TM 5-3820-205-10-1
Section III. OPERATOR/CREW PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
CHECKS AND SERVICES (PMCS)
30.
Maintenance Forms and Records
Every mission begins and ends with the paperwork. There isn't much of it, but you have to keep it up. The
forms and records you fill out have several uses. They are a permanent record of the services, repairs, and
modifications made on your equipment. They are reports to organizational maintenance and to your
commander. And they are a checklist for you when you want to know what is wrong with the equipment after its
last use, and whether those faults have been fixed. For the information you need on forms and records, refer
to DA Pam 738-750.
31.
Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services
a Perform Before (B) PMCS just before you operate the equipment. Pay attention to the Cautions and
Warnings.
b. Perform During (D) PMCS while you operate the equipment, and at halts or rest stops.
c. Perform After (A) PMCS right after operating the equipment. Pay attention to the Cautions and
Warnings.
d. Perform Weekly (W) PMCS once a week.
e. Perform Monthly (M) PMCS once a month.
f. If something doesn't work, troubleshoot it with the instructions in this manual or notify your supervisor.
g. Always perform PMCS in the same order so it gets to be a habit. Once you've had some practice,
you'll spot anything wrong in a hurry
h. If anything looks wrong and you can't fix it, write it on your DA Form 2404. If you find something
seriously wrong, IMMEDIATELY report it to organizational maintenance.
i. When you perform PMCS, take along the tools you need to make all the checks. You always need a
rag or two.
Warning: Dry cleaning solvent, P-D-680, is toxic and flammable. Always wear protective goggles
and gloves, and use only in a well-ventilated area. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothes, and DO
NOT breathe vapors. DO NOT use near open flame or excessive heat. The solvent's flash point is
100°F-138°F (38°C-59°C). If you become dizzy while using cleaning solvent, immediately get fresh air
and medical help. If solvent contacts eyes, immediately wash your eyes and get medical aid.
(1) Keep it clean. Dirt, grease, oil, and debris only get in the way and may cover up a serious problem.
Clean as you work and as needed. Use dry cleaning solvent on all metal surfaces. Use soap and
water when you clean rubber or plastic material.
(2) Bolts, nuts, and screws. Check them all for obvious looseness, missing, bent, or broken condition.
You can't try them all with a tool, but look for chipped paint, bare metal, or rust around bolt heads. If
you find one you think is loose, tighten it. If you can't tighten it, report it to organizational
maintenance.
(3) Welds. Look for loose or chipped paint, rust, or gaps where parts are welded together. If you find a
bad weld, report it to organizational maintenance.
(4) Electric wires and connectors. Look for cracked or broken insulation, bare wires, and loose or broken
connectors. Tighten loose connectors and ensure that wires are in good shape.
(5) Hoses and fluid lines. Look for wear, damage, and leaks (wet spots) and ensure that clamps and
fittings are tight. A stain around a fitting or connector can mean a leak. If a leak comes from a loose
fitting or connector, tighten it. If Something is broken or worn out, report it to organizational
maintenance.
j. It is necessary for you to know how fluid leakage affects the status of your equipment. The following
are definitions of the types/classes of leakage an operator or crew member needs to know to be able to
determine the status of his/her equipment. Learn, then be familiar with them and REMEMBER--WHEN IN
DOUBT, NOTIFY YOUR SUPERVISOR.
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