The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from October 2004

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from October 2004

What about the 'little' picture?(check small details, military equipment maintenance)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... We spend a lot of time worried about the "big picture." You know, it's the catch-all phrase our superiors and bosses use to let us know we've not considered everything that needs to be considered in order to make important decisions. And...

CTIS settings keep you moving.(Stryker ...)(Central Tire Inflation System )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... If you're confused by the symbols used on the CTIS selector panel, you'll have a hard time driving your Stryker on different road conditions. That means you may not get the traction you need to carry out the mission. Regardless of...

Oil's well that ends well.(engine oil in Stryker vehicles)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Dear Half-Mast, We've noticed a contamination problem with the Fuel in our Stryker. It seems to burn OK, but it has ah odd, dark Drown color to it. We've tried flushing the fuel tanks, but the contamination comes right back. Any ideas...

Bradley bits & tips.(M2/M3-Series Bradleys ...)(fighting vehicle systems)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Dear Editor, While helping to keep the Bradleys running here, we've come up with a few tips that will help Bradley crews everywhere. * Verify the M242 gun's feeder timing for both HE and AP feed paths every time you install it, like it...

Remove broken skirt bolts with ease.(M2/M3-Series Bradleys ...)(fighting vehicle systems)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Crewmen, don't underestimate the importance of the skirt bracket bolts, NSN 5305-00-724-7222, on your Bradley. Those skirts are very heavy. So if even one of the bolts vibrates loose, a lot of pressure is put on the remaining ones. They can...

Move 'em out ... after lockup.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... TANKERS, UNLESS YOU'RE ON A FIRE MISSION, MAKE SURE YOU LOCK THE TURRET AND MAIN GUN FIRST BEFORE MOVING OUT. Engage main gun travel lock... ALL THE BOUNCING AND VIBRATION CAN DAMAGE THE TRAVERSING MECHANISM AND THE ELEVATION...

Them's the brakes!(M113A3 FOV ...)(military vehicles)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... If the foot brake on your M113A3 sticks or won't move at all, you've got a serious problem--especially if you need to stop! But it can happen if your mechanic doesn't lube the foot brake cross-shaft bearings regularly. A few squirts of GAA...

Take it easy on fitting.(A-20 Personnel Heater ...)(fuel lines)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Crewmen, a light touch is important when attaching the fuel line fitting to the A-20 personnel heater on your combat vehicle. The fitting connects to the fuel manifold, which cracks easily if you're not careful. That means a fuel leak and a...

Azure blue update.(A-20 Personnel Heater ...)(cleaning kits)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Azure Blue cannon cleaning kit call be used to clean only artillery tubes. Thai includes the M198 and M119A1/A2 towed howitzers and M109-series SP howitzers. Do not use the kit to clean the crew compartment of M109-series SP howitzers. Do...

Seats and stuff.(Avenger Missile System ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Seats There are two different Avenger seats and you need to know which one you have in order to know where to put your foot when you climb in the turret. To find out, just raise the seat cushion and look. Many units have had success...

Beat battery box corrosion.(Avenger Missile System ...)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... Dear Editor, The battery box for the Avenger takes a beating from corrosion. Battery acid leaks onto the bottom of the box and starts industrial strength corrosion. Next thing you know, the box bottom has rusted out and you need a new box....

Are ARSs mounted right?(M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine, M203A2 Grenade Launcher ...)
October 1, 2004... Both the M4 and M5 ARS use a rear clamp with a screw and a forward leaf spring to secure the upper rail to the M4/M4A1 or M16A4. The clamp must straddle the gas tube just forward of either weapon's receiver. The clamp should be secured within...

Need desert help? See desert TB.(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... Dear Editor, As one of the TACOM logistics assistance representatives in Kuwait, I assist units in preparing their equipment for desert operations. I've found a valuable tool for fighting the desert PM battle is TB 9-1000-262-DT,...

Turn the tables.(M984A1, M977, M985 HEMTTs ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... You need to turn the tables on corrosion for the HEMTT crane's turntable bearing, drivers. That bearing is often missed because you can't see the grease fitting unless the mast is raised. Without lube, the bearing goes dry and burns up. A...

Keep gladhands covered.(HEMTT...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Drivers, when you finish using the gladhands on your HEMTT, make sure you put the covers back in place. You'll be glad you did! Leaving the covers off lets in dirt and moisture. The gunk that forms can jam open the check valves and let air...

