TB-9-1000-234-13
EXERCISING OF RECOIL MECHANISMS AND EQUILIBRATORS
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
SEPTEMBER 2010
TB-9-1000-234-13 - Page 13 of 52
TB 9-1000-234-13
1-3
NOTE
If the recoil cylinder is independent of the counter-recoil assembly (for example,
recoil mechanisms used with 8-inch Howitzer M115 and 155-mm Howitzer M114
Series) the counter-recoil cylinder head will be removed instead of the recoil cylinder
head. Remove any grit or chips from critical surfaces to prevent damage by further
exercising. Apply a thin coat of wide temperature range (WTR) grease to the exposed
surfaces of the piston rod, and a thin coat of preservative general purpose
lubricating oil (PL-S) to the cylinder wall where the packing normally rests. Take
special care to prevent fingerprints being left on highly machined surfaces. Replace
the cylinder head and finish exercising.
d.
Exercising Procedures with Power Winch.
(1)
Use a rope or cable of sufficient strength and length to pull the cannon out-of-battery. Use
1-1/2 inch rope or 7/8-inch steel cable. Secure one end of the rope or cable to a 4-inch by
4-inch by 24-inch piece of wood and install the rope or cable through the cannon bore
(figures 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3). Adjust the cannon elevation so that the rope or cable installed
through the bore and connected to a winch will not rub the rifling. To prevent damage,
bend the rope over a sleeve instead of a small diameter hook or cable. Select a winch
with the necessary capacity for the amount of pull required. If a winch of the necessary
capacity is not available, a block and tackle may be used with the winch, or independently,
to increase the pulling force. If a steel cable is used, protect the lands and grooves with
strips of wood. Be careful that the material used for securing the rope or cable at the
muzzle end will not slip and damage the bore.
WARNING
Keep the winch cable as short as possible. The shorter the cable, the safer the
operators are from danger of broken cable. Use of a winch with a power-reverse is
the best way to prevent excess unreeling and snarling of the cable.
(2)
A steel bar with a reinforced disk head to press against the muzzle may be constructed for
use in the bore instead of a rope or cable, when a sufficient number of weapons are to be
exercised to warrant it. Wrap the bar with cloth to keep it from damaging the lands. This
steel bar has the following advantages:
(a)
It can be inserted quickly and easily through the bore.
(b)
Dragging a hook over the lands of the rifling becomes unnecessary.
(c)
The bar may have an eye on the end, to which the winch hook can be
connected easily.
(d)
The danger of a broken cable damaging the bore is eliminated.
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