The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from July 2005

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from July 2005

The ounce or the pound?(preventive maintenance for military vehicles)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... There's a wise, old saying: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In other words, by taking care of matters now--before they become problems--you avoid having to remedy major damage in the future. It's a common sense principle for...

Change com port settings manually.(Stryker ...)(maintenance software usage)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... There's an important new maintenance procedure required for Stryker mechanics. When followed correctly, it allows you to use the RS485 PCMCIA card to conduct intrusive diagnostics of the chassis electronic systems through the maintenance...

Cool it with PM.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Staying cool is the key to preventing thermal receiving unit (TRU) failure on your MI-series tank. To do that, you have to make sure the dewar/cryogenic cooler assembly doesn't lose helium pressure. Help your TRU keep its cool with these PM...

Back to basics.(Combat Vehicles ...)(maintenance)
July 1, 2005... TAKING CARE OF COMBAT VEHICLE IN HOT, DUSTY OR SANDY CONDITIONS TAKES A LOT OF EXTRA EFFORT THAT MEANS GOING BACK TO THE BASICS OF PM. Clean Air Make sure your air induction system is in good shape. That includes hoses, inlets,...

Turn in ammo before you come home.(Combat Vehicles ...)(ammunition management when soldiers go on their holidays)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... So your tour in Iraq is finally up and you can hardly wait to get back for some of Mama's home cookin'. Before you start drooling too much, you'd better make sure you removed and turned in all the amino from your combat vehicle at one of...

S-t-r-e-t-c-h your reach.(M113A3 Personnel Carrier...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Banged-up fuel pods on your M113A3 personnel carder are a sure sign that you've been towing recently. Whenever you make sharp turns, the trailer arm hits the back inside corners of the fuel pods. A new tow pintle extension, NSN...

What you can do for your ECU/PPU.(Avenger Missile System ...)(environmental control unit)(primary power unit)
July 1, 2005... IT'S COOLER OUTSIDE THAN INSIDE YOU! HOW CAN I OPERATE LIKE THAT? HO DO YOU EXPECT ME TO OPERATE WHEN YOU IGNORE MY ECU/PPU? For sure you don't want the Avenger's ECU/PPU (environmental control unit/primary power unit) to fail,...

Many small arms parts no longer controlled inventory.(spare parts accounting )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... In the early 90s, the Army had trouble with small arms repair parts accountability. To fix that, the Army made repair parts controlled inventory, which meant the parts had to be kept in locked containers behind double barrier protection...

P-D-680 is no-go.(Small Arms ...)(weapons cleaning solvents)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... TIME FOR YOU TO GO, P-D-680! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IM TAKING YOUR PLACE BECAUSE YOU JUST AREN'T GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ARMORERS, YOU'RE STILL USING P-D-680 PRY I CLEANING SOLVENT I TO CLEAN WEAPONS,...

Get on track with rail answers.(M16-Series Rifle, M4/4A1 Carbine ...)
July 1, 2005... I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOUR ADAPTER RAIL ASSEMBLY. LET'S SEE IF HALF-MAST HAS SOME ANSWERS. OF COURSE HE DOES, SERGEANT B. HE'S HALF-MAST! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHAT ARE YOU GONNA SAY? FIRST, I'M GOING TO TELL HIM THAT WE'RE...

Be clear on correct clearing.(M16-Series Rifle, M4/4A1 Carbine ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... OWW! THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO CHECK FOR A ROUND! YOU JUST RUINED MY BOLT!! Y' GOTTA LOCK THE BOLT BACK AND LOOK IN THE CHAMBER. Some units think the best way to check on the range for an unfired round in their M16 rifles or M4/M4A1...

Should M68 block sight post?(M16-Series Rifle, M4/4A1 Carbine...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... OH, NO! I CAN'T SEE ALL OF THE FRONT SIGHT POST! HOW WELL I HIT ANYTHING? WITH ME YOU DON'T NEED THE FRONT SIGH. JUST USE MY RED DOT! Dear Half-Mast, We are installing M68 reflex sights on our M16 rifles and nave a...

