The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from October 2006

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from October 2006

The direction of good PM.(preventive maintenance)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... NCOs, have you ever had to assemble an item by following incoherent directions? Not much fun, is it? It seems like more and more the things that need assembly come with confusing directions. Often the directions are in several languages and...

Bilge-water breakdown.(Stryker maintenance)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Any bilge water that collects in your Stryker probably contains a lot more than just water. It may also be mixed with oil, antifreeze, hydraulic fluid, fuel, and lots of other hazardous materials. Needless to say, dumping hazardous...

Heater meltdown.(Stryker ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... It's surprising just how cold it can get in the desert at night. That makes it very tempting to keep warm however you can. Soldiers being transported in Strykers often use the NBC/M3 heater as a way to warm themselves when temperatures...

It takes lube to win the race.(M1-Series Tanks ...)
October 1, 2006... Crewmen, contaminated or skimpy lube means your tank turret's race ring assembly will soon come to a grinding halt. Why? Sometimes the race ring just doesn't get lubed monthly like it's supposed to. At other times, grease gets washed...

Ground strap reminder.(M113-Series FOV ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Suppose you're replacing a bad regulator that happens to be one of the internally grounded ones. You order a new one expecting to receive the same type, but instead get one that requires an external ground strap. Since there are no...

How to file MZ4Z gun card.(M2/M3-Series Bradley ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Some units are unsure how to file DA Form 2408-4, Weapon Record Data, for their Bradley's M242 gun. DA PAM 750-8 in Para 5-4 (h and i) gives you everything you need to know about filling out a 2408-4 card. But the most important rules to...

Give blowby the bye-bye.(MLRS Carrier ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Drivers, a diesel engine and low idle are a nasty combination for your MLRS. When you run the engine at low idle, fuel and oil aren't completely burned in the combustion chambers. Leftover fuel--blow by--is expelled through the positive...

Silence is golden.(M109A6 Paladin ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Scre-ee-ech! If that's the sound the driver's hatch stop makes on your M109A6 Paladin, then you've got a rust problem. On some older Paladins, the shoulder pin inside the hatch stop is made of carbon steel. It rusts easily, making it...

Armor kit Smart card tips.(M939A1 / M939A2 FOV ...)
October 1, 2006... Just as extra weight on people affects how they move, the extra weight on armored M939s affects how they operate. So if you're driving an armored M939, listen up! You need to know how the add-on armor (AoA) kit affects your now heavier vehicle....

Prevent cracking due to slacking.(HMMWVs ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... NO STEP is painted in big letters right on top of your HMMWV's air intake tube. But some folks aren't taking heed to what it says, since the tube looks sturdy. Looks can be deceiving, though. When a boot bears down on the air intake tube,...

Super-sized seatbelts.(HMMWVs ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Pear Half-Mast, When I've got on my full battle rattle, the HMMWV seatbelt assembly strpas aren't long enough for me to use. Larger soldiers like me need to wear our seatbelts, too! Is there an extended seatbelt that can fix this problem?...

Free kit for tractor truck ABS.(M915-Series Trucks ...)
October 1, 2006... Feet users, there's a free kit available to power the pin in the inter-vehicular cable receptacle on certain M915A2, M915A3, M915A4, M916A 1, and M916A2 tractors. This allows the vehicle ABS system to communicate with the trailer ABS. The...

Patriot repairer info now online.(Website overview)
October 1, 2006... Dear Editor, We at the Patriot Training Detachment at Ft Bliss have started a website to help Patriot repair people get the latest info on keeping the Patriot on its toes. Among the services you will find on the site are: *...

Mount NSNs have changed.(Machined Gun Mounts ...)(national stock numbers)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... PS 621 (Aug 04) gave you practically everything you needed for mounting machine guns on your trucks. If you don't have a copy of the article, go to: https://www.logsa.army.mil/pub/psissuesA/621/621-14-21.pdf Since then, some of the NSNs...

How to use tool.(MK19 Machine Gun ...)
October 1, 2006... MWO 9-1010-230-50-1 changed the MK19's fixed secondary drive lever to an adjustable lever. Adjusting the lever is the armorer's job, but in too many arms rooms the instructions for using the adjusting tool have disappeared. And there is no help...

Safer barrel marking.(M249, M240B Machine Guns ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Dear Editor, Over the years PS has run several articles about the best way to mark barrels, such as painting the number on the barrel or safety wiring a dog tag with the number to the barrel's carrying handle. I have one other...

