CAT Machines Hi All, Please tell me how is the "Caterpillar Product Improvement Program" (PIP) supposed to work? 1)How does one find out if their machine needs or can have this "Prodiuct Improvement Program work done". 2) How is the cost worked out? 3)Does the machine have to be in warranty? 4)Are all safety related Product Improvement Programs free? Thanks in anicipation, Bucknobs.
There are various levels to it, before failure, before or after failure, priority, safety that sort of thing. For most they have an age table that indicates how costs are divied up. It,s not something you can just "go and find" as some are dealer discretion how they are handled but if you have a product support rep you work with they can advise you on it, that's there job. These programs can apply outside of wty in some cases. I would suggest you contact your local dealer on this.
Thanks Gavin, It seems our problem is the "dealer discretion" part of things! Is there no set down CAT policy on the "Product Improvement Program" or can each dealer run the way they seem fit. I would have thought this should be shared between the customers with transparancy? Bucknobs.
Like Gavin said, it all depends on the type of PIP on how it is handled. And unfortunately sometimes the parts kits are in very short supply so the bigger customers get called 1st. If it is a Safety PIP they try to find every machine if possible. My advise is to find out who your PSSR is and make it known what you expect. Act like a big wheel and expect to be treated like one.
Thanks Deertracks, We will look for our PSSR. We have a fairly large kit of Cat equipment (OHT,s Dozers Graders FEL,s) but find it unfair that we have to pay for many equipment breakdowns which could have been avoided in the first place by being informed that there could be impending failure by getting PIP information and acting on it, even if we are paying fully for it. We are informed by our "onsite CAT dealer rep" that PIP,s are "only for machines that are in warranty". Have you guys heard of anything like this before? Thanks, Bucknobs.
PIPs are for all machine within certain hour meter ranges. If your machine is outside the range it is partially or not covered.
Hi Caterpillarmech, Even if a machine is out of warranty or six years old is it not policy to inform the owner of a PIP service letter which is available even though we will be paying 100%? Especially if you have a CAT rep onsite? Its bad to have a major failure on equipment then to be told after by another site that "didn't you know there was a PIP out on that". Regards, Bucknobs
If you have any sort of regular scheduled meeting with your dealer regarding your Cat equipment fleet I would suggest that is the forum to bring it up officially.
What was the PIP for?
you would think that they could email us the pip's. one would think that they would want that work for the shop it should be mostly gravy work especially after you done one or two machines it would be easy to do.
Hi, There have been many cases where we end up paying big time and suffering for that piece of equipment being down for not knowing earlier about a PIP. Even if a machine is out of time coverage for a said PIP I think the customer should be informed of a sevice letter PIP and given the choice to do it and pay the 100%. My big question is why do some dealers send emails informing of a PIP and impending failure and some dont????
My experience with PIPs is that if your operation is big enough you can leverage notification through your purchases of machines. As far as the dealer making money on them, I know from personal experience it rarely if ever happens. The manufacturers negotiate the cost of warranty work yearly in the franchise agreements. You are lucky to get an hourly rate that covers your loaded labor rate. Most flat rate the costs of PIPS and unless you do a lot of them and use only one or two people for them, you will never make the time. Heavy equipment is kind of an anomaly when it comes to big expensive equipment and factory support. Stationary equipment rarely gets anything like a PIP. Once the plant is up and running, you are on your own. Cars are another item to think of. How many PIPs have you seen for your newly purchased auto? I'm sure there are thousands per manufacturer. I agree we should be informed of them when they come out and the terms for installation.