The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from June 2007

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from June 2007

Hot time! Summer in the service.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... It's the dead of summer and oh, soldier, it's hot! It's hotter than a fox in a forest fire. It's hotter than a two dollar pistol. It's hotter than a tabasco-soaked jalapeno sizzlin' in it skillet. Your mouth is so dry your pucker has...

Battling the elements.(Combat Vehicles ...)
June 1, 2007... WHEW! THIS HEAT IS ALMOST UNBEARABLE! THE HEAT I CAN HANDLE! IT'S THE SAND AND DUST THAT CAUSE ME SO MANY PROBLEMS! YOUR -10 TMS PROVIDE A LOT OF GOOD INFO FOR TAKING CARE IF YOUR COMBAT VEHICLE DURING HOT, DUSTY AND SANDY CONDITIONS....

Break-in prevents breakdown.(Combat Vehicles ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Most operators know it's important to properly break in new track on their combat vehicles. After all, it's outlined in WP 0016 of TM 9-2530-200-24. But what you may not know is that it's just as important to break in new roadwheels....

Caps keep grease clean.(Combat Vehicles ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Getting all the dirt, mud, and sand off your combat vehicle's grease fittings before lubing is important, crewmen. Using a dirty grease fitting forces dirt and sand in along with the grease. Contaminated lube not only won't do its job, but it...

Blow the sand out.(M2/M3-Series Bradleys ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The powdery Iraqi sand gets into every nook and cranny. That includes the cargo hatch latch mechanism on your Bradley. When enough sand gets inside the mechanism, it's nearly impossible to use the latch handle to open the cargo hatch. Some...

TM fix for track wear gauge.(M113-Series FOV ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Crewmen, the -10 TMs for your M113-series vehicles have some wrong information about track shoe wear limits. The problem is with the bushing wear limits for T150 track. You'll find the mistake in step 8 of WP 0082 00-4 of TM 9-2350-261-10,...

New way to flush your A/C's junk.(M1114s ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... In general, flushing lets you get rid of the old stuff, resulting in a cleaner system. So when you flush the air conditioning (A/C) system on your M1114, contaminants such as oil, sludge, and particles are removed. But did you realize that...

Stay off the hot seat.(HMMWV ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... If the HMMWV commander's seat is hot, that might not be just because the sun is beaming. You may have a problem with battery arcing. Battery arcing occurs if the commander's seat mounting bolts aren't installed correctly. It could also...

One thing leads to another.(M939-Series Trucks ...)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... Dear Half-Mast, While inspecting M925A1 5-ton trucks, we've noticed what looks like oil in the vehicle's air filter element and air cleaner assembly. What gives? Mr. D.C. Dear Mr. D.C., This question comes up from time...

Tips to keep 'em rolling.(Tires ...)
June 1, 2007... TIRES ARE TO YOUR VEHICLES WHAT SHOES ARE TO YOUR BODY. SO GIVE YOUR TIRES THE SAME ATTENTION AND CARE YOU WOULD GIVE YOUR SHOES BEFORE STARTING THAT BATTALION RUN. NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOUR TIRES ARE, HOWEVER, HEAT MAKES THINGS TOUGH ON...

Hawker battery OK in SWA.(Wheeled Vehicles ...)
June 1, 2007... Want fewer maintenance challenges during your unit's deployment? Or do you just want to cut the time it takes to pull maintenance, period? Well, when it comes to batteries, we've got a maintenance-free solution for you--the Hawker! ...

Loosen the nut to fill your cup.(M1112 Water Trailer ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... WHEN YOU'RE THIRSTY, WATER THAT COMES OUT OF THE TAP IN DRIPS JUST ISN'T FAST ENOUGH. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A STEADY STREAM IS WHAT YOU NEED, ESPECIALLY AFTER YOU'VE BEEN OUT IN THE HOT SUN. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHEN YOU...

Stop sand from stopping you.(Small Arms ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!? WHY WON'T YOU FIRE!?! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SAND CAN STOP YOUR RIFLE, MACHINE GUN, OR PISTOL FROM FIRING. SAND BLOWS IN PLACES LIKE THE MUZZLE AND EJECTION PORT AND STOPS MOVING PARTS. EVEN WORSE, IT...

Don't forget second barrel.(M2, M240, M249 Machine Guns ...)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... HEY, CHANGE MY BARREL, WILLYA! YOU'RE GOING TO RUN IT WITH ALL THIS FIRING. UH-OH. I LEFT THE OTHER BARREL BACK AT THE UNIT. NO MORE FIRING FOR ME THEN! Dear Editor, I'm a small arms inspector in Kuwait, where I've noticed...

Mount adaptor for M249, M240B.(Machine Guns ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... That means you can quickly and easily switch from an M2 or MK19 heavy machine gun to the lighter M249 or M240B when firing from the MK93. The adaptor also provides an ammunition bracket capable of holding a 200-round 7.62-mm metal or...

Know what you're shooting.(Small Arms ...)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... Dear Editor, I am a quality assurance specialist ammunition (QASAS) in Iraq and have encountered several problems that soldiers should be warned about: * Soldiers are modifying weapons or using unauthorized weapons. Both practices are...

Turn ammo box into storage box.(M2 Machine Gun...)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... Dear Editor, The M2 machine gun has lots of tools and other stuff that it needs in the field. It's easy for the items to go missing, which can be serious in the cage of something like a timing gauge. We've managed to stop losing so...