Short vs. long.(M249 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Pear Half-Mast, Is it OK to use a short barrel on an M249 that came with the standard barrel or a Standard barrel with am M249 that came with a short barreI? We're riot sure if it's safe. E.P. Dear Mr. E.P., As long as you get the...

New safety available?(M249 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Pear Half-Mast, Is there a new safety device available For the M2 machine gun? We've heard there is, but we can't find any info on it. 1LT J.D. Dear Lieutenant J.D., Yes, there is a new safety device, but it can be used only...

A handle on PM.(RTCH ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Master Disconnect Switch The batteries on the RTCH can run down, especially if the vehicle sits for long periods of time. You operators can put an end to dead batteries. Turn the master disconnect switch to the OFF position after the...

A plate full of PM.(DEUCE ...)(preventive maintenance)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Blade Lower Pivot Pin The blade lower pivot pin rusts in place when the excavator sits too long without exercise. When that happens, you can't elevate or lower the blade until the rust breaks free, causing lots of wear and tear on the...

Don't wind and grind.(D7G Tractor ...)
October 1, 2006... You've just pushed a load of debris out of the way and you and your dozer are beading back for more. When you slammed tile dozer's gears into reverse and moved out, you probably heard something that didn't sound right... the grinding...

Sherlock and holmes the adventure of the faithful fusilier.(Comic)(Cartoon)
October 1, 2006... THANK YOU, MRS. HUDSON. THAT WILL BE ALL I BELIEVE YOU HAVE OTHER PRESSING DUTIES TO ATTEND TO. OF COURSE, SIR. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SO, AS I WAS SAYING, WATSON... NO ONE HEARD FROM RICOLETTI OF THE CLUBFOOT OR HIS HORRID...

Hangin' it up.(UH-60 Series ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Pilots and co-pilots, there's an old song that goes, "Papa was a rolling stone, wherever fie laid his hat was his home." Not so for your HGU-56/P aircrew integrated helmet system (AIHS). It's only home is located on the upper console...

Tail wheel lock pin lockup, lowdown.(UH-60 Series ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Crews, having trouble with your Black Hawk's tail wheel lock pin sticking or locking? First, troubleshoot the system like it says in WP 0071 of TM 1-1520-Black Hawk. Then, at your next periodic inspection, use a magnifying glass to...

Aircraft tire inflation.(All Aircraft ...)
October 1, 2006... Inflating an aircraft tire, especially from high pressure nitrogen cylinders, is hazardous. There are two ways to protect yourself and your buddies from injury or death by exploding tires. If the tire is off the aircraft, make sure it...

Clamp it down.(OH-58D ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Mechanics, the black clamps on the inside of your Kiowa Warrior's mast mounted sight (MMS) may contribute to alignment problems because some of the bolts used to secure the black clamps bottom out before the clamps can be adequately tightened....

Push-pull switch NSN.(3-KW TQG ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Dear MSG Half-Mast, We needed Item 17 of Figure 5 of TM 9-6115-639-23P, a push-pull switch for the control panel assembly on our 3-KW tactical quiet generator. So we ordered it using NSN 62H0-00-155-7836. That's the NSN that the part...

Put a cap on it.(5-KW TQG Engine ...)(tactical quiet generator)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Dear MSG Half-Mast, TM 9-2815-252-24P lists the engine parts For our 5-KW tactical quiet generator. One of the parts is the oil filler cap, Item 8 of Figure 7. The part number given for the cap is 186-6023. Put that part number into FED...

A mounting problem.(SINCGARS ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Some maintenance and repair on HMMWVs require opening the dashboard. This means unbolting and pulling back the SlNCGARS radio rack. This has caused the almost universal problem of the rack-to-dash bolt holes wallowing out. Most of you have come...

A lube not to use.(AN/CYZ-10(V)3 DTD ...)
October 1, 2006... Dear Editor, For years, we have added a drop or two of cleaner, lubricant, preservative, (CLP) to the hinges of our data transfer devices (DTD). This dramatically increased the life of the hinges. Recently, we've seen MILITEC-1, NGN...

"Charger on the move" is here.(PP-848 1B/U Universal Battery Charger ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Want to fast charge BB-326, BB-390, BB-2590, BB-388, BB-516, BB-2800, BB-2847 and MB1TR batteries in your vehicle while on the move'.) Order the vehicle-mounted charger, PP-8481B/U, NSN 6130-01-527-2726. The charger comes with two...

