The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from November 2005

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from November 2005

Cold weather issue.(Cartoon)
November 1, 2005... I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LOOKS TO ME LIKE HE WASN'T PREPARED FOR WHAT WAS TO COME! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Cover me, baby!(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Temperature swings can be brutal on your body, so you've learned to layer: Put some extra clothes on when it's cold and take them off when it warms up. Temperature swings can be brutal on electronic equipment, too. But electronic equipment...

End the EFC confusion.(M1-Series Tanks ...)
November 1, 2005... It's been said that what you don't know can hurt you. At the very least it can make you pretty darned confused. There are two new rounds being fielded for the M1-series tank: the M829A3 sabot and the M1028 canister round. The confusion...

Keep heater clean and running.(MLRS Carrier ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The more the personnel heater in your MLRS is used the more dust and dirt will build up inside. Too much debris can lock up the exhaust fan. That burns out the heater's 6.3-amp fuse and shuts down the heater. Not knowing what's wrong, most...

Heater comes up short.(MLRS Carrier ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... How to Tell If you suspect a short, use an ohmmeter to test for it like this: 1. Connect the positive lead to Pin 1 of the P4 terminal and the negative lead to ground on the heater chassis. 2. If the ohmmeter reads less than one...

Uncovering all the bases.(M113A2/A3 FOV ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Drivers, the canvas cover for your vehicle's intake and exhaust grilles is made to keep ice, snow and other debris out of the engine compartment when the vehicle's not in use. The cover is not made to help the engine warm up faster during...

Right start for A-20.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The Stewart-Warner and Hupp personnel heaters have been around so long that most combat vehicle crewmen have the start-up procedures memorized. You can hold the RUN-OFF-START switch to START for up to two minutes for the Stewart-Warner and...

The straight scoop.(Personnel Heaters ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Don't be confused about who can repair what on the A-20 personnel heater. Here's the straight scoop: Unit-level maintenance: Limited to replacement of ignitors and removal and replacement of the entire heater. DS/GS-level maintenance:...

Make the TM switch.(M992A2 Ammo Carrier ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Though they have the same NSN and model number, there are now two different configurations of the M992A2 amino carrier. So you'll want to make sure you use the right TM for your vehicle. The change comes with the addition of MWO...

Don't get choked up.(M109A6 Paladin ...)
November 1, 2005... When it's cold outside, you have to button up your Paladin tight to stay warm. But that can put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide comes from the exhaust of personnel heaters, the engine, and from firing the main...

Put some heat in cold starts.(M109A2-A5 SP Howitzers ...)
November 1, 2005... Drivers, if you don't start your M109 howitzer fight during cold weather, it won't start at all. Before You Start 1. Turn off the personnel heater and shut off the COOLANT HEATER switch. 2. Make sure the battery indicator gauge is...

Vehicle slave.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Question: What do you get when you combine weak batteries with below-freezing temperatures? Answer: A vehicle that won't start. Without help, that vehicle is as dead as a doornail! So what kind of help do you need? Well, that help...

Starting basics.
November 1, 2005... * Set the parking brakes on both vehicles. Shift both transmissions to neutral. Keep the live vehicle's engine running at fast idle. * Make sure the dead vehicle's battery switch is OFF to prevent arcing when you connect the slave cable....

No more than three.(Tactical Vehicles ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... You can bet there's a stack of engine starters in support waiting for service and repair. Way too many of these starters are being tagged "DEEP SIX" when they arrive! With cold weather around the corner, another itchy finger will no doubt...

Cooling system.(Engine Cooling Systems ...)
November 1, 2005... An engine's cooling system is probably the last thing you're thinking about when it's freezing outside! But no matter the temperature, your vehicle's cooling system should be able to reach 160 to 180[degrees]F. If yours won't, have the...

Know-how.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Look at the radiator cap. It should be the one your TM calls for. Just any cap won't do. The pressure rating of the cap is vital. Too low a rating lowers the boiling point of your coolant. Too high builds up pressure that'll pop radiator seams...

When air can't get through.(All Vehicles ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... A clogged air filter element on your truck can be a real showstopper! Moist air or snow sucked into the filter can freeze on the element. Once the element is coated with ice, air can't get through. So, in damp, cold weather, keep an...

Freeze-up means no brakes.(Trucks ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Moisture in your truck's air brake lines will freeze in cold weather and block the lines. Drivers, that leaves you with no brakes! If your vehicle has an alcohol evaporator to keep moisture from freezing in the air lines, make sure it has...

Cover stuck like glue?(Tactical and Combat Vehicles ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... DROPPING TEMPERATURES SHRINK THE PLASTIC COVER ON YOUR VEHICLE'S SLAVE RECEPTACLE. THAT SHRINKAGE MAKES THE COVER STICK LIKE GLUE TO THE RECEPTACLE. A SCREWDRIVER WILL PRY IT OFF, BUT THAT OFTEN BREAKS THE COVER. MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T...

Cold weather cometh.(Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... When it comes to cold weather starts, there's something that sets great drivers apart from the rest. They go beyond what the operator's TM offers. These tips can prevent damage to the FMTV's engine and starter when the weather is between...

Spare the rod.(Construction Equipment ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Any ice build-up on the rods will scrape or cut seals when the rod is moved. Damaged seals lead to fluid leaks, which lead to NMC equipment. If you find any ice, get rid of it. Another rod saver, no matter what the weather, is to exercise...

Don't rock the boat!(Construction Equipment ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Mother Nature and conditions at the worksite have something in common--they both can fool ya! For example, mud is wet and soft during the day. But at night it can freeze and become as hard as concrete. A vehicle left sitting in mud at the...

