PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR SECURING THE PINS, LOCKWASHERS, AND LOCKNUTS ON CERTAIN BR160, BR166, BR172, AND BR272 BRUSH CUTTERS Caterpillar

PROBLEM

AFFECTED PRODUCT

PARTS NEEDED

*NOTE: Only order parts as needed. Refer to the rework procedure in order to determine if you need to order these parts.

ACTION REQUIRED

OWNER NOTIFICATION

SERVICE CLAIM ALLOWANCES

PARTS DISPOSITION

 MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

COPY OF OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR U.S. AND CANADIAN OWNERS
XYZ Corporation
3240 Arrow Drive
Anywhere, YZ 99999

SAFETY - PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR SECURING THE PINS, LOCKWASHERS, AND LOCKNUTS

MODELS INVOLVED - BR160, BR166, BR172, AND BR272 BRUSH CUTTERS

Dear Caterpillar Product Owner:

The blade retention nuts may loosen, causing the pins that secure the blades on certain BR160, BR166, BR172, and BR272 Brush Cutters to fall off. These components may not have been assembled correctly during manufacturing, allowing the blades to fall off during operation possibly causing serious injury or death. You will not be charged for the service performed.

Contact your local Caterpillar dealer immediately to schedule this service. The dealer will advise you of the time required to complete this service. Please refer the dealer to their Service Letter dated August 25, 2005 when scheduling this service.

We regret the inconvenience this may cause you, but urge you to have this service performed for your added safety and satisfaction.

Identification #(s)

Attached to August 25, 2005 Service Letter

1. Have the Brush Cutter removed from the carrier machine, either a skid steer loader or multi terrain loader, as per the Operation and Maintenance Manual.
2. Have the 3D-4904 Locknut, 271-2353 Lockwasher, 264-9552 Pin and the respective blades removed from the Brush Cutter as per the Operation and Maintenance Manual
3. In the unlikely event that any of the above items is damaged, stop the repair and contact your Technical Communicator immediately for instructions on how to proceed.
4. Clean the 264-9552 Pins, 271-2353 Lockwashers, and 3D-4904 Lock Nuts with adequate cleaner and allow hardware to dry. Before assembly, verify that there is no oil, grease, or any other contaminates on the bolts, lockwashers, locknuts, or carrier assembly hardware.
5. Apply 169-5464 Primer to the bolt and nut threads per directions on the primer label.
6. Apply either 154-9731 (10ml) or 155-0695 (50 ml) Thread Lock in a circumferential band around the bolt threads in the entire target nut engagement area (first 10 threads) to ensure full coverage of the mating threads after tightening.
7. Assemble blade, bolt, lockwasher, and nut to the carrier. Torque to 610 +/- 80Nm (450 +/- 59ft-lb).
8. Confirm that blades rotate freely.
9. Attach a "Do not Operate" warning tag, Special Instruction SEHS7332, to the Quick Disconnect of the Brush Cutter. Allow TWO HOURS MINIMUM CURE TIME BEFORE OPERATION OF the brush cutter, 24 hours OF CURE TIME IS RECOMMENDED before returning to operation.

1. Have the Brush Cutter removed from the carrier machine, either a skid steer loader or multi terrain loader, as per the Operation and Maintenance Manual.
2. Have the 3D-4904 Locknut, 271-2353 Lockwasher, 264-9552 Pin and the respective blades removed from the Brush Cutter as per the Operation and Maintenance Manual. Discard the 3D-4904 Locknut, 271-2353 Lockwasher, and 264-9552 Pin.
3. Clean the new 264-9552 Pins, 271-2353 Lockwashers, and 3D-4904 Lock Nuts with adequate cleaner and allow hardware to dry. Before assembly, verify that there is no oil, grease, or any other contaminates on the bolts, lockwashers, locknuts, or carrier assembly hardware.
4. Apply 169-5464 Primer to the bolt and nut threads per directions on the primer label.
5. Apply either 154-9731 (10ml) or 155-0695 (50 ml) Thread Lock in a circumferential band around the bolt threads in the entire target nut engagement area (first 10 threads) to ensure full coverage of the mating threads after tightening.
6. Assemble blade, bolt, lockwasher, and nut to the carrier. Torque to 610 +/- 80Nm (450 +/- 59ft-lb).
7. Confirm that blades rotate freely.
8. Attach a "Do not Operate" warning tag, Special Instruction SEHS7332, to the Quick Disconnect of the Brush Cutter. Allow two hours minimum cure time before operation of the brush cutter, 24 hours of cure time is recommended before returning to operation.