Bipod claws breaking on M326 120mm Mortar Trailer; has it happened to you as well?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 18:33:25 -0500

Fellow Mortarmen, in the past year my section has went through 3 sets of the bipod claws on the M326 mortar trailer using the MFCS with the 120mm mortar. When I say "went through" I mean the bolts that hold the claws on have seared off. I don't have a good picture of it currently but hope to get one up this weekend. The thing is my soldiers are not the ones that are realizing they are broken. When the trailer gets A Serviced by the maintenance section that's when they get noticed they are broken. The trailer hasn't moved since July of 2015 since our last live fire and today all of a sudden they are found broken. Please tell me someone has had the experience with this and that I'm not the only mortar section in the US Army with this happening.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 17 at 2016 6:36 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 18:36:22 -0500

Thanks for letting us know 1SG Private RallyPoint Member that your section has went through 2 sets of the bipod claws on the M326 mortar trailer using the MFCS with the 120mm mortar. The fact that the botts sheared of may well be a sign of an equipment failure.

Response by SGT(P) Eric L. made Feb 17 at 2016 6:38 PM

SGT(P) Eric L. — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 18:38:01 -0500

I wish I could help, but I was Airborne Light Infantry, hunted the 60 mm, and 120 and 81on our fobs but no mechanized vehicles.....I walked everywhere for 7 years

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 1:50 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 13:50:32 -0500

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 3:03 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:03:26 -0500

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 3:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:04:07 -0500

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 3:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:04:50 -0500

Response by SGT Bruce Miller made Feb 19 at 2016 3:47 PM

SGT Bruce Miller — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 15:47:45 -0500

Never seen it happen in my 8years