your operators. The excavator...

Give brakes a break.(M9 ACE ...)(military supplies, Armored Combat Earthmover )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Operators, high daytime temps and cool nights in the Iraqi desert cause condensation to form in your ACE's are brake system. To keep the earthmover's brakes braking, drain the air tank daily. Hold the valve open until air stops escaping....

Step away from relay.(military supplies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A step in the wrong spot can mean disaster for your armored combat earthmover. What gives? Some well-meaning mechanic pulls the vehicle's rear access panels for maintenance and uses the master relay's protective box as a step. All that...

Leave it to Beaver: "PM by the TM".(military supplies)(Periodic Maintanence by Technical Manual)
July 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: knock knock knock knock knock knock knock HELLO MRS CLEAVER, THEODORE. GEE, MRS CLEAVER... THAT CERTAINLY IS A LOVELY DRESS. WHY THANK YOU, EDDIE. YOU ARE ALWAYS SO KIND. BEAVER, PLEASE...

Desert redeployment cleaning.(All Aircraft ...)(military supplies)
July 1, 2004... Well, you've served your time in the sandbox, and redeployed to your home station. But this is no time to kick back and relax! Your bird put in long hours in the sand and had a long sea voyage home. But sand (remember the sand?) got into...

They're waiting for you.(Aircraft Shipping Containers ...)(military supplies)(Illustration)
July 1, 2004... There are a whole lot of shipping containers available for sending your aircraft's major assembly back for repair. Trouble is, those containers are sitting in warehouses collecting dust. You need those containers to protect the major...

A PLGR parts bonanza.(Global Positioning System ...)(military supplies, Precision Lightweight Global Positioning Receiver )
July 1, 2004... FOR SUCH A SMALL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, I HAVE QUITE A FEW ACCESSORIES AND PARTS... FIFTY-SEVEN AT LAST COUNT! SEE THE NEXT PAGE FOR PICTURES OF THE NUMBERED ITEMS. THESE ARE USED ON BOTH THE AN/PSN-11, NSN 5825-01-374-6643 AND THE...

It won't take care of itself!(F18H-MPI AC Unit ...)(military supplies, Air Conditioner)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The 18,000 BTU horizontal air conditioner, NSN 4120-01-327-1316, used on many comino shelters is not self-maintaining. It is not a "run it and forget it" piece of equipment. It relies on you, the operator, to keep it up and running 1...

Getting a good start.(3-KW TQG ...)(military supplies, tactical quiet generator)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... If you've been using NSN 2920-21-910-1201 to order a starter for your 3-KW tactical quiet generator (TQG), stop it. That NSN bit the dust because it brought a 12-volt starter and your generator needs a 24-volt one. To get a 24-volt starter...

A cracked pipe.(3-KW TQG ...)(military supplies, tactical quiet generator )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The muffler on the 3-KW tactical quiet generator takes quite a shaking while the generator is running and shaking like that doesn't create "good vibrations." In fact, those vibrations loosen the muffler mounting hardware. With loose...

Protecting the protector.(Body Armor, Fragmentation Protective Vest, Ground Troops ...)(military supplies)
July 1, 2004... Note: This article addresses the body armor, fragmentation protective vest, ground troops. This vest is being replaced by the interceptor body armor (IBA) system. A future PS Magazine article will address the IBA system. Protection doesn't...

Too hot for PM?(Air Conditioning ...)(military supplies, Periodic Maintenance )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Soldiers often have to serve and do maintenance in VERY HOT climates, as the troops in Iraq can testify. It can be torture to try to pull PM on equipment too hot to touch. The Port-a-Cool portable evaporative cooling system helps cool heat...

Help for helmets!(Kevlar Helmets ...)(military supplies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Inspect Look over the helmet for cracks, chipped paint and split of cut rubber edging. Also look for loose or missing hardware on the webbing and chin strap. Inspect the webbing bands for tears or ripped stitching. If you find any...

Liquid dispenser parts.(Mobile Kitchen Trailer ...)(military supplies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Vent cap, snap on NSN 7320-01-213-6160 Faucet assembly NSN 7320-01024509048 (includes faucet, C nut and wing nut) Spout assembly NSN 7330-01-250-7730 (includes spout, O-ring and hex nut) Latch assembly NSN 7320-01-224-0074...

GMTK tools good for a lifetime.(General Mechanics Tool Kit, military supplies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The modernized general mechanics tool kit, NSN 5180-01-483-0249, has a lifetime warranty against breakage under normal use due to a manufacturing defect. Even the toolbox is covered by the warranty. Of course, the warranty does not cover...

Thread repair kit.(Tools ...)(military supplies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... If your unit has to repair stripped threads on your equipment, the Army now has a kit available to make the job easier. Called GARDSERTS, the kit tunas thread repair into a two-step process: drilling a hole with a standard drill bit and...

Tough new barcode labels and ribbons ready.(Supplies ...)(military supplies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A new family of barcode labels and printer ribbons have improved durability of labels, ink and adhesive. The labels are made from a tougher base stock material that incorporates ah aggressive adhesive and are used with a new resilient...

No hurdle for PT badge NSN.(printer labels and ribbons)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Don't exhaust yourself looking for ah NSN for the Army Physical Fitness Badge than can be worn on the PT uniform. The badge is authorized by AR 600-8-22, Military Awards. In FED LOG's Army Interactive, the item name is BADGE, QUALIFICATION, and...

USAPD gets new web address.(United States Army Publishing Directorate)
July 1, 2004... The web address we published on the inside cover of the December 2003 issue of PS Magazine is changing. The Army Publishing Directorate (USAPD) has a new URL. Publication clerks should access their pinpoint distribution accounts by going to:...

Location of essentiality codes.(military supplies)
July 1, 2004... Looking for essentiality codes? FED LOG refers users to AR 708-1, Logistics Management Data and Cataloging of Supplies and Equipment, Table 7-9. The problem is that table doesn't exist. You can find essentiality codes in DA PAM 708-2 (14 Sep...

Get safety messages via email.(thru Army Electronic Product Support account)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... You can now receive safety messages by email. You must first get an Army Electronic Product Support (AEPS) account if you're not already registered. You can register and access the web site at: http://aeps.ria.army.mil/aepspublic.cfm ...

Cases have NSNs, guidons do not.(National Stock Number, military supplies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... If you're looking for ah NSN for guidon cases or guidons... stop! The item name for guidon cases is "Case, Flag?' The Army Master Data File lists the "case flag ctn guidon" as NSN 8345-00-178-8494. Cases for other flags can be found at: ...