M1000 HET retaining package.
October 1, 2004... NSN 5330-01-371-7595 gets the retaining package for the platform steering on the heavy equipment transporter. This NSN replaces the parts info shown for Items 24 and 27, Fig 28 of TM 9-2330-381-24P.

Old deuce truck tire.
October 1, 2004... Use NSN 2610-00-262-8677 to get a replacement tire for your M44/A2-series 2 1/2-ton truck. The part number listed for Item 1 in Fig 112 of TM 9-2320-361-20P crosses to NSN 2610-00-262-8653. That gets the tire for the 5-ton truck.

M116A3 brake cable NSN.
October 1, 2004... NSN 2530-01-429-8346 gets the parking brake cable for the M116A3 1-ton trailer. The NSN shown as Item 1, Fig 6 of TM 9-2330-202-14&P gets a cable that's too short.

M149A1 trailer elbow.
October 1, 2004... Use NSN 4730-01-380-2931 to get a 90[degrees] elbow for the water trailer. The NSN shown as Item 16, Fig 28 of TM 9-2330-267-14&P gets the wrong elbow.

M915A3 fuel/water separator.
October 1, 2004... Use NSN 4330-01-481-9949 to get the fuel/ water separator for the M915A3 tractor truck. This NSN replaces the parts info shown as Item 1, Fig 38 of TM 9-2320-302-24P.

M101A2/A3 trailer U-bolt.
October 1, 2004... NSN 5306-01-495-0788 gets the U-bolt for the new-style cargo box on M101A2- and -A3 3/4-ton trailers. This NSN replaces the parts info shown as Item 32, Fig 20 of TM 9-2330-202-14&P.

M878/A1 yard tractor tire.
October 1, 2004... Use NSN 2610-00-294-9485 to get the tire for the M878 and M878A1 yard tractors. This tire replaces the one shown as Item 3 on Page 2-178 of TM 9-2320-277-14&P and Item 7, Fig 94 of TM 9-2320-285-24P.

Lube and service unit parts.
October 1, 2004... Use NSN 2530-01-453-0494 to get the air brake booster for the lube and service unit (Model PM92-133). This NSN replaces the parts info shown as Item 1, Fig 71 of TM 5-4939-244-24R NSN 2530-01-412-8166 and NSN 2530-01-412-8160 get the brake...

M916A1/A2 winch data plates.
October 1, 2004... Some of the data plates for the winch on the tractor truck do not have NSNs. Order the data plate shown as Item 1, Fig 319 of TM 902320-363-24P with CAGE 58864 and PN 12634 on a DD Form 1348-6. Order the plate shown as Item 3 with CAGE 58864...

M939/A1/A2 shackle pin.
October 1, 2004... Use NSN 5315-00-741-2924 to get the shackle pin and the chain with NSN 4010-00-585-2108 for the 5-ton truck's front bumper. These NSNs replace the parts info shown as Item 20, Fig 326 of TM 9-2320-272-24P.

M35A2 rear axle gasket.
October 1, 2004... NSN 5330-00-712-1244 gets a cork gasket for the rear axle on the 2 1/2-ton truck. This replaces the NSN listed for Item 3 of Fig 111 of TM 9-2320-361-20P.

M871A2 light resistors.
October 1, 2004... NSN 5905-01-516 2974 gets the right 55-watt light resistor that goes into the 22 1/2-ton semitrailer's noseplate box. Or you can use a single 95 watt resistor that comes with NSN 5905-01-507-3634. A 95-watt resistor kit, NSN 5905-01-396-7097,...

Fuel tanker glow plug kit.
October 1, 2004... NSN 2920-00-919-8402 gets the glow plug kit for the engine on the M9671A1 and M9691AI/A2 5,000-gal fuel tanker. This NSN replaces the parts info shown as Item 26, Fig 70 of TM 9-2330-356-24P.

M939A2 thermostat NSN.
October 1, 2004... Use NSN 6685 01-425-7336 to get the cooling system's thermostat (used on the internal bypass system only) for the M939A2 5 ton series trucks. This NSN replaces the parts info shown as Item 12, Fig 115 of TM 9-2320-272-24P.

Winch PM again.(Deuce ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A few mechanics are too clever by half. They think the breather valve on the winch's gearbox is a grease fitting. When they pump grease into the valve, guess what happens... NOTHING! But here's the problem. A well-meaning mechanic replaces...

Spare me!(See...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Before you hop in the cab of your small emplacement excavator, take a look at the spare tire mount carrier. Make sure the tire (wheel assembly) is secured in place. A loose tire will roll out of the carrier when the vehicle is moving and...

