The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from June 2009

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from June 2009

The world's best PM for the world's best equipment.(preventive maintenance on armored military vehicles)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You have the world's best equipment and you're proving it in some of the world's worst conditions. In the desolate, rocky mountains of Afghanistan and the barren, sandy deserts of Iraq, both you and your equipment...

Droopy Stryker needs some help.(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Start the vehicle. 2. Make sure the transfer is in 8x4 mode. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3. Drive the vehicle over a smooth, level stretch of road. The Stryker must be moving...

Hub leaking? Look for o-rings!(Stryker ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If that O-ring is missing or damaged, you won't get a good seal and the hub can leak. If the hub goes dry, it'll burn up. Replace missing or damaged O-rings with NSN 5330-12-156-4524. If the old O-ring is...

A plug for final drive checks.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crewmen Using the -10 TM's PMCS charts, inspect the final drives weekly for oil leaks, especially at the drain and check plugs. Report any leaks to your...

Give my reset button a shot!(M88A1 Recovery Vehicle ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Having charging problems with an M88A1, mechanics? The problem could be the generator. Then again, maybe it isn't. Before you go through the lengthy troubleshooting procedures in TM 9-2350-256-20-1, take a quick...

Searching for the combat lock.(M113-Series FOV ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, A lot of the newer drivers of M113-series vehicles don't realize that the power plant access door has a combat lock. So when it's time to do PMCS, the driver can't figure out why the access door...

Fan blades love fingers.(M109-Series SP Howitzers, M992A2 Ammo Carrier ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Get too close to the cooling fan blades on your howitzer or ammo carrier and they'll make finger food out of your hands. That's why fan blade screens should always be used during maintenance on a running engine. ...

Cab rests easy on rubber mounts.(FMTV ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Without the mounts, every bump during operation makes the cab rock and bounce. And when you raise or lower the cab, it can tilt, putting extra stress on the hydraulic struts. The problems are even worse if your truck...

Hydraulic oil reservoir draining.(M939-Series Trucks ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Since there's no drain plug, disconnect the oil line at the bottom of the tank. Make sure you let the oil cool before you loosen the line, so you won't get a hot oil bath. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While...

The right type of hookup.(Shelters ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Secure a shelter to a 2 1/2- or a 5-ton FMTV truck. Sounds simple enough, but can you do it the right way? Troops have enough to think about while conducting vehicle operations. Properly securing and checking...

Save the brakes.(Trailer Hookups ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Caution" is the word to keep in mind when you hook up the brake air hoses from a trailer to your 21/2- or 5-ton truck. If you cross the air lines, the trailer brakes will lock up, burn out or ruin the tires. ...

Vehicle characteristics data.(Combat, Tactical and CCE/MHE ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, As a master planner for the Arizona ARNG, I need to enter information on the DD Form 1390/91 that identifies wheeled and tracked equipment longer than 30 feet. Could you advise me if there's...

Help available through FSRs.(Rhino ...)(Directory)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IRAQ Baghdad--Wayne Hales or Derrick Scott dennis.hales@us.army.mil derrick.scott@iraq.centcom.mil DSN 318-822-7756; 312-987-5130, ext. 6825/6824 Balad--Tyrome Tukes...

All charged up and ready to go!(Avenger Missile System ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Repairmen First, get a hand-held battery load tester, NSN 6130-01-447-7294. It will quickly tell you a battery's state of charge...

Where do I find M240H info?(M240H Machine Gun ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We are starting to mount the M240H machine gun on our UH-60s and we are having trouble finding info on the M240H's mount. The elastic cord that holds the ammo can on the pintle mount sometimes...

Man-marking ammo requires protection.(CCMCK ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Although the Army hasn't yet come out with the close combat mission capabilities kit (CCMCK), some units are already training with off-the-shelf man-marking munitions that are filled with wax. When one of these...

What's the difference in lubes?(Small Arms ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, The -10 TMs for our small arms list a number of lubes and/or cleaners for our weapons, but many of us aren't exactly sure what the differences are among them. Can you help? SGT J.D. Dear...

M2 only finish standard change.(Small Arms ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We saw on Page 21 in PS 672 (Nov 08) that the standard on how much finish can be missing on an M2 machine gun is waived during wartime. ...

