On the Road Again

Nige · Oct 25, 2020

In case anyone asks, the outside of each fuel tank has been coated with Rhino liner in the areas where it gets blasted with water & mud from the roads. There are a lot of problems with corrosion on this site because the ore is basically an iron formation. Water Ph can be as low as 2.5, so acid that sheet metal can rot before your eyes.

kshansen · Oct 25, 2020

Dang I should have patented that idea back in 2010 when I had to replace the outer 1/2 of a hyd. tank on a 769D due to rust. Would be interested in seeing if 10 years later if it is still holding up.

Did a few other tanks after that on haul trucks and I believe a couple loaders.

Welder Dave · Oct 25, 2020

I'm surprised they don't have an option for a special coating from the factory or use a more corrosion resistant steel where corrosion is a problem.

DMiller · Oct 26, 2020

Don’t need it that often if seldom at all so stock works and the manufacturer gets more parts sales!!
Almost be better to build them of polypropylene plastics but size becomes daunting for stability

Nige · Oct 26, 2020

Welder Dave said:
I'm surprised they don't have an option for a special coating from the factory or use a more corrosion resistant steel where corrosion is a problem.

Once again this goes back to the "posssible vs practical" debate from another thread. Why would the manufacturer even consider it if only a handful of mines all over the world suffer from the issue.? In over 40 years in mining this is the only place I know of like this, or at least to this extent.

DMiller said:
Almost be better to build them of polypropylene plastics but size becomes daunting for stability

They tried that on motor grader fuel tanks about 10 years ago - but spectacularly failed to consider the effect of pressurized refuelling systems that can pump up to 300 GPM..... back to steel tanks we go then...

BigWrench55 · Oct 26, 2020

I did some work for a guy who was doing a complete rebuild of cats biggest motor grader. I think it was a 160, but can’t remember now. The company that was buying the grader sent a guy up from Australia to check on the progress of the build. I got to talking with the guy and he told me that they were mining for gold in a volcano. He was telling me that between the salt air and volcanic gases the machines only lasted 2-3 years before needing to be replaced. He also told me that because of the corrosion they only buy used equipment and have it completely rebuilt. I was amazed by that and the fact that they were stripping down a volcano.

DMiller · Oct 26, 2020

Nige said:
Once again this goes back to the "posssible vs practical" debate from another thread. Why would the manufacturer even consider it if only a handful of mines all over the world suffer from the issue.? In over 40 years in mining this is the only place I know of like this, or at least to this extent.
They tried that on motor grader fuel tanks about 10 years ago - but spectacularly failed to consider the effect of pressurized refuelling systems that can pump up to 300 GPM..... back to steel tanks we go then...

Thanks Nige, Explosive at that point Not So Good!!

Nige · Oct 26, 2020

Extracts from Service documentation ............. "existing fuel tanks have distorted enough to interfere with the operation of the engine enclosure doors. A new stiffer fuel tank is used. The stiffer fuel tank distorts less than the existing fuel tank."

".....a maximum rate for filling the fuel system exists. The maximum rate for filling the fuel system is 380 L/min (100 US gpm). Two problems may occur if you exceed the maximum rate for filling the fuel system.
The fuel tanks may become pressurized
The fuel tanks may balloon."

Welder Dave · Oct 26, 2020

I don't know how big of a problem it is but it would seem that when you're buying million dollar plus machines an option for a more corrosion resistant coating wouldn't be unreasonable. Some manufacturers will custom paint to the customers specs.

Nige · Oct 26, 2020

It's nowhere near as big a problem as you imagine it is. With all due respect it's far easier (and much cheaper) to do it at this end. I can get a tank turned round in a couple of days from a local supplier who has done it dozens of times before.

Welder Dave · Oct 26, 2020

It must not be too big of a problem. I thought it would be better/easier to apply something to the steel before the final paint, maybe a special primer for extreme duty applications. There's options for just about everything else so why not corrosion protection options.

Nige · Oct 26, 2020

You can think what you like but again I have to refer you back to the "possible vs practical" practical debate again.
The simple answer is that the OEM's do not have infinite resources, despite what those of us who work on the equipment in the field would wish for.
In these days of companies being run by accountants it's even harder to get stuff done.

Welder Dave · Oct 26, 2020

Cat already has different types of paint and they could charge extra for a specific type to be used.

Nige · Oct 26, 2020

Welder Dave said:
Cat already has different types of paint and they could charge extra for a specific type to be used.

Any colour you like so long as it's yellow..?
Dave I'm done discussing this point with you. Let's agree to disagree and move on, othewrwise I'll ask a mod to lock this thread.

Welder Dave · Oct 26, 2020

Not disagreeing just thought corrosion might be a bigger problem in certain areas and there might be something to help combat it from the factory. Apparently on later model machines like mine with dry clutches they put some kind of corrosion protection in the clutch compartments. I don't know if it's a coating or some kind of desiccant. When I did my steering clutches I thought it could help but couldn't find anything about what exactly it is. How much longer will the Rhino liner last or does it get reapplied after a few years?

John C. · Oct 26, 2020

The manufacturer makes the machine and only offers a few modifications that make economical sense to them. Cat has a build book for each machine and things like special paints, metals and other materials are not in that book. Any special modifications are usually done by the dealer who sold it. Many times it's just cheaper to do it yourself. The factory doesn't give a rip about making machines any different if it doesn't pencil out in the end.

Welder Dave · Oct 26, 2020

I guess different manufacturers have different options. I've seen other machines that can be painted to customer requirements. Thought there might be options for machines working in salt water environments as an example.

John C. · Oct 26, 2020

Have you seen any auto manufacturer apply special paints because the car is in the snow and salt in the winter?

kshansen · Oct 26, 2020

John C. said:
Have you seen any auto manufacturer apply special paints because the car is in the snow and salt in the winter?

No but step-daughter's husband just bought an F250 Super Duty Ford. Not sure he liked it when I made the comment that the body was made from recycled beer cans! See he was bragging that he didn't have to worry about it rusting from stone chips from the oversized tires that hang a couple inches beyond the side of the body!

AzIron · Oct 26, 2020

Deere offers special paints to sunbelt rentals but they order anywhere from 300 to 600 backhoes a year and they will do a run of at least 20 at a time

Knowing what I know about factory and all the options in a the build book there are to many options now that get screwed up by the time it gets to the customer

But for what iron costs these days you would think you could get any paint you want

On the Road Again

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