We have had transmission failures in three of our 16M graders within a three month period. On all occasions the clutch pack has piled up. This has occurred in the same area of the mine and with different operators. PM's have been done regularly. I don't believe it to be operator abuse. Does anybody have any ideas? The climate is extremely harsh as in cold but when these events occurred the temperatures were in the -20 C range, nothing exceptional.
To help you out in detail I would like the Serial Numbers of the 3 machines (plus any more if you have them), how many hours did each transmission run to the first failure, and which clutch pack failed. Also have you had any repeat failures and how many hours were on the transmissions that failed..? Obviously for 2nd and subsequent failures transsmssion operating hours will not be the same as machine hours. PM me if you don't want to post the information here. Let's say it's not an unknown issue to mining companies who have 16M's on site............. One operation question. Do your operators shuttle shift the transmission between forward and reverse without using the inching pedal..? If not they should be doing, using the guidelines in the O&M Manual (below) for the maximum RPM at which a shuttle shift is permitted. Shuttle Shifting Shuttle Shifting, also known as directional shifting, allows the operator to change the machine direction quickly and with minimal disruption to the ground surface being graded. The M-Series transmission precisely controls the engagement of the direction clutch for a smooth transition from one direction to the other. Control Throttle Shifting (CTS) is also utilized during the shuttle shift to maximize the shift. The following shifts are allowed: Shuttle Shift Engine Speed Conditions for Shift 1F - 1R 1R - 1F Entire engine speed range 2F - 2R 2R - 2F Entire engine speed range 3F - 3R 3R - 3F Entire engine speed range 4F - 3R 4R - 3F < 1500rpm To perform a shuttle shift, simply select the opposite direction from the current selection on the transmission control switch . The direction change must be done in one continuous motion, the transmission control switch should not be in the NEUTRAL position for greater than 0.2 seconds. If a shuttle shift is requested while operating in a gear higher than those described in the table above, the transmission controller will automatically downshift to a gear in the range of a shuttle shift. Note: To prevent excessive transmission clutch wear, shuttle shifting is not recommended while using the ripper or while using the scarifier or while towing a heavy load. In these instances, either lift the implement sufficiently above the ground surface or bring the machine to a stop by using the transmission modulator control (inching pedal) and the service brake control before performing the shuttle shift.
Hi. May be this is too late for reply - I joined just recently. But we had 1 transmission failed on the project I worked in Namibia. We got lucky to prove that it was warranty. There was service letter from CAT (TEBE0188-00) "Product Improvement Program For Inspecting And Reworking The Torsional Coupler Bolted Joint And Updating Transmission Pistons And Seals On Certain 16M Motor Graders". Our machine was in the serial number range that was supposed to be already updated, but when we got inside - we found that it was not... Bolts came loose and fallen inside. The old torsional coupler had 12 bolts and updated had 20 (I might be wrong, but I remember they increased the number). Anyway, hope that helps.
One recommendation I have heard several times during the years concerning M Series is to take care that the machine has completely stopped moving before applying the Park Brake. Old torsional coupler with 12 bolts now improved to 20 bolts ? Just saying.