Decommissioning Procedure for Permanently Sealed Diaphragm Accumulators {5077} Caterpillar

Decommissioning Procedure for Permanently Sealed Diaphragm Accumulators {5077}

Usage:

Caterpillar Products: All Machines

Introduction

This Special Instruction contains the information, parts, and procedures to decommission diaphragm type accumulators. Do not perform any procedure in this publication or order any parts until you understand the information that is contained in this publication.

Required Tooling

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Table 1
Required Tools
(1)	Drill Press
(2)	Drill Press Vice
(3)	4.76 mm (3/16") Drill Bit
(4)	Eye Protection

Safety Section

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Pressurized fluids can cause injury or death.

Before disassembling any lines, controls, or accumulator, be sure that the pilot system hydraulic accumulator pressure is zero.

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Hot hydraulic oil under high pressure can remain in the components of the hydraulic system or the power train system after the engine has been stopped. The uncontrolled release of the hydraulic oil can cause sudden machine movement and can also result in the following conditions:

Burns
The penetration of body tissue
Other personal injury
Death

If hydraulic oil penetrates body tissue, the injury must be treated immediately by a doctor who is familiar with this type of injury. Use a board or a piece of cardboard to check for a hydraulic oil leak. Make sure that all of the attachments have been lowered to the ground and that all trapped pressure has been released from the hydraulic system and the power train system. Also, make sure that the hydraulic oil is cool before the removal of any components or lines. Remove the hydraulic oil filler cap only when the engine is stopped and the filler cap is cool enough to touch with your bare hand.

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Wear eye protection in order to prevent possible personal injury while performing the following steps.

Decommission Procedure

Use a suitable lifting device to position and secure the diaphragm type accumulator safely in a horizontal position.
Verify that all appropriate documents that are needed to scrap the accumulator have been completed.
Secure diaphragm accumulator horizontally in drill press vise (2).
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Illustration 1 g03564541

Sealed accumulator (typical example)
(A) 6.35 mm (0.25 inch)
(B) Drill location
Using a 4.76 mm (3/16") drill bit (3), drill at a slow and even rate on the fluid side of the accumulator. The drill location (B) is 6.35 mm (0.25 inch) (A) below the electron beam weld.
Allow all gas to deplete.
Remove accumulator from drill press vise (2).
Use a permanent method to identify the accumulator clearly as scrap.