The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from September 2007

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from September 2007

PMCS checks aren't all the checks.(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Carefully doing all the checks in your vehicle's PMCS doesn't completely check it out. Your vehicle can breeze through those checks and still not be fit for duty, The specific tasks listed in tile PMCS are certainly the most critical...

To lock ... or not to lock.(M2/M3-Series Bradleys ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Dear Half-Mast, I'm hoping that you can settle an argument; about proper transportation of Bradleys at our unit. The integrated sight unit's periscope head has a mirror control knob on its side. The knob acts as a locking mechanism for...

Head off hatch headaches.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... If the hatches are open during operation. you must make sure they're locked open. Otherwise, if the tank stops suddenly, that hatch will come crashing down on your head. If you survive, you've just learned the hard way ! Your tank is...

Clean the old-fashioned way.(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Crewmen, newfangled devices and shortcuts are not the way to clean your tank's gun tube. In fact, they're a good way to cause damage that'll shorten the life of that gun tube. Some soldiers think it's best to use high-pressure water or a...

Claw cleaning critical.(M88A1 Recovery Vehicle ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Mechanics, when you pull the powerpack in your M88A1 recovery vehicle for scheduled services, pay special attention to the engine mounting bracket, NSN 5340-00-752-7607. The bracket is a claw-like device that clutches the bottom of the...

Need gun card help?(DA Form 2408-4 ...)
September 1, 2007... If you're having trouble filling out the electronic version of DA Form 2408-4, Weapon Record Data Card, or wondering about the particular service criteria for your system, worry no more. Just check the Gun Card Firing Data page on the AEPS...

It's all in the angles.(Stryker ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... When the powerpack is removed, the loss of weight up front lets that part of the vehicle raise up. That leaves the Stryker at a slight angle (high in front and low in back). When it's time to reinstall the pack, you have to try to angle it back...

Take time for lock-down.(M198 Howitzer ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... DID YOU REMEMBER TO SET THE TRANVERSE LOCK BEFORE WE LEFT? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NO! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA DO IT! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT TAKES ONLY ABOUT THREE SECONDS BUT USING THE TRAVERSE LOCK ON YOUR M198 HOWITZER...

Modified glow plug's a better deal.(Rhino ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Run a mission with the Rhino, replace the glow plug. Run a mission with the Rhino, replace the glow plug. Run-wait before you do that again! The Rhino's glow plug has been improved, and now it lasts for more than just eight hours. So when...

Coolant lines let air get by.(HMMWVS ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... TM Update Paragraphs 3-60, 3-64, 3-65, and 3-66 in TM 9-2320-280-20-2 reference Cooling System Service, Surge Tank Replacement. Surge Tank-to-Radiator Vent House Replacement, and Surge Tank-to-Water Crossover Vent Hose Replacement. They...

Avoid a crack-up!(M939-Series Trucks ...)
September 1, 2007... Drivers, here is one way to avoid a crack-up, vehicle downtime and a big repair bill. Do not back up the 5-tonner with the transfer gear case in low range. If you do, the gear case gets cracked or busted up! Drivers are warned about this...

Armor weakens cab mounts.(M915 FOV ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Front and rear cab mounts and the rear cab mount structure on the Freightliner M915 family of vehicles (FOV) have been stressed with the application of the addon armor kit. The cab could separate from the chassis or steering loss could occur if...

Axle seal kits tips.(M870/M870A1 Semitrailers ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Dear Half-Mast, Which seal kits should we use with the axle assemblies in our M870 and M870A1 semitrailers? Would you give us the bearing combinations they work with, too? SGT D.L.B. Dear Sergeant D.L.B., Can do. The seal kit...

Light switch connection correction.(M871A2 Semitrailers ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Dear Editor, We received a DA Form 2028, Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms, from the 62d QM Co at Ft Hood, TX, with info that your readers using M871A2 semitrailers ought to know about. The three wires for the toggle...

Smoother gun elevation shifting.(M2/M3-Series Bradley ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Dear Connie, I've run into several cases of the Bradley's gun elevation drive (GED) having difficulty switching between the POWER and MANUAL modes. When you do a diagnostic test, it usually Faults out the GED assembly or motor. But...

