Removing the Center Hitch Pins and Bushings

Standard Operating Procedure

Removing the Center Hitch Pins and Bushings

Removing the Center Hitch Pins and Bushings

Prepare and Position the Machine

  1. 1.
    Align the machine in position.
  2. 2.
    Apply the parking brake.
  3. 3.
    Stop the machine.
  4. 4.
    Attach safety locks and tags to the machine in accordance with the site-specific procedures.
  5. 5.
    Install the articulation lock bar to the pins on the machine frames.
  6. 6.
    Insert the locking clips (Figure 1, item B) to secure the articulation lock bar (item A) with the pins.
    Figure 1

    A

    Articulation lock

    B

    Locking clip

  7. 7.

    WARNING

    Energized Machine

    Can cause serious injury.

    1. The machine must be fully energized and the engine must be switched on to complete this procedure.

    2. Be careful around moving parts and pinch points.

    Inform the supervisor, lead hand, and all other persons concerned of the intent to restart the machine.

    NOTE

    Make sure that all personnel and bystanders are clear of the machine before start-up.

  8. 8.
    Remove the safety locks and tags from the machine in accordance with the site-specific procedures.
  9. 9.
    Start the machine.
  10. 10.

    WARNING

    Accidental Movements

    Can cause serious injury or death.

    1. Make sure that no one is at danger or hazard zone before you start or operate the machine.

    Extend the front jack support legs fully from the jack beam (Figure 2).
    Figure 2
  11. 11.
    Lower the front and rear support legs to lift the machine from the ground (Figures 3A and 3B).
    Figure 3A
    Figure 3B
  12. 12.
    Put the boom, feed, and Bolting Unit Assemblies in the rest position (Figure 4).
    Figure 4
  13. 13.
    Stop the machine.
  14. 14.
    Set the battery isolation switch to the OFF position.
  15. 15.
    Attach safety locks and tags to the machine in accordance with the site-specific procedures.
  16. 16.

    WARNING

    Heavy Components

    Lifting the heavy components by hand can cause body or muscle strains.

    1. Position the body accordingly to support the weight of the component.

    Block the wheels with wheel chocks in accordance with the site-specific procedures.

    NOTE

    Extra requirements can apply. Refer to local regulations.

  17. 17.

    WARNING

    Heavy Components

    Lifting the heavy components by hand can cause body or muscle strains.

    1. Position the body accordingly to support the weight of the component.

    Support the boom, feed beam, and bolting unit with the approved maintenance stands for safety (Figure 5).
    Figure 5
  18. 18.

    WARNING

    High-Pressure System

    Working with pressurized systems can cause personal injury.

    1. Do not do the maintenance work when you operate the machine.

    2. Make sure that the hydraulic, water, and air systems are depressurized before you start to work on these systems.

    3. Put on the applicable gloves.

    Release the stored energy from the hydraulic brake system.

    NOTE

    Make sure that there is no pressure in the system.

  19. 19.
    Release the stored energy from the hydraulic tank and system.

    NOTE

    Make sure that there is no pressure in the system.

  20. 20.
    Release the stored energy from the air tank and system.

    NOTE

    Make sure that there is no pressure in the system.

  21. 21.

    WARNING

    Heavy Components

    Lifting the heavy components by hand can cause body or muscle strains.

    1. Position the body accordingly to support the weight of the component.

    Put the approved maintenance stands at the approved areas below the machine (Figure 6).
    Figure 6
  22. 22.

    WARNING

    High-Pressure System

    Working with pressurized systems can cause personal injury.

    1. Do not do the maintenance work when you operate the machine.

    2. Make sure that the hydraulic, water, and air systems are depressurized before you start to work on these systems.

    3. Put on the applicable gloves.

    Remove the breather filter (Figure 7, item A) from the hydraulic oil tank.
    Figure 7

    A

    Breather filter

  23. 23.
    Connect a vacuum pump to the breather filter port to prevent the wastage of hydraulic oil when you disconnect the hydraulic hoses.

Isolation of the Component

  1. 1.

    DANGER

    Risk of Electric Shock

    Working with electrical systems can cause serious personal injury.

