The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from September 2003

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from September 2003

Don't forget returns.(turn-in of line replaceable units and shop replaceable units for M1-series tanks and M2/M3-series Bradleys)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Some of you older soldiers may remember scrounging around bushes and roadsides looking for returnable soda bottles when you were a kid. Not only could you make lots of pocket change by loading 'em in your old wagon and turning 'em in, but the...

Maintenance levels are 'a-changin'.(M1-Series Tanks)
September 1, 2003... Slowly, but surely, the Direct Support Plus (DS+) program is going away. It started disappearing in the 4th quarter of FY03 and will no longer exist by the end of FY06. So what does this have to do with you, tank mechanics? While most of...

Don't blow-off bolt choice.(M1-Series Tanks)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The blow-off panels on your M1A1 tank are designed to blow clear if the ammunition in the turret bustle explodes. That's exactly what happened to a tank that took an RPG and mortar round hit to the blow-off panels during Operation Iraqi...

Pump up your tank.(maintaining M256 cannon on M1-series tank )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A little exercise never hurt anyone--and it can do the M256 cannon on an M1-series tank a lot of good, mechanics. Without it, the seals on the recoil mechanism dry out and leak. It's only a matter of time before the cannon won't fire. The...

Do you do windows!? You'd better!!(M1-Series Bradley)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The best thing you can do to protect windows is to keep the ballistic shields down when you're not using the sights. The shields will shield the windows from the sun and blown sand, both of which can do a number on the windows' coating, not to...

Tow pintle extension parts.(M113A3 FOV)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 1, 2003... WITH THESE REPAIR PARTS, I CAN BE KEPT GOOD AS NEW NEED REPAIR PARTS FOR YOUR M113A3'S TOW PINTLE EXTENSION NSN 2540-01-458-4846? YOU WON'T FIND ANY IN THE PARTS TM, BUT YOU CAN FIND THEM HERE. Item ...

Fight acid with lube.(M88A1 Recovery Vehicle)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Mechanics, a little battery acid in the wrong place will damage more than batteries. You have to worry about what's under the batteries, too. In the case of your M88A1 recovery vehicle, that's the steering linkage bell crank assembly. ...

Split rim wheels have split.(HEMTT)(installing two-piece, bolt-together wheel on Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Due to safety concerns, the old HEMTT split rim wheels are no longer available. You now have to order a new two-piece, bolt-together wheel. Here's what you'll need: Item NSN 2530-01- Wheel...

Don't doom doors.(FMTV)(Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... When it's time to raise the cab on your FMTV, here's a very important point to remember: Close and latch both cab doors first. If you don't, those doors are going to swing open suddenly as the cab tilts forward. Not only is that...

Stay out of hot water.(ST 255 Radiator Testing Kit)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... What do a worn gasket, leaking radiator and cracked hose have in common? Any one of them can put your vehicle's cooling system out of business. So here's a little preventive maintenance that saves on repair bills and keeps you out of...

The PM dope on rope.(Wire Rope)(preventive maintenance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Wire rope used on cranes winches and commercial construction equipment has a hard life. It's exposed to dirt, grit, rain and snow. These culprits creep in and weaken the cable until it's no longer useable or safe. You can lasso these...

Prevent fires, breakdowns, damage.(MLRS)(Multiple-Launch Rocket System )
September 1, 2003... Dear Editor, We've come up with three suggestions that will help repairmen and crews keep their MLRSs moving and shooting. * As MLRSs grow older, the engines often have more of a blowby problem, no matter how careful you are about...

PM for your new ITAS.(Improved Target Acquisition System maintenance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Batteries If you remember nothing else, remember the ITAS batteries need recharging weekly. The four silver zinc batteries can't be recharged if they're stored too long and not recharged like it says in the PMCS of TM 9-1425-923-12. The...

Preparing for a trip to DS.(Small Arms)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... FOXTROT ARMAMENT SHOP 1. Ensure all weapons meet 10/20 standards. 2. Clean and inspect your weapons before bringing them to support. 3. Make sure the weapon is completely assembled. 4. Remove slings. 5. Make sure each...

