2005/08/01 Caterpillar

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Service Magazine SEPD0795, 1 August 2005, "Correct Installation of Retainers for K Series Bucket Tips". Disregard this Supplement. The correct information follows.

Installation of Retainers

The retainers for the K110, K130, K150, and K170 bucket tips must be installed correctly. The bucket tips will become loose if the retainers are installed incorrectly. The retainers are not driven into position with a hammer. The retainers are pressed into position with a pry bar.

The retainer must be positioned deeply in the cavity of the tip in order to secure the tip and the adapter properly. The latch on the retainer will not engage properly if the bucket tips have the following conditions: packed dirt, excessive paint and weld spatter in the area of the retainer.

Make a visual check in order to make sure that the latch is properly engaged. The latch is properly engaged when release (A) is tight against the wall of the tip. The seat for the latch will not be visible, if the latch is properly engaged. Refer to the illustrations for the proper installation of the retainer.

Illustration 1	g01190464
Typical Retainer (A) Release for the latch (B) Latch

Illustration 2	g01190469
Installation Of The Retainer (C) Bucket tip (D) Pry bar (E) Adapter (F) Retainer

Illustration 3	g01190471
Correctly Installed Retainer (A) Release for the latch

Removal of Retainers

During bucket operation, the adapter cavity that contains the retainer may become filled with compacted dirt or stone that makes retainer removal difficult. It may also be difficult to remove heavily rusted parts. Consider the following suggestions when you are removing the retainer.

1. The latch portion of the retainer must be free to move before the retainer can be removed. It is necessary to remove as much of the compacted material as possible before using a pry bar to remove the retainers. Use a small chisel, screwdriver, putty knife, seal pick, wire brush, or compressed air to remove the compacted material. Several sizes of pry bars are available for retainer installation and removal purposes. Refer to Table 1 for recommended pry bars.
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   Table 1

   Recommended Pry Bars
   Part Number	Description	Tip Width	Bar Length	Recommended Usage
   239-4141	Pry Bar	228.6 mm (9/16 inch)	300 mm (12 inch)	NA
   239-4142	Pry Bar	127 mm (5/8 inch)	460 mm (18 inch)	K150-K130
   239-4143	Pry Bar	330.2 mm (13/16 inch)	610 mm (24 inch)	K150-K170
   263-0039	Pry Bar	177.8 mm (7/8 inch)	910 mm (36 inch)	NA

   After the packed material is removed and the retainer can be easily moved, the short 12 inch pry bar may be more convenient to use. The 36 inch pry bar may be necessary for difficult K150 and K170 retainers.

   The pry bar blade must be inserted between the latch and the back edge of the tip in order to release the latch. The pry bar blade can then be used to pry the retainer out of engagement with the tip. Refer to Illustration 4.

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Illustration 4	g01240339
Removal Of The Retainer (C) Bucket tip (D) Pry bar (E) Adapter (F) Retainer

Note: The tip of the pry bar blade should not be blunt as it will be difficult to insert the blade between the latch and the tip.

Note: Thoroughly clean all material from the adapter nose and tip pocket before assembly. Always use a new retainer when you are installing a tip.

2. Wetting the packed retainer cavity and the back edge of the tip with water or penetrating oil will make removal of the retainer easier. After wetting the material, allow a few minutes for the material to soften. Remove the softened material and then remove the retainer.

3. If the material is packed so tightly that the latch cannot be pried back out of engagement, drilling holes in the elastomer may ease removal. The elastomer needs space in order to expand during the latch release. Wetting the material may also be necessary.

4. Shocking the retention system may be necessary. While you are applying pressure with the pry bar to the retainer latch, tap the side of the tip ear with a small hammer. A small air chisel is also a useful tool that can be used in order to loosen a severely packed retainer or a retainer that is rusted in place.

   Note: Thoroughly clean all material from the adapter nose and tip pocket prior to assembly. Always use a new retainer when you are installing a tip.