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 sections of information, operation, maintenance, reference information, and index, including fluid recommendations.
In the maintenance section, Caterpillar provides Fluid Recommendations, SMCS* Code: 1000; 1250; 1280; 1350; 1395; 7000; 7581. Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6250, “Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations” for more information on fluids in your machine. Further, Caterpillar organizes the topic of fluid recommendations for construction machinery and heavy equipment in cold weather and low temperatures in to the following nine subtopics:
- Antifreeze
- Fuel Recommendations
- Fuel Information for Gasoline Engines
- Fuel Information for Engines That Use LP Gas
- Starting Aids
- Engine Coolant Heaters
- Fuel Heaters
- De-Icers
- Lubricants for Cold Weather
In the first subtopic on antifreeze, Caterpillar provides the following notices and warnings for construction machinery and heavy equipment in cold weather and low temperatures:
- Adding coolant to an overheated engine could result in damage to the engine. Allow the engine to cool before adding coolant.
- If the machine is to be stored in, or shipped to, an area with freezing temperatures, the cooling system must be protected to the lowest outside (ambient) temperature.
- The engine cooling system is normally protected to a minimum of−29°C (−20°F) with Caterpillar Antifreeze, when shipped from the factory unless special requirements are defined.
Cat® Fluids, including Caterpillar Antifreeze or Cat Branded Antifreeze, “…are designed specifically for Cat machines and offer improved life and engine performance, expertly engineered, designed, and tested through extreme conditions and applications.” For example, Cat® ELC incorporates an advanced technology with organic acid corrosion inhibitors for maximum copper, solder, brass, steel, cast iron, and aluminum protection.
*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 215-4242 Cat Branded Antifreeze)
More in the next blog about weather planning, weather controls™ and weather risk management in the construction industry and built environment…