PS 589
DEC 01
41
•
Check the limit
switches.
If
a
switch is crushed,
the outrigger won't
get the signal to
stop raising. That
can break its strut
welds.
But even if the switches look OK, watch the out-
riggers when they're raised or lowered. If the pads
snag, the welds can be broken.
Bumping a pad with your foot or hand often
frees it. If that doesn't work, reverse direction. No
change? Tell your repairman. Cleaning sand or ice
away from the pads' pivots helps prevent snagging.
•
Don't let the pads freeze
to the ground.
If that hap-
pens, the actuator can be
broken when you try to raise
the outrigger. Prevent pad
freezing by putting plywood
or three sandbags in a trian-
gle underneath the pad. If a
pad does freeze, free it by
pounding a sledgehammer
on the ground around the
edge of the pad.
PS 589
DEC 01
40
Patriot Missile System.
..
DON’T LEAVE
•
Exercise the outriggers.
If they don't
get at least weekly exercise, the actuator
oil seals dry and leak.
The ball screws
also need to move in and out to get a coat-
ing of lube. If the screws rust and freeze
in place, you can't move the outrigger.
The outriggers are covered by Item 10 in
TM 9-2330-357-14&P's PMCS.
•
Look for cracks.
If the chrome
bearings or the welded areas of the
outriggers have even hairline cracks,
they should be reported. The outrigger
could be unsafe.
Y
ou know how good you'd be as a soldier if your feet failed you. It's the same with
your Patriot. If its outriggers are in bad shape, your missile battery is in bad shape
for firing.
Here's how to keep your Patriot system patriotic:
I wanna see
you
touch
those toes!
My feet are
killing
me! I wish
you’d done your
outrigger PM!
Bump pad
if it sticks
Limit switch
crushed?
Put plywood or sandbags
under pad in freezing weather
OUTRIGGERS OUT
589. 40-41 (C)
10/25/01
5:53 PM
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