BLOCK 2389565 - Caterpillar

New Recommendation:
Caterpillar now recommends using dry nitrogen (N2) gas for both tire inflation and pressure adjustments on all current and past production machines. Nitrogen is an inert gas and will not support combustion inside the tire. The same inflation pressure used with air should be used with nitrogen. However, proper nitrogen charging equipment and training in the use of this equipment is necessary to avoid overinflation. Because initial nitrogen cylinder pressure is approximately 15 000 kPa (2200 psi), a tire blowout and/or rim failure could occur if the equipment were not used correctly. Information about a nitrogen charging kit appears later in this article.
Tires on most U.S.-built Caterpillar machines (except lift trucks) produced after September 1, 1980, are inflated with nitrogen at the factory. These machines have a tag attached to the steering wheel identifying and briefly describing this change. To denote nitrogen fill, the tires are branded with an "X" or an "N" directly below or in front of the first letter of the tire supplier's name of the outside sidewall. Plans to institute nitrogen fill on earthmoving machines manufactured outside the United States will be announced at a future date. Caterpillar Beadless Tires have been filled with nitrogen since 1977.
In addition to reducing the risk of an explosive-like failure, using nitrogen instead of air to inflate tires lessens the slow oxidation of the rubber and the accompanying gradual tire deterioration. This is especially important for tires that have a long service life (4 or more years). It also reduces the corrosion of rim components and the resultant disassembly problems.
Safety Procedures
The danger of a tire explosion must be recognized as a distinct possibility whenever the smell of burning rubber or excessively hot brakes is detected. The danger is also present when a fire on the machine reaches the tire and wheel area. Under such conditions, all personnel must avoid approaching the machine in a manner that could result in injury should an explosion actually occur. Move the machine to a remote area only if it can be done without endangering the operator or other personnel in the area.
DO NOT WELD OR HEAT ON RIM COMPONENTS. For several years Caterpillar and some tire manufacturers have warned users never to weld rim components with the tire mounted on the rim. The gases that build up inside the tire during arc welding or heating on rim components may ignite, resulting in one of these explosive-like failures of the tire and rim. Caterpillar now recommends scrapping the part if heat is necessary to repair any rim component.
If there is evidence of a brake fire or the smell of burning rubber, don't go near the machine. FIGHT THESE FIRES FROM A REMOTE LOCATION. (Too often, the immediate response to a fire involving tires or brakes is for everyone in the vicinity to grab a hand-held fire extinguisher and rush up close to the machine in an effort to control the blaze.) Stay away from the machine until it is cool. Allow at