Replace Fluid Hoses During Component R & I

1.0 Introduction
When a major component is removed for a PCR rebuild, this is an ideal time to change all fluid line hoses in the major component compartment area. This is especially true for engine Removal and Installation (R&I) where hoses are very difficult to access with the engine in chassis.
This practice prevents:
- Hose failures,
- Contamination, and
- Loss of fluid and machine downtime to replace failed hoses.

2.0 Best Practice Description
This Best Practice is to replace all fluid hoses in a major component compartment area while the component is out of chassis for a PCR rebuild. Access to the compartment is greatly improved, and thus labor required is a fraction of the labor necessary to change a hose with the component in chassis. In addition, this practices provides a planned before-failure replacement schedule for the machine hoses and fluid lines.

3.0 Implementation Steps
Required process changes include:
1. Add "Replace Fluid Hoses" to the R&I checklist
2. Add hoses and clamps to the R&I parts kit and checklist,
3. Add OHT hose routing diagrams to the R&I forms kit. Hose routing diagrams are contained in the machine parts manual.

Example: Parts Book Hose Part Numbers and Routing Example
 Add OHT hose routing diagrams to the R&I forms kit.

4.0 Benefits
• Prevent unplanned hose failures
• Better machine availability
• Increased production

5.0 Resources Required
Time to identify parts and information required to perform the hose replacements.

6.0 Supporting Attachments & References
None Applicable

7.0 Related Best Practices
None applicable.

8.0 Acknowledgments
This Best Practice was authored by:
Dale Brehm
Caterpillar Global Mining
6 Sigma Black Belt
Brehm_Dale_E@cat.com
+1 309 675 6325