The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from March 2009

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from March 2009

It's the little things that hurt the most.(preventive maintenance)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Some soldiers end up putting a lot more into their work than necessary--like pens, loose hardware, tools, TMs, keys, and pocket change. They leave those items...

What to do with the leftovers.(Water Dispersable CARC ...)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Editor, The water dispersible CARC story in PS 668 (Jul 08) had a lot of good information. But there are some additional cautions you might want to let readers know about. Both CARC and WD CARC material...

When to disengage the transfer.(Stryker ...)(Cartoon)
March 1, 2009... MECHANICS, WHEN YOU GET READY TO TOW A DISABLED STRYKER, MAKE SURE YOU DISENGAGE THE TRANSFER FIRST! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOU DON'T, NOT ONLY WILL YOU DAMAGE THE TRANSFER, BUT YOU'LL RUIN THE TURBOCHARGER AND TEAR UP THE BACK FOUR...

Keeping oil on the level.(M88A2 Recovery Vehicle ...)(Cartoon)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE ELECTROMAGNETIC CLUTCH ON MY M88A2 BURNED UP! YOURS, TOO!? AND MINE! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE CLUTCH BURNS UP AND YOU'VE GOT NO POWER TO THE HYDRAULIC PUMP. WHAT...

No PM spells curtains for curtain.(M109A6 Paladin ...)(preventive maintenance)(self-propelled artillery)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Putting a brand-new weather curtain, NSN 7230-01-376-0439, on the Paladin's gun is wasted effort unless you do it the right way, mechanics. If you get it wrong, the curtain wads up and...

Is there a crack in your rack?(FMTV ...)(family of medium tactical vehicles)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Inspections Needed Visually inspect all RACK-equipped FMTVs for cracks at the next operator's PMCS. Any cab found to be cracked will need a new RACK support...

Bumper guide helps out.(HMMWVs ...)(high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Judging the right distance between the front bumper and an obstacle (like a curb, camel or another vehicle) when you can't see the bumper is an on-going problem with the HMMWV--especially when it has add-on-armor!...

Use right tire and right mix.(M939-Series Trucks ...)(military trucks)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Right Tire M939 trucks can no longer use the bias tire, NSN 2610-00-262-8653. Use NSN 2610-01-473-3997 to get tires for basic M939 trucks. That's the Goodyear radial G177 tire. And never mix radial and bias...

Use only authorized FWTD!.(M915 FOV ...)(fifth wheel towing devices)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fifth wheel towing devices (FWTDs) attach to the fifth wheel to convert prime movers--your M915 FOV truck in this case--into tow trucks. But if your unit uses FWTDs, NSN 2510-01-032-7123 or...

Don't modify your weapon.(Small Arms ...)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... WHAT THE HECK!? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MY RIFLE'S JAMMED! COVER ME!! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT JAMMED 'CAUSE YOU PUT THAT M4 BUTT-STOCK M16 RIFLE. PULL BACK, 'CAUSE YOUR'RE FEFENSELESS! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Store weapons properly or suffer consequences.(Small Arms ...)
March 1, 2009... GEE I'M SORRY. I FORGOT YOU GUYS NEED TO BE RELAXED FOR STORAGE. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OF COURSE WE NEED TO BE RELAXED! YEAH, YOU STORED US WITH OUR SPRINGS COMPRESSED! I THINK MY SPRING'S WEAK! JUST WAIT UNTIL...

Sights broken? Don't take to support.(Small Arms ...)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Dear Editor, Please emphasize to armorers that if they have damaged sights that use tritium, they should not bring them to field maintenance. I'm talking about sights like the ACOG (advanced combat optical gunsight) or the TA-31 rifle...

Where do you get reticles?(Small Arms ...)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HEY, GOOD NEWS. YOU'VE ALL GOT RETICLES FOR YOUR NIGHT SIGHTS NOW! EXCELLENT! WE'RE ALREADY SEEING BETTER! Dear Half-Mast, Are there reticles yet for the MK 19 and M249 machine guns for the AN/PVS-4 and...

Three sight brackets available.(Small Arms ...)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Dear Editor, In PS 669 (Aug 08), you gave NSN 1240-01-515-3767 for ordering the sight bracket for the MK 19 machine gun. Actually, there are three brackets that can be used with the MK 19. The bracket that comes with NSN...

Combat/safety center launches new toolbox.(Safety ...)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PRIVATE REDMAN! REVERSE YOUR WEAPON, POINT IT DOWNRANGE TOWARD THE TARGET AREA! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center (CRC) launched a new toolbox in early Oct. 08, to help...

The true story behind the War of Jenkins's Ear.(Cartoon)
March 1, 2009... WE ALL KNOW THE OFTEN-TOLD STORY ABOUT THE WAR OF JENKINS'S EAR BUT IN CASE YOU'VE FORGOTTEN, ALLOW PS TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY. THE YEAR WAS 1731. THE PLACE WAS THE CARRIBEAN SEA. ROBERT JENKINS WAS CAPTAIN OF THE ENGLISH BRIG,...

Protect launcher containers.(Hellfire missile launchers)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HELLFIRE Missile System... WHEW! THIS TARP MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THIS RAIN! THAT GUY IS LUCKY! MY CRATE'S STARTING TO LEAK! EVERYONE'S GONNA BE IN FOR A BAD SURPRISE WHEN THEY TRY TO USE ME! ...

