The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from September 2005

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from September 2005

Use your LARs ... or become one.(logistics assistance representatives)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Army Materiel Command's LAO program has logistics assistance representatives (LARs) all over the world whose jobs are to solve your maintenance and supply problems. If LARs don't have the answers handy, they...

Up or down, keep it smooth.(Stryker ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the addition of slat armor, the ramp on your Stryker becomes a real heavyweight. That means you have to be even more careful than normal when raising and lowering the ramp. Flipping the ramp switch up and...

Keep plugs pluggin' along.(Stryker ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Easy does it when removing or tightening the hub filler/drain plugs on your Stryker. The hex-shaped indentation on the plug will strip and round off easily. That makes the plug very hard to install or remove. ...

Complete PMCS makes sense(s).(Combat Vehicles ...)( Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] So you've gone through every Item in the PMCS tables of your vehicle's -10 TM. All finished, right? Nope. If you think going through the PMCS charts is all you need to keep your vehicle running, you've got...

Is your tank cracking up?(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you've noticed cracks developing on the underside of the turret, don't panic. Your tank is not coming apart at the seams. In most cases, these are not cracks in the armor but in the thin metal skin that covers...

Choose wisely.(M1A1 Tanks ...)(Cartoon)
September 1, 2005... HEY! WHEN AM I GONNA GET THAT NEW TURRET NETWORKS BOX? THE PARTS MANUAL LISTS FOUR DIFFERENT NSNS! HOW AM I S'POSED TO KNOW WHICH ONE TO ORDER? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS OF M1A1 TANKS OUT...

New brush keeps cannon clean.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Change 3 to TM 9-1000-202-14, Evaluation of Cannon Tubes, is now available. So what does that mean to you? Good question. Appendix B contains new criteria for proper inspection and condemnation of the M256 cannon...

Keep prop shaft bolts tight.(M113-Series FOV ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One of the most important things you crewmen and mechanics can do is check for loose or missing propeller shaft and U-joint bolts on M113 carriers. If the shaft comes loose, it flails around, damaging the...

Got the shakes.(M109A6 Paladin ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Have your mechanic notify DS/GS maintenance about the problem. They'll determine if the gear box has the correct backlash by measuring the traversing output gears as shown on Page 13-31 of TM 9-2350-314-34-2. ...

Geared hub flub.(HMMWV ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] That's because the vent line from the geared hub is connected to the vent line from the fuel pump. But for fuel to get into the geared hubs, the fuel lift pump diaphragm must be leaking. If the pump is leaking, your...

No lead foot.(HEMTT ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Drivers, throwing rubber is what happens when you operate your HEMTT beyond its recommended speed limits. Most limits are spelled out in the chart on Page 3-61 and 3-62 of TM 9-2320-279-10-1. [ILLUSTRATION...

Lock up back ups.(M989A1 HEMAT Trailer ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pulling the HEMAT trailer is easy stuff, drivers, as long as you pay attention when making turns. Backing one up is another story. Before you start, you need to get out of your truck and lock the trailer's towbar...

Air dryer kit.(M915, M915A1, HEMTT ...)(Cartoon)
September 1, 2005... I DUNNO... SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY TO PAY FOR A NEW AIR DRYER CANNISTER. SOLDIER, STOP! YOU CAN SERVICE THE OLD ONE WITH A KIT! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SERVICING THE AIR DRYER ON BIG TRUCKS DOESN'T MEAN YOUR UNIT HAS TO...

Axle info update.(M872A1/A2/A3 Semitrailers ...)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, Is there a good NSN for the axle on my unit's M872-series 34-ton flatbed trailer? Using the parts info in TM 9-2330-359-14&P gets you nowhere. SSG J.B. Dear Sergeant J.B. Here's the...

Small arms slings and cleaning rods.
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Do not use NSN 1005-01-0838113 to order a sling for an M16 rifle or M4 carbine. Your order will be rejected by DSC-Columbus. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] NSN 1005-00050-6357 now brings a box of 25 cleaning rod...

The time for timing (and headspacing) is now!(M2 Machine Gun ...)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every year soldiers hurt themselves and their M2 machine guns because they don't realize the importance of timing and headspacing or they've forgotten how to do it correctly. When an M2 isn't headspaced and...

