Catepillar safety videos

Most of them were pretty bland and seemed like common sense. There were a few that stuck out though and were interesting.

The first video that caught my attention was on tires. I've heard about tire blowouts but I've never heard of tire explosions that can turn it into a flying projectile. Also the benefits of using dry nitrogen to inflate your tires caught my eye especially protecting against corrosion.

The second video I found interesting was the one on blocking and cribbing. I've only every used jacks and jack stands so it was interesting to see it done another way.

The third video I found useful was the one on operating at a slope. It makes sense to avoid going across a slope and instead only going up and down. Also I thought it was useful how you're told to have the heaviest part of the machine facing uphill and attachments as low to the ground as possible.

The last video I found particularly interesting was the load and transport video. You don't really get to see a lot of these machines transported that often. It seems that you have to be very precise and meticulous about how you tie down these work tools. I've just always wondered how they keep these machines secure every time I pass by one on the highway.

Wrench cutout.

1) Particulate contamination levels per milliliter of fluid.

2) 18/16/13

3) At least 98.7% efficiency at 10 micron.

4) Cummins neither approves nor disapproves of the use of any fuel additive not sold by Cummings Inc and 
damage isn't covered under the warranty. The do not recommend using fuel additives.

5) No and it will not warranty engine damage that is related to use of biodiesel.

6) Reduced combustion efficiency, elevated pour point and cloud point, poor detergency and increased corrosion of fuel components, and plugged fuel filters.

7) 500 PPM

8) 15PPM

9) Number 1 and number 2 diesel fuel for winter and summer grade respectively.

10) D975

Leftovers of some practice cuts with the torch.

Learning to use the scribe and soapstone.

Freehand cut. You can actually see the metal change color along where you cut.

Tooling. Torch, scribe, soapstone, square, etc.

Closeup of a nice cut.

Didn't want the guys to cut on this side until I took a picture. It was a nice cut.

Pretty even and straight. I cut it freehand without a scribe.

The perfect amount of heat so it doesn't pool on the bottom.

CAT Contamination

CAT Contamination

1) 21/19

2) True

3) Early Component Failure

4) True

5) Built in, new fluids, internally generated and cylinder wiper seals.

6) 640-1300

7) False

8) 100% An ISO code of 19 is twice as dirty as an ISO code of 18.

9) Extended Component Life

10) False. There should be two filters – one for fluid entering the tank and one at the dispensing point.

11) Particle counting

12) The 4, 6, and 14 micron channels

Back window came out easy.

Hull after windows are out.

Front window not so much.

Taking out the glass from the door of Frankentruck.

The windows were actually difficult to get out without just breaking the glass.

My story

Dear reader,

My name is Jordan Williams and the purpose of this blog is to follow my journey through diesel technology at BTC! I originally joined the program at the college because of the amazing opportunities it could open for me. As time passed I found that I actually thoroughly enjoy taking things apart, putting them back together, and occasionally smashing thing's to bits! Air tools are so much fun and who doesn't love smacking a hammer on a punch to drive out a broken part?

My makeup obsessed hairstylist girlfriend.

Her 3 year old daughter Claire that's obsessed with Thomas and friends or anything train related.

My hobbies include working on computer hardware, working on my rusty truck that has seen far better days, and playing video games. I'm a dog lover but am also fond of cats. I spend most of my free time however with my girlfriend and her two year old daughter. I'm originally from New York and drove 3000 miles to get here last April. I will never in my life do it again...ever. I moved out here to be with my girlfriend and go back to school.

I'm a perfectionist at heart and won't be satisfied with anything less than an A. At the same time I'm much more interested in learning everything I possibly can during my stay at BTC. I am hoping and have a very strong feeling that some awesome opportunities await in this field. 

I can't wait and I also didn't expect to learn how to blog on my first day in a diesel shop.