Storage and cheap batteries.(M68 Reflex Sight)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Dear Half-Mast, Is there any good way to store the M68 reflex sight that's used with the M16 rifle and M4 carbine? The M68 doesn't come with any sort of storage box. Also, are there cheaper batteries you can use for the sight than lithium...

Reticles for gun night sights.(Small Arms)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
September 1, 2003... Dear Half-Mast, Can you help me find reticles for the AN/PVS-4 and AN/TVS-5 night sights when used with the M16 rifle and M24OB, M2, and MK 19 machine guns? SSG C.J. Dear Sergeant C.J., No problem. The AN/PVS-4 reticle...

Don't mix up fuel/oil mix.(M17-Series Decon)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The first thing you must remember about the M17 decon is that oil must be mixed with its gasoline. If you forget and run just straight gas through the engine, you'll soon need a new engine. But fuel matters are complicated even more because...

IDing ID numbers.(M40/M42-Series Masks)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Pear Half-Mast, Which number on the M40/M42 masks is the lot number you use to ID the mask in the property book? SFC K.T. Dear Sergeant K.T., The lot number is stamped on the bottom right strap of the facepiece in a...

Lube for smooth sampling.(Fox NBC Vehicle)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... If the door for the sampling tray box sticks, you will have trouble taking samples. Monthly, give the bottom of the tray and the box door's hinges a light coat of WTR, NSN 9150-00-145-0268, so the tray keeps moving smoothly. Be careful not to...

Gasper.(Illustration)
September 1, 2003... IT'S A COLD, DARK NIGHT AT FT. SPOOKY, AS THREE FIGURES ENTER AN OLD ABANDONED MOTOR POOL. A SOFT WIND MOANS LIKE A LOST SOUL... ARE Y-YOU SURE THIS IS THE PLACE? I'M SURE, BONNIE, THE PHONE CALL SAID TO MEET HIM... HERE... AT...

Shop truck is not a stand.(SECM)(shop equipment contact maintenance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Mechanics, using the aviation shop equipment contact maintenance (SECM) truck as a maintenance stand is not good. When your bird needs maintenance in the field, always work from the aircraft work platforms, catwalks and walkways. The...

Good launching thanks to PM.(M260/M261 Rocket Launcher)(preventive maintenance)
September 1, 2003... The M260/M261 rocket launcher is a simple piece of equipment compared to rest of your bird. But corrosion or carbon or rough handling can quickly turn its launches into misfires. Clean and lube the launcher thoroughly after firing. Just...

Turn in parts for repair.(ANITSM-191(V)3)(base shop test facility maintenance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Are you mechanics and supply types having problems getting replacement circuit cards for the AN/TSM-191(V)3 base shop test facility (BSTF)? You can help by turning in failed circuit cards and power supplies for repair. The BSTF, which...

Taken for a ride.(Aviator Grand Power Unit)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Mechanics, watch those sharp turns with the lightweight utility mobility enhancement system (LUMES) when you're towing your AGPU. After you've made sure the self-propulsion drive clutch is disengaged, go slow to avoid tow bar and axle...

Battery cost and convenience.(Global Positioning System)
September 1, 2003... The three options * Your first option is the BA-5800, NSN 6135-01-440-7774. It comes in a pack of eight batteries and costs almost $160, or about $20 per battery. The BA-5800 provides the best operating duration and temperature range...

As simple as 1, 2, 3.(Rechargable Batteries)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... AS RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES FIND THEIR WAY INTO YOUR UNIT, GIVE THEM A GOOD HOME. IT'S AS SIMPLE AS ONE, TWO, THREE! 1 Write a unit rechargeable battery SOP. Start with the basics and add to it as your experience gives you more...

Get an edge on the mount.(SINCGARS)(radio mount)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... NSN 2590-01-291-1033 brings a 5-ft, 5-in plastic protective edge for your HMMWV SINCGARS radio mount. Or does it? The supply folks say this item is out of stock. All is not lost, though. You can order the same edge stuff with NSN...