Etiquette for good feeding.(M2 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An M2 machine gun that can't be fed ammo or whose barrel can't be locked in place is an M2 that can't do much to protect you or your unit. Feast on these feeding tips to keep your M2 spitting out ammo: Feeding:...

Need help? Click on Comet.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Editor, Thanks for the great write-up you gave the COMET (command maintenance evaluation team) program in PS 630 (May 05). I'm sure that will help spread the word on what COMET can help units with. One...

Magazines OK?(M249 Machine Gun ...)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We keep hearing that you're no longer supposed to use M16 rifle magazines with the M249 machine gun. Any truth to that? SFC R.S. Dear Sergeant R.S., No, there is no truth to that. As...

What's the shop PM?(Contact Maintenance Truck ...)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, Where do you go for info on the contact shop truck? We can't find anything on maintenance or NSNs for the shop equipment. SGT R.L. Dear Sergeant R.L., Check out TM 9-4940-563-13&P....

Easy on lube.(Small Emplacement Excavator ...)
September 1, 2005... Operators, make sure you pay attention to the CAUTION in Note 18 of the LO when it's time to lube the grease fittings for the front and rear thrust ball joints on the SEE. Give each fitting only four or five pumps of lube from a hand-held...

How can I get drawer inserts?(SECM ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We have lost the foam inserts that go in the drawers for the SECM (shop equipment, contact maintenance). Without the inserts, it is much harder to keep the tools organized and do inventory. We've...

Thread repair kit NSNs.(Tools ...)(Table)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ARE YOU USING GARDSERTS, THE THREAD REPAIR KIT PS TOLD YOU ABOUT IN PS 620 (JUL 04)? THEN LISTEN UP! YOU CAN NOW ORDER REPAIR PARTS FOR THE KIT, NSN 5180-01-499-8893. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REMEMBER...

Jeepers creepers! How'dja get that creeper?(Tools ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... Dear Half-Mast, Do you have NSNs for mechanic's creepers, particularly a heavy duty one? A good creeper would make it so much easier for us to get under vehicles. T.W. Dear T.W., Get a heavy duty creeper with NSN...

A better breakdown of tire repair tool kit.
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Editor, When you check Components List 4910-96-A74, which covers the tire repair tool kit, NSN 5180-01-355-2166, you run into quite a few discrepancies between what's in the kit and what's listed in the CL....

What do you know about PS?(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The printed pages of PS Magazine are something that most mechanics and operators are familiar with. But did you know the magazine is available online: https://www.logsa.army.mil/ psmag/pshome.html In...

Hey, soldier! Can you lend an ear?(Cartoon)
September 1, 2005... I'M A LARGE SCREEN DISPLAY PROJECTOR AND IT'S NICE TO MEETCHA'. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MY NAME? WELL, THAT'S NOT REAL IMPORTANT. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I COULD BE EPSON[R] OR INFOCUS[R] OR A HOST OF OTHER NAMES. ...

Tight and secure.(OH-58D ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mechanics, a loose or danging protective cap for the coolant fill port on your Kiowa Warrior's mast mounted sight (MMS) could mean trouble later. During flight a loose cap can come off, flail around on the...

Do not overtorque.(UH-60A/L/HH-60L ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Sergeant Blade, Some Black Hawk mechanics get a little careless and don't properly torque the cabin floor screws. The screws are countersunk into the floor. You should use only enough force to seat the...

Tips for TADS turret.(AH-64A/D ...)(target acquisition designation)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aircraft armorer, always handle your AH-64's target acquisition designation sight (TADS) with TLC. That TLC begins by removing the protective covers from the boresight window, dayside window and nightside window...

Nose gearbox cap position.(AH-64D ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mechanics, it's important how your AH-64's nose gearbox filler cap is positioned. Make sure the cap is turned to the aft and upward position to protect against strikes on the tab from birds or branches. If the...

Cleaning TB revised.(All Aircraft ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In PS 620, we gave you cleaning instructions for all airframes based on info from TB 1-1500-200-20-31 (16 Sep 03), Aircraft Desert Operations Cleaning Requirement. But the TB has been revised, and to stay current on...

What to know before you clean.(Commo Equipment ...)
September 1, 2005... Do Some Reading Read TB 43-0135, Environmentally Safe Substances for Use with Communications-Electronics Equipment. This will tell you the things you can and can't use when cleaning your commo equipment. Don't depend on your equipment...

