The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from May 2005

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from May 2005

New tracks for an old warrior.(M113-Series FOV ...)
May 1, 2005... There's a new track available for your M113-series vehicles, crewmen. T150F is a double-pin track that lasts longer and performs better than the old T130E1 single-pin track you're used to. TB 9-2530-369-20-1, Modification to Convert M113A3...

Protect yourself!(M113A2/A3 FOV ...)
May 1, 2005... Need some additional protection from mines and small arms fire on your M113A2/A3? Then the mine armor kit, NSN 2540-01-498-9827, is for you. The kit consists of a 3/4-in thick belly plate and a 3/8-in thick plate for attaching under the...

Ask for a re-deal.(M1A2 SEP Tank ...)
May 1, 2005... If your M1A2 SEP still has any of the older Army embedded GPS receiver (AEGR) circuit cards, NSN 5998-01-463-1005 (PN 12438580 or 110100), don't play the hand you were dealt. Any older AEGR cards found in the turret mission processing unit...

Bradley/MLRS now on AKO.
May 1, 2005... Good news for you Bradley and MLRS crewmen, PS Magazine and various newsletter articles are now available for access on the Army Knowledge Online (AKO) website. That makes it very easy to log on and search for specific subjects or read...

Keep roadwheel nuts tight.(M88A1 Recovery Vehicle ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Just because the roadwheel nuts on your M88A1 recovery vehicle are torqued tightly in place doesn't mean they'll stay there, mechanics. In fact, with all the weight and pressure they're under, loose roadwheel nuts are almost inevitable....

No mix 'n' match roadwheels.(M109-Series SP Howitzers, M992A2 Ammo Carriers ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Mechanics, aluminum and steel roadwheels are both used on M109-series howitzers and M992A2 ammo carriers. That's okay as long as you follow a simple rule: Each road arm must have either two steel or two aluminum roadwheels. When it's time...

Tow pintle needs PM, too.(Combat and Tactical Vehicles ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Lubing Follow the lubrication order completely. The number of grease fittings on your tow pintle will vary depending on the vehicle. Lube them all, not just the ones that are handy or in plain view. Miss a lube point and your pintle...

Can insulation.(PLS ...)
May 1, 2005... Dear MSG Half-Mast, The cab insulation inside our unit's M1074 palleltized loading system is looking pretty shabby. Is there an NSN for the insulation? SGT C.D. Dear SGT C.D., Order the PLS cab insulation with NSN...

Give brakes the soft touch.(HMMWV ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Getting rear-ended is not a pleasant experience, drivers. But it can happen if your brake lights don't come on when they're supposed to. When checking the brake lights, some drivers mash too hard on the brake pedal. Since the brake lights...

Dump bed reminders.(M929/A1/A2 Dump Bed ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Standing water in the dump truck's bed is the tell-tale sign of clogged drain holes. And water that sits long enough in the dump bed causes it to rust out--not good! So eyeball the drain holes in the front corners of the bed for dirt...

Bigger is better.(M939A2-Series Trucks ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... A clogged sink in your bathroom is a real hassle. Sometimes you have to call in a plumber to get rid of the clog. A clogged fuel filter on your M939A2-series 5-ton truck is a real hassle, too. That small in-line fuel filter can clog up fast...

Reset stop lever by hand.(M939/A1 5-Ton Trucks ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Operators, once the EMERGENCY ENGINE STOP lever is pulled on your M939/AI truck, you won't be able to restart it until the hood is raised and the fuel cutoff valve is manually reset. You're fooling yourself if you think it's just a matter...

Quick steps to good launching.(Patriot Missile System ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... * Remove the travel locks before raising the launcher. Sounds simple, but every year some Patriot crew forgets. And that can bend the launcher platform, which is a big league repair. Before you hit the button to raise the launcher, visually...

Need M3P cleaning kit?(Avenger Missile System ...)
May 1, 2005... Dear MSG Half-Mast, Can you get me an NSN breakdown of the Avenger's M3P cleaning kit? You can't order the whole kit anymore and the TM lists only part numbers for the kit's components. SGT K.W. Dear Sergeant K. W., You got...

