The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from October 2008

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from October 2008

Is time running out?(Cartoon)
October 1, 2008... ONCE SPENT, TIME IS SOMETHING YOU CAN NEVER GET BACK. IT MARCHES RELENTLESSLY ON--CONSTANT AND UNCHANGING--SLOWING DOWN FOR NOTHING AND NO ONE. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SO, ARE YOU A TIME-WASTER OR DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME WISELY? ...

Clean up your V-pack Act!(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Step 1: Check to see if your tank is equipped with the pulse jet system (PJS). Tanks with PJS will have a control unit next to the hydraulic reservoir inside the center hull compartment. V-packs on PJS-equipped...

Do away with dangles and droops.(M2A2/M3A2 Bradleys ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 1W300 cable, NSN 6150-01-426-2197, for the driver's night viewer, may have a few droops and dangles. That puts it in harm's way when you close the driver's hatch. A crushed cable can cause a fire if it shorts...

Watch your step!(M2A3/M3A3 Bradleys ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... When climbing on top of your Bradley, you're looking for a step up wherever you can find it. At first glance, the driver's vision enhancer (DVE) looks like just what you need. It's handy for getting on top of the turret and it's armored....

Wet manifold a rusty problem.(M113-Series FOV ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We've come across a problem with the exhaust manifolds on several of our M113A3 personnel carriers. The heat shield covers seem to be retaining water from rain and vehicle washing. Over time,...

Gun card frustrations?(DA Form 2408-4 ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Most of the problems gun card users face happen when the end item changes ownership. Remember, Team Armor must be notified so the Unit Identifier Code (UIC) can be updated whenever your equipment is: *...

Don't damage the doors!(M992A2 Ammo Carrier ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crewmen, your ammo carrier is a pretty rugged vehicle. But that doesn't mean it can't be damaged when you're a little too rough with it. Take the canister doors for instance. Too many of you are sitting or...

Get smart on parts and services.(MRAP Vehicle)(Cartoon)
October 1, 2008... THE MINE RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED (MRAP) VEHICLES ARE SAVING LIVES... ... BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO SAVE ITS LIFE? IF NOT, WE CAN HELP YOU. USE THIS INFORMATION TO TRACK DOWN THE RIGHT MAINTENANCE TM, SERVICE INTERVALS,...

Training materials and tech manuals.(MRAP Vehicles ...)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, Those of us in the sandbox are glad to have MRAPs in our unit. But we really need more help with training and maintenance for this vehicle. Is there a solution for us outside of MRAP University...

Rein in runaway tire.(M939-Series 5-Ton Trucks ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Replacing a flat tire on your M939-series truck gets a whole lot harder if the spare tire is missing. But that's what can happen if you don't take steps to keep the spare in place. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

All washed up.(HMMWV ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Some mechanics pay no attention to how the loop clamps that hold the hose in place are positioned. If they're turned so the loop faces up, the hose is held at a higher profile. That makes it more likely that the...

PM wipes away worries.(HMMWV ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A thorough PMCS on your HMMWV includes everything from top to bottom, inside and out. Just don't forget that the windshield wipers are included in there somewhere, too. Yes, that's right, the windshield wipers!...

Help for ACOG is here!(M16A4 Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine, M249 Machine Gun ...)(Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight )(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... WELL, LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE DONE FOR, MR. ACOG. YOUR THUMB SCREW HAS DISAPPEARED. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOLD YOUR HORSES! YOU CAN REPLACE MY THUMB SCREW! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOU'RE USING THE ACOG (ADVANCED COMBAT...

Mounting bracket for extra sight.(M2 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The M2 machine gun now has a side rail adapter that allows you to mount an additional sight so that you can easily switch from near to far shooting. A lever on the left side of the adapter lets you easily switch...

Torque test for rails.(M2408 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you apply too much torque when you install the rail kit on the M240B machine gun, the operating rod can bind in the gas tube. Do it like this: Install the two long screws for the rail body and tighten them...

