TB-9-1000-234-13 Exercising of M109 Recoil Mechanisms and Equilibrators Download
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.