Battery mat hels too.(Avenger Missile System ...)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... Dear Editor, I read in PG 623 (Oct O4) the suggestion on Page 13 that Avenger crews spray the bottom of the battery box with a rubber coating to prevent corrosion From ruining the box. An easier fix would be an acid neutralizing...

What you need for PM.(Small Arms ...)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... Dear Editor, During the inspections we make as members of Ft Drum's COMET (Command Maintenance Evaluation and Training Team), we find many arms rooms are lacking the supplies they need to maintain their weapons. It would be a good idea for...

NSNs for catch bag parts.(Machine Guns ...)
May 1, 2005... MK 64 catch bag assembly (Mod 9), NSN 1005-01-418-4360 * catch bag frame, NSN 1005-01-516-3961 * cartridge catch bag (olive), NSN 1005-01-388-5702 * cartridge catch bag (sand), NSN 1005-01-388-5685 MK 93 catch bag assembly (Mod...

The sandman cometh.(621B Scraper ...)
May 1, 2005... These scrapers are racking up many hours as they keep moving sand at faraway work sites. Stay up on the info in TM 5-3805-248-14&P-1 and keep these pointers in mind. Cab Filters Both filter elements for the cab's air system are located...

Battery box checkup.(621B Scraper ...)
May 1, 2005... Operators, your scraper's batteries and battery box need their checkups every so often, just like you do. The box collects sand and dirt that turns into mud during wet weather. Mud holds moisture that can close the circuit between the...

The boatyard wars.(Cartoon)
May 1, 2005... OK, FORT WATKIN'S ORGANIZATION DAY BOAT RACE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN. YOU THREE TEAMS WILL BE COMPETING FOR THE BATTALION TROPHY. ALPHA UNIT GIVES US PRIVATE JONES, PFC MILLER AND SPECIALIST HERNANDEZ... ... REPRESENTING DELTA UNIT IS...

Slaam baaam.(AH-64A/D ...)
May 1, 2005... Mechanics, that SLAM-BAM is the sound of your AH-64 A or D model open cockpit windows crashing down from rotor wash. While on the flight line doing pre-flight inspections, maintenance or just working around your bird, it's safer and better...

Ohhhh, say can you see ...(OH-58D ...)
May 1, 2005... The Kiowa Warrior's laser range finder (LRF/D) inside the mast-mounted sight (MMS) is being upgraded to see better. The upgrade will extend the life of the laser and, increase its reliability, accuracy and mean time between failures, too. ...

Hook it, pile it.(ALSE ...)
May 1, 2005... ALSE techs, more and more it looks like everybody's ALSE shop needs hook-and-pile fastener tape. All types of aviation life support equipment (ALSE) need the hold and quick-release ability that hook-and-pile fasteners give you. Use the...

Bye-bye P-D-680.(All Aircraft ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Mechanics, P-D-680 cleaning solvents have been around a long time. As of right now, P-D-680 Types I, II and III are cancelled and have been replaced with environmentally safer cleaning solvents. Aviation and ground support users, do not...

Corrosion team update.(All Aircraft ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... It must be a Monday! You've got aircraft corrosion problems and can't find the corrosion team. Don't fret. The team is now called the PEO Aviation Corrosion Prevention and Control Center of Excellence (CPC CoE). They provide assistance...

All the parts!(MK-1697/G ...)
May 1, 2005... NSN 5965-00-313-8958 for the MK-1697/G headset-microphone kit used with the CVC helmet is a reference number only. You cannot use it to order an MK-1697/G assembly! If you need the entire MK-1697/G, you must order a new CVC helmet or order...

Solve a mounting problem.(AN/VIC-1(V) ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Chances are your howitzer, tank or personnel carrier has said goodbye to the AN/VIC-1(V) intercommunication set by now and said hello to the AN/VIC-3(V). If not, you might be in need of mounting hardware for the VIC-1 components. For the...