Wicked habits.(M41 Protection Assessment Test System ...)(Parking & Transportation Services )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... * Leaving the wet alcohol cartridge in the PATS at shutdown. The alcohol saturates the counting mechanism, which means you won't be able to test masks until you run PATS for several hours to clear it. Sometimes that isn't enough and your TMDE...

Sniffing out shelf life?(NBC ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Dear Half-Mast, How do I check the shelf life of items in the NBC room like mask canisters or M291 decon kits? M.T. Dear Mr. M.T., On the Internet, go to Army Electronic Product Support (AEPS) at: http://aeps.ria.army.mil ...

Is there XL?(M40, M42-Series Masks ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Dear Half-Mast, Is there an XL size for the M40 or M42 masks? MSG C.L. Dear MSG C.L., No, there is no XL for any of the masks. You might check out TB 3-4240-341-201, Chemical-Biological Protective Mask for Hard-to-Fit Service...

Unsticking stuck pivot, takedown pins.(M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... It's hard to clean your M16 rifle or M4 carbine if you can't push out the pivot and takedown pins. But sometimes those pins stick and just won't budge. Armorers can use a small punch or screwdriver to help unstick pins. Riflemen can use a...

Ready ... Aim ... Frozen!?!(Small Arms ...)
November 1, 2005... First of all, remove carbon deposits using rifle bore cleaner, NSN 6850-00-224-6663. Then use LAW, NSN 9150-00-292-9689, to lube your weapon if the temperature dips below 10[degrees]F. LAW works better in the cold than other lubes like CLP...

Keep snow birds flying.(All Aircraft ...)
November 1, 2005... Unlike most birds, yours don't get to fly south for the winter. In order to keep them going, crew chiefs have to do some tough work. Leaving your aircraft uncovered and unprotected on the flight line can make that job even harder. If...

Lock down and button up.(AH-64D ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Crew chiefs and mechanics, the latches and fasteners on your AH-64D's catwalk, L325 and drive shaft doors must be used. Doors can't take flapping in high winds. Doors not fully secured can be damaged and can do damage. Just closing the...

Strapped for a strap.(AH-64D ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Mechanics, a busted strap on your Apache Magazine and Auxiliary Tank Transfer System (AMATTS) means you won't he removing or installing the internal auxiliary fuel system (IAFS). If you have AMATTS sitting around the hangar because you...

A tank needs pm, too!(UH-60 ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Helicopter repairers, out-of-sight, out-of-mind doesn't play well when it comes to maintaining and preserving your Black Hawk's ESSS extended range fuel tanks. Removed tanks should not be left out to roast in the hot sun or be left exposed...

Look, feel & touch.(CH-47D ...)(military helicopters)
November 1, 2005... Crew chiefs, don't just eyeball your Chinook's flight control closet during daily inspections. "Look, but don't touch" just won't do. The closet is the brains of your bird's flight control functions and hydraulic systems. You should...

Flush the sand.(All Aircraft ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Now, more than ever, crew chiefs, daily inspections of your bird cannot be forgotten in the desert. Sand finds its way into every nook and cranny of your bird. Take care of sand problems now to keep your aircraft mission ready in the...

All about the qeam.(AB-1386/U ...)
November 1, 2005... In little more than seven minutes, two soldiers can have the AB-1386/U, quick erect antenna mast (QEAM), NSN 5985-01-381-6341, up and doing its job. But all the minutes in a day won't be enough if preventive maintenance has not been done on the...

Let's get reel.(CE-11 ...)(combat equipment maintenace)
November 1, 2005... The year was 1967. The Beatles were wooing the world with the song, Michelle, while Frank Sinatra crooned of illicit romance in Strangers in the Night. Bonnie and Clyde were machine-gunning their way across movie screens. A first-class stamp...

Patriot command shelter heating on cooling!?(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Dear Editor, Our Patriot battery heats and cools the command shelters with a DRASH environmental control unit (ECU) that sits on a trailer next to the generator. To do the healing or cooling job, ducts must; be run from the upper...

Seal out moisture.(SINCGARS Radios ...)
November 1, 2005... The data entry keyboard on the SINCGARS radio can be a source of another type of entry--moisture--if you don't replace the seal when you replace the keyboard. The seal makes a waterproof bond between the data entry keyboard and the body of the...

What we know about snow.(Tents ...)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... You already know that snow on the roof of a tent can bring the tent down on top of you. But did you also know that snow piled against the sides of a tent can bring it down as well? When fiberglass poles get cold, they can bend and break...

A patch in a pinch.(Extended Cold Weather Clothing ...)(repair kit for maintenance works)
November 1, 2005... It doesn't matter if the weather's cold and wet or just plain cold. No time is a good time to spring a leak in your extended cold weather clothing system (ECWCS). You need to patch small holes and tears right away. The problem is, there's no...

Special OPS clothing for everyone.(Cold Weather Clothing ...)(Special Operations Forces)
November 1, 2005... If you have to face extreme cold weather this winter, consider wearing Special Operations Forces Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements (SPEAR) Lightweight Environmental Protection (LEP). LEP is a system of cold weather clothing...

Can your unmentionables take the heat?(Clothing ...)
November 1, 2005... Combat vehicle crewmen (CVC) and air crewmen, mind if we ask you a personal question? Just what are you wearing under your aramid (fire-resistant fiber) coveralls this winter? No, we're not being nosy, just concerned. Truth is, if you're...

Variance says it all.
November 1, 2005... Dear Connie, DA Pam 750-8, Para 2-4e(1), says that; if you can't; pull a service on the scheduled date you can have a 10-percent; variance. A few years back PS published an article on how to figure the 10-percent; variance. Can you tell me...