PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-597
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 597
AUGUST 2002
Loosening Track
1.
Once again, place a pencil between
the track and the rear support roller.
2.
With a
5
∕
8
-in open-end wrench, loosen
the track adjuster bleed valve just
enough to allow grease to flow.
PS 597
13
3.
Watch the pencil. When there’s just
enough room between the track and the
rear support roller for the pencil to fit,
the tension is right.
4.
Re-tighten the bleed valve and wipe
away excess grease.
2.
Wipe the lube fitting with a clean
cloth and pump grease into the track
adjuster.
3.
Watch the pencil. The tension is
right when there’s just enough room
between the track and the rear support
roller for the pencil to fit.
4.
Keep an eye on the track adjuster
piston, too. The maximum extension
for the piston is 3
1
∕
2
inches. If you’ve
reached that limit and the track is still
too loose, you’ll need to remove a track
shoe and start over.
PS 597
AUG 02
12
Handling Track Tension
C
rewmen, how you handle tension will
determine just how healthy the track is
on your Bradley or MLRS.
Track that’s too tight wears out
sprockets before their time. Track that’s
too loose gets thrown.
Keep track tension just right by
checking it after every operation. All it
takes is a pencil and a little know-how:
Let the vehicle roll to a complete stop
on firm, level ground. Stop the engine
and try turning the rear support roller
with one hand.
The roller should turn freely, but with
only enough room between the track
and roller for a pencil to pass through.
If there’s more room than that, the
track is too tight. If the roller won’t turn
at all, the track is too loose.
Either way, it’s time to make some
adjustments.
Tightening Track
1.
Place a pencil between the track and
the rear support roller.
Put pencil
here
It’s time
to check
your
track
tension!
err…
where do
you plan
to stick
that?
Don’t stop there,
crewmen. The job’s
not finished
until
you’ve driven the
vehicle 100 feet,
coasted to a stop
and checked the
track tension
once more.
C
Loosen
bleed valve
Pump in grease
to tighten track
Piston extended to 3
1
∕
2
inches? Remove a shoe
M2/M3-Series Bradley, MLRS Carrier…
597. 12-13 (C)
6/26/02
6:14 PM
Page 1
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