Lithium battery replacements.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The BA-5093, NSN 6135-01-216-9771, is also available. There is also a zinc-air alternative to the BA-5590 and BA-5390 It's the BA-8180/U, NSN 6135-01-500-0572. To use zinc-air batteries: you'll need adapters, like the one for the ASIP,...

Getting the right order.(AN/GRC-103 ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Abandon the idea of getting the AN/GRC-103 radio set receiver and case with NSN 5820-01-144-6007. Say goodbye to the thought that you can order the transmitter and case with NSN 5820-01-085-6084. All four items must now be ordered...

Feel for the connection.(AN/GRC-103 Radio Set ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Hooking up cables to the back of the AN/GRC-103 radio set's T-983 transmitter is a lot like playing blind -man's buff. You're blindfolded and you have to feel your way to identify the right connectors. The biggest hookup problems are...

The laws of laundering.(BDUs ...)
May 1, 2005... It's time to take a stark, full-length-mirror look at yourself. What do you see staring back? Be honest. Are your BDUs fading? Wearing thin at the elbows and knees? Have the pockets, collar and cuffs frayed? Has the stitching come so unraveled...

The genuine article.(Clothing ...)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
May 1, 2005... LET'S SEE WHAT OL' SLICK EDDY'S GOT TODAY. LOOK! GLOVES! I COULD USE A NEW PAIR OF COMBAT VEHICLE CREWMAN'S GLOVES. YOU BEST TAKE A CLOSER LOOK. ARE YOU SURE THEY'RE OUR KIND OF CVC GLOVES? I DON'T KNOW. THEY SURE LOOK LIKE...

Cut a dashing figure.(Mechanic's Coveralls ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... WHEN I STARTED OUT IN THE ARMY WE DIDN'T HAVE FANCY MECHANIC'S COVERALLS LIKE THE KIND YOU KIDS WEAR TODAY. IN THE OLD DAYS ALL WE HAD WERE STANDARD ISSUE OLIVE DRAB UNIFORMS. IT WAS ONE KIND OF COVERALL... ... FOR ALL KINDS OF...

A bad slant on cooking.(Mobile Kitchen Trailer...)
May 1, 2005... When it comes to preparing a meal, you've got plenty of options. You can cook high-carb or low-carb. You can cook gourmet or you can cook on a budget. You can even cook from scratch. But there's one kind of cooking you must always avoid: Never...

Tame your trash.(Troop Support...)
May 1, 2005... DO PLASTIC CUPS, CANDY WRAPPERS AND PAPER TOWELS LITTER YOUR OFFICE OR SHOP? GET THAT LITTER UNDER CONTROL BY ORDERING PLASTIC TRASH BAGS ONLINE FROM DOD EMALL. TO ACCESS THE DOD EMALL HOME PAGE, GO TO: https://emall.prod....

The door to door safety.(Fox NBC Vehicle ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The rear door is what you must be most careful with. It's spring-loaded and heavy and can leave you permanently speaking in a higher octave. Check that the glove access door is closed before you open the bottom half. If you forget, the glove...

PM keeps your mask in harness.(M40-, M42-Series Masks ...)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... * Check the head harness' elasticity when you PMCS your mask. Gently stretch the head harness straps to make sure they still have some spring. If they don't, the head harness will have trouble keeping the mask tight enough to seal. Your NBC NCO...

Leaks are a warning, are you looking?(PMCS ...)
May 1, 2005... You carefully did your Before Operations PMCS. The drip pans were clean and dry and you didn't notice any staining or seepage. Your vehicle was good to go, and you went. Now your vehicle has a Class III leak. It doesn't much matter whether...

Many small arms parts no longer controlled inventory.(Connie's Post Scripts)
May 1, 2005... In the early 90s, the Army was having trouble with small arms repair parts accountability. To fix that, the Army made the repair parts items controlled inventory, which meant the parts had to be kept in locked containers behind double barrier...