A load of good loading info.(HELLFIRE Missile System ...)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Take it slow and easy. If you slam the missile into place, count on damaging the internal missile components, the shotgun connectors on the missile and on the launcher, and the missile stops on the rail. Make...

High security locks needed?(MITAS ...)(modified improved target acquisition system)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Dear Half-Mast, We have heard that high-security locks are no longer required to secure MITAS (modified improved target acquisition system). Is that true? SGT G.M. Dear Sergeant G.M., It's true. Now you can use the normal...

Don't push on generator screen cover.(OH-58D ...)(military helicopters)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While doing maintenance, the cover is removed for MOC. But when it's time to reinstall the cover, don't shove it back in place too hard and push on the screen. That's because the blades are...

Fire extinguisher squibs in stock.(CH-47D ...)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mechanics, the once hard-to-get fire extinguisher squibs for your Chinook are now available in the supply system. Just order the extinguisher squibs with NSN...

Have it your way maintenance.(ALSE ...)(aviation life support equipment )(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pilots and co-pilots, taking one class on aviation life support equipment (ALSE) doesn't make you an expert helmet repairer. Do-it-yourself maintenance fixes on the HGU-56/P aircrew...

Parts for maintenance stand.(AGSE ...)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Sergeant Blade, Recently a young soldier asked me how to take care of maintenance stands we have around the hangar. I told him to identify the stand by...

What are you cleaning with?(All Aircraft ...)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's not a good idea to use high-pressure water to blast grime away from your bird's exterior. Neither is it good to use unauthorized cleaners. When...

Don't be a dummy, get a dummy!(M230 Gun ...)(chain guns)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Editor, Through my work as an armament logistics assistance representative, I've found that most aviation units aren't aware that you can fabricate a continuity test round for the M230 gun. The test...

Replace the muffler hardware.(3-kW TQG ...)(Cartoon)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE MUFFLER ON THE 3-KW TACTICAL QUIET GENERATOR TAKES QUIET A SHAKING WHILE THE GENERATOR IS RUNNING [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THIS VIBRATION LOOSENG THE MOUNTING HARDWARE AND LEADS TO CRACKS IN THE EXHAUST...

Just say no to high pressure hoses!(SINCGARS ...)(Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Some folks think the terms "water-resistant" and "waterproof" mean the same thing. These are the same folks who have their SINCGARS radios in the shop for repair. Your vehicle's SINCGARS radio is water-resistant. It is not waterproof. ...

Sending in parts for repair.(FLIR ...)(forward looking infrared )(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The forward looking infrared (FLIR) sights manufactured by Raytheon has more than a few circuit card assemblies, like the scan control, NSN 5998-01-449-4403; the digitizer, NSN 5998-01-449-6275; the video processor,...

When the SOCI and CDD don't talk.(BA-5390A/U ...)(lithium batteries)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The BA-5390A/U lithium battery, NSN 6135-01-517-6060, is used in a lot of equipment, including your SINCGARS radio. But a communications problem between the complete discharge device (CDD) and the state-of-charge...

Where do I get cap?(IM-93/UD Radiacmeter ...)
March 1, 2009... Dear Half-Mast, The IM-93/UD radiacmeter is supposed to have a dust cap. But I can't find an NSN in TM 11-6665-214-10 for replacing a lost cap. Is there an NSN? SFC D.D. Dear Sergeant D.D., No. You will need to order dust...

Take bids on good PM.(CBRN ...)(chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] M31A1 Version The transfer line for the mass spectrometer has a fine capillary that runs all the way through the line. If you handle the line roughly, count...

Return of jaws.(Bolt Cutters ...)(Cartoon)
March 1, 2009... WORRIED ABOUT JAWS? NO, WE DON'T MEAN THOSE GREAT WHITE SHARKS IN THE MOVIES... ... THE ONES THAT PROWL THE OCEANS ACCOMPANIED BY SINISTER MUSIC... ... AND SINK FISHING BOATS AND MUNCH ON SEAFARERS AND TERRORIZE BEACH BUMS WHO...

Roof and cutting help.(Shop Equipment Welding Trailer ...)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A sagging roof on the shop equipment welding (SEW) trailer can let water, snow, and ice collect, which eventually leads to leaks. A T-bracket can prevent sagging. Here's how to make the bracket: You'll need a...

Army combat boots: from the ground up.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF A SOLDIER'S BEST FRIEND IS HIS RIFLE, NEXT IN LINE MAY VERY WELL BE HIS BOOTS. AFTER ALL, BOOTS PROTECT HIS FEET, ABSORB SHOCK AND PROVIDE TRACTION. WHEN HIS COMBAT BOOTS HIT THE GROUND, HE TRUSTS THEY'LL...

Connie's post scripts.(military clothing)
March 1, 2009... LIGHTWEIGHT HEAD WRAP. Need some light headgear to block the sun and sand? Try a Recon Wrap made by Spec-Opsr. The lightweight microfiber wrap can be worn in hot and cold weather. Use it as a sweatband, balaclava, neck gaiter, helmet...

UH-60 tail rotor blade correction.(Connie's POST SCRIPTS)(Correction notice)
March 1, 2009... On page 38 of PS 672 (Nov 08), the text and the balloons read "leading edge cracks." That's not correct. It should read, "trailing edge cracks."