PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE REWORKING UPPER FRAME AND BASE FRAME ON CERTAIN 312C EXCAVATORS Caterpillar

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE REWORKING UPPER FRAME AND BASE FRAME ON CERTAIN 312C EXCAVATORS

Usage:

REBE3497-00

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16May2008

D-215

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*Priority*	PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE REWORKING UPPER FRAME AND BASE FRAME ON CERTAIN 312C EXCAVATORS
7051 6506		PI31501

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NOTE:

This Program must be administered as soon as possible. When reporting the repair, use "PI31501" as the Part Number and "7751" as the Group Number, "56" as the Warranty Claim Description Code and "T" as the SIMS Description code. Exception: If the repair is done after failure, use "PI31501" as the Part Number, "7751" as the Group Number, "96" as the Warranty Claim Description Code, and "Z" as the SIMS Description Code.

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NOTE:

The information supplied in this service letter may not be valid after the termination date of this program. Do not perform the work outlined in this Service Letter after the termination date without first contacting your Caterpillar product analyst.

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COMPLETION DATE	TERMINATION DATE
30Nov2008	31May2009

PROBLEM

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The upper frame and base frame need to be reworked on certain 312C Excavators. The existing area of the upper frame and base frame may crack due to stress.

AFFECTED PRODUCT

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Model	Identification Number
312C	FDS00660-00661, 663-665, 667, 669, 671, 673, 677, 693, 695, 698, 701, 704, 706, 708, 710-711, 714, 735-736, 738-740, 743, 745-749, 751-760, 763-764, 769-781

PARTS NEEDED

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Qty	Part Number	Description
4	PLATE1	Direct Shipped to dealer - See Action Required
2	PLATE2	Direct Shipped to dealer - See Action Required
2	PLATE3	Direct Shipped to dealer - See Action Required
The parts have been directly shipped to the dealership. Refer to the Action Required for obtaining the necessary parts.

ACTION REQUIRED

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Refer to the attached Rework Procedure.
The necessary parts have been sent directly to your dealership. Please contact the appropriate person within your dealership in order to obtain the parts to make your repair.

Hu,Xiao Yun
FOSHAN SHUNDE CEL MACHINERY CO.
10 Weiye Road, Beijiao Industrial Park, Beijiao, Shunde District, Foshan, Guangdong Province, P.R.China, 528311
(Tel. :139-2828-3176, +86-757-2633-0866)

Peng, Tim
LEI SHING HONG MACHINERY(KUNSHAN) LTD.
432 Kuntail Road, Xinzhen, Kunshan City, Jiangsu, P.R.China, 215337
(Tel. :0512-5519-2170, +86-138-6260-2791)

Xu, Weidong
WESTRAC CHINA LTD.
NO.876B West of North Interchange of Shibalidian Chao Yang District, Beijing, P.R.China,100023
(Tel : 010-6747-7799, +86-136-4107-8769

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OWNER NOTIFICATION

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U.S. and Canadian owners will receive the attached Owner Notification.

SERVICE CLAIM ALLOWANCES

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Caterpillar		Dealer Suggested		Customer Suggested
Parts %	Labor Hrs%	Parts %	Labor Hrs%	Parts %	Labor Hrs%
100%	100%	0%	0%	0%	0%

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NOTE: This is a 24.0-hour job

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PARTS DISPOSITION

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Handle the parts in accordance with your Warranty Bulletin on warranty parts handling.

MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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COPY OF OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR U.S. AND CANADIAN OWNERS

XYZ Corporation
3240 Arrow Drive
Anywhere, YZ 99999

PRIORITY - PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR REWORKING THE UPPER FRAME AND BASE FRAME

MODELS INVOLVED - 312C Excavators

Dear Caterpillar Product Owner:

The upper frame and base frame need to be reworked on the products listed below. The existing upper frame and base frame can crack. You will not be charged for the service performed.

Contact your local Caterpillar dealer immediately to schedule this service. The dealer will advise you of the time required to complete this service.

Please refer the dealer to their Service Letter dated 16May2008 when scheduling this service.

We regret the inconvenience this may cause you, but urge you to have this service performed as soon as possible to prevent unscheduled downtime.

Caterpillar Inc.

Identification #(s)

Attached to 16May2008 Service Letter

Rework Procedure

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Upper Frame Reinforcement Instruction

Image1.1.1

Before starting the repair, refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual that is appropriate for your machine.
Disassemble the hydraulic hoses in boom foot area for easy access.
Cover the component by sheets (vinyl or cloth) around swivel joint area for easy cleaning of debris from grinding.
Grinder should be pencil type as Image 1.2.1.
(A disc type grinder should not be used, because it is easy to grind too much of the welding metal)

Image1.2.1

Grind welding toe so that the toe radius is approximately 3mm from A to B. Refer to Image 1.3.1.
(The image shows the left side plate only, but the right side also needs to be grinded.)

Image1.3.1

Image 1.4.1 is an example.

Image1.4.1

Base Frame Reinforcement Instruction

Image1.5.1

Before starting the repair, refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual that is appropriate for your machine.
Use a pit or lift the machine (both sides) for easy access. Maintain proper safety practices when lifting and supporting the machine. Refer to Image 1.6.2.
Remove the paint and clean any dirt, rust, grease, etc. from the the area that is to be welded. Refer to Image 1.6.1.
Keep dry during the welding process in order to prevent a welding crack; the plate surfaces and welding stick should be dry.

Image1.6.1

Image1.6.2

Add rib plates
Locate the rib plates following the dimension. Refer to Image 1.7.1.
(Keep a good fit up in order to prevent an excessive gap by grinding the weld or plate cutting.)
Weld the rib plates in 6 locations. Refer to Image 1.8.1.

Image1.7.1

SECTION A-A

Image1.8.1

Add doubler plates
Locate the doubler plates following the dimension. Refer to Image 1.10.1.
(Keep a good fit up in order to prevent an excessive gap by grinding the weld or plate cutting.)
Weld the doubler plates in 4 locations. Refer to Image 1.10.1.