COUPLER 4727836 - Caterpillar

Introduction
The problem that is identified below does not have a known permanent solution. Until a permanent solution is known, use the solution that is identified below.Problem
This Memo is for INFORMATION ONLY and relates to questions arising from machines that have been submerged. The questions generally raised are in reference to reclamation of machines that were stored or operating in flooded areas.Note: No dealer technician should begin work on anyCaterpillar machine until he or she is satisfied that it is safe to do so. The decision to proceed with such work is solely at the discretion of the dealer technician and Caterpillar accepts no responsibility or liability for any personal injury or property damage resulting therefrom. Note: Good judgment and common sense, based on the broad machine experience of the CaterpillarDealers involved in this work should be exercised. This document is provided for GUIDANCE only and should not be considered the definitive work on flooded machine reclamation.The process and inspection may vary from machine to machine, based on machine size, type, location and application. Some machines may only have seen heavy rain and wind and will likely be treated differently from those that have been immersed or submerged. Many of these machines will have experienced heavy exposure to salt water, which carries the additional penalty of rapid corrosion. More damage may have occurred if the machine was submerged for a long period of time or if the machine sat for a long period of time without the contamination or salt being cleaned from the machine.Solution
When performing service or repair procedures to any Caterpillar product that has been under water, please use the SIMS work order process. To identify Caterpillar product that has been under water in SIMS, use the SMoption in the Problem Description field. The SM designation should be used only once per serial number.Before inspecting the machine or performing any type of maintenance steam clean the entire machine in order