New Mandrel for LBS.(M2 Machine Gun ...)(laser borelight system)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Small arms repairmen have had trouble with the .50-cal mandrel used with the laser borelight system sliding completely into the barrel. As a result, the mandrel's manufacturer has increased the diameter of the mandrel's tapered end from...

Barrel, buttstock authorized?(M249 Machine Gun ...)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We are in a light infantry battalion and we would like to put short barrels and collapsible buttstocks on our M249 machine guns. Is this authorized? LTC N.L. Dear Colonel N.L., Yes...

New cradle for M249, M240B.(M249, M240B Machine Guns ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... A new weapon cradle is now available for the M249 and M240B machine guns that will provide the gunner with increased stability and support when the weapon is mounted on a vehicle. The NSN for the new LMG/MMG (light machine gun/medium...

What do we need for PM?(Small Arms ...)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, Our unit is getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan and we are wondering what cleaning supplies we should order for our weapons. Can you help? SSG G.H. Dear Sergeant G.H., Certainly....

Be very safe with grenades.
October 1, 2008... THREE SOLDIERS WERE INJURED IN IRAQ-ONE LOSING HIS ARM-WHEN ONE OF THEM REMOVED TAPE FROM THE SAFETY DEVICE OF AN MK 141 FLASH BANG. THAT ACTIVATED THE MK 141 AND IT EXPLODED. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FIRST OF ALL, THE MK 141 IS NO...

Computing longer computer life.(Mortars ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Too many M95/M96 mortar .re control system commander's interface computers are going down or being replaced needlessly because mortar units just don't give them much attention. But there are a few easy things...

The case of the missing NSN.(Javelin Missile System ...)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Editor, I work in the Javelin direct support shop at Ft Lewis where we often see damaged command launch units (CLU) because they are not kept in their protective cases. The components usually broken are...

How many ratchet straps?(MLRS ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Dear Half-Mast, We are required to use ratchet straps when we carry MLRS missile pods on the back of trucks. We think we're supposed to use ratchet straps rated for 10,000 pounds, but the only NSN we can find is for straps rated for 5,000...

Why those rumors won't die.(Cartoon)
October 1, 2008... FOR MORE THAN 57 YEARS WE'VE BEEN TELLING SOLDIERS THE BEST WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR RIFLES, MACHINE GUNS, AND PISTOLS. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BUT SOME SOLDIERS JUST WON'T BELIEVE US. THEY THINK THERE'S A BETTER WAY AND THEY'RE READY...

The FOD master.(All Aircraft ...)(foreign objects damage)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... LIKE A MARTIAL ARTS MASTER WHO KNOWS PRECISELY WHERE TO DISABLE A FOE, YOU NEED TO KNOW PRECISELY WHERE YOUR TOOLS ARE WHEN YOU FINISH A MAINTENANCE TASK. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AND YOU MUST BE A MASTER AT FINDING FOREIGN OBJECTS THAT...

TM misleading on current check.(M261 Rocket Launcher ...)
October 1, 2008... Dear Editor, Illustration 7G1X_00X101A for the M261 rocket launcher stray current check in TM 1-1520-Longbow Apache on EM 0126 shows the igniter arm in the raised position for the stray current check. Actually, the igniter arm should...

Special tools for a big bird.(CH-47D/F ...)
October 1, 2008... HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT SPECIAL TOOLS YOU NEED FOR YOUR CHINOOK? STOP WONDERING! EVERY SPECIAL TOOL YOU'LL EVER USE ON THE CHINOOK WITH A T55-GA-714A ENGINE IS NOW LISTED IN TB 1-1520-240-20-168. THE TB CONTAINS THE RECOMMENDED...

Chain gang chatter.(All Aircraft ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crews, your aircraft tie-down chains, NSN 1670-00-516-8405, need as much PM as your bird if you're going to keep your birds anchored. If you treat chains like a pile of junk, that's what they'll become. And if a...

