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 in the following five topical sections of information, operation, maintenance, reference information, and index, including tire inflation information.
Under Tire Inflation Information, SMCS Code: 4203*, Caterpillar warns that tires inflated below the recommended tire pressure will decrease the tire lifespan. In cold weather, tires inflated to the correct tire pressure in a warm environment (64°F to 70°F) will subsequently decrease to an incorrect tire pressure at freezing temperatures. As a result, Caterpillar publishes a table of Recommended Inflation Pressure adjusted for specific ambient temperatures.
Further, the tire pressure reference table shows the correct tire pressures for tires inflated at a temperature range from 64°F to 70°F and adjusted for the environmental working temperature of the machine. For example, if the recommended inflation pressure is 520 kPa (75 psi), then the recommended inflation pressure that is adjusted for a specific ambient temperature of 30°F is 560 kPa (81 psi).
As the tire bead will seat better when it’s warm, inflate tires in a heated area. To seat the tire bead against the rim, first increase the initial tire pressure by 15% to 20% of the operating pressure. Second, deflate the tires to operating pressure before operating the machine. When the machine is parked, the contact surfaces of the tires flatten out in cold weather and low temperatures. Third, move the machine gradually, to return the tires to a normal shape.
*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)
More in the next blog about weather planning, weather controls™ and weather risk management in the construction industry and built environment…