PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-604
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 604
MARCH 2003
PS 604
MAR 03
11
M109A6 Paladin…
PS 604
MAR 03
10
M992A2 Ammo Carrier…
D
rivers, if the AFES manual pull handle on your ammo carrier is still held in place
with a hook-and-pile strap, it’s time to have your mechanic get rid of it.
The hook and pile strap was designed to keep the handle from accidentally slip-
ping out of its retaining clip and setting off the engine fire extinguisher.
Unfortunately, the strap does its job a little
too
well.
In an emergency, the extra seconds needed to open the strap before pulling the
handle can be disastrous.
That’s why TACOM says the strap’s gotta go. Here’s how:
1.
Deactivate the AFES by turning the
alarm panel maintenance switch to
AFES MAINT. Then, put a locking pin
in the valve actuator of the engine fire
extinguisher bottle.
2.
Open the hook and pile strap on the
manual pull handle and cut it loose from
the retaining clip.
3.
Double-check the manual pull handle
to make sure it is still firmly secured by
the retaining clip.
4.
Remove the locking pin from the
engine fire extinguisher bottle and return
the AFES alarm panel switch to AFES
POWER ON.
I
f there’s a fire in the cab of your Paladin, you need to get out now, gunner!
But
it’ll be slow going if you haven’t been lubing the hinges, handle and hold-open latch
on the gunner’s escape hatch.
Without proper lube, the hinges rust and the handle sticks. If you do manage to
force the hatch open, a rusty hold-open latch won’t keep the heavy door out of the
way while you squeeze through.
Take the time to lube the escape
hatch now so you won’t have to won-
der if it’ll open later. Quarterly, put a
few drops of OE/HDO, CLP or OEA
on the hinges and handle. Make sure
you wipe up any excess oil to keep it
from attracting dirt and sand.
Lube the hold-open latch monthly
with a few squirts of GAA.
Turn switch
to AFES
MAINT
Cut hook-and-pile strap
free from retaining clip
after all
the years
of service
we gave!
yeah! look
where we
ended up!
man, did
that fire
ever spread
fast!
yeah! It’s a
good thing
we kept the
escape hatch
lubed!
Don’t forget
to lube latch
and hinges
Lube hold open
latch monthly
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