Data on data plates.(Communications Equipment ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Need an identification or name plate for your communications equipment or generator? The quickest and cheapest way is to local purchase. If that's not possible, tell your support that SB-11-631, Identification Plates...

Sending the wrong message.(3-KW TQG ...)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We are having trouble with the fuel level floats on the 3-KW tactical quiet generator (TQG), NSN 6115-01-285-3012. The floats are sticking so the fuel gauge reads FULL even when the fuel tank is...

Lend a hand to lenses.(Night Vision Devices ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cleaning the lens on a night vision device (NVD) is the user's responsibility. But many of you are taking that responsibility too lightly. Clean the lens with lens paper, NSN 6640-01-459-4239, and water. This is...

Replace M-1941, M-1950 space heaters ... now!(Space Heaters ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you're still running the old M-1941 or M-1950 space heaters, turn them in now. These heaters are inefficient and unsafe to operate. What's more, the Army has no spare parts for them. Replace the M-1941 with...

Goodbye, gasket.(Field Oven ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You'll find maintenance for the field oven, NSN 7310-01-388-6606, in TM 107360-208-13&P. The TM makes several references to the oven's door gasket. It's mentioned in the unit troubleshooting table, the unit...

Haul gear without fear.(Tiedown Straps ...)(Cartoon)
September 1, 2005... YOU FORGOT TO USE THE TIEDOWN STRAPS! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT COULD BE COMMO... MAYBE IT'S TMDE... MIGHT EVEN BE FUEL CANS OR SPARE PARTS... OR A WEEK'S WORTH OF MRES... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ... WHATEVER...

For your protection.(Padlocks ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... KEEP YOUR VALUABLES PROTECTED WITH LOW SECURITY STEEL PADLOCKS. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THERE! ALL LOCKED UP! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] COISES! FOILED BY A PADLOCK YET AGAIN! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] YOU CAN ORDER THEM...

Here's the latest story ... a plan for polyester.(Tents and Vehicle Covers ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Major Repairs [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If your installation has a facility for making major repairs to polyester tents or vehicle covers, that's where you send them. But if your installation doesn't have that...

Breathe in, breathe out.(M40-Series, M42-Series Masks ...)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] If you can't breathe in and out of your M40- or M42-series mask, it's not exactly going to be helpful protecting you against chemical threats. That's why it's important to pay attention to your mask's valves. If...

Misleading information about PMCS.(ULLS-G ...)(Cartoon)
September 1, 2005... THE EXAMPLE FORM ON PAGE 57 OF PS 619 (JUN 04) IS MISLEADING ABOUT COMPLETING DA FORM 5988-E. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE FORM IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THE PAPER COPY OF THE FORM USED FOR PMCS CHECKS. UNFORTUNATELY, DATA WAS...

LOGSA transforms to customer focus.(Logistics Management ...)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LOGSA has long offered a smorgasbord of databases and services to customers worldwide. Often this was done as a one-size fits all offering. Customers were left to shift through a maze of information. No more. ...

CD recycling changes company.
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, I sent a CD for recycling to NESAR Systems, Darlington, PA; however, it was "returned to sender." PS Issue 523, Page 59 lists NESAR for recycling. Has there been a change? Sincerely, SGT...

Mount TM on the internet.(Connie's Post Scripts)(technical manual)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... TM 9-1005-245-13&P, which covers the machine gun mounts, has been updated and is available on the ETM (electronic technical manual) website at https://www.logsa.army.mil/etms/online.htm which requires a password. The updated version is also...

Has your PATS been calibrated?(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... Right now, NBC NCOs, check the calibration stickers on your M41 PATS. Army records show 1,600 PATS have overdue calibrations, which means they may no longer be giving accurate readings. If your PATS needs calibrating, turn it in to your local...

Tank engine/transmission oils.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... Under no circumstances should you use 15W/40 oil in the engine of your M1-series tank. 15W/40 multi-grade oil--as well as OE/HDO-30 (10[degrees] to 125[degrees]F) and OEA (-70[degrees] to 20[degrees]F)--is for use in the tank's transmission....

Tips on getting Fed Log.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... Users who get FED LOG through LOGSA's FED LOG Request Addressing System must immediately update their accounts. Log into the addressing system, enter your account number, and follow the instructions. Users can opt for the traditional five-disc...