Solution fits the M242 to a T.(M2/M3-Series Bradley ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Dear Editor, When you disassemble or assemble the M242 automatic gun, you quickly find that using the hex-head wrenches that come with the Bradley tool kit make the job a long one. The small wrenches have a small turning radius, so you...

Put in on CD to go.(Small Arms ...)(compact disc )(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Dear Editor, As a TACOM-Rock Island logistics assistance representative (LAR), I often deal with armorers who are unaware of or don't have access to information that would make their jobs easier. Too often important information put out by...

Repairing op rod.(M249 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Here are the instructions for installing the op rod parts: Using a pin punch, drive the inside spring pin out of the operating rod. Do the same with the larger spring pin. Unscrew the piston from the operating rod. The pins should...

What you need to mount your sights.(Rifles, Machine Guns ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... PS 616 (Mar 04) gave a good rundown of what sights, lasers and infrared illuminators can be used on which rifles and machine guns. If you didn't catch that article, go to: https://www.logsa.army.mil/psmag/archives/PS2004/PS_16/616-12-14.pdf...

MK19 has cover, too.(MK19 Machine Gun ...)
September 1, 2007... Dear Editor, We saw in PS 644 (duly 06) your article stating that only the M2 machine gun, the M16 rifle and the M249 machine gun have protective covers. Good news! The MK19 machine gun also has a cover you can order with NGN...

TOW the PM line.(M2/M3-Series Bradley ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Because most Bradley units don't fire many TOW missiles, the TOW launcher is often forgotten at PM time. That's the type of forgetting you need to forget immediately. Why? For one thing, if the launcher doesn't get the required...

Desert cleaning.(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... In the desert especially, the launcher is going to fill up with dirt and sand if your Bradley spends much time on the road. That can prevent the RAD (remote arming device) from mating with the missile-and even if it does it probably won't make...

Manual drives mean manual labor.(MLRS Launcher ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Using the manual drive controls to move the launcher on your MLRS isn't high on your list of things you like to do, crewmen. It's time-consuming, difficult and tedious, but it's also the only way to move the launcher when you have an electrical...

Dry out wet igniter.(M56 Smoke Generator ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Dear Editor, One of the most common mistakes M56 smoke generator crews make is to leave the fog oil valve on at shutdown. This can let fog oil drip into the turbine if the fog oil check valve isn't seating snugly. Then when it's time to...

How do you get covers?(M56 Smoke Generator ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Dear Half-Mast, When we go to the field we often lose the covers for the ejector and the turbine exhaust on the M56 smoke generator. Without the covers, water gets in the system and causes corrosion problems. How can we replace lost...

Hood not needed with JSLIST.(M40/M42-Series Masks ...)(joint service lightweight integrated suit technology)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... For full protection when wearing the M40/M42-series mask, you need to wear the quick-doff hood. It helps protect your head and neck from chemical agent exposure. But if you're also wearing JSLIST Type II (joint service lightweight...

Old vs new drink tubes.(M40/M42-Series Masks ...)
September 1, 2007... Some CBRN specialists still haven't gotten the word that there are now two totally different internal drink tubes for the M40/M42 masks. You need to know what's what because the newer drink tube coupling call be replaced by you, but the other...

BDAR kits to the rescue!(Comic)(Cartoon)
September 1, 2007... MAN, SERGEANT JENKINS, I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY BREAKDOWNS! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT'S BEEN JUST ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. GOOD THING THIS WAS JUST A TRAINING EXERCISE, SERGEANT BUCK. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF WE WERE ON...

To paint or not to paint.(All Aircraft ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Mechanics, hold up! The can of PWC polyurethane spray paint you've just grabbed to use for touch up work cannot be used! Before you pop the cap and start spraying, grab TM 1-1500-344-23-4. Cleaning and Corrosion Control, Consumable...

Data loading for avionics.(UH-60 ...)
September 1, 2007... Crewmen, having problems entering data into avionics equipment using your Black Hawk's remote fill panel? Hold one before you yell for AVIM to start replacing avionics components. Your radios, COMSEC, GPS or other avionics components, like...

Don't set off squibs.(CH-47D ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Mechanics, don't be in a hurry when removing and replacing your engine firebottle squibs or engine fire extinguisher bottles in your Chinook. The fire extinguisher bottles in your bird put out fires in the No. 1 and No. 2 engines....