Stop interfering!(resolution of strobe light and signal interference)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Dear Half-Mast, The SMART program receieved a suggestion about the strobe light on top of the M1097 shop equipment contact maintenance (SECM) truck interfering with a SINCGARS signal. The problem happens when the antennas are tied down...

Save oil & money!
September 1, 2003... You've always had a choice to make with leftover lubricants. You could throw away what's left (expensive) or keep it for next time and run the risk of contamination and equipment damage (even more expensive). Now you have another choice:...

Medical "insurance".(First Aid Kits)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 1, 2003... Make sure your first aid kit, NSN 6545-00-922-1200, stays well-supplied. If items are missing or have passed their expiration date, see your medical support folks to get them replaced. They usually keep a large supply on hand. Here's what you...

Comfortable living.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Heading for the field? A few creature comforts can make life in the desert a bit more tolerable. In PS 605, pages 56 and 57, we printed a long list of personal items that might come in handy. Here are a few more: A vacuum bottle keeps...

Water purification devices.(Personal Gear)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Being stuck in the boonies without fresh water can leave you real thirsty. What you need is an individual water purification device that treats any freshwater source for microbiological contaminants. These purification devices are like the...

Cutting remarks.(Barket Kit)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... ARE YOU SURE YOU HAVE STEADY HANDS!? HICCUP OF COURSE I'VE GOT HIC STEADY HANDS! HICCUP YOU WON'T FIND A LIST OF COMPONENTS FOR YOUR BARBER KIT, NSN 3590-00-058-1837, IN ANY PUBLICATION. SO, HERE ARE THE COMPONENT QUANTITIES YOU...

Do you have all your publications?(Publications)
September 1, 2003... You never know when your unit might deploy. That's why it pays to be ready. Part of readiness lies in having all your equipment publications on hand. How do you find out what publications your unit needs? Ask the USAMC Logistics Support...

Getting updates for logistics publications.(G-4 Pubs.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Anyone involved in Army logistics can now receive instant notification of revisions to Army G-4 regulations and pamphlets. The Army G-4 Publication Enrollment Notification System (PENS) is a web-based system that allows logisticians to...

Maintenance leaders' course available online.(Training)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The 10 maintenance management lessons in the 171 Q12 course cover: * unit maintenance operations * the Unit Level Logistics Ground database (ULLS-G) * ULLS-G system security * Sage database inquiries * daily preventive...

Water trailers revisited.(Connie's Post Scripts)(tank maintenance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Use caution when scrubbing away rust inside the tank of the M1112 or M149-series water trailer like we said on Page 7 of PS 605. First, since the tank is an enclosed space, it's a good idea to have a second person on hand in case of trouble....

MLRS troubleshooting fix.(Connie's Post Scripts)(multiple-launch rocket system)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... There's a slight mixup on the troubleshooting procedures for the transmission oil low pressure indicator light on Page 3-346 of TM 9-1450-646-20-1. If the light doesn't come on when the MASTER POWER switch is moved to ENGINE ON, the TM says to...

Changes to M67 GLPS TM.(Connie's Post Scripts)(gun laying positioning system)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... If you use the M67 gun laying postitioning system (GLPS), make these changes in its TM 9-6675-347-13&P. In Page 3-1, c.2, scratch out Borish Manufacturing's address and write in "If you need a shipping address, call Marta Favati at DSN...

M1A2/M1A2 SEP O-rings.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Use NSN 5331-01-498-9953 to order new O-rings for the bore evacuator on your M1A2 or M1A2 SEP tank. The NSN listed for Item 3 in Fig 87 of TM 9-2350-288-24P-2 and Item 3 in Fig 81 of TM 9-2350-388-24P-2 is no longer available.

M113--series FOV seat belts.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Accidents do happen! That's why it's important for everyone inside an M113--or any other combat or tactical vehicle--to always wear their seat and shoulder belts during operation. Read your -10 manual. Without the belts, a rollover or other...