Weld Buildup/Hardfacing Cat Rollers

[Robert.]

I don't know how many of you here have ever changed a complete set of rollers and guides . I have numerous times , It's a bloody difficult job that's very time consuming . Especially when you try and do it tracks in situe on site , which I do not recommend , been there done that , I made special tools specifically for that job .
Sensibly done in a workshop environment with everything you need ...You could well be into two days with two fitters to get a set off and the track frame ready for the new set . Removing the tracks , extracting bolts that snapped , fighting with track guides and the sheer bloody weight of the things, there must be close to 100kg In a single roller for a PC800 , they are brutish things to deal with . Then another full day to get the new set on with new guides , remount and join the tracks back up . I would be madness wasting all that time and money on putting secondhand stuff with no guarantees on there .

 

[Brad93]

I'll try to give a few more details but would need Mods to move this to the private forum.

To be honest its one of those things where there is very little profit to be made but it would work out okay in quantity.

 

[dannyp]

thinking about thins wonder what flame spraying would work like, bet its cost more in consumables but would there be less work/ machening / grinding afterwards

 

[seriesonewelder]

We've got several CATs at work; I knew who to ask at Cannock and emailed him this morning (was on holiday when the thread started and only got round to it this morning)



Hi Keith

I’m living the dream, what about your good self?

We used to weld/ rework idlers more than rollers,

The idlers were placed in small heating ovens then lifted out on to an automatic rotary welder,

The feeds and amps adjusted to what size idler was being welded, this is a bit of a dark art due to you need the weld feed and rotation correct.

Once welded they were put back in to a warm oven and left to cool slowly.

Idlers were drilled before heating and welding so they didn’t blow up and the plug hole welded back up when all done.

We also did railway carriage wheels the same way and then they were machine to give a good surface.


Its not something we do any more, its cheaper to get a reworked idler/roller from Cat than have a welder watching the idler spin around all day !!!!!!!


I’m not to sure if the rotary welder and ovens are still in the corner of the welding/machine shop, if they are they would be antiques


Cheers Noel
(Product Support Account Manager)