Night vision device helmet mounts.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Dear Mr. R. D. D., Here's what you need to mount the AN/PVS-7B, AN/PVS-7D and AN/PVS-14 night vision devices on the PASGT helmet, the ACH, and the CVC. Start with the helmet mount assembly, NSN 5855-01-457-2953. If you're wearing a...

An operator's checklist.(Arctic Space Heater ...)(Brief article)(List)
October 1, 2006... Inventory Does the heater have all its parts? * rear door * stack cap with tie-down ropes * fuel control valve * gravity feed adapter * front door * burner cover * overflow hose * fuel supply hose ...

For you desert dwellers.(Cold Wheather Parkas ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... On Page 47 of PS 638, we listed the NSNs, sizes and lengths for woodland camo cold weather parkas. This time around, we've done the same for desert camo cold weather parkas. Here they are: The parka is waterproof. It comes with a slide...

Last defense against frozen feet.(Cold Weather Clothing ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Night falls. You're standing a lonely post in some rugged mountain pass far from home. You brace yourself against howling, wind-driven snow stinging your face. The temperature hovers around freezing, but with the wind chill it feels more like...

Defeat winter's fury.(Cold Weather Clothing ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Here comes Winter pounding on your door, ready to launch its full fury against you: rain, snow, ice, wind and numbing cold. But you still have time to prepare for the onslaught. Start by reading some back issues of PS, the Preventive...

PM weapons for the desert.(M17A3, A/E32U-8 Decons ...)(decontamination system)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... M17A3 * air filter, NSN 2940-01-529-8953 * inlet cap, NSN 4730-00-485-5055 * outlet cap, NSN 4730-00-929-0791 A/E32U-8 * air filter, NSN 2940-01-529-8953 * inlet cap, NSN 4730-00-485-5055 To clean both filters,...

What's an M100?(Decon ...)
October 1, 2006... Dear Half-Mast, We are starting to get M100 sorbent, decon systems (SDS) and really doff t know much about them. Are they replacing the Mll and M13 decorum? Do you store it on vehicles like you did the M11 and M1B? Where can we go for more...

Impact wrench that's mobile.(Tools ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... It's tough to do field repairs without an impact wrench. But most impact wrenches need an AC power source, which you often don't have in the boondocks. Now there is a impact wrench, NSN 5130-01-536-6492, that's mobile and can operate on...

Fitting grease help.(Tools ...)
October 1, 2006... Mechanics don't want to have to order a whole new grease adapter kit just because they need a specific adapter. In the case of grease adapter kit, NSN 4930-01-178-8848, you don't need to. Its parts can be ordered separately. The kit is...

My DISCOM is gone--dude, where's my support?(division support command)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Soldiers in modular units are beginning to realize the old division and corps support commands have disappeared. Theater sustainment commands overseas will continue to perform many of the old DISCOM and COSCOM functions, but with a new...

Which operator's permit is authorized?(Maintenance Management ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The absence of OF 346, US Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card, from DA Pare 750-8, TAMMS (Aug 05) has led some organizations to conclude it's no longer authorized. They argue that the ULLS generated DA Form 5984-E,...

Smart card available for M1114.(Connie's Post Scripts)
October 1, 2006... Operators, do you want easy access to safety-related maintenance information for your M1114 up-armored HMMWV? Then get the combined safety smart card! Go online and download it, using your AKO login and password:...

M1 tank fire extinguisher change.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Hand-held Halon 1301 fire extinguishers, NSN 6830-00-555-8837, are no longer available for use in M1-series tanks. All requisitions for replacement fire extinguishers will be disapproved with a rejection status code of CJ. The replacement is a...

M1151 front springs a problem.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... If your new M1151s are sitting low on the front springs, you could bottom out on rough terrain. That's because the armor and overloading of vehicles in Southwest Asia demands the use of M1114 front springs, NSN 5360-01-457-8029, instead of...

POC for Firefinder DRUH.(Connie's Post Scripts)
October 1, 2006... On Page 19 in PS 641 (Apr 06) we told you contact Ed Sabecky for turn-in and shipment infor on Firefinder radar dynamic reference units-hybrid (DRUH). That should have been Pete Sabecky, who can be reached at (570) 895-9007 or...

Army direct ordering for clothing.(Connie's Post Scripts)
October 1, 2006... Soldiers deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom can now replace worn-out Army combat uniforms (ACU) and ACU accessory items throughan online ordering program called Army Direct Ordering (ADO). The...