JohnnyCarcinogen
Active Member
Where I work, we have 2 Cat 836 trash compactors. We have a H model that has about 12k hours, and a K model that we're leasing to eventually break enough to buy. As soon as the city told us the K model was "on the books," we started running that. Since the chief complaint about the H from the operators was the A/C wasn't working, I drug it into the shop, found a faulty compressor, and replaced it.
Fast forward a week or so, and I finally had the time to evacuate and recharge the system, but still hadn't reconnected high and low side switch harnesses. The other guy in the shop has been at our dump for 20 some odd years, and even though I have seniority in position, I've deferred to him because he's be mechanicing there off and on his entire career. Sometimes, the old man likes to pull me off of a job he doesn't think is a priority, telling me "You can finish that later, they don't need it."
Yesterday, I swapped the 836K for the H so Cat could come and do their 500 hr service. Immediately, the operator started complaining about the A/C. I told him that I didn't have A/C in Iraq, and he could drink water for two days while the new compactor was down for a service.
Typical rookie mistake, I ordered a low-pressure switch from Cat today, went down to trash with switch and wrench in hand, and opened the engine access panel. Looked down to see two unhooked harnesses. Plugged them back in, walked up to the cab, and within a minute, the vents were chucking ice cubes.
At least I have a spare switch, now.
Fast forward a week or so, and I finally had the time to evacuate and recharge the system, but still hadn't reconnected high and low side switch harnesses. The other guy in the shop has been at our dump for 20 some odd years, and even though I have seniority in position, I've deferred to him because he's be mechanicing there off and on his entire career. Sometimes, the old man likes to pull me off of a job he doesn't think is a priority, telling me "You can finish that later, they don't need it."
Yesterday, I swapped the 836K for the H so Cat could come and do their 500 hr service. Immediately, the operator started complaining about the A/C. I told him that I didn't have A/C in Iraq, and he could drink water for two days while the new compactor was down for a service.
Typical rookie mistake, I ordered a low-pressure switch from Cat today, went down to trash with switch and wrench in hand, and opened the engine access panel. Looked down to see two unhooked harnesses. Plugged them back in, walked up to the cab, and within a minute, the vents were chucking ice cubes.
At least I have a spare switch, now.