How David beat Goliath!(Cartoon)
June 1, 2009... C'MON, YOU COWARDS... LET'S GET IT ON! MAN TO MAN! IF ANY OF YOU CAN BEAT ME, WE'LL WRAP THIS WHOLE THING UP AND CALL IT A DAY! NO NEED FOR ANY BIG BATTLE... JUST TWO GUYS DUKING IT OUT. WHY DON'T YOU TAKE ON GOLIATH? I...

New helmet liners authorized.(HGU-56/P ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The liners give the ALSE tech flexibility in the fit of the HGU-56/P helmet. Because of the uniqueness of...

Wrong part listed in TM.(Avionics ...)(Correction notice)
June 1, 2009... MECHANICS, ARE YOU ORDERING COMSEC EQUIPMENT BUT GETTING SOMETHING ELSE? IF THE ANSWER IS YES, HERE'S WHAT MAY BR WRONG. THE LISTING IN TM 11-1520-237-23P, ITEM 2, PAGE 34-1 FOR CONTROL-INDICATOR, NSN 5895-00-138-9213, PN SMD535629, IS...

Drive shaft bracket.(UH-60 Series ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The bracket can be used with both the old and new high speed shafts and must be used with the Black Hawk AVA script file UH_60 75 version 7.5f or higher. The bracket holds the optical...

Tight as can be.(All Aircraft ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The four antennas should be inspected for paint, fuel, dirt and damage to the radome. Look for broken or missing mounting screws on the antennas. Sometimes you remove them to inspect the connections as a part of your...

It's a life and death issue.(Night Vision Goggle Safety ...)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Editor, There are enough unavoidable deaths in war that we don't need to lose Soldiers or civilians to avoidable ones. We lost a gunner in a vehicle...

Simple key loader component update.(AN/PYQ-10(C) ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Users of the cryptographic key transfer unit, AN/PYQ-10(C) simple key loader, NSN 5810-01-517-3587, should download TM 11-5810-410-13&P. The TM is found on EM 0164 and can be accessed at the LOGSA website: ...

Take a test for battery health.(PP-8496/U SDD1 ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DETERMINE THEIR CONDITION BY TESTING THEM WITH THE SDD1 BATTERY HEALTH INDICATOR, PP-8496/U, NSN 6130-01-494-4133. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TO TEST A BATTERY, THE BATTERY MUST BE...

Hey! These batteries won't recharge!(AN/PRC-148 MBITR ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Okay, all AN/PRC-148 MBITR or JTRS enhanced MBITR (JEM) users, let's get straight on which rechargeable batteries you can use and which ones you can't. You CAN use, and should use, batteries built by Thales, NSN...

Tap, tap, blow, blow.(CX-13295/G Cable ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Your 300-meter, NSN 6020-01-220-5435, and 1,000-meter, NSN 6020-01-208-1147, CX-13295/G fiber optic cables are sensitive to dirt once they're disconnected. Most of you do your PM job by using protective caps on the connectors when they're not...

Cost saving master light switch.(IMG MaxxPro/Plus Vehicles ...)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Editor, I am writing to you about the master light switch for the IMG MaxxPro and IMG MaxxPro Plus vehicles shown in Fig 8-37.1 on Page 437 of TM 9-2355-106-24P and Fig 8-39.1 on Page 395 of TM...

Caiman air tank dilemma.(MRAP ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caiman MRAP users need to take a close look at the vehicle's primary, secondary and wet tanks. These tanks are known to rupture, causing the air brake system to fail. Not good! Get...

Time for some digging.(Backhoe Loader ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Safety and PMCS go hand-in-hand with the Case backhoe loader. For tip-top backhoe operations, keep these pointers in mind before and during the day's work. You'll find this info in WP 0012-8 and 0012-9 of TM...

Paint blade edge orange.(130G AOA Grader ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Operators, the edge of the blade is hard to see when you're inside the 130G grader cab with add-on-armor. Here's how to solve the problem. Get your CO's approval to have your mechanic paint the blade's back...

