Contamination control has been on the radar of Cat® dealers since 1931, when the first paragraph on system care from the operator’s manual outlined how 90% of diesel troubles are due to dirt or water in the fuel. This article will cover why it’s important, why WesTrac takes it so seriously and how we can help you implement contamination control processes in your business.
We all want to get the most out of our equipment and keep our machines in optimal running order with an eye on performance and our company’s bottom line. Which is why contamination control is crucial when it comes to maintaining machines, reducing the risk of failure, and sustainability.
Properly filtered fluids, optimal cleaning procedures during maintenance and keeping a clean environment are all ways in which we keep contaminants controlled at WesTrac.
We see contamination control as critical to our business because nothing is more important than keeping your machines in tip top condition. To achieve this goal, we invest significant resources into continually refining and improving our internal processes within all areas of the business. These processes ensure we’re able to offer you a premium service that optimises your machine’s performance and protects it from contaminants.
The proactive way to increase your component life and reduce operating costs is to manage contamination from the inside and out. WesTrac Strategic Initiatives Business Partner Brendan Sargent says that contamination control is one of the key reasons why WesTrac is a leader in the industry. “Whether you’re a small-time operator, digging backyards for swimming pools, or a large-scale mining operation you want your machines operating optimally for as long as possible. It’s as simple as that.”
Contamination is anything that doesn’t belong in a component: whether that’s dirt, metal, fibres, water, heat or even air. We know that even something as tiny as a microscopic piece of dust is an irritant that can have a long-term effect on your machine’s operation and output. This is why WesTrac has developed sterile facilities to ensure the highest levels of cleanliness at every step of your machine’s service and manufacture.
“We have a premium facility here at Tomago in our CRC (Component Rebuild Centre) facility – and there are 20 local branches nationwide with many at a four-star rating.” Brendan says. “We have quarterly testing and checking of our performance, along with regular checks and fluid samples on all our components and machines.”
“We have people at regional branches and major facilities who are trained and responsible for maintaining rigorous levels at their branch and are also responsible for monitoring and auditing other branches,” Brendan adds.
Geoff Wellard is the Branch Manager of the Component Rebuild Centre WesTrac NSW, responsible for procedures implemented to ensure contamination control. “The quality controls for the CRC enable us to separate clean and dirty components with separate assembly and disassembly workshops,” Geoff explains.
Prior to disassembly all components are washed and cleaned before they come into the area. After washing, cleaning and inspection they’re sealed in shrink-wrapped plastic with parts sealed in original caterpillar packaging. The assembly workshop is fully-sealed and positively pressurised to keep contaminants out.
“From a customer’s perspective, this adds to their value proposition as every part used in the assembly and disassembly process subscribes to the same cleanliness levels as Caterpillar® originals,” Geoff adds.
“We filter all fluids to a very high standard,” Brendan explains. “For example, a 121 litre pump that is run for 200 hours per week, for an entire year, filtered to the average standards of our competitors, would see 300 kilos of dirt and grit in the system per year. Filtered to our levels, only 9 kilos will get through the system. It’s easy math to determine what the better option is.”
It extends oil drain periods and increases the life of a range of components in your machine – from hydraulics and transmission to wheel groups and differentials. Put simply, your machine will operate better, for longer, if WesTrac manages its ongoing maintenance.
WesTrac offers a range of solutions to help you perform contamination control in your own business. Ryan Boslem is WesTrac’s Product Support Sales Manager for NSW and the ACT and says that our Site Hose Solutions and Oil Storage Solutions are two specialist ways that we can help meet the customer’s needs. “The big yellow machine is the most important part – and we offer a range of solutions to ensure it keeps going. Our methods to disassemble, assemble and store are what keeps machines running smoothly and effectively to reduce the risk of contamination at every level.”
“We offer a range of solutions to meet every customer’s need – whether you’re in agriculture, civil, heavy construction or a sole trader, we can work with you to deliver a contamination control option that meets your requirements,” Ryan affirms.
Our commitment to contamination control spreads through every part of the business. It’s about providing a proficient, safe environment that keeps your machine at peak performance. That’s the goal and it always has been from day one.
