Machine Rebuild takes a village

June 4, 2012

From left: Field Mechanics Joe Counts and Dexter Jones with Walker's latest Cat Certified Rebuild

BELLE - Walker Machinery Company’s Complete Rebuild Department stays very busy.
It takes more than one crew to keep up with the demand, according to Field Mechanic Dexter Jones. In the past year, Walker has rebuilt more than 20 machines. Out of those, eight - 10 are core machines purchased by the used equipment department, specifically for rebuild.
Rebuilds normally take from six to eight weeks, as it is a very thorough process, including cleaning and checking every single bolt. And each rebuild takes a village. The latest, a D11R track-type tractor rebuilt by Jones and Field Mechanic Joe Counts, was recently sold. This machine was a Cat Certified Rebuild, meaning it received a brand new serial number with a full warranty.
“We want them to be better than new and in many cases they are, but with considerable savings,” Jones said.
According to Jones, this machine was torn down to a bare frame for welders Dwayne Snodgrass and Matt Namay to work on frame welding and sheet metal. The numerous parts required were ordered by Joe Armstrong and Chris Miller. Valves were rebuilt and the hydraulic cylinders were sent to Walker’s Beckley store. All power train components were rebuilt in the power train shop. After the machine was reassembled it ran for at least a full 10-12 hour shift, for testing. From there, the machine was painted by Kenneth Mitchell.
“He does a really good job painting,” Jones said. “He makes it look good.”
During rebuilds, the used equipment department checks frequently on the process in case the mechanics have questions. When rebuilding machines for customers, the customers are brought in, throughout the process, to see how thorough the mechanics work and to answer questions the mechanics have.
“Sometimes, they may not want a component changed, a counterweight or ripper installed, or they may or may not want an auto lube put back on a loader,” Jones said.
According to Counts, the machines leave Walker brand new. He likes the challenge of making them that way.
“I like the end result,” he said. “It’s not like changing a part on a machine. You can see the results of a machine coming in, in very bad shape and leaving as brand new.”

Zack Peters makes Walker proud

Nov. 17, 2011

BELLE - In 1972, Caterpillar Inc. began remanufacturing diesel engines at the request of Ford Motor Co. At the time, the remanufacturing of components by OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) was not standard in Caterpillar's core business of heavy earth-moving equipment. Today, Caterpillar is convinced of the economic feasibility of remanufacturing and so is Walker Machinery Co. This year they will have about 55 Certified Rebuilds under their tool belts.
Zack Peters, Inside Sales and Product Support, for Walker, recently attended Reman University and came out the Valedictorian. The victory almost went to Mining Product Support Sales Representative (PSSR) Jeremy Summers, as they tied for first place on their exams. But Peters asked more questions during the week, and came out the champion.
“During the week if we asked questions they gave us little cards,” Peters said. “They told us they would be useful at the end. I had more cards so I got the trophy over him.”
Reman University is a 2-1/2 day program offered to Caterpillar Dealers to equip attendees with a “Bachelors Degree” level of knowledge about Reman’s strategies, products, quality, selling and value messages, core management procedures, commercial policies and anything else to know about Reman.
Twenty-seven students attended Reman with 40 participants total. Six Caterpillar dealerships were represented, including: Louisiana Machinery, MacAllister Machinery, Whayne Supply Co., Walker, Barlowworld Equipment (South Africa) and Toromont Industries Ltd. (Canada). Some other attendees included folks from Bucyrus International, Inc., Caterpillar and Walker’s PSSR Manager Brent Samples.
“Our intent at REMAN University was to learn the “how and why” of remanufactured components,” Samples said. “How we can better use the product to supplement our exchange product and why “remanufacturing” is different from “re-conditioning”. To better equip ourselves to be the best option for our customers.”
Peters took away some important information from the university, such as familiarizing himself with reman engines without calling the Cat help line every time.
“They had a little over 32,000 calls last year with three guys working the phones,” Peters said.
Peters primarily works with quoting Certified Rebuilds. They are generally 40 to 60 percent of the machine’s original cost. Depending on the serial number, there can be up to four different arrangements per machine. He has to know his stuff, as there can be a really big price difference between engines.
Turnaround time depends on the machine size, complexity and the availability of parts. A D11 normally takes eight weeks, a D9 - six and a 992, usually about eight-10 weeks, Peters said.
“The process restores an old machine back to new. It gives the machine a new life,” he said.
To keep this process running smoothly, Peters continues his training. Next week he has a computer class on Caterpillar's Vital Information Management System. This is a powerful tool for machine management that provides operators, service personnel and managers information on a wide range of vital machine functions. He is also scheduled for intermediate PSSR training, in May. 

To read about Cat Certified Rebuilds, click here.