If you don't know Jack.(Jack Stands ...)(Cartoon)
June 1, 2009... IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY. YOU'VE WORKED HARD IN THE MOTOR POOL AND YOU DESERVE A BREATHER. TAKE A SIP OF SPORTS DRINK, LEAN BACK AND RELAX. WHOA! EASY THERE, SOLDIER. WATCH WHERE YOU'RE-- --LEANING. MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT...

Impact wrench needs impact sockets.(Tools ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An impact wrench can do powerful work tightening or loosening nuts. It's much more powerful than a regular socket wrench. That's why you should never use a regular socket with an impact wrench. The extra torque...

Socket adapter added to SECM.(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The adapter can be ordered with PN TMU8B through the SKOT website: http://pmskot.army.mil Once you get the adapter, put it in drawer B4 centered between PN FS121 and PN SGT4B. Use a sharp knife to cut two slots...

Fox needs PM diet for good health.(preventive maintenance)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Check the seals. If the door and hatch seals are in bad shape, then you could be in bad shape when your Fox swims or encounters chemical agents. Bad seals prevent the Fox from building overpressure, which means it...

M256 detector upgraded.(M256A2 Chemical Agent Detector Kit ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new kit will have an increased detection capability and is packaged in a 1-liter canteen pouch that is compatible with modular load-bearing equipment (MOLLE). Like the M256A1, the kit will contain chemical...

Harness NSN?(M40/M42-Series Masks ...)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, I've looked in TM 3-4240-346-20&P and I can't find an NSN for the M40 and M42 masks' head harness. Can you help? CW5 K.V. Dear Chief K.V., Certainly. For some reason the NSN for the...

PMCS cards a good deal.(M40/M42-Series Masks ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, I have tried with no luck to get the M40/M42 mask PMCS cards that are laminated and connected with a ring. The cards make it easier to do the PMCS for the mask. Can you help? SSG C.C. ...

Detect detector problems quickly.(AN/VDR-2 Radiac Set ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Batteries--It's critical you put the batteries in correctly: First, make sure the power switch is off. The large terminal on each of the three batteries goes in the top row of the battery compartment and the...

OCIE PCS shipments.(TA-50 ...)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] All Soldiers now retain some Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment (OCIE) when they PCS. What you keep depends on the type of unit you are moving to. The first step to determining which equipment you...

Respirator info.(Force Provider ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The waste water evacuation tank trailer is critical for servicing the containerized latrines in Force Provider base camps. And critical for the operator are the safety items called out...

Bad HMMWV cooling system hose.(Connie's POST SCRIPTS)
June 1, 2009... Some basic, -A1, and -A2 (non-turbo) HMMWV cooling system hoses, NSN 4720-01-187-3386, look normal, but are leaking and are very soft and mushy when touched. Make sure you don't have this problem by inspecting your HMMWV radiator's bottom hose...

M2 video link change.(Connie's Post Scripts)
June 1, 2009... On Page 22 in PS 662 (Jan 08), we gave you a link for a video on how to time and headspace your M2 machine gun. That link has changed to: https://aeps2.ria.army.mil/Services/Training/50Cal/headspac/headspac.cfm

Small Arms Support Center contact correction.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Correction notice)
June 1, 2009... On Page 20 in PS 675 (Feb 09), we gave you the wrong contact information for the Balad and Baghdad Small Arms Support Centers. The correct information for Balad is DSN 312-987-5130 (ext. 6203) or email: smallarmsbalad@mmcs.army.mil The...

M1022 dolly set grease seal.(Connie's Post Scripts)
June 1, 2009... Use NSN 5330-01-082-7965 to get a metal seal ring (grease seal) for the M1022 dolly set's front axle. This NSN replaces the one shown as Item 18 in Fig 12 of TM 9-2330-379-14&P.

HMMWV 6.5L engine oil pan sealant.(Connie's Post Scripts)
June 1, 2009... Mechanics, use silicone sealant to make a gasket around the oil pan on the HMMWV's 6.5L detuned, naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines. Use NSN 6850-01-549-4631 to get a 75-gram tube of sealant. NSN 6850-01-549-4586 gets a 150-gram...

TMs ... dependable, expendable, indispensable!(Cartoon)
June 1, 2009... They may printed be, on a CD, or on a website to see, However they come... ... Make it a rule of thumb not to rely on memory!