OK you Cat guys.........whats the deal?

[Vetech63]

So while Im trying to repair a electric /hydraulic impact for a customer of mine, one of the guys came over and asked me a question.
Cust..."Whats with the install by date on these Cat rails?"
Me....."Huh?"
Cust..."The install by date? Do the rails fail after that or something?"
Me... (laughing) "Oh B***S**t.........I'm not falling for that."
Cust...(Serious as a heart attack)" I am not kidding you! There is a install by date on that rail there."
Me....(being a smartasss "Take a pic of it and send it to me!"
I thought this was over and the joke was on him until 30 seconds later my text alert goes off.


Now Im eating crow........but I need an explanation !

 

[Nige]

Are those links SystemOne by any chance..? Could be something to do with that and the seals drying up maybe..?

Ask the customer to take photos of the Serial Number on each one and send them to you. Every Link Gp has a unique S/N. It will be on a plastic tag zip-tied to the 4th link (IIRC) from the master link on one end or the other. It's always worth keeping records of Link Gp Serial Numbers, then if there are any issues service documentation (and warranty) is a lot easier to come by.

 

[kshansen]

Do they stay fresh longer if kept in the freezer?

Just kidding! I can understand putting a use-by date on something like that as I have seen some places where they had spare rails sitting out on pallets in the yard. Sometimes the worst thing for a mechanical device is just sitting without moving. That is especially true in humid places or where there is a wide swing of temperatures.

I recall a genset we had at the quarry many years ago. We had it about 75% of the way through a rebuild and it got put on hold as other work was determined more critical. It was what we thought sealed up good and stored outside. Not good as about a year latter we were going to see about finishing it up and found it to be more or less scrap from the rust inside it from condensation. Only good thing was by that time company was getting rid of most older gensets so it just got put in with a bunch of others going to auction.

 

[Welder Dave]

I'd guess they dry up or any lubricant runs to the lowest spot and the high spot could dry out and possibly rust and/or seize? Kind of like if an engine sat for a few years. Even if it had oil in the pan, you'd want to make sure everything is primed and lubed before trying to start it. I bought an idler for a small JD years ago that was seized. It was sitting outside on a pallet in all kinds of weather for who knows how long. I think a lot of undercarriage shops have gone to storing components indoors.

 

[CM1995]

Looks like your customer needs to get a new wire rope sling.

 

[Vetech63]

Are those links SystemOne by any chance..? Could be something to do with that and the seals drying up maybe..?

Ask the customer to take photos of the Serial Number on each one and send them to you. Every Link Gp has a unique S/N. It will be on a plastic tag zip-tied to the 4th link (IIRC) from the master link on one end or the other. It's always worth keeping records of Link Gp Serial Numbers, then if there are any issues service documentation (and warranty) is a lot easier to come by.

Link had pads added and are gone so I can’t get anymore info this round. What if they start coming out with “born on” dates!?

 

[Welder Dave]

They got the idea from bags of potato chips with the date on them.

 

[skata]

Maybe they should turn them over every few days so they stay fresh and longer!

 

[Welder Dave]

Or have a big rack to run them on so they don't dry up and seize.

 

[simonsrplant]

Loctite anti sieze has a use by date too... Maybe after that things start to seize?!