    1. Only authorized personnel can do the work involving cables, electrical cabinets, fuses, and connectors.

    2. Attach safety locks and tags to the electrical switches of the specific components before working.

    3. Do not use a high-pressure washer to clean the electrical components.

    Label and disconnect the ground cable (Figure 8, item A) from both frames.
    Figure 8

    A

    Ground cable

  2. 2.

    DANGER

    Risk of Electric Shock

    Working with electrical systems can cause serious personal injury.

    1. Only authorized personnel can do the work involving cables, electrical cabinets, fuses, and connectors.

    2. Attach safety locks and tags to the electrical switches of the specific components before working.

    3. Do not use a high-pressure washer to clean the electrical components.

    Remove the straps or cable ties that secure the electrical cable (Figure 9, item A).
    Figure 9

    A

    Electrical cable

  3. 3.
    Label and disconnect the electrical cable (item A) near to the articulation area.
  4. 4.

    WARNING

    Slipping Hazard

    Fluid leaks or spills can cause personal injury.

    1. Cover all of the open ports.

    2. Wipe off any spilled fluid immediately.

    Put the container or absorbent materials below the articulation area to collect the spilled fluid.
  5. 5.
    Remove the straps or cable ties that secure the hydraulic hose (Figure 10, item A) at the articulation area.
    Figure 10

    A

    Hydraulic hose

  6. 6.
    Start the vacuum pump.

    NOTE

    Some oil remains in all of the hoses. Remove the hose connections with caution.

  7. 7.
    Clean, label, and disconnect the hydraulic hose (item A) near to the articulation area. Plug the hose and cap the port immediately.
  8. 8.
    Stop the vacuum pump.
  9. 9.
    Move the hoses and the electrical cables aside and secure them.
  10. 10.
    Clean, label, and disconnect the articulation lubrication hose (Figure 11, item A) from the machine frame. Plug the hose and cap the port immediately.
    Figure 11

    A

    Lubrication hose

  11. 11.

    CAUTION

    Environmental Contaminant

    Fluid is an environmental contaminant and must be discarded correctly.

    1. Do not let the used fluid drain onto the ground.

    2. Discard the used fluid in accordance with local environmental regulations.

    Remove the container or absorbent materials from below the articulation area.

Lifting and Removal

  1. 1.

    WARNING

    Crushing Hazard

    Can cause personal injury.

    1. Lifting equipment must be adequately sized, have the correct lifting capacity, and be in good condition.

    2. Be careful when you lift heavy components.

    Attach an approved lifting device at the lifting points on the rear frame and support it (Figure 12).
    Figure 12
  2. 2.
    Remove the steering cylinder rod-end hardware as follows:
    1. Alternative step
      For Boltec M, Cabletec M, and E Machine: Remove the screw (Figure 13A, item A), washers (item B), bushings (item C), and nut (item E) that secures the steering cylinder rod-end to the machine frame. Discard the hardware.
      Figure 13A

      A

      Screw

      B

      Washers

      C

      Bushings

      D

      Shaft

      E

      Nut

    2. Alternative step
      For Cabletec LC Machine: Remove the screws (Figure 13B, item A), washers (item B), lock sheet (item C) that secures the steering cylinder rod-end to the machine frame. Discard the hardware.
      Figure 13B

      A

      Screw

      B

      Washers

      C

      Lock sheet

      D

      Shaft

  3. 3.

    WARNING

    Crushing Hazard

    Removing the shaft engaging the cylinder can cause crushing hazard.

    1. Be careful of unwanted cylinder movement while removing the shaft.

    2. Remove the shaft only when the cylinder is secured and does not move.

    Remove the shaft (item D) from the steering cylinder rod-end.
  4. 4.
    Put an approved adjustable fixture with wheels below the front driveline (Figure 14, item A) and raise the fixture to support the front driveline.
    Figure 14

    A

    Front driveline

  5. 5.
    Remove the flange screws (Figure 15, item A) and lock nuts (item B) that secure the front driveline to the transmission flange. Discard the hardware.
    Figure 15

    A

    Screw

    B

    Lock nut

  6. 6.
    Remove the flange screws (Figure 16, item A) and lock nuts (item B) that secure the front driveline to the front driveline (front) bearing. Discard the hardware.
    Figure 16

    A

    Screw

    B

    Lock nut

  7. 7.
    Pry the front driveline from the transmission flange and front driveline (front) bearing with an approved tool.
  8. 8.
    Secure the front driveline to the adjustable fixture.
  9. 9.

