CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NOVEMBER 2016

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS

NOVEMBER 2016

Operators of earthmoving and mining

equipment are facing a challenging

period. The slump in commodity prices

has had a major adverse impact on mining

operations and a further knock-on effect

on infrastructure delivery programmes.

Fleet operators who are surviving in

this challenging economic cycle have

reinforced their proactive maintenance

regime, which includes an attentive

approach to the aftermarket replacement

parts that they procure.

Andrew Yorke, operations director at

Metric Automotive Engineering, says these

enterprising fleet owners and operators

have struck a perfect balance between

the cost and quality of the parts they use

in their diesel engines. This has been

achieved by using quality aftermarket parts

that offer a more cost-effective alternative

to original parts, but meet or often exceed

original equipment manufacturers’ (OEMs)

exacting standards.

These companies do not sacrifice the

overall performance of their engines by

taking a short-sighted view on critical

diesel engine components. This is despite

procurement departments often being

incentivised to buy critical parts at the

lowest possible price and therefore com-

promising the entire diesel engine refur-

bishment cycle.

Yorke is concerned that the low cost

pirate parts do not meet the high perfor-

mance standards demanded by modern

sophisticated diesel engines that operate

in some of the most arduous environments

and conditions. They may not achieve the

expected remanufacture life and in exten-

uating circumstances may contribute to

catastrophic engine failure.

“OEMs continue to find ways of signifi-

cantly improving the horsepower of their

diesel engines. By introducing more power

into the power plant, parts are subjected to

increased stresses, increased combustion

pressures and temperatures,” says Yorke.

Metric Automotive Engineering is the

southern African distributor of IPD Parts,

which are being used by some of the

country’s leading operators of “yellow”

and “white” metal for their diesel engine

maintenance and remanufacturing require-

ments. These parts are manufactured in

a state-of-the-art factory that carries ISO

9001 certification.

However, it is IPD Parts’ ongoing invest-

ment into research and development that

continues to provide a key competitive

edge in the replacement parts market. This

is reflected by its patented new friction

welded one-piece piston. By combining

the crown and skirt, the piston is better

placed to withstand thermal loading, while

limiting plate movement and securing the

oil gallery retention plate firmly in-place.

Yorke agrees that challenging operating

conditions require very careful manage-

ment of costs, but these decisions need

to take into consideration the performance

expectations of diesel engine components,

as well as the impact that they will have

on the operation of the power plant.

IPD proves quality can be cost effective

Correct diagnostics of fuel injection systems cuts costs

IPD Parts patented a new friction welded

one-piece piston.

Incorrect diagnosis of fuel injection sys-

tems is causing fleet operators substantial

losses, and Warren Hauser, operations

manager at Reef Fuel Injection Services

(RFI), a leading accredited fuel injection

system remanufacturer in southern Africa,

is concerned that this not as apparent as it

should be to industry.

Modern fuel injection systems require that

fuel be delivered at a specific volume and

pressure. Because the tolerances for fuel

pressure variations are small, it is extremely

important that a logical series of diagnostic

tests are performed to ensure an accurate

diagnosis when problems occur.

Hauser says that it is essential that

diagnostics are conducted on professional

test equipment capable of accurately

examining the performance of fuel injectors

and injection systems. “It is only by doing

the relevant test regime on equipment that

is regularly calibrated that the customer

can be assured of an accurate report,”

says Hauser. “And it is this diagnostics

data that is used to effect reliable repair

work to injectors or complete fuel injection

systems.”

RFI is an experienced accredited fuel

injection system remanufacturer, and

through ongoing investment in equipment

and personnel, it has established its

position as one of few such companies

that can service all five leading diesel fuel

injection systems – Bosch, Caterpillar,

Delphi, Denso and Stanadyne.

RFI operates state-of-the-art electronic

diagnostic equipment which allows its

technicians to access fuel systems on

vehicle to check and diagnose. Hauser

says that it is not only access to the

latest technology that provides the quality

service, but also skilled technicians that

have extensive product knowledge. “This

facilitates the accurate diagnosis of all

fuel injection problems,” he says.

Commenting on the issue of incorrect

diagnostics, Hauser says it is a worrying

scenario and can be attributed largely to

situations where a dealer is ill equipped

and does not have skilled fuel injection

system technicians, but still does the diag-

nostic work. “These injectors are then sent

to a third party repairer, and we have had

several instances where we had to assist

customers who have found themselves in a

predicament where the fuel injection sys-

tem problem was misdiagnosed, resulting

in wasted time and money,” says Hauser.

The most important advantage that RFI

offers is it is a single source remanufactur-

er where the diagnostics and the remanu-

facture are done in the same facility. “Most

significant to the customer is the access

to rapid information, the responsiveness

shown through ongoing communication

and interaction with the fleet owner. This

not only minimises the vehicle downtime,

but through accurate diagnostics, ensures

that the correct repair work is done,” adds

Hauser.

RFI is the only service centre in Gauteng able

to conduct Delphi authorised testing and

coding of C3i injectors.

PARTS AND MAINTENANCE