The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from June 2004

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from June 2004

PS Magazine is online.
June 1, 2004... Early returns from our 2004 PS Magazine Readership Survey surprised us. A lot of our readers, nearly 15 percent, didn't know that PS Magazine has a web page. Our Internet presence began in 1997 when we began putting the magazine on our web...

Stryker.
June 1, 2004... THE STRYKER INTERIM COMBAT VEHICLE IS THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE ARMY'S FIGHTING FORCES. FOLLOW THE PM ADVICE ON PAGES 2-9 TO KEEP YOUR STRYKER IN THE FIGHT! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Keep oil on the level.
June 1, 2004... How important is it to keep up with the oil levels in your Stryker? Just ask that Stryker driver on the side of the road. That's him over there. The one with his thumb stuck out. Engine Oil Always make sure your Stryker is on level...

Shift on the fly?(Stryker ...)
June 1, 2004... The transfer on your Stryker takes some getting used to, drivers. If you don't get used to it fast, though, you will be quickly buying a new one. The transfer has three settings: 4-wheel drive, 8-wheel drive high, and 8-wheel drive low. If...

Ramp basics are vital.(Stryker ...)
June 1, 2004... Drivers, ramp PM and safety on your Stryker is mighty important. So follow these tips to keep your ramp--and everyone around it--functioning properly. * Sound the horn twice before raising of lowering the ramp. That gives others a warning...

Drain hub oil safely.(Stryker ...)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Dear Editor, No mechanic looks Forward to draining the Sryker's wheel hub. As soon as you remove the drain plug, oil gets all over the hub, tire and ground. It's not only a big mess, but an environmental problem as well if you don't...

Patience keeps turbocharger happy.(Stryker ...)
June 1, 2004... Drivers, just because your Stryker has wheels doesn't mean you can start it or shut it down like your POV. If you try, you'll probably be asking your mechanic to replace the turbocharger real soon. Startup Gravity drains oil out of the...

Send it back right.(TACOM Shipping Containers ...)
June 1, 2004... Need to ship a TACOM-managed major assembly back for repair from Southwest Asia? You can't just shove it in a box and slap on a shipping label. Most major assemblies have specialized containers that must be used to prevent further damage...

Hit hard with linebacker PM.(M6 Bradley Linebacker ...)
June 1, 2004... * Don't forget the spare hull and turret emergency batteries during weekly PMCS. Some Bradley units report the spare batteries actually have more trouble with corrosion than the regular system batteries. If you're not checking the spares for...

What armorers need to know.(M203 Grenade Launcher ...)
June 1, 2004... For the M203A1 or -A2, stake the headlless pin holes that hold the barrel latch and barrel stop. If a pin hole is not staked, the pin could fall out. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Old Firing Pin Some old style M203 firing pins are still...

How do you store M16A4s?(M16-Series Rifle ...)
June 1, 2004... Dear Half-Mast, Do you store the M16A4 rifle in the M12 rack? SGT M.H. Dear Sergeant M.H., Yes, the M16A4 goes in the M12. But the M16A4, like the M4/M4Al carbine, has a removeable carrying handle that needs to be moved back...

Fabricated racks ok if certified.(Small Arms ...)
June 1, 2004... Units can still fabricate and legally use racks as long as the fabricated racks are certified as secure by a TACOM-RI logistics assistance representative (LAR)--or an authorized Reserve Component representative--along with a battalion-level...

Steering gearbox crack-up.(22-Ton Crane ...)
June 1, 2004... "One thing leads to another." Keep those words in mind before you start up the 22-ton crane. That's because several gearboxes on these cranes have bit the dust. A cracked gearbox means your crane isn't going anywhere until help arrives....

Cab liners limit noise.(621B Scraper ...)
June 1, 2004... Dear Half-Mast, What criteria do we use to replace the insulation liners in the 621B scrapers cab? SFC M.S.F. Dear Sergeant M.S.F., You'll come up empty-handed trying to find the criteria in the scraper's TM 5-3805-248-14&P-1...

The PM scoop.(MW24C Scoop Loader ...)
June 1, 2004... Air Chamber Clamp Vibration loosens nuts and bolts that hold the brake actuator air chamber clamp together. When that happens, air leaks from the chamber. No air means no brakes. So grab the clamp and see if it's loose. If it is, get...

