HVOF PROCESS FAST TRACKS CYLINDER OVERHAULS

Within southern Africa, hydraulic repairs on all Cat machines are carried out at Barloworld Equipment’s Component Rebuild Centre (CRC) in Boksburg, Gauteng, where an ongoing investment in new technologies is passing on savings to clients.

“Caterpillar builds its components to last, but as with any mechanical item, the time comes when parts need to be refurbished or replaced, and in this respect hydraulic cylinder maintenance is one of the most important areas to manage in optimising machine performance,” explains Paul Verwey, group product specialist: hydraulics at Barloworld Equipment, the exclusive Caterpillar dealer in southern Africa.

Minor repairs may only require a light hone or reseal, whilst major work could entail a re-rod or re-tube (cutting and replacing worn sections of the original cylinder). Customers also have the option of ordering a new hydraulic component or going the Cat Reman (Re-manufactured) route.

“Either way, though, we realise that time is always a factor, so we continue to explore innovative ways to fast-track the throughput process. A prime example of this is our HVOF (or High Velocity Oxygen Fuelling) bay in Boksburg, which dramatically cuts down on final cylinder finishing and is far cheaper than the traditional chrome alternative.” During the final refurbishment phase, the HVOF process applies a coating to a hydraulic rod section in place of chroming within six to eight hours, which is considerably shorter than the three days required for a chrome finish. Additionally, Verwey points out that the finish achieved by HVOF is far more durable.Once the HVOF stage is completed, new Cat seals are then fitted on re-assembly and the component is shipped back to the client – ready for many hours of productive use.Adds Verwey: “The CRC is a high-tech facility and we encourage customers to come in and experience first hand the range of services on offer.”