- Machine Control and Guidance Products
- PRODUCT LINK (S/N: PL61-UP)
Reference: Special Instruction , REHS8850 , "Installation Procedure for the Elite Product Link PLE641 and PLE631 Systems"
Reference: Special Instruction , REHS9131 , "Release Notes for Cat® Product Link PL131, PL141, PL161, PL240, PL241, PLE601, PLE640, PLE641, PLE631, PL641, and PL631 Systems"
New Cat® Product Link software is now available for certain Cat® products equipped with a PLE601 Network Manager. This new 2017B software release includes a software solution for a previously identified issue that could potentially result in a PLE601 losing the firmware, or entering a "Read-Only" mode and ceasing communication.
Note: If a PLE601 has lost the firmware, PLE601 can be flashed to 2017B with the normal process. If the PLE601 is in "Read-only-mode" and cannot be seen in WinFlash, PLE601 will need to be replaced with a different PLE601.
Refer to the above mentioned reference for more information on flashing Product Link firmware.
The 2017B firmware part numbers for Product Link Systems are listed in Table 1.
| Part Number | Part Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor Software Gp | PLE601 Network Manager (Construction) | |
| Monitor Software Gp | PLE601 Network Manager (Energy and Transportation) | |
| Monitor Software Gp | PLE601 Network Manager (Energy and Transportation - TR suffix only for Generation UI) |
Prior to flashing, technicians should do the following:
- Download Cat® Electronic Technician (Cat ET) Product Status Report.
- Use ECM replacement functionality in Cat ET and save file locally.
- Download all VIMS data, using VIMSpc (if applicable).
- Navigate to the Service Dashboard and note any standard/customer configuration files, and any custom settings (ECM Exclusions, Modbus configurations, etc.)
- Verify current subscription to compare with after flashing the new file.
Note: Technicians should use all standard flashing procedures when flashing the 2017B file (as referenced in the above Special Instruction), but be aware of the following:
- This new 2017B flash file introduces a memory check to identify and resolve any possible memory corruptions. As a result, successful flashes may now take up to 35 minutes.
- In rare instances, if this check of current memory discovers an unrecoverable memory error it will proactively wipe the PLE601 memory. This will result in a "blank" PLE601 that will need to have all settings/configurations, configuration files, and flash files set/installed again. If a technician finds a flash taking longer than 35 minutes, technician should power cycle the PLE601, reconnect to Cat ET/Winflash, and attempt the flash again. Be aware that this will only occur if the PLE601 error is unfixable/unrecoverable and failing soon regardless of the 2017B flash. This flash file does not introduce any such failures.
Contact your Cat Technical Communicator (TC) to flash the Product Link firmware Over the Air to 2017B or for further support. Be aware that any flash-over-the-air will still follow the aforementioned memory check, and can in rare cases result in a "blank" PLE601.