MW24C Sooop loader bushing.
June 1, 2004... Use NSN 3120-00-165-5947 to get the mounting bushing for the scoop loader's hydraulic lifting cylinder. This NSN replaces the parts info shown as Item 30, Fig 145 of TM 5-3805-262-24P. [FIGURE OMITTED]

621B fuel shutoff cable.
June 1, 2004... NSN 3040-01-214-9215 gets the 621B scraper's emergency fuel shutoff cable and handle assembly. The NSN is missing from TM 5-3805-248-14&P-4.

Let the valves breathe.(130G Grader ...)
June 1, 2004... Circle Drive The breather valve on the grader's circle drive gear case gets caked with mud during operations. A clogged valve lets pressure build. Eventually, something has to give, and it's usually the gear case's seal. When the seal...

MKII bridge boat dipstick.
June 1, 2004... Use NSN 6680-01-232-0102 to get the engine oil dipstick. This NSN replaces the parts info shown as Item 1, Fig 63 of TM 5-1940-277-20P.

Where's the grommet?(130G Grader ...)
June 1, 2004... Sand, vehicle vibration and weather cause the grader's battery cable grommets to come loose and deteriorate. The grommets protect the battery cables that pass through the engine's left and right access covers. Without grommets, the cables...

Life is a croc! The adventures of the crocodile dentist!(Animal World)(Cover Story)
June 1, 2004... G'DAY, DEADLY REPTILE FANS, WELCOME TO ANOTHER EXCITING EPISODE OF 'LIFE IS A CROC! ... THE SHOW FOR PEOPLE WHO INSIST ON RECKLESSLY PROVOKING DANGEROUS WILDLIFE. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I'M STEVE IRKSOME, THE CROCODILE DENTIST. I...

Whack the snaps.(Alse ...)
June 1, 2004... Dear Sergeant Blade, If aircrews or ALSE inspectors report loose or torn snaps on the aircrew integrated recovery survival armor vest and equipment (AIRSAVE), it may be that the snaps are not seated with enough pressure. Here's a way to...

Use color for balance, too.(HH-60L/UH-60A/L ...)
June 1, 2004... Dear Sergeant Blade, After reading the story on page 38 of PS 611 (Oct 03), we think there might be a potential problem. The instructions to make the tail rotor hardware display board do not allow for the rotation of the tail rotor...

Looking for a UH-60 gasket?
June 1, 2004... Mechanics, over time the gasket on the filter indicator light dries out. It's used in the Black Hawk's control communication system, C-6533/ARC. To get a replacement rubber gasket for the light without buying a new assembly, order NSN...

What are you grabbing?(UH-60A/L ...)
June 1, 2004... Mechanics, when heading topside to do Black Hawk rotor head maintenance, don't grab a pitot tube because it's convenient. Get in the habit of grabbing your bird's handholds if you're going topside. Or grab a maintenance stand instead. That...

What do you have in your bird?(Alse ...)
June 1, 2004... Most folks use and pack separate suitcases with specific items depending on the type of trip they take. The same goes for you Chinook and Black Hawk crews when you have a specific mission. Depending on whether you have a two--three--or four...

Keeping your cool.(MEP-802A,-803A ...)
June 1, 2004... Dear MSG Half-Mast, Could you verify something I know, but can't get some guys to believe? On the 5-KW and 10-KW generators used as part of the MEP-802A and -803A, I believe that keeping the access doors closed keeps the generators...

You gotta' know when to stop.(F18H-MPI, AC Unit)
June 1, 2004... It's dark and it's your job to shut off the 18,000 BTU horizontal air conditioner, F18H-MPI, NSN 4120-01-327-1316. You turn the MODE switch all the way clockwise to the end position and head for some serious sack time. The next morning,...

Wash day blues.(Digital Group Multiplexer Shelters ...)
June 1, 2004... Do you know the difference between waterproof and water resistant? Waterproof means an item can battle water intrusion and always win. Water resistance puts up a good fight against water intrusion, but sometimes loses the battle. The...

AN/GRC-103 radio set ...
June 1, 2004... We know it's not unheard of for the indicator in the receiver meter of your AN/GRC-103 radio to stick. You know that, too. We also know that when it sticks, one way to unstick it is to tap the meter glass. You know that, too. We also...

Keep shop voltage under control.(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Dear Editor, C & E shops need to make sure the source of DC voltage in their shop is correctly grounded. Many of them aren't. If you're working on commo equipment and have noticed sparks between your work bench or other grounded...