Beathe easier in the Desert.(M40-, M42-Series Masks...)
June 1, 2007... The sand and heat of Southwest Asia can do a real number on your M40- and M42-series masks. Sand can plug airways, while heat and the desert sun can shorten the life of some mask parts. This advice, though, can provide your mask an oasis in the...

Warranty means free replacement.(Tools ...)
June 1, 2007... Some units are spending their own money to replace broken tools in their tool kits. That is a waste of unit funds. Many of the tools in the Army's modernized sets, kits and outfits (SKO) have lifetime or limited term warranties. That means...

The sandbox seven.(All Aircraft...)
June 1, 2007... 1. The F and F Boys: Fans and Filters If an aircraft cooling fan doesn't turn, it won't cool. Sand can be super fine and can clog a fan faster than you can blink an eye. So build a house around your bird. A few grains caught in the...

The heat is on!(AH-64A/D ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Pilots and gunners, don't incur the wrath of your ALSE tech by mistreating the AH-64 integrated helmet and display sight system (IHADSS). That means when your mission is complete, don't leave the helmet in the cockpit when outside...

Where' your bird going?(AH-64D ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... In the classic story "The Wizard of Oz" Dorothy's house got caught in a whirlwind. Who would have guessed the house would come to rest in the land of Oz on top of the Wicked Witch of the East? An AH-64D in a whirlwind of sand won't know...

Fighting the summer sun.(Commo in the Heat ...)
June 1, 2007... In the summertime heat--at NTC, in Iraq or elsewhere--maintenance of radio sets and Other electronic equipment is tough. It's easy for heat to damage equipment. Here are a few high-temperature maintenance tips: Good Moisture Put...

Handling in the heat.(Commo Batteries ...)
June 1, 2007... IT'S TOO HOT! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! EVEN THAT BUNNY CAN'T SAVE US NOW! HOW IRONIC! I WAS GOING TO POWER A FAN!! I'D ASK TO BE DISCHARGED... BUT IT'S ALREADY HAPPENED! In hot weather, proper storage and handling procedures...

Heat leads to leaks.(Generators ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... ONE WAY TO STOP FUEL FROM EXPANDING IS TO KEEP YOUR GENERATOR COOL. IF YOUR GENERATOR IS TRAILER-MOUNTED, PARK THE TRAILER IN THE SHADE. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] USE THE CANVAS COVER TO KEEP DIRECT SUNLIGHT OFF OF THE GENERATOR, BUT...

Out in the midday sun?(Solar Shades ...)
June 1, 2007... IN THE DESERT OR IN THE TROPICS IT'S FOOLHARDY TO VENTURE OUT UNDER A MERCILESS SUN AT HIGH NOON. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THIS SENTIMENT WAS BEST EXPRESSED BY THE ENGLISH WIT, NOEL COWARD... ... IN A LITTLE DITTY HE WROTE NEAR THE...

Too hot for PM?(Air Conditioner ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Soldiers often have to serve and do maintenance in VERY HOT climates, as the troops in the desert can testily. 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...

DEET still the gold standard.(Insect Repellents ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... So, you think you've found some insect repellents that work better than DEET, NSN 6840-01-284-3982. You know the ones we mean: repellents containing picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Well, think again. The Army has not okayed these...

Liquid dispenser parts.(Mobile Kitchen Trailer ...)
June 1, 2007... DON'T GO THIRSTY! GET REPAIR PARTS FOR THE 5-GAL LIQUID DISPENSER, NSN 7310-01-245-6937, IN YOUR MOBILE KITCHEN TRAILER (MKT). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Vent cap, snap-on NSN 7320-01-213-6160 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Faucet...

A bit of comfort in the field.(Health and Comfort Packs ...)
June 1, 2007... MAN! IF I ONLY HAD SOME SHAVING CREAM AND A REAL RAZOR... ... SOME DENTAL FLOSS... ... OR SOME DEODORANT! SURE WISH I HAD SOME FOOT POWDER... ... SOME NAIL CLIPPERS... ... OR A HAIR BRUSH! Deployed far from home?...

Wash before you wet your whistle.(Hydration Systems ...)
June 1, 2007... BY NOW, YOU PROBABLY KNOW ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF A HYDRATION SYSTEM... BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT THESE SYSTEMS NEED CLEANING NOW AND THEN TO STAY IN TOP CONDITION? Outer Nylon Carrier Washing the outer nylon carrier helps to prolong...

How to avoid the hot metal handshake.(Gloves ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... AS THIS YOUNG GRAPHICALLY DEMONSTRATED... .. WORKING AROUND METAL ON A HOT, SUNNY DAY CAN BE LIKE SHAKING HANDS WITH A SIZZLING SKILLET! HOT METAL SURE BURNS! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOU WANT TO AVOID THE HOT METAL...

Finding info on the AMC portal.(AEPS ...)(Cartoon)
June 1, 2007... WHAT A GOLD MINE OF DATA! YOU BET! I GOT A LOAD OF LOOT! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THERE ARE SOME LOGISTICS TREASURE TROVES WORTH SEARCHING BY EVERY MAINTENANCE AND SUPPLY PIRATE... AH... SOLDIER. ONE OF THEM IS THE ARMY...

Finding ETMs online.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... Dear Half-Mast, As a reference librarian, I get a lot of questions from soldiers who don't Know about the LOGSA ETM website. Could you do an article on "how to get there and what to do?" Mr. P. N. Dear Mr. P.N. To access both...