Moldboard clean-up.(130G Grader ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Operators, remove any rocks, mud and hard-packed dirt on top of the grader's moldboard. The same goes for ice and snow. Do this after the days run. Debris on the moldboard can damage or Mop the moldboard's slide bushings from moving left...

Sand stopper.(130G Grader)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Sand is a different culprit than mud or snow, but it does just as much damage when it's wet and packed in place on the grader. So keep these "sand stoppers" in mind when you park the vehicle after the day's run. Bracket Slide and Glide ...

Wheel hub seal NSN?(Mine Clearing Line Charge ...)(National Stock Number )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Dear Half-Mast, We have trouble with the wheel hub seals on the MICLIC's trailer leaking. That lets water in the hubs and leads to corrosion and wheel problems. But we can't find an NSN for replacement seals. Please help. SSG D.B. ...

Stay warm and alive this winter.(Cover Story)
October 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Captions: OH, MAN! WAIT'LL THE CAPTAIN HEARS ABOUT THIS. WELL, IT COULD'VE BEEN WORSE! YEAH, WE'RE LUCKY NO ONE GOT HURT. YOU GOT THAT RIGHT. MASTER-SERGEANT HALF-MAST WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? ...

Fix APU vent screens.(HH-60L/UH-60A/L ...)(Army Postal Unit )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... When going topside on your Black Hawk to do rotor head maintenance, the APU vent screens take a beating from feet. Some mechanics pay little attention in where they place their big feet. Then the vent screens suffer cracks, breaks, and...

An open and closed latch.(HH-60L/UH-60A/L ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Mechanics, bad habits are hard to break and can put your Black Hawk's APU and transmission oil cooler access door latches in harm's way. Here's a scenario that's bound to cause unnecessary repairs. It's time to perform maintenance on...

Shipping helicopters.(All Aircraft ...)
October 1, 2004... Preparing for a deployment? If you want information on how lift and tie down UH-1, CH 47, OH 58. UH 60 and AH-64 helicopters for transport by ship, aircraft and semitrailer a helicopter movement instruction CD is now available. Get a free copy...

ARC-220 radios.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... PM-AME has completed installation of the ARC-220 HF radios in all the Chinooks and is near completion on the Black Hawks. AH-64A fielding has start ed and the AH 64D remanufacturing line fielding has also begun. The fielded Longbows (lots I-6)...

Can't get helmet earcup assembly.(ALSE ...)
October 1, 2004... ALSE techs, are yon having trouble getting the earcup assembly, NSN 8415-01-395 6841, for your HGU-56/P aircrew integrated helmet system (AIHS)? The problem is an incorrect SMR code listed for Item 12 in Figure F-2 of TM 18415-216-12&P...

Track helmet changes.(ALSE ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... ALSE techs, the HGU-56/P aircrew integrated helmet system (AIHS) slays in shape only if you stay abreast of the constant changes to the helmet. Item NSN 8415- Track, lower left 01-488-4864 Track,...

A shocking fix.(Floodlight Set ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The mast-mounted floodlight set, NSN 6230-00299-5642, is a shock hazard. It does not have a grounding wire! If a fault in a floodlight s its metal parts--and you touch it--Yoweeeee ! CECOM and Tobyhanna Army Depot have come up with a...

When 'in the bag' is not enough.(ESD ...)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... Dear Editor, When packaging a static sensitive component, many people make the mistake of thinking that using an anti-static bag will protect the component. This is not the case. An antistastic bag will not generate static, but does...

Cut out the shortcut.(F18H-MPI, AC Unit ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... There are times, when operating the 18,000 BTU horizontal air conditioner that sits on top of your commo shelter, that you need access to the circuit breaker or pressure switch. So you unscrew the four screws that hold the circuit breaker...

Electrocution hazard: overhead power lines.(Safety ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Every year soldiers die because of accidental contact with overhead power lines. Every year, some survive the jolt, but are seriously injured. Most overhead power lines are not insulated. Activities conducted near overhead power lines such...

Internet site for radiation safety.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Check out the DA Radiation Safety Officers Reference Guide website at: https:llwww.monmouth.army.mil/rso/index.html This site contains: --Radiation safety training --Template SOPs --Army, NGB, and NRC regulations ...

Who's got the power?(Power Plants and Units ...)(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... Item Generators (Power plant) (2 each) Trailer AN/MJQ-35 5-kW, 60-Hz Ml16A3 AN/MJQ-35A 5-kW, 60-Hz HMT AN/MJQ-36 5-kW, 60-Hz M103A3/A4 AN/MJQ-37 ...