... Would a little oil kill ya?(AB-1339/G Antenna ...)
June 1, 2004... That's what the A5 and A7 cables on your AB-1339/G antenna mast would ask you, if they could talk. Those cables run through your mast and extend your antenna. That makes them pretty important fellas. But some of you are letting those...

AN/PVS-14 NVD LIF advice.
June 1, 2004... If you overtighten the light interference filter (LIF), NSN 5855-01-379-1410, you can crack the objective lens on you're AN/PVS-14 night vision device. Even though you're given a wrench to use, the LIF should be tightened only hand tight. When...

For thine own sake be pure.(M14 Protection Assessment Test System ...)
June 1, 2004... The M41 protection assessment test system (PATS) won't give you NBC NCOs pure results when you test masks if you don't stress purity (and cleanliness). The only alcohol used in PATS is pure reagent grade isopropyl alcohol, NSN...

Unplug fuel.(M58 Smoke Generator ...)
June 1, 2004... UH-OH I THINK MY FUEL PURGE VALVE IS PLUGGED. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Mask canisters still good?(All masks ...)
June 1, 2004... Unsure if the canisters or filter elements for your chemical protective masks are still good? Then you need to check out Supply Bulletin 3-30-2, Chemical-Biological Canisters and Filter Elements: Serviceability Lists. The SB, which is updated...

Purge valve.(All masks ...)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Dear Editor, We found at NTC that when the M58 smoke generator's fuel purge valve plugged up the OVER/UNDER SPEED light: would kick on and the turbine would shut down. We used a wire too clear the purge valve and then drain the excess...

Can care lets water flow.(Plastic Water Cans ...)
June 1, 2004... Water is vital when you're soldiering in the summer heat. You need to drink long and often when the sun is scorching and the land's baked dry and dusty. Give your water cans some basic care so you won't go thirsty. The first step is to...

Canteen care & parts.
June 1, 2004... You won't find a parts list for the 1-qt plastic canteen in any TM. So we've listed them for you. Now you have no excuse for ditching a canteen just because it's missing a cap or a cover. NSN 8465-01-115-0026 brings you a canteen with the...

NSNS on ice.(Ice Storage Chest ...)
June 1, 2004... These chests replace the 200-lb ice chests in the mobile kitchen trailer and the company-level field feeding kitchen. They're made of high impact plastic and can stoRe 175 lbs of ice or ice with limited A rations for several days in...

A bit of home.(Health and Comfort Packs ...)
June 1, 2004... Deployed far from home? Spending weeks or months in the field? Stationed far from the PX or local stores? Times like these you could use a well-stocked care package from home, filled with personal items that make life a bit more tolerable. ...

Tracking your PMCS with the DA Form 5988-E.(ULLS-G ...)
June 1, 2004... The DA Form 5988-E, is an ULLS-G form that replaces the manual DA Form 2404, PMCS Worksheet. The 5988-E has three sections: * Equipment Data identifies the unit, vehicle, type of inspection, and the technical manuals needed for the...

Maintenance allocation charts changing.(Maintenance Management ...)
June 1, 2004... Most mechanics know about the four levels of maintenance: unit, direct support, general support, and depot. Life will be easier in the future if soldiers who maintain equipment understand the changes that are coming. Changes to future...

Getting PS in the desert.(Connie's Post Scripts)
June 1, 2004... Units which are deployed to Iraq and have APO AE addresses use the Army in Europe Publications System (AEPUBS) for their publication accounts. To get PS Magazine delivered to their units, Pubs clerks should follow AEPUBS instructions for...

HMMWV precleaner NSN correction.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Correction Notice)
June 1, 2004... The NSN on Page 13 of PS 617, April 2004, for the HMMWV's air cleaner precleaner for the air filter is wrong. Use NSN 2940-00-875-9574 to get the precleaner.

Plan your 2005 SEA nominations.(Connie's Post Scripts)
June 1, 2004... The Army Chief of Staff Supply Excellence Awards (SEA) boost logistics readiness and supply effectiveness. Units interested in competing for an award should contact their MACOM representatives for guidance. MACOMs will submit nominations no...

Weed out defective mask CHQDs.(Connie's Post Scripts)
June 1, 2004... Defective coupling half quick disconnects (CHQD) for the M40A1, M42A2, and M45 masks are in the field. They could cause the masks to leak so they must be weeded out immediately. NBC NCOs, do the bubble test for all your unit's masks. The test...