TM    9-2350-238-10 OPERATION   IN   UNUSUAL   WEATHER– CONTINUED EXTREMELY  COLD  WEATHER  –  CONTINUED i. Perform   instrument   panel   checkout during   warmup.   Refer   to   page   2-54. j.   Shift   transmission   to   1st   gear   and drive   vehicle   slowly   for   100   yards (91.44   meters).   This   will   warm lubricants   for   normal   operation. 2   If   tracks   are   frozen   to   ground,   chip heavy   ice   free   from   around   tracks   prior to  attempting  to  move  vehicle. 3   Watch   temperature   and   pressure   gauges to   make   sure   engine   and   transmission are  not  running  too  hot  or  too  cold  and that   oil   pressure   is   not   abnormally   high or   low.   If   temperature   and   pressure readings   are   consistently   abnormal,   stop vehicle   and   investigate   cause. 4  Cover   machine   gun   and   mount   to   pre- vent   entrance   of   snow   and   moisture. 5   Keep   all   doors   and   cupola   covers   closed and  locked  when  not  in  use  to  prevent entrance   of   snow   and   moisture. NOTE Warm   hydraulic   oil   before operating   hydraulic   components in   cold   weather;   engage hydraulic  system  for  5-10 minutes   when   temperature   is 32°F   (0°C)   or   below. 6   If   winterization   kit   is   installed,   operate hydraulic   oil   immersion   heater   to   warm hydraulic   oil   before   engaging   hydraulic pump   magnetic   clutch. 7   Operate   crane   controls   slowly   to   avoid breaking   parts   which   may   have   become frozen. 8 9 10 11 12 13 Park  vehicle  in  a  sheltered  spot  out  of wind.   If   shelter   is   not   available,   park with   left   side   of   vehicle   facing   into   wind to   prevent   snow   and   sleet   from   entering through   exhaust   ports.   When   vehicle   is to   be   parked   for   a   long   period,   be   sure   to park  on  solid  ground,  on  planks,  or  on brush   to   avoid   having   tracks   freeze   to ground. Place   control   levers   in   neutral   position when  not  in  use  to  prevent  them  fro-m freezing   in   an   engaged   position. Clean  vehicle  of  snow,  ice,  and  mud  as soon   as   possible   after   operation.   If winterization   kit   is   not   installed,   be   sure to   protect   all   parts   of   engine   compart- ment   against   entrance   of   snow   or   sleet. Wrap   tarpaulins   around   rear   portion   of boom.   Cover   and   shield   vehicle,   but   keep ends   of   tarpaulins   off   ground   to   prevent them   from   freezing   to   ground. If   vehicle   is   not   equipped   with   engine coolant   heater,   have   unit   maintenance personnel  remove  batteries  and  store  in  a warm   place. If   vehicle   is   equipped   with   engine   coolant heater,   start   heater   and   check   that   it   is operating   properly   immediately   after stopping   engine.   This   heater   is   designed to   operate   unattended   during   overnight stops.   Watch   battery   charge.   Do   not operate   coolant   heater   more   than   12 hours   without   running   engine   to   recharge batteries. NOTE Refer   to   chapter   5   for   operation and   maintenance   of   winteriza- tion   kit   components. In  addition  to  normal  PMCS,  special  care in   cleaning   and   lubricating   must   be   taken when   extreme   cold   weather   is   present   or anticipated.   Refer   to   page   3-59   for   in- structions   on   winterizing   and   cold weather   maintenance. 2-112