SOS

SM
Services
M A I N T E N A N C E P R O D U C T S A N D S E R V I C E S
Know More. Do More.
Maintaining your Cat

engines
and machines is one of your top
priorities. A good place to start is
with SOS Servicesoil analysis and
coolant analysis. They are the fastest,
most accurate, most reliable ways to
see whats going on inside your Cat
engines and machines. And they are important steps
toward increased productivity, less serious repairs, less
downtime and lower operating costs.
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An investment in lower costs
SOS Services is one of the most useful
and important maintenance support
programs available. Heres why:
Detects problems early, so they can
be repaired before they become major
failures.
Helps you schedule downtime to fit
your workload.
Monitors positives as well as
negatives, so you wont have to
pay for repair of components that
are not worn out.
Allows you to monitor maintenance
schedules to verify that routine
maintenance has been performed.
Enables you to better manage budgets
by predicting repairs, downtime and
equipment life.
Helps you develop a complete service
history for each machine. This proves
invaluable when evaluating perfor-
mance and planning replacement
purchases.
Documents service history for a higher
price at trade-in or sale.
For maximum protection, you need SOS
oil sampling for all major oil-lubricated
systems (engine, transmission, hydraulic
system and final drives) and S

S coolant
sampling for your cooling systems. By
pinpointing trouble early, you can avoid
shut-downs for unplanned repairs or
catastrophic failures.
It works the way you work
We will help you develop a plan
uniquely suited to your operation,
taking into consideration the
various models of Cat (or compe-
titive) equipment you operate,
the kind of work you do, your
current maintenance practices and
your business conditions.
The Perfect Troubleshooting Tool
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Proper fluid maintenance is imperative to keep
machines and engines operating at peak per-
formance. SOS Services are designed to identify
problems before they grow into major repairs.
Early detection is the key to reducing
downtime and increasing productivity.
Using sophisticated analytical technology
and our trained, experienced technicians,
SOS testing can determine if oils and coolants are doing their
job of protecting your equipment. As a result, performance
losses and major repairs can often be avoided.
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S Oil Analysis
The SOS oil analysis tests have been
developed by Caterpillar engineers and
chemists to evaluate the condition of
your engines and machines, rather than
the condition of the oil alone. Following
is a brief description of the standard
tests offered in the SOS program.
Additional tests, such as viscosity, TBN
or TAN, may be performed, if needed.
Wear Rate Analysis monitors wear by
detecting, identifying and assessing the
amount and type of wear metal elements
in the oil. The rate at which wear metal
particles increase from sample to sample
is as important as the quantity of
particles in the oil. For this reason,
regular sampling at specified intervals is
necessary to establish wear rate trends
for each oil-lubricated compartment.
The presence of silicon and other
elements which indicate dirt entry are
also monitored with Wear Rate Analysis.
Oil Cleanliness Analysis uses a
Particle Count test for non-engine oil. It
detects both metallic and non-metallic
debris (such as friction disc material)
generated by wear, as well as dirt from
outside sources. This information, along
with Wear Rate Analysis, permits a
comprehensive evaluation of your
hydraulic and power train systems.
This combination can detect potential
failures not identified by Wear Rate
Analysis alone.
Oil Condition Analysis determines
loss of the oils lubricating properties.
An infrared analysis instrument is used
to compare the properties of new oil
to the properties of your used oil
sample. This test allows our technicians
to determine the extent to which the
oil has deteriorated during use and to
verify that the oil is performing up to
specification during the entire oil
change period.
Detection of Fuel, Water and Glycol
The presence of Fuel, Water or Glycol
are indications of problems which
require immediate correction. Fuel
dilution reduces the oils viscosity and
destroys its lubricating properties. Some
unburned fuel may enter the crankcase
past the piston rings, particularly if the
engine is run at low idle for extended
periods during cold weather. Fuel
dilution beyond 4% by volume, however,
can lead to piston ring sticking and
failure of the engine bearings. Glycol
(coolant) contamination causes rapid
oxidation of the oil and will lead to a
major engine failure if not promptly
resolved. Water can contaminate an oil
system by leaking in from the outside or
by condensing within a hot oil
compartment or engine crankcase.
Water will cause the oil to form a
sludge which can plug filters. Oil
contaminated with water passing
between close fitting moving parts will
cause hot spots leading to reduced
component life or rapid failure.
Oil samples for these tests are generally
taken by the customer. However, your
Cat dealer can do your sampling as part
of a Customer Support Agreement.
S

