PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-670
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 670
SEPTEMBER 2008
47
PS 670
SEP 08
CBRN
specialists, some time in the next four years your M41 PATS (protection
assessment test system) is going to come back from calibration upgraded.
The upgrade will add embedded diagnostics to PATS so that PATS can self-
diagnose problems. A notice in the carrying case will tell you your PATS has been
upgraded.
An error code on the PATS display screen will indicate it needs attention from
your local TMDE. Make sure your soldiers know that.
Remember that your PATS needs to be calibrated at least every 18 months. If it’s
not, it could give faulty readings.
•
The throttle lever constantly
gets out of adjustment. Its screw
loosens from vibration so much
that when you push up the lever at
shutdown, it drops right back down
and the engine doesn’t shut off.
During PMCS, push the lever up and
release it. If the lever won’t stay up,
tighten its screw, but not so tight
that the lever is difficult to move.
SSG William Hamlin
U.S. Army Chemical School
Ft Leonard Wood, MO
Dear Editor,
A broken hose connector or plugged hose strainer can bring your M17
decon to a screeching halt. Here are a few ways to keep your M17 on the
decon road:
•
The cam arm on the hose
connectors is often broken because
soldiers sling the hoses around. A
broken cam arm makes it difficult
to connect the hose and very
dangerous. Hot water can shoot out
and scald you.
•
The branch in the hose strainer
assembly is designed to catch
calcium and rust that would plug up
your wands. They build up inside the
hose screen and make it difficult
to remove the strainer assembly
cover. It has a brass nut and when
operators try to force the nut, the
nut breaks off. It then becomes a
major operation to get the cover
off.
Avoid that mess by checking the
strainer quarterly for calcium and
rust buildup, especially on the cap
threads. Clean off any buildup with a
wire brush.
Of course, the best solution is
for deconners to be careful with the
hoses. Lay the hoses down
-don’t
toss them. If the cam arm is busted,
your M17 is NMC until it’s replaced.
Keeping Your M17
on the Road
Editor’s note:
Excellent suggestions, Sergeant.
They will indeed keep M17s on the road.
Keeping Your M17
on the Road
Watch for PATS Upgrade
hey,
how about this!
I’m being upgraded
with diagnostics.
what
will
they
think of
next?
thanks to these
chemical school
suggestions, I’m
ready to hit the
decon road.
Cam arm on
hose clamp
often broken
by rough
handling
Clean strainer
assembly
quarterly
to prevent
calcium and
rust buildup
If throttle lever
won’t stay up,
tighten screw
670.46-47.indd
1-2
7/31/08
3:51:40 PM
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