CAT REMAN ADVANCED SURFACE TECHNOLOGY (AST) HYDRAULIC RODS FOR OHT SUSPENSION AND HOIST CYLINDERS Caterpillar

  April 2008

CAT? REMAN ADVANCED SURFACE TECHNOLOGY (AST) HYDRAULIC RODS FOR OHT SUSPENSION AND HOIST CYLINDERS

Announcement

To offer our customers better options, Cat Reman is introducing Reman Advanced Surface Technology (AST) rods for Off-Highway Truck suspension and hoist cylinders. The AST rods offer certain advantages over the chrome options (existing chrome options will continue to be available). Advanced surface rods have different wear characteristics that will allow them to live 2-3 times as long as their chrome predecessors thus lowering machine owning and operating costs. With the harder surfaces, customers can also expect improved seal life contributing to less frequent repairs.

Reman AST rods can be purchased as a replacement upgrade for existing chrome rods. Chrome rods are accepted as cores when a customer purchases an AST rod as long as they meet the core acceptance criteria standards (See Core Acceptance section). The matrix below provides a cross-reference indicating which AST rod equivalents are released and available. Reman will soon introduce AST rods for the larger trucks as well.

Cat? Reman products assist dealers with cost-effective repair options to meet customers' demand for quick repair turnaround. Additional product offerings are under development. Please consult the Caterpillar? NPR in SISWeb () or the Cross Reference link on the Reman Dealer Extranet¹ for product coverage and cross-reference.

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Features and Benefits

Cat Remanufactured products offer excellent value to customers.Customers who want fast repair turn-around, superior quality and reliability, and lower repair costs will benefit from the use of these Remanufactured components. Cat Remanufactured components provide immediate, off-the-shelf availability at a fraction of the new price.

Warranty

Please consult the appropriate warranty statement for your area.

Core Acceptance

The following Core Acceptance Criteria are available to support these products. All the latest core acceptance criteria guidelines can be found on the Reman Dealer Extranet at .

SELD0011   Hydraulic Cylinder Group
SELD0042   Hydraulic Cylinder Rods
SELD0114   Front Suspension Rods

Core Management

Please refer to the Caterpillar Core Management Information System (CMIS 2) Parts Information application describing all reman part/CAF and related information. Also refer to other CMIS 2 inquiry applications such as Customer Profiles, Inspection Reason Codes, Inspection Line Inquiry, Add Charge Information, Entitlement Activity, Entitlement Inquiry, CCR Inquiry, CCR Entry, Shipment Processing; Process Packaging Grief; and Reporting to properly manage core returns and monitor inspection performance.

For the latest updates of Reman Policies and Core Management (SELD0122), Core Management Systems & Operations Procedures (SELD0040), and Shipping Instructions (SELD0039), go to the Reman website at and click on Procedures and Policies (listed under Reman Program Information).

If you have any questions regarding core return processing, feel free to call your Corinth Dealer Service Representative toll free at (800)537-2928 or use our e-mail address --

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Machine Products will have Cat AST?
AST is or will be available on F-Series Off Highway Truck (OHT) for the following components:

AST for Non-Mining Heavy Construction OHT (770-777) is in production. AST for Mining OHT (785-797) will be released with the NPI model (est. early 2009).

2. Why the change from Chrome to Cat AST?
    - Environmental issues and increasing regulation with chrome application in US and abroad
    - Increased durability & corrosion protection resulting in longer seal life, lower operating cost
    - Faster process that will improve production volumes of Cat Hydraulic components

3. Will Chrome eventually "go away?"
Not in the near future. It is likely that smaller diameter < 3" cylinder rods will continue to be chromed for quite some time.

4.  Is there a marketing advantage of Cat AST vs. Chrome?
Yes, in Industry segments and applications where quality and reliability are more important than Price (e.g. Mining). The superior wear and corrosion resistance lead to improved seal life and longer maintenance intervals. Consequently, Cat AST products will be sold at a premium to Chrome.

5. Can Cat AST be used to resurface a Chrome rod? And vice versa?
Yes, thus Reman has made the corresponding chrome version of the rods acceptable core for an AST rod purchase. When resurfacing, all traces of the old coating must be removed prior to applying the new coating.

6. Can a Cat AST rod be used to replace the cylinder rod in a dealer exchange cylinder?
Yes, they have the same fit and function.

7. How can a Dealer look at developing its own AST capabilities?
Cat offers tools to help analyze a dealer's opportunity and capital investment requirements. Cat can also offer extensive technical & supplier information, setup support and marketing tools gathered from Cat Production and Dealer experience. Much of this information can be found in the Cat HVOF Spray Guide (Media Number SERF8705.) Contact your District Office for assistance.