CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - TB-9-1000-234-130007

TB 9-1000-234-13

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1-1. Purpose. This bulletin provides instructions and guidance on methods of exercising all types of recoil mechanisms

and equilibrators, mounted on weapons or unmounted, on weapons not fired for prolonged periods, in the field, in storage,

or at a manufacturer or overhaul facility.

1-2. Scope.

a. The instructions in this publication are applicable to operator, organizational, direct support, general support, and

depot maintenance personnel responsible for exercising recoil mechanisms and equilibrators.

b. This publication provides periodic preventive maintenance that is not covered in pertinent weapon manuals, and

specific methods for exercising each type of hydropneumatic recoil mechanism, hydrospring recoil mechanism, and

equilibrator.

c. Only the particular recoil mechanisms listed in table 1-1 do not require exercising.

Table 1-1. RECOIL MECHANISMS WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE EXERCISING

RECOIL MECHANISM MODEL NUMBER

WEAPON SYSTEM

M1A8

HOWITZER, PACK: 75-MM, M116

M2A4

*HOWITZER, LIGHT-TOWED: 105-mm, Ml 01 and

M2A5

M101AI

M6Al

*HOWITZER, MEDIUM, TOWED: 155-mm, M114

M6A2

M6B2

M37

HOWITZER, LIGHT, TOWED: 105-mm, M102

M37A1

M45

**HOWITZER, MEDIUM, TOWED: 155-mm, M198

*M101, M101A1, and M114 Howitzers with other recoil mechanisms will require exercising.

**U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Howitzers are to be exercised.

1-3. General Exercising Procedures.

a. General. Exercising is the moving of rods and pistons in the recoil mechanism to reestablish a fluid film between

the packings, seals, and sliding surfaces. It prevents drying of seals and corrosion of rod surface at the packing.

Variations of exercising methods may be used, depending on availability of equipment. The exercising method selected

must not be performed in such a way as to be injurious to the weapon and thereby cause future malfunctions. Deficiencies

noted will be recorded on appropriate forms in accordance with DA PAM 738-750.

b. Exercising Frequency. Hydropneumatic and hydrospring recoil mechanism and pneumatic and hydropneumatic

equilibrators must be inspected and exercised at least every 180 days. There are two configurations of Ml1 9A1

recuperators currently in use, refer to TM 9-1015-252-10 for differences between "old" and "new". The "old" recuperator

(NSN 3040-01-340-4823) must be exercised every 30 days, while the 1tnewn one, referred to as the Low Temperature

Recuperator (LTR), (NSN 1015-01-3625288) must be exercised every 90 days to maintain them in a serviceable condition

when not in use. This

Change 2 1-1