TM-9-2350-311-10 M109 Operator's Manual for M109A2, M109A3, M109A4 and M109A5 Download
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TM 9--2350--311--10 f Change 6 WARNING • Diesel fuel is flammable. DO NOT smoke within 50 feet of the vehicle while refueling to prevent injury to eyes, skin, and lungs. • The fire extinguisher is ineffective while the engine is running, and doesn’t work at all above 1100 rpm. Ensure engine is shut off before extinguishing fire to prevent serious burns. • Be familiar with all driver’s controls. The two stage accelerator is provided to compensate for variations in driver’s seat height and in driver’s physical characteristics. DO NOT mis- take raised portion of accelerator for a brake. DEATH or injury could result from failure to heed this warning. • If you lose a track (break a track shoe or vehicle throws a track), extreme caution must be exercised in maintaining control. Immediately release accelerator and let the vehicle coast to a stop. Do not apply braking action, i.e., brake pedal, laterals, pivot or any type of steering controls. This causes the vehicle to pull to the active or good track and could result in a rollover. If it is absolutely necessary, apply braking action only and we stress only, if the vehicle is approaching a ravine, a cliff, or if you perceive the outcome to be catastrophic, probably resulting in fatalities. When rollover is imminent, all crew members should im- mediately withdraw inside the vehicle, tighten seat belts and hold onto a secure fixture, until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. • When backing the vehicle for emplacement or any other reason, two personnel must guide the driver to prevent accidental injury. • In accordance with AR 385--55, seat belts must be worn to prevent injury. The vehicle driver is required to inform passengers and the vehicle commander is responsible for enforce- ment of this regulation. • After nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) exposure of the howitzer, handle all air filters with extreme caution. Unprotected personnel may experience injury or death if residual tox- ic agents or radioactive material are present. If howitzer is exposed to chemical or biologi- cal agents, servicing personnel must wear protective mask, hood, overgarments, and chemical protective gloves and boots. Place all contaminated air filters in double-lined plas- tic bags. Move them swiftly to a segregation area away from work site. The same procedure applies to radioactive dust contamination; however, the company NBC team should mea- sure radiation prior to filter removal to determine extent of safety procedures required per NBC annex to unit standing operating procedures (SOP). The segregation area in which contaminated air filters are temporarily stored must be marked with appropriate NBC plac- ards. NBC contaminated filters must be handled using adequate precautions and must be disposed of by trained personnel. • Refer to FM 4--25.11, First Aid for Soldiers, for correct procedures to be taken if personnel are injured. • Be careful when handling the engine air intake grill and travel lock. Serious injury or death could occur if struck by either the grille or travel lock.