Servicing of gas cogeneration units – Caterpillar X- change factory parts remanufacturing program

Investments in gas generators are primarily aimed at moving away from coal in electricity production. This is an important element of the country’s energy transformation. However, for the transformation to be successful, device owners are required to ensure proper servicing of the generators. Ensuring the efficiency of cogeneration units at a level of at least 8,000 operating hours throughout the year requires constant work and knowledge of service employees.

The best way to ensure proper service and effective removal of faults or failures is to use original spare parts from the manufacturer of the device during the repair of the device.

Below, in photo no. 1, we can see a dismantled gas generator ready for service activities.

MAIN CUSTOMERS’ EXPECTATIONS

When it comes to servicing, device owners care most about:

• A low price;
• A quick repair and the device returning to work as quickly as possible;
• A high-quality repair (preferably using original spare parts)

IS IT POSSIBLE TO MEET SUCH EXPECTATIONS?

PRICE: Original parts are the best, but often expensive. Substitutes are cheaper, but may be of lower quality and cause failures. An independent service is cheaper, but may not have experience in servicing a given generator model. An authorized service is more expensive, but reliable..

TIME: A quick repair is very important, but sometimes requires the use of more expensive, readily available parts.

QUALITY: High quality is the most important, but may mean higher costs.

Taking all of the above into account, choosing a service is a compromise between price, turnaround time and quality.

WHAT TO DO TO OPTIMIZE EQUIPMENT SERVICE

To be sure that we have made the right choice, it is best to:

• Compare offers from different service centers;
• Ask about experience in servicing a given generator model;
• Choose a service that offers a guarantee of effective repair.

Nevertheless, in order to meet the expectations of our customers, CATERPILLAR has developed a factory regeneration program for CAT gas engine parts, called X-change, which allows us to meet the 3 above-mentioned customer expectations, with certain assump

CAT X-CHANGE FACTORY PARTS REMANUFACTURE PROGRAM

As part of the X-change program:

The manufacturer offers factory-regenerated spare parts in new quality with a 12-month warranty,

Parts for Caterpillar TBG, TCG, CG engines are available,

The following are offered:

• cylinder heads,
• Connecting rods,
• Short blocks (verified engine blocks with crankshaft, pistons, timing, oil system, etc.),
• Long blocks (contain short block components and cylinder heads).

 

Photo 3. MWM TGC2016 engine waiting for transmission.

 

ADVANTAGES OF THE X-CHANGE PROGRAM

The main advantages of the program are:

• Low price – X-change parts are cheaper than new ones;
• Waiting time for parts – cylinder heads are available immediately,

and short and long blocks can be ordered in advance; High quality – factory-verified and assembled components guarantee long operation (12-month warranty).

Thanks to these advantages, the customer gains two very important benefits for him:

• Short downtime of the unit during repairs;
• Extended annual operation time of the unit.

HOW DOES X-CHANGE WORK?

The principle of the X-change program is to return the dismantled part to the manufacturer for re-regeneration/reconstruction and use in the serviced device. To this end, the returned parts must be suitable for re-use. This can be ensured, among other things, by servicing the gas cogeneration units in accordance with the so-called time intervals recommended by the manufacturer. Failure to comply with them leads, among other things, to damage to the cylinder head in a way that prevents its re-regeneration.

In summary, savings on cogeneration unit service may pay off for the user in the future.

Therefore, only investment in good quality unit service is a guarantee of long and trouble-free operation of the device. Factory-regenerated Caterpillar X-change parts are fully valuable and allow you to meet all customer expectations. My many years of experience with CAT spare parts confirms my belief that this is the best choice for your unit. TBG 620, TBG 616, TCG 2016, TCG2020, TCG 2032, TCG 3016, CG 132, CG 170, CG260, CG 132B

mail: promanski@eneria.pl

Author: Piotr ROMAŃSKI

CAT Industrial Engine Service Expert