    WARNING

    Heavy Components

    Lifting the heavy components by hand can cause body or muscle strains.

    1. Position the body accordingly to support the weight of the component.

    Lower the fixture with the front driveline and remove them from below the machine (Figure 17).
    Figure 17
  10. 10.
    Put the fixture with the articulation driveline in a safe location.
  11. 11.

    WARNING

    Pinch Points

    Can cause serious injury.

    1. Keep hands and fingers away from the moving parts during removal and installation of the component.

    2. Put on the applicable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

    Flatten the edge of the lock washer (Figure 18, item C) that is locked to the lock nut (item D) on the waist shaft (item A).
    Figure 18

    A

    Waist shaft

    B

    Bushing

    C

    Lock washer

    D

    Lock nut

  12. 12.
    Remove the lock nut (item D) and lock washer (item C) that secure the waist shaft (item A) to the main frames. Discard the hardware.
  13. 13.

    WARNING

    Heavy Components

    Lifting the heavy components by hand can cause body or muscle strains.

    1. Position the body accordingly to support the weight of the component.

    WARNING

    Pinch Points

    Can cause serious injury.

    1. Keep hands and fingers away from the moving parts during removal and installation of the component.

    2. Put on the applicable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

    Remove the top waist shaft (item A) and the bushing (item B) that secure the machine frames with an approved tool.
  14. 14.
    Put the bushings (item C) and the shaft (item D) in a safe location.
  15. 15.
    Flatten the edge of the lock washer (Figure 19, item B) that is locked to the lock nut (item A) on the waist shaft (item D).
    Figure 19

    A

    Lock nut

    B

    Lock washer

    C

    Bushings

    D

    Waist shaft

  16. 16.

    WARNING

    Heavy Components

    Lifting the heavy components by hand can cause body or muscle strains.

    1. Position the body accordingly to support the weight of the component.

    WARNING

    Pinch Points

    Can cause serious injury.

    1. Keep hands and fingers away from the moving parts during removal and installation of the component.

    2. Put on the applicable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

    Remove the bottom waist shaft (item D) and the bushings (item C) that secure the machine frames with an approved tool.
  17. 17.
    Put the bottom waist shaft and bushing in a safe location.
  18. 18.
    Remove the locking clips (Figure 20, item B) that secure the articulation lock (item A).
    Figure 20

    A

    Articulation lock

    B

    Locking clip

  19. 19.
    Remove the articulation lock (item A).
  20. 20.

    WARNING

    Heavy Components

    Lifting the heavy components by hand can cause body or muscle strains.

    1. Position the body accordingly to support the weight of the component.

    Remove the maintenance stands from below the rear frame.
  21. 21.
    Attach an approved tag lines to prevent the accidental movements of the rear frame.
  22. 22.

    WARNING

    Crushing Hazard

    Unexpected movement of parts can cause personal injury or death.

    1. Do not put any part of your body on the object when lifting, moving, or lowering it.

    2. Do not go in, reside, or put body parts below unsecured, moveable, or lifted parts.

    3. Do not put hands and fingers in the pinch point areas when installing or tightening the parts.

    4. Stay away from moving parts.

    Slowly separate the rear frame from the front frame with the attached lifting device and move it.
  23. 23.

    WARNING

    Heavy Components

    Lifting the heavy components by hand can cause body or muscle strains.

    1. Position the body accordingly to support the weight of the component.

    Put the maintenance stands on the floor to rest the rear frame.
  24. 24.
    Lower the lifting device and rest the rear frame onto the maintenance stands.
  25. 25.
    Make sure that the rear frame is supported on the maintenance stands.
  26. 26.
    Remove the attached lifting device and tag lines from the rear frame.
  27. 27.
    Put a tag onto the battery isolation switch stating that the center hitch shafts and bushings are removed from the machine.