Please remember this.(M230 Automatic Gun ...)
September 1, 2007... Dear Editor, Experience has taught; us a few good lessons about our M230 automatic guns that I thought I should share with other aviation units: * We eliminated almost all firing problems by taking the M230 completely apart at the...

The paper is gone!(AH-64/UH-60 ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Black Hawk and AH-64 mechanics, there's something new on the horizon for your engine manuals. The T700-series paper technical manuals are gone. TM 1-2840-248-23, TM 1-2840-23823P, TIM 1-2840-248-23P, and TM 1-2840-258-23P have been...

Weight and balance.(All Aircraft ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Mechanics, are you doing proper preparation before weighing and balancing your bird? If not, get it off the scales. When weighing and balancing an aircraft, preparation is the first step. Chapter 3 of TM 55-1500-342-23 tells you what to do....

Chocks! What are they good for?(UH-60/AH-64/CH-47 ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... If you said absolutely nothing, you'd be wrong. Every bird except for the Kiowa Warrior should be chocked whether it's in the hangar or on the flight line. A bird with no chock blocks could become a rolling catastrophe if the parking brake...

Improved for the desert.(H-250 Handset ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The H-250/U handset, NSN 5965-00-043-3463, is used on many tactical radios including the SINCGARS. Now there is an improved model specifically designed for use in the desert. It's the H-250B/G. Order it with NSN 5965-01-549-6390. The new...

Where to do direct support maintenance.(AN/PAS-13 TWS ...)
September 1, 2007... Dear Editor, I am the C-E LCMC item manager for the AN/PAS-13 thermal weapon sight (TWS). The Army-approved maintenance concept For the AN/PAS-13 mandates that direct support (DS) maintenance be done only by the Intelligence and...

Cover the lens.(LRAS3 AN/TAS-8 ...)
September 1, 2007... Dear Editor, The long range advanced scout surveillance system (LRAG3) infrared night; vision sight; (AN/TAS-8) is not indestructible. The lens is especially vulnerable. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Please remind troops to cover the...

There's nothing like a good pub.(DAGR ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Since the defense advanced GPS receiver (DAGR) is pretty new to the field, you might think there is only one edition of the pubs. Not so. If you have DAGR pubs dated 6 June 2004, your pubs are duds! The Change I editions of TM...

Colors to ID cans.(Fuel Cans ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... You need to clearly identify what's in each fuel can. Color-code the can caps. For example, paint the cap yellow for diesel, red for MOGAS and blue for JP-8. Then stencil DIESEL, MOGAS or JP-8 on the appropriate can. Some units even colorcode...

Tall and short, big and small.(Clothing ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... If you're looking for clothing in unusual sizes, there's a place and a method for ordering them online. It's called the warfighter online information and ordering system. It's pan of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia. The warfighter...

Make a little time for air tank.(Air Compressor ...)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Any time you compress air, it can't hold as much moisture, so the moisture condenses. And cooling air produces more condensation, even in dry places like the desert. Over time, that moisture rusts through the tank. The remedy is simple and...

What equipment do you need in SWA?(Logistics Management ...)
September 1, 2007... If you're trying to figure out the equipment your unit needs to take to SWA, help is available on the Internet You can access BattleWeb with an AKO login and password: Battle Web, an unclassified tool, can show you what equipment may be...

Logostics soldiers' guide online.(Logistics Management ...)
September 1, 2007... Sometimes the hardest part to getting help with logistics is just knowing where to go with your questions. The Army Materiel Command's Logistics Support Activity (LOGSA) made the answer clearer when it published the Soldiers Guide: Logistics...

Tricks to deploying STAMIS.(Computers ...)
September 1, 2007... Your unit's deploying to SWA and it's packing time. The MILVAN/ISO container outside is almost full, but you think your STAMIS computer system will just fit. Think again! During shipment and while it sits in theater waiting to connect...

Clea awards.
September 1, 2007... ARMY AWARDS FOR MAINTENANCE EXCELLENCE ACTIVE ARMY TOE Small Category winner: C Co, 501st MI Bn, Wackernheim, Germany (USAREUR) Runner-up: D Btry, 3d Bn, 2d ADA, Ft Bliss, TX (FORSCOM) Medium Category Winner: 524th MI Bn,...

