PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-633
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 633
AUGUST 2005
Driving
Drivers, be wary of a
lack of steering response.
That indicates sand is
building up between the
treads and sprockets or
idler wheels. If you allow
the buildup to continue, the
sand will throw the track.
Try “shaking” the vehi-
cle with the steering or
backing up to remove sand
buildup. Remove accumu-
lated sand by hand at your
next stop.
PS 633
AUG 05
7
Track Tension
Since metal expands and contracts with the ups and downs of temperature, prop-
er track tension is essential in the desert.
During the heat of
the day, track parts
expand and the track
runs looser. That results
in thrown track.
At night and early in
the morning, it’s much
cooler. Track parts con-
tract and the track runs
tighter. The track can
bind, causing bent road
arms,
damaged end
connectors and more.
Combat Vehicles…
Trump Desert Damage with PM
D
esert environments can deal the track on your combat vehicle a deadly hand.
Heat, sand, and rocks all combine to take a heavy toll—unless you’re willing to play
the PM trump card!
Heat
Air temperatures of up to 120°F are bad enough, but sand absorbs the heat and
can get as hot as 165°F!
Those temperatures are extremely hard on rubber parts. Heat makes track shoes
soft and weakens their resistance to sharp rocks and plant spines. High temperatures
also increase rubber/metal separation on roadwheels.
Pay special attention to shoes and roadwheels during PMCS. Replace pads that
are severely damaged or worn down to the grouser.
Roadwheels with tread separation extending around 75 percent of the wheel that
is 1 inch or wider for M1-series tanks,
3
⁄
4
inch or wider for M113-series FOV, or
1
⁄
2
inch or wider for M2/M3-series Bradleys, M109-series howitzers and MLRS
should be replaced. Also, replace roadwheels that have chunking extending across
half the width or more of the outer rubber surface.
Your best
bet is to
adjust it
according
to the TM.
Check
track
tension
often
in the
desert.
Don’t try to
make it extra
loose or tight
to compensate
for temperature
changes.
Ha!
you can’t
beat my hand!
the desert
always
wins!
I’ll
raise.
call!
not so fast!
pm trumps any-
thing you can
throw at me!
does my
track look
a little
loose?
whew!
you
probably saved
me from a
thrown track!
633.06-07(C).qxd
6/23/05
6:51 PM
Page 1
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