Relaying a TM correction.(3-KW TQG ...)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, I have a problem with Figure 15 on Pages C-42 and C-43 in the 3-KW TQG technical manual, TM 9-6115-639-13&P (15 Aug 2005). The drawing and the parts list shows all three electromagnetic relays as...

The right way to reprogram.(100-KW & 200-KW TQG ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Just because it's laminated doesn't mean it's written in concrete. The laminated reprogramming instruction card for the MEP-807A 100-KW TQG and the MEP-809A 200-KW TQG has two big errors. The reprogramming instructions tell you how to...

Keep cap on short leash.(5-, 10-KW TQG ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Dear Editor, The crankcase oil cap on 5- and 10-KW TQG generators is held in place with a lanyard made of metal chain. The lanyard is there to keep the oil cap from getting lost. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] However, on some generators,...

Keep it together, then reset it!(AN/TRC-190 LOS ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The AN/TRC-190 line of sight (LOS) radio system is an automatic RESET item. Units are required to turn in the AN/TRC-190 to the SWA RESET team as a system. The system consists of the shelter, the prime mover (M1037),...

That's the CBRN facts, Jacks.(Joint Acquisition Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Knowledge System)(https://jacks.jpeocbd.osd.mil)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I SUSPECT YOUR FILTERS' SHELF LIFE HAS EXPIRED. BUT I'M NOT SURE WHO TO ASK? ASK JACKS, THEY HAVE THE FACTS! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOU NEED INFO ON YOUR CBRN EQUIPMENT, YOUR FIRST STOP SHOULD BE...

Who left the door open?(M56 Smoke Generator ...)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HERE'S A GOOD WAY TO KEEP YOUR M56'S HALF-DOORS LATCHED! Dear Editor, To operate the M56 smoke generator, you must remove its storage and transit cover. But then you have no good way to keep the two...

Deconning made easy.(M12A1 Decon ...)
October 1, 2008... OH, DECONNING IS JUST DELIGHTFUL THANKS TO THESE TIPS! DECONNING WITH YOUR M12A1 DECON WILL BE SO MUCH EASIER IF YOU REMEMBER THESE POINTERS... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Do you have gas? You should have traded in your old gas-powered...

Keep the Bobcat running.(Compact Skid Loader ...)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, Have the technical manuals for the compact skid-steer loader, known as the Bobcat, been updated? I need to replace some parts, but they don't cross over to NSNs on FED LOG. Can you help? SFC...

Lube helps "sticky" pin.(130G Grader ...)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * First, exercise the grader by pulling the centershift pin out of the hole at least once a month. That way rust won't "freeze" the pin in place. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Second, spray the hole and pin with...

Need repair parts fast? MPH is very fast.(Mobile Parts Hospital)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Units fighting or getting ready to fight in SWA can't afford to wait weeks or months for a vital repair part. But if that part is on back order or maybe doesn't even exist, the unit doesn't have much choice but to...

Professor Tooley instructs.(Hand Tools ...)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hammers * Ball peen * Soft-faced * Dead blow * Sledge [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ball peen hammers, also known as machinist's hammers, are used for metalwork. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Website gets down to nuts and bolts.(Hardware ...)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT'S TRUE! THERE IT IS! KEEP YOUR COMMON HARDWARE BINS WELL-STOCKED. EXTRA NUTS, BOLTS AND WASHERS COME IN HANDY FOR DO-IT-YOURSELF PROJECTS, SUCH AS REPAIRING A CAGE, BUILDING A WORKBENCH OR ADDING SHELVES...

Connie's post scripts.(List)
October 1, 2008... SKOT PAM Updated DA PAM 700-60, which covers the Army's sets, kits, outfits and tools (SKOT), has been updated with warranty and replacement procedures for tools. The update also includes tool requisition requirements. You can download the...

Rings can snag!
October 1, 2008... WHAT HAPPENED TO SERGEANT MELANCON? HIS WEDDNG RING SNAGGED WHEN HE JUMPED DOWN FROM THE BACK OF HIS TRUCK! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]