FWTD tow bar light assembly.(Connie's Post Script)
September 1, 2007... Use NSN 6220-01-544-3398 to get a 12/24-volt tow bar light assembly for the fifth wheel towing device (FWTD). This light assembly replaces the one shown as Item 1 in Fig 4 of TM 9-2510-247-13&P.

HIP Times Newsletter.(Connie's Post Script)
September 1, 2007... Look at the HIP Times Newsletter for the latest scoop on technical manual updates, parts and maintenance information for the HEMTT, HET, PLS and M915 heavy tactical vehicles: https://aeps2.ria.army.mil/services/newsletter/HipTimes/...

M872 wheel assembly NSN.(Connie's Post Script)
September 1, 2007... Want a wheel and tire assembly for your M872-series semitrailer? If so, only use NSN 2530-01-547-4136. That assembly works for M872, M872A1, M872A2, and M872A3 models. Your authority is TACOM MAM 07-030.

HEMTT transmission oil filter.(Connie's Post Script)
September 1, 2007... Use NSN 2940-01-398-3361 to get the transmission internal oil filter that's shown as Item 13 in Fig 145 of TM 9-2320-279-24R Install the filter with a 2.115-in spacer (Item 12), NSN 3120-01-422-0620. You won't need the spacers shown as Item 14...

CE/MHE website.(Connie's Post Script)(Website overview)
September 1, 2007... For the latest fielding schedules and issues on the Army's engineering and material handling equipment, take a look at this website: https://www.us.army.mil/suite/folder/6288229 Send questions to the PM for CE/MHE for quick feedback on...

Looking for a tourniquet?(Connie's Post Script)
September 1, 2007... In the field, emergencies happen. When it comes to saving a life, order a tourniquet, NSN 6515-01-521-7976 or NSN 6515-00-383-0565 for use in your ALSE vest. ALSE message 0702 authorizes the use of the combat application tourniquet in all...

General mechanic's tool kit conversion.(Connie's Post Script)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... You can now convert the general mechanic's tool kit (GMTK), NSN 5180-01-843-0249, covered by 5C 5180-95-B47, to the multi-capable maintainer's tool kit (MCMTK), NSN 5180-01-493-1664, covered by SC 5180-95-874. The tools needed for the...

Meds for survival equipment.(Connie's Post Script)
September 1, 2007... ALSE techs, when ordering medical supplies by NSN, make sure you specify blister packs, if you don't, you'll receive bottles or tubes that you're not authorized to open, handle, re-use, re-issue or re-seal in other packages. All Class VIII...

M9 pistol laser pointer.(Connie's Post Script)
September 1, 2007... Good news for MPs. The Army now has an approved integrated laser white light pointer for the M9 pistol. Order the AN/PEQ-14 with NSN 5855-01-538-0191.

Army aviation maintenance.(Connie's Post Script)
September 1, 2007... The aviation maintenance field manual dated 23 Sept 00 has been revised. Make a note that revised FM 3-04.500 (23 Aug 06) is now available. You can access the FM at Army Knowledge Online and at the Dennis J. Reimer Training and Doctrine Digital...

M870/M870A1 brake shoe part number correction.(Connie's Post Script)(Correction notice)
September 1, 2007... On page 60 of PS 651 (Feb 07), we told you to get your semi-trailer's brake shoes with part number SB4692FC11SIL, but that's wrong. Use part number SB4692FCIISIL instead. And use NSN 2530-01-330-1962.

M1114 A/C parts update.(Connie's Post Script)
September 1, 2007... A couple of NSNs for the A]C dryer assembly shown as Fig 274 in TM 9-2320-387-24P have changed. Now you'll need NSN 5930-01-521-0167 to get the pressure switch shown as item 1. And NSN 4130-01-512-6676 brings the receiver listed as Item 4.

Need wings?(Connie's Post Script)
September 1, 2007... NEED WINGS? You've earned your wings, so make sure you get them with these NSNs for Army aviator and aviation badges: Badge Black, NSN Silver, NSN 8455-00-135- 8455-01-113- Aviator ...