KIT-GEAR 0398463 - Caterpillar

Add a small bead of weld from the top side in order to act as a backup strip for welding from the bottom.Note: The small bead of weld will be back gouged at a later step.Note: The V-groove is on the edge of the plate. Use the runoff tabs as the runoff tabs are shown in Illustration 3.
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Fill the bottom V-groove with several passes of quality welds. The welds will slightly overlap the surface of the plate. Clean the weld after each pass. Note: The use of needle peening is preferred as needle peening adds compressive stresses.
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Remove the welds with poor penetration with the back gouging method. Start with the top of the first weld.
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Fill the top V-groove with several passes of quality welds until welds are slightly above the top of the surface. Clean the weld after every pass.Note: The use of needle peening is preferred as needle peening adds compressive stresses.Note: All of the welds need to be ground flush with the surface of the plate.Rework Procedure for Rebuilding the Hitch Plate on the Front Frame
The steps that follow should be completed after the hitch plate has been repaired.
Remove the runoff tabs on both the top and the bottom of the hitch plate.
Grind any defects flush with the surface.
Grind the top and bottom surfaces of the welded plate in order to make the weld flush with the surface of the plate.
Clean the weld locations in order to ensure that good penetration is reached. The cleaning will also reduce weld defects.
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988G Wheel Loader plate dimensions (A) 20 mm (0.80 inch) (B) 310 mm (12.20 inch) (C) Diameter of 200 mm (7.90 inch) (D) 340 mm (13.40 inch) (E) Radius of 155 mm (6.10 inch) (F) Diameter of 260 mm (10.25 inch)
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988H Wheel Loader plate dimensions (A) 20 mm (0.80 inch) (B) 350 mm (13.80 inch) (C) Diameter of 200 mm (7.90 inch) (D) 340 mm (13.40 inch) (E) Radius of 175 mm (6.90 inch) (F) Diameter of 260 mm (10.25 inch)
Fabricate two doubler plates according to the dimensions above. Use an approved structural steel that has a minimum yield strength of 290 MPa and a minimum ultimate tensile strength of 435 MPa. Typical substitute materials include the following:
ASTM specification A572 grade 42
ASTM specification A572 grade 50
ASTM specification A656 grade 50Note: Two stiffener plates are required. A plate is needed for both the top and the bottom of the hitch plate.
Measure the weld of the boss in order to ensure that the plate will fit around the weld. This measurement will ensure that the plate mates to the hitch plate. Grinding of the boss cutout may be needed.Note: Additional grinding to the plate may be required in order to get the plate to sit square on the hitch plate.
Place the stiffener plate over the boss.
Clamp down the stiffener plate to the hitch plate. Clamping down the plates will keep the plates from warping.
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(G) Weld area (H) Weld area (J) "Do Not" weld