PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-631
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 631
JUNE 2005
Air Filters
Clean air filters are crucial for the excavator’s smooth operation—especially in
the desert.
Start by squeezing the dust cap
on the bottom of the air canister.
Do this before the day’s run. This
gets rid of
only
the sand and dust
at the bottom of the canister, but
not from the primary or second-
ary air filters. Sand that’s left in
the canister will end up in the fil-
ters–causing them to clog up.
Keep an eye on the air cleaner
indicator lamp on the dash. When
it lights up, call in your mechanic
for service.
Mechanics, give the filter the
brush off when the operator
notices a loss of engine power
and black smoke from the
exhaust. Pop the canister lid and
remove the outer (primary) filter.
Do not remove or clean the inner
(safety or secondary) filter.
Tap the primary filter with the heel of your hand to loosen sand, then shake and
tap some more. This quick PM tip works well at the work site until the primary fil-
ter can be cleaned or replaced. Whatever you do, do not operate the excavator with-
out both filters in place.
And make sure you don’t bang the filter on a rock or hard surface. That only dents
the filter so it won’t fit back properly.
PS 631
JUN 05
33
Small Emplacement Excavator…
H
igh winds, lots of dust, deserts of sand, hot days and cool nights. You might want
to keep these conditions in mind before the next sand storm hits.
Tank Drain Again
It’s no secret that temperature changes, like cool nights and real hot days, increase
condensation in the excavator’s air brake system.
Condensation leads to corrosion and brake failure.
Drain water out of the air tanks before the day’s run by pressing the drain valves
on the front air tank, then on the centerline and rear reservoir tanks.
Expansion Tank
The coolant level in the excavator’s expansion tank is often overlooked–and in
some cases just completely forgotten.
That’s because the tank is under the doghouse inside the vehicle’s cab.
When coolant gets low, the engine overheats. It could seize up and leave you
stranded. That’s the last thing you need in the desert!
Your PMCS in TM 5-2420-224-10 tells you to
keep the expansion tank half full. There’s no
marking on the tank that shows where the level
should be.
Do your excavator’s cooling system a real
favor. Mark the tank with a permanent marker.
Label the tank at one-half and three-quarters full.
This means no more guesswork. Just add
coolant when the tank’s below half full.
Squeeze
dirt from
dust cap
Check
air filter
elements if
indicator
light comes
on during
operation
Press drain valves on front of air tank, centerline, and rear reservoir tank
Remove and clean
primary filter
…then
keep me at
least half
full!
keep these
pm pointers in
mind before
the
next
sand
storm hits!
mark me
at 1/2 and
3/4 full…
631.32-33(C)
5/2/05
1:54 PM
Page 1
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