For diesel engines that are equipped with gasoline starting engines, start the diesel engine with the starting engine transmission in High only.

Caterpillar (www.caterpillar.com) publishes Cold Weather Recommendations for All Caterpillar Machines, (Excerpted from Operation & Maintenance Manual, SEBU5898-11-01). Further, Caterpillar organizes the document about construction machinery and heavy equipment in cold weather and low temperatures in the following five topical sections of information, operation, maintenance, reference information, and index.

In the second of the five topical sections in Cold Weather Recommendations for All Caterpillar Machines, Operation Section, Starting Recommendations, Engine Starting Information, Caterpillar divides cold weather into the following four categories based on temperature ranges. Accordingly, review daily reports, outlook reports, and real-time reports to make better-informed decisions about the probability and intensity of low temperature events.

Categories of Cold Weather

  • Category 1
    • 48 to 15 °F
    • 9 to −9.5 °C
  • Category 2
    • 15 to 0 °F
    • −9.5 to −18 °C
  • Category 3
    • 0 to −22 °F
    • −18 to −30 °C
  • Category 4
    • −22 to −40 °F
    • −30 to −40 °C

Further, in the section about Engine Starting with Starting Aid (SMCS Code: 1000; 1090; 1456; 7000*), Diesel Engines That Are Equipped With Gasoline Starting Engines, Caterpillar recommends the following six steps, warning construction machinery and heavy equipment operators to “start the diesel engine with the starting engine transmission in High only.”

Diesel Engines That Are Equipped With Gasoline Starting Engines

  1. Place the lever that is used to release compression into the START position.
  1. Move the engine governor control to the SHUTOFF position.
  1. Shift the transmission for the gasoline starting engine into the LOW speed position. Start cranking the diesel engine with the gasoline starting engine.
  1. After the diesel engine cranks freely, disengage the clutch for the gasoline starting engine. Shift the transmission for the gasoline starting engine to HIGH speed. Engage the clutch for the gasoline starting engine. Crank the diesel engine for several minutes in order to warm the engine. As a result of cranking the diesel engine, the oil pressure should attain the NORMAL range on the gauge. Also, the pressure of the diesel fuel should register NORMAL.
  1. Place the lever that is used to release compression into the RUN position. Move the diesel engine’s governor control lever to the HIGH IDLE position.

NOTICE: Start the diesel engine with the starting engine transmission in High only.

  1. After the diesel engine starts, reduce the rpm of the diesel engine. Disengage the clutch for the gasoline starting engine. Turn off the fuel to the gasoline starting engine. Continue to run the gasoline starting engine until the gasoline starting engine’s carburetor bowl is dry.

*SMCS is Service Management Control System, a four digit code that describes the components of Caterpillar construction machinery and heavy equipment. Each digit of the four digit SMCS code signifies a progressively narrower range of Caterpillar machinery and equipment. For example, the four digit SMCS code 1202 refers to 1000 = engine, 1200 = short block engine, 1202 = crankshaft for the short block engine.

(Source: Caterpillar, Cold Weather Recommendations for All Caterpillar Machines, Excerpted from Operation & Maintenance Manual, SEBU5898-11-01)

(Image: Caterpillar 336F L Large Hydraulic Excavator with Straight Boom)

More in the next blog about weather planning, weather controls and weather risk management in the construction industry and built environment…

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