PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-585
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 585
AUGUST 2001
PS 585
AUG 01
21
M113-Series FOV . . .
PS 585
AUG 01
20
M88A1 Recovery Vehicle, M109A6 Paladin . . .
Don’t Be a Basket Case
H
ow you prepare a disabled M109A6 Paladin for towing will determine the shape
of its stowage baskets when you get back to the motor pool.
If the baskets are locked in the rear position and a tow bar is used, the baskets
may hit the M88A1 recovery vehicle during turns. That can damage the baskets or
even rip them completely loose. It doesn’t do the M88A1 any good either.
he -10 TMs say your M113-series FOV is NMC if the driver’s compartment
or rear compartment engine access covers are bent or have torn seals.
The M113A2 TM is right, but TACOM now says the M113A3 TM is wrong.
The reason is the different exhaust fan used in each vehicle.
The M113A2 fan blows air
into
the engine compartment. That means a bent
engine access cover or damaged seal could let harmful exhaust gases into the
crew compartment.
But the M113A3 fan pulls air
out of
the engine compartment. Since exhaust
gases can’t get into the crew compartment, a bent access cover or damaged seal
does not make the vehicle NMC.
The weekly exhaust pipe
PMCS checks listed as Item 56 in
TM 9-2350-261-10 and Item 59
in TM 9-2350-277-10 are still
required. If any part of the
exhaust pipes is missing, dam-
aged,
poorly aligned or not
securely mounted, your vehicle is
still NMC.
Make a note of this change to the M113A3’s engine access cover PMCS until
TM 9-2350-277-10 is updated.
So lock the baskets in the forward position to keep them out of the way during
towing.
That makes the baskets the widest portion of the howitzer, so you may need to
return them to the rear position when towing through a narrow area. Just remember
to lock the baskets in the forward position once you’re back in the open.
Any time you must tow a Paladin with the baskets in the rear position, use a
ground guide to prevent damage during turns.
Towing
with
baskets
swung to
rear can
damage
hinges…
…or rip
basket
completely
off
AT Last!
I’m finally
going to get
a tow home!
I’m
not riding
in
there!
Your
engine access
cover
leaks!
Don’t worry… the
exhaust fan
takes
care of those fumes
on us m113a3s!
Exhaust fan keeps fumes out
of M113A3 crew compartment
Until your
stowage
baskets
are moved to
the
forward position…
…you’re
staying
right
there!
585. 20-21 (C)
6/23/01
8:50 PM
Page 1
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