PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-568
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 568
MARCH 2000
PS 568
21
MAR 00
PS 568
20
MAR 00
perators, not making the before-
operation check on the hydraulic fluid
(OHT) level in your M119A1
howitzer’s buffer assembly can be a
costly mistake.
If the buffer is not full of OHT, con-
densation will create rust on the ex-
posed portion of the buffer cylinder.
Condensation will also contaminate the
OHT. Water-contaminated OHT causes
cylinder scoring and damage to the
brass valve.
If you’re lucky, the buffer assembly
can be overhauled—for just $20,000.
If the assembly is too far gone for re-
pairs, you’ll be billed $70,000 for a
new one.
With prices like that, it pays to check
the oil level often. Here’s how:
1.
At 0 mils elevation, remove the plugs
on the right-hand compensator tube and
the blow-off check valve on the left-hand
compensator tube.
5.
Reinstall the right-hand compensator
tube plug and the blow-off check valve.
6.
Elevate the cannon tube to maximum
elevation.
7.
Make sure the buffer rod adapter nut
setscrews are in place and tight. Trying to
loosen the filler plug with a loose adapter
nut lets the entire variable recoil mecha-
nism turn. That loosens the collar and
starts an OHT leak.
4.
Add OHT through the blow-off check
valve hole until clear oil flows from the plug
hole on the right-hand compensator tube.
9.
Hand tighten the buffer rod plug.
10.
Depress and elevate the gun tube two
or three times to purge air from the oil.
11.
Repeat steps 6 and 8. If the oil level is
correct, reinstall the buffer rod plug and
depress the cannon tube to 0 mils.
12.
Reset the variable recoil adjustment
valve by turning it clockwise the same
number of clicks as in step 2.
Remove and stow the run-back stop.
3.
Install the run-back stop and elevate the
howitzer to 180 mils.
2.
Fully open the variable recoil adjust-
ment valve by turning it counterclockwise
as far as it will turn. Count and remember
the number of clicks so you can return it
to the same position when you’re done.
M119A1 Towed Howitzer . . .
Install stop
Remove plug
Open valve
Stow stop
Setscrew tight?
8.
Remove
the buffer rod
plug and check
the oil level. If
necessary, add
OHT, NSN 9150-
00-935-9807,
until the level
reaches the
bottom of the
plug threads.
Add OHT
don't
go into the
field with a
grumpy
m119a1 howitzer. check
the oht level
before
operation.
it's a
good
day
for some
shooting
.
that's
what
he
thinks!
Add OHT
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