S Coolant Analysis
Coolant or cooling system problems
contribute to more than 50% of all
engine failures. These failures can
be due to inadequate cooling system
maintenance, incorrect concentration,
poor operational procedures such as
extensive lugging or inadequate cool-
down procedures, or system problems
such as stray electrical current or block
heater failure. These problems will
eventually affect the oil condition, and
may cause oil oxidation or antiwear
additive dropout. Cooling system
problems will also reduce the life of
transmission and hydraulic components
served by coolant heat exchangers.
SOS coolant analysis is a two-level
program that does more than just
check the condition of your coolant.
It determines the overall condition of
the cooling system and can identify
problems with maintenance procedures
and operational practices.
Level 1:
Basic Coolant Maintenance Check
consists of four analytical tests and
four observational parameters that
not only show major problems with
the coolant, but can also predict
some major cooling system problems.
Level 1 results can also determine
when Level 2 analysis is needed.
Level 2:
Comprehensive Cooling System
Analysis involves an extensive
chemical evaluation of the coolant
and its overall effects on the inside
of your cooling system. This series
of comprehensive tests can identify
subtle cooling system problems,
determine probable causes, and
help prioritize the urgency of
needed corrections.
SOS Services Save You Money
The success of any preventive maintenance
program can be measured in the
savings realized by the end user.
SOS Services are inexpensive, quick
and easy to perform, yet can result in
substantial overall savings. By combining
SOS Services with the higher perfor-
mance standards of Cat Fluids and Filters, you form the
foundation of the best possible preventive maintenance
program for your Caterpillar

machines. In the bottom-

line analysis, youll get more work done
at lower cost and have machines worth
more at trade-in or sale.
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Get results fast
SOS Services allows you to test all fluids,
including engine oil, transmission/drive
train oil, hydraulic fluid and coolant. Results
and recommendations are usually available
within 24 hours of receipt of sample.
Each SOS sample is subjected to a
series of tests using advanced analysis
technology. Trained technicians then
compare and analyze test data. They
reference engineering data and factory
service publications, plus study machine
history, maintenance and repair records.
When needed, they contact factory
engineers or talk directly with the owner/
operator or maintenance superintendent.
In short, they do whatever it takes to
get a clear picture of all the specifics
regarding each piece of equipment.
Put results into action
SOS Services results are presented in a
clear, concise, easy-to-understand report
that calls for specific, immediate action
and/or makes carefully outlined
recommendations.
We are always available to answer
questions or to discuss report specifics.
At all points during this analysis, your
SOS analyst has access to Caterpillar
technical and engineering information.
Other fluid analysis services do not
provide this important access. If a critical
situation is identified, you will be notified
immediately.
Protect the value
Cat machines are built to deliver the
highest possible performance through-out
their production life. Maintenance is
essential to achieve that performance,
and SOS Services are a good first step.
However, theres much more we can
do to maximize the return on your
equipment investment. Talk to us about
complete preventive maintenance
programs and Customer Support
Agreements.
Trend Analysis Module
Trend Analysis Module (TAM) is
computer software which links you
directly with our SOS program.
With TAM you can receive your
SOS results electronically. TAM
permits you to view all of your
SOS sample results, or only those
indicating potential problems.
You may also graph or chart your
information in various ways to better
analyze and understand the results.
SOS
SM
Services Online
Using Dealer StoreFrontthrough the
Internetits fast and easy to monitor
the effectiveness of your equipment
maintenance program with no
software required. Youre notified by
e-mail when new fluid samples are
posted. With SOS Services Online,
you can view sample information,
perform searches, and access online
help.
Other screens allow you to view
detailed descriptions of your fluid
samples, search for samples by
several criteria, and review sample
histories. Though SOS Online
minimizes paper filing and storage,
you still have the ability to create and
print graphs and reports.

PEDP7036-04 For more information, see us today Printed in U.S.A.
or visit our Web site at www.CAT.com 2002 Caterpillar
Cat Fluids: Formulated to provide
higher standards in performance
and life.
Cat Fluid Filters: System engineered
for optimal performance and
protection.
SOS Services: The ultimate
detection and diagnostic tool for
your equipment.
Maintenance Software: Trend
Analysis Module (TAM) and
SOS Services Online for SOS
Services results. Maintenance
Control System (MCS) for
scheduling and recording
maintenance activity.
Extend equipment life
with quality Cat
maintenance products.