559D, 579D Knuckleboom Loader Caterpillar

Proper welding procedures are necessary to avoid damage to the electronic controls and to the bearings. When possible, remove the component that must be welded from the machine or the engine and then weld the component. If you must weld near an electronic control on the machine or the engine, temporarily remove the electronic control to prevent heat-related damage. The following steps should be followed to weld on a machine or an engine with electronic controls.

1. Turn off the engine. Place the engine start switch in the OFF position.

2. Turn the battery disconnect switch to the OFF position. If there is no battery disconnect switch, remove the negative battery cable at the battery.
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   NOTICE
   Do NOT use electrical components (ECM or sensors) or electronic component grounding points for grounding the welder.

3. Clamp the ground cable from the welder to the component that will be welded. Place the clamp as close as possible to the weld. Make sure that the electrical path from the ground cable to the component does not go through any bearing. Use this procedure to reduce the possibility of damage to the following components:

   • Bearings of the drive train

   • Hydraulic components

   • Electrical components (Engine ECM, and the Product Link Module.

   • Other components of the machine

4. Disconnect power source to or remove the following components

   • Engine ECM Module - On the engine

   • Control Module - Located in the cab

   • Machine ECM Module - Located in the cab

   • Product Link Module - Located under the hydraulic tank

5. Protect any wiring harnesses and components from the debris and the spatter which is created from welding.

6. Use standard welding procedures to weld the materials together.