Rim Inspection Guidelines {4202, 4209} Caterpillar

Caterpillar Products

All Machines

Introduction

This document is to provide a guide on where to inspect rims, what defect types to look for, and what methods to inspect the rims.

RIM INSPECTION GUIDE

Routine inspections of rim bases and the loose rim components are a best practice which can detect abnormalities within the rim prior to the rims function being drastically impacted. Inspections and maintenance should only be performed by persons who have received adequate training to service and handle Off The Road (OTR) tires and rims. This document serves as a guide to the inspection of OTR rims and should not be considered comprehensive.

Visual inspections should be done daily to externally visible parts of the rim prior to machine operation. A full visual inspection of the rim and the rims components should also be performed anytime a tire is removed from a rim. More thorough non-destructive inspections of the rim base and the rim components can be done as needed.

Visual inspections should look for changes to the appearance of the rim. The rim should be cleaned of all accumulated debris prior to inspection. The appearance of cracks, new sources of corrosion, deformation, and polished surfaces are signs of rim wear. Any rim that shows signs of cracking should immediately require the deflation of the wheel assembly and removal of the suspect rim. Signs of cracking could present a significant and severe safety hazard. Any observations involving corrosion, deformation, or polishing of rim components should be documented and tracked to ensure that further changes do not impact the function of the rim.

Lock rings should also be inspected when installed to verify that there is an obvious gap between the ends. If the lock ring ends are touching, the tire should immediately be deflated and the lock ring removed and replaced. Prior to mounting, any lock ring that is intended for use should be inspected to ensure that the ends overlap while in a free state. If the ends do not overlap, the lock ring is "sprung" and is no longer fit for service. A sprung lock ring presents a significant and severe safety hazard.

Illustration 1	g03873363
(1) Example of Split Ring that has Sprung - Incorrect (2) Example of Acceptable Split Ring - Correct

Non-destructive testing can include magnetic particle, ultrasonic, and dye penetration. These tests are more time consuming and costly, but can detect defects that standard visual inspections cannot. These tests can be performed as needed. If a rim is determined to be unfit for service, the rim should be removed from the machine and clearly marked for disposal.

Rims should not be repaired or modified with welds. Never weld on a wheel with the tire still on the rim. Damaged or worn components should be replaced with Caterpillar replacement parts.

The figures on the following pages show the various components of a rim, what defects to look for, where to inspect, and the method for inspection.

RIM BASE INSPECTION

Illustration 2	g03873359
3 Piece Rim See Table 1 for Checkpoint Listing (3) Base R Part (4) Contact Zone with Tire Bead (5) Tire Side Outer Surface (6) O-Ring Groove (7) Lock Ring Groove (8) Weld Zone for Accessories (9) Rim Circumference Weld Zone (10) Disc Weld Zone

Illustration 3	g03873367
5 Piece Rim See Table 1 for Checkpoint Listing (3) Base R Part (4) Contact Zone with Tire Bead (5) Tire Side Outer Surface (6) O-Ring Groove (7) Lock Ring Groove (9) Rim Circumference Weld Zone (10) Disc Weld Zone (11) Contact Zone with Side Ring

Note: Non-destructive inspections include, but are not limited to, magnetic particle inspections, ultrasonic inspections, and dye penetrant inspections.

Note: Actual weld locations may vary by rim part number and/or supplier.

BEAD SEAT BAND (BSB) INSPECTION

Illustration 4	g03873678
5 Piece Rim See Table 2 for checkpoint listing (12) Inner and Outer Surface (13) Contact Zone with Tire Bead (14) Contact Zone for Lock Ring (15) Base R Part (16) Contact Zone with Side Ring (17) Weld Zone for Accessories

Note: Non-destructive inspections include, but are not limited to, magnetic particle inspections, ultrasonic inspections, and dye penetrant inspections.

Note: Actual weld locations may vary by rim part number and/or supplier.

Lock Ring Inspection

Illustration 5	g03873697
3 Piece Rim See Table 3 for checkpoint listing (18) Contact Zone with Gutter Section (19) Contact Zone with Side Ring

Illustration 6	g03873699
5 Piece Rim See Table 3 for checkpoint listing (18) Contact Zone with Gutter Section (20) Contact Zone with Bead Seat Band

Note: Non-destructive inspections include, but are not limited to, magnetic particle inspections, ultrasonic inspections, and dye penetrant inspections.

Note: Attention: Do not use sprung lock rings. Lock ring ends should overlap when in a free state. Lock rings must have visible gap between ends only when mounted.

Side Ring Inspection

Illustration 7	g03873854
3 Piece Rim See Table 4 for checkpoint listing (21) Inner and Outer Surface (22) Base R part (23) Contact Zone with Tire

Illustration 8	g03873857
5 Piece Rim See Table 4 for checkpoint listing (24) Contact Zone with Tire (25) Contact Zone with Bead Seal Band (26) Contact Zone with Rim Base

Note: Non-destructive inspections include, but are not limited to, magnetic particle inspections, ultrasonic inspections, and dye penetrant inspections.