Tire PM = money $aver.(Construction/MHE ...)(material handling vehicle usage tips)
July 1, 2005... Operators, the replacement cost of just one rubber tire on a construction or material-handling vehicle will make you think twice about your driving habits at the work site. For example, swapping out one tire on the 621B scraper costs about...

Check the batteries.(Automated Integrated Surveying Instrument )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Some engineer units are finding after they deploy that their automated integrated surveying instruments (AISI) aren't working right because the internal batteries need to be replaced. Don't let that happen to you! Survey the batteries on...

Upgrading MICLICs.(MICLIC...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Dear Half-Mast, We have several trailer-mounted MICLICs that are MOD 1. How do we Convert them to MOD 3? CW2 R.W. Dear Chief R. W., The M200A1 trailer must be upgraded by your direct support like it says in TB 9-2330-323-30...

LHS grease fittings.(load handling system)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Twelve grease fittings lube the load handling system (LHS) on the CBT, HEMTT M1120-series, and M 1074/M 1075 PLS trucks. You'll find that info in your vehicle LO or -10 technical manual. Problem is, some of these fittings are getting no...

Use the right brake fluid.(aircraft maintenance)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... BFS, provided under MIL-PRF-46176B and also known as DOT 5 brake fluid, replaced the old brake fluid. V-V-680, also known as DOT 3 or DOT 4. BFS is more stable at high temperatures and won't absorb water. So, when it's time to add brake...

Purging with PM.(preventive maintenance)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Pumping fuel is an M978 tanker's business. Part of your business includes getting the tanker read for deployment and shipment overseas. Here are some PM pointers to keep in mind. Make sure all purging solution is out of the tanker...

A brief history of communication (and the important role PM has played).(preventive maintenance)
July 1, 2005... COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE AGES HAS BEEN A TWO-STEP PROCESS. FIRST, GET THE ATTENTION OF THE PERSON YOU WISH TO COMMUNICATE WITH. SECOND DELIVER THE MESSAGE CLEARLY. BOTH OF THESE STEPS REQUIRE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE TO ENSURE THEY...

Aviation tool marking.(Aviation Tools...)
July 1, 2005... Oops, we goofed. In PS 627, Page 39, we said don't mark NATS tools. That wasn't quite correct and was misleading. The purpose of that article was to clarify that DA PAM 738-751, TAMMS-A, does not address marking of tools. The article was...

Light repair by the book.(aircraft maintenance)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Mechanics, if the searchlight or landing light on a Chinook isn't working, don't do more than you're supposed to while to fixing it. Get your TMs out and do your AVUM inspections and troubleshooting. Don't do AVIM work! If you have to...

Secure 'em or lose 'em.(environmental control system)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Crews, don't leave your AH-64's environmental control system (ECS) covers half secured or you'll lose them to aircraft rotor wash. And they become FOD. Fully secure all cover turn lock fasteners on both the right and left side of your...

Protect countermeasure set.(AN/ALQ-144A ...)(rotor head maintenance)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... WE'D BETTER Get STARTED ON THAT ROTOR HEAD! LEMME BREAK OUT THE HEAVY DUTY TOOLS! HEAVY DUTY'!? BEFORE YOU GUYS GET TO CLANGING AND BANGING UP THERE... ... HOW 'BOUT REMOVING MY COUNTERMEASURE SET!? Mechanics, when doing...

A little Q and A.(AN/PRC-127EF ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Dear Half-Mast, Does the new AN/PRC-1271EF hand-held squad radio have have a headset? I DON'T KNOW IF THE AN/PRC-127EF HAS A HEADSET... BUT I FOUND THESE CHEAP Also, are alkaline AA batteries the only option? IT WAS ALL I...

Don't destroy them, turn them in.(AN/PRC-112 Radio...)(survival radios demilitarization code)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Turn in any excess AN/PRC-112 survival radios so they can get back into the supply system. There are soldiers waiting for them! Excess AN/PRC-112s should be sent to: Myers and Second Streets ATTN: B16 Stock Warehouse 2, Bay 1...

