Sign In
Welcome! Sign In to personalize your Cat.com experience
If you already have an existing account with another Cat App, you can use the same account to sign in here
Register Now
One Account. All of Cat.
Your Caterpillar account is the single account you use to log in to select services and applications we offer. Shop for parts and machines online, manage your fleet, go mobile, and more.
Account Information
Site Settings
Security
Unplanned mining repair maintenance — it’s the bane of any mine site. A single failure can cascade into multiple failures on the mine site. But with planned maintenance, you experience minimal downtime and cost. Technicians aren’t hurried. Machines are in and out of the shop in no time.
Estimated read time: 5 minutes
Want to connect with your dealer?
There’s a reason that signs of unplanned maintenance needs are called problem repair indicators. By adhering to a planned maintenance program and consulting with your Cat® dealer on the repair strategy, your mining operations will be more efficient and profitable.
To keep your mining equipment in top shape, it’s important to know the signs of both planned and problem repair indicators. Learn more about the differences between these repair indicators and what to look out for — watch this video and keep reading.
Planned — as opposed to unplanned — maintenance is relatively easy to execute. Planned maintenance relies on four things:
Staying up to date with Cat S·O·S℠ Services (scheduled oil sampling) and regular inspections. This ensures insights into the internal condition of your components.
Following the service intervals Caterpillar recommends, as written in the machine’s Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM).
Keeping good records of the service history for tracking and predictability.
Performing daily inspections to look for additional signs of trouble.
For a technician, regular service, daily observations and intuition are some of the best tools in the maintenance toolbox. By the time the operation is affected, a failure may have already occurred. Always listen to operator feedback, but remember that trained technicians doing regular planned maintenance typically detect problems that may escape the untrained eye.
Look out for changes in fuel use, including excessive fuel consumption or leakage. If anything seems off in the machine performance — including unusual noises, hesitation or vibration — stop the machine and complete a safety check. And if you notice reduced hydraulic or engine power, overheating, or debris in filters, take the time to investigate if there are any repair needs.
By detecting emerging problems early, you can significantly reduce the cost of repairs and disruptions to the production schedule. When one component fails, it often leads to contamination or damage to another component. One blown hydraulic cylinder seal, for example, can contaminate the entire hydraulic system. And waiting to repair an engine after failure costs on average 190% more than repairing it before failure.
When you are on top of your equipment maintenance needs, your machines will likely only be out of production for a few hours or days. This minimizes impact on production schedules and gives the production team time to decide how to compensate for the temporary absence of a machine.
After you’ve found and identified problems, it’s time to decide how best to reduce downtime and optimize your spending on repairs. Consider the following:
Do you repair before failure or run the machine until something fails?
Do you repair it yourself or let your dealer handle it?
Should you choose new, remanufactured or exchange components?
Would a Cat Customer Value Agreement (CVA) or Maintenance and Repair Contract (MARC) make the most financial sense for your operation?
Fortunately, your Cat dealer offers a range of parts and programs for repairing the issues you may find. These include Cat certified components with wide parts availability, customizable options and tiered pricing. On-site repairs can help you minimize downtime. Cat technicians have the expertise to make sure the repair work is done well and that you’re back to work as soon as possible. And when it comes to problem repair indicators, you’ve got options depending on the possible causes for malfunction.
Unusual noises can be caused by worn gears or bearings, dirt entry or low fluid level. Determine the repair options by checking S·O·S Services for wear trends or completing a technical analysis inspection.
Debris in a filter result from incorrect oil usage, worn gears/bearings and disc disintegration. Learn more about the next steps and repair options when you make use of S·O·S Services and other technical analysis inspections.
Brake slippage is a problem indicator caused by incorrect pressure settings, linkage pins out of adjustment or incorrect pressure settings. Since there are many potential causes for brake slippage, it’s best to investigate the problem with a technical analysis inspection or in-depth discussions with your Cat dealer.
Choosing a level of repair that best suits your needs can help you stay on budget. In making your decision, discuss these details with your Cat dealer:
Ownership: How long do you plan to own the machine?
Utilization: How often do you use the machine?
Affordability: What are your pricing expectations?
Turnaround: How quickly does the machine need to get back to work?
Your Cat dealer can also work with you to offer solutions for how to keep your production on target while any maintenance is completed. Consider ordering rental machines for use while your equipment is out of commission. Backup machines can be delivered to the site in advance. And additional equipment and personnel can be moved to other parts of the site or other jobs to prevent the whole operation from shutting down due to one machine.
When it comes to your ongoing maintenance and repair needs, good processes bring good results. Follow the maintenance schedules outlined by your Cat dealer. Inspect the whole machine every time you service it. Keep good records and review them. And make sure you develop a plan of action and learn more about Cat equipment repair options.
Get the most from your mining equipment with information about Customer Value Agreements, repair options and more.
Complete exchange axle rebuilds save time and reduce contamination risks on the mine site.
FIND OUT HOWYour Cat® dealer studies your undercarriage needs so you reap benefits on the mine site.
CONTACT YOUR DEALERWork with your Cat® dealer to keep your undercarriage maintenance and repairs on target.
SEE REPAIR OPTIONSPartner with your Cat® dealer and use CTS Pro to manage your mining maintenance.
LEARN, DELEGATE, WIN