Maintenance Aims for a 5-Star Fluid Cleanliness Rating
FIRST QUARTER 2013
Page 8
Women at Wharf Get Serious About Creating Choices!
Maintenance Aims for a 5-Star Fluid Cleanliness Rating
By Hugh Weyer
What is contamination control? It is a program that we are implementing to focus on keeping machine fluids clean. Caterpillar has used this to create a strict cleanliness spec worldwide. They have established that all dealers have a 5 star rating. They then work with other partners to successfully implement this program.
A few of the reasons for implementing this at Wharf is O4E, continual improvement, enhanced machine efficiency and maximized machine longevity. There can be as much as a 20 % drop in equipment efficiency before an operator will notice a decrease in performance.
There are 14 segments to this program from training to machine cleanliness. We started with the Caterpillar Compliance guide to see where we are currently rated. The next steps taken were an overall area cleanup; this was completed by creating a daily cleanup schedule at both the shop and the crusher. The use of floor dry
“ There can be as much as a 20 % drop in equipment efficiency before an operator will notice a decrease in performance.” has stopped and we have gone to absorbent pads to clean up spills. An air operated vacuum system has also been purchased to help with any larger spills.
There is a lot more training to be done, but we are off to a good start in becoming a cleaner, more efficient department.
In the shop we have focused on contamination control but that’ s not all! After looking over the safety aspects of the small vehicle hoist it was determined it would be in the best interest of safety to replace the hoist. The previous version was a frame contact hoist; we now have a new drive on hoist. The drive on hoist is easier to use and safer to place small vehicles on for repairs.
Figure 1: Oiler, Joel Braunesreither, with an air operated vacuum and absorbent pads
Figure 2: New small vehicle drive-on hoist