PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-607
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 607
JUNE 2003
PS 607
JUNE 03
21
TOW 2 Missile System…
No Leg to
Stand On
I
f you ignore your TOW's tripod, it won't
have a steady leg to stand on. For a line-of-
sight system like the TOW, that's the end of
accuracy. Several units have even seen
their weapons take a tumble because of tri-
pod problems.
The best way to prevent tumbling TOWs
is to pay attention to the tripod's locking
clamp. If it works loose, the TOW takes a
fall.
After you install the traversing unit (TU)
and lock down the clamp, try to twist the
TU back and forth. If there is
any
move-
ment, tighten the clamp with a 3/16-in hex
wrench, NSN 5120-00-240-5300.
Turn the TU again. If there's still
play, it's time for a new tripod. Also
make sure the locking clip for the
clamp locks the clamp securely. If it
doesn't, the clamp can work loose.
Report a bad clip.
Last, check the tripod crossbars on
all four sides for cracks. Just one crack
signals the tripod is shot.
PS 607
JUNE 03
20
Hellfire Missile System…
Loading your
Hellfires will be
easier on you
and the launcher
if you load up on
this advice.
Don't put your feet on the launcher.
It's not a step. If you put your weight on
the launcher, you can bend the rails or
break the connectors. That puts the
launcher out of business.
Guide the locking handles into the
LOCK position.
If you let the handles
flip down, it wears out their springs and
could damage the microswitch that tells
you the missiles are locked in. It also
wears out the missile mid-shoe.
Take it slow and
easy.
Slide the missile
slowly down the rail.
Watch the springs of
the upper/lower rail
wiring harness. When
the springs slightly
compress, move the
holdback latch handle
to the latched position.
A Hellfire should slide easily into the launcher. If it doesn't, something is proba-
bly wrong with either the launcher, missile shoes, or umbilical connector. Jamming
the missile in place will damage both the missile and launcher. So try loading a dif-
ferent missile. If that doesn't do the trick, ask your repairman to take a look.
Test tripod
by twisting
TU
Slow and easy.
Don’t
force it
Guide handle down
No feet!
Locking
clip OK?
Tighten clamp
if necessary
Cracks in
crossbars?
I’m feeling
a little
shaky
‘cause my
tripod
needs pm!
607. 20-21 (C)
5/6/03
3:25 PM
Page 1
Back to TopBack to Top