Decontaminating M12 problems.(M12A1 Decon ...)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... Dear Editor, Here at the Chemical School, we M12A1 decon instructors give our students these three tips for better deconning: Idling--The M12 TM says to idle down the decon for at [east 15 minutes at shutdown so it can coo[ down. But...

What happened to M256 tickets?(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Dear Half-Mast, We've been trying go order M256 simulator defector tickets, NSN 666501-112-1644, but the FED LOG says the NSN is no longer good. What gives? G.S. Deal Mr. G.S., What gives is that the M256 has been replaced by...

No optical insert mount for M45?(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Dear Half-Mast, How do you get an optical insert-mount for the M45 mask? I can't find any info on this. SP M.P. Dear Specialist M. P., You can't find any info on a optical insert mount for the M45 because there is no such...

Cold facts about cold weather clothing.
October 1, 2004... What's your best protection against the cold? The answer is dry air. It's an excellent insulator. Cold weather clothing--like the extended cold-weather clothing system (ECWCS)--is designed to trap warm, dry air among its fibers and between its...

A serious head cold.(Extreme Cold-Weather Hood ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Outside in cold weather, your body loses most of its heat through your head. The extreme cold-weather hood can cut down the loss of body heat, but only if its in good shape. Keep your head--and your whole body--warm with these preventive...

Mitten matters.(Cold Weather Clothing ...)
October 1, 2004... Hands take a beating in winter. Wind, snow, ice and freezing temperatures are just plain uncomfortable. What's worse, they can cause serious cold injury. Protect your hands with cold weather trigger finger mitten shells and cold weather...

AMDF a maze of codes.(FED 3D Of 5 Log)(Army Master Data File )(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Are you overwhelmed by the AMDF acronyms found on the Army Interactive FED LOG screens? Don't be dazed! Use FED LOG's outstanding help tools. The icon line has a yellow question mark and a blue question mark with an arrow. The yellow...

SAMS manuals are online.(End User Manuals...)(Standard Army Maintenance System)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... The Standard Army Maintenance System (SAMS) series end user manuals are now available online in accessible PDF files. The PDF files can be opened online or saved to your computer hard drive for ready reference. The SAMS-series manuals...

Reset replacement odometers.(Maintenance Management ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Replacing an odometer is no big deal you think. Well, it's a big deal if the replacement odometer reading is greater than the actual current usage of the vehicle, When the replacement odometer reading is entered in the ULLS computer, the...

AKO mail available three ways.(Army Knowledge Online ...)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Deployed soldiers know how long it can take to load AKO and then its email package. Of course, AKO mail can be forwarded to other .mil addresses. But for deployed soldiers that may not be a good option. You can cut down as much as 30...

Gardserts caution.(Connie's Post Scripts)
October 1, 2004... Before you repair any stripped threads with the GARDSERTS thread repair kit we covered on Page 55 in PS 620 (Jul 04), check out the -24&P for the equipment item. Some stripped threads are considered non-repairable. There are no stripped threads...

Chemical equipment hotline changes.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Public Notice)
October 1, 2004... The Chemical Equipment Hotline is moving from Aberdeen Proving Ground; MD, to Rock Island, IL. That means hotline telephone numbers and emails are changing. These are the new ones: Toll free: (800) 831-4408 DSN/commercial:...

M1A1 AIM tank RTNB.(Connie's Post Scripts)
October 1, 2004... Need to turn in a redesigned turret networks box (RTNB) for your M1A1 AIM (Abrams Integrated Maintenance) tank? You can't without a shipping container. The RTNB alone has no NSN, so it can't be turned in without a container. Get a container...

Don't ship helicopters on top decks.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Public Notice)
October 1, 2004... Department of the Army policy message 0211628Z, Jun 04, changed shipping instructions for Black Hawks, Kiowa Warriors, Chinooks, Apaches and Hueys on ocean/sea-going vessels. No helicopter is allowed on the top deck of vessels because top...

GPS PLGR parts bonanza changes!(Connie's Post Scripts)(Correction Notice)
October 1, 2004... Page 40 of PS 620 gave the wrong NSN for the PLGR lithium main power battery. The NSN for an 8-pack of BA-5800 batteries is NSN 6135-01-440-7774. Page 42 said to toss out your old PLGR Soldiers Guide, TB-11-5825-291-10-2. We meant to tell you...