It ain't a handle!(SINCGARS AS-4266A ...)(military radio equipment maintenance)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... DO NOT WE SAY AGAIN--DO NOT CARRY THE AN/PRC-119 MANPACK RADIO BY THE AS-4266A LONG-RANGE ANTENNA, NSN 5985-01425-7305. IF YOU DO, YOU WILL BREAK THE ANTENNA BASE. WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE IT HAPPENS TIME AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN! CARRY...

We know bose.(VIC-3 Headset-Microphone...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... THE CVC, VIC-3, BOSE II, HEADSET-MICROPHONE, NSN 5965-01-453-2687, IS A 453-2687, IS A WINNER FROM THE FIRST WORD YOU HEAR. BUT I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING! SOMETIMES EVEN THE BEST EQUIPMENT NEEDS A LITTLE REPAIR. STICK THESE NSNS UNDER...

Lube is the key to your shelter.(S-250()/G, S-280()/G ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... It's a small mistake--not lubricating commo shelter vent hinges, ventilating fans and door mechanisms--but there might be a big price to pay. TB 43-0124, Maintenance ond Repair Procedures for Shelters. gives you a lot of leeway when it...

Clobbering cable connections.(Commo Shelters ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Making cable connections from one commo shelter's signal entry panel to another shelter's signal entry panel should be no big deal. But when you're in a hurry (and when aren't you in a hurry?) and it's dark and you're on your toes reaching...

Camp out online.(Tents ...)(http:llct.dscp.dla.millctinfolbasecamp)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Going camping? Before you light out for the territory, explore the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia's (DSCP) Base Camp website at: http:llct.dscp.dla.millctinfolbasecamp The site is devoted to tents and their accessories. Whether you're...

FM good, clean fun.(Field Sanitation Team...)
July 1, 2005... * Appendix A--Lesson plans for field sanitation training course * Appendix B--Equipment and materials needed for training; figures and plans for constructing handwashing devices, latrines, grease traps and showers FM 4-25,12, UNIT...

Wash before you wet your whistle.(Hydration Systems ...)
July 1, 2005... HUH?! SAY WHAT!? By now, you probably know about the benefits of a hydration system: cooler water, cleaner taste, hands-tree access and a 3-liter capacity. But did you know that these systems need cleaning now and then to stay in top...

It's not all or nothing.(Modular Sleeping Bag System ...)
July 1, 2005... NURTZ! LOOKS, LIKE I'LL HAVE TO ORDER A WHOLE NEW MODULAR SLEEPING BAG SYSTEM. THAT'S NOT NECESSARY. JUST ORDER THE COMPONENT THAT'S WORN OUT. Dear Half-Mast, Some components of my modular sleeping bag system (MSBS) are beyond...

Battery installation done right.(AN/UDR-13 Radiacmeter ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... SNIFF SNIFF DO YOU SMELL THAT? THAT'S ME BURNING UP! YOU PUT MY BATTERIES IN WRONG! If you don't install the four AA batteries right in your AN/UDR-13 radiacmeter, not only won't it work but it could be damaged. Here's the right...

Got your bag?(M40-Series Masks...)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Dear Editor, As an NBC NCO, I find some M40-series mask carriers are missing the M1 waterproof bag. Arid since the bag is rarely used, it's rarely missed--until you need it to prevent the possibility of the mask getting dunked in water....

Keep maintenance communications open.(Computers...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... NO ONE IN HIS RIGHT MIND FAILS TO PERFORM PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ON HIS RADIOS. COMMUNICATIONS CAN BE A REAL LIFESAVER. UNFORTUNATELY, TOO MAY SOLDIERS FAIL TO SEE COMPUTERS, ESPECIALLY UNIT LEVEL LOGISTICS SYSTEM (ULLS) COMPUTERS, IN...

Product problems? Don't let your ideas go to waste!(SF 368s...)
July 1, 2005... The Army provides you with state-of-the-art equipment, but there is always room for improvement. And sometimes you need to report equipment problems. Good ideas don't go anywhere and failures don't get corrected unless you submit them on a...