She’s simply the best! Well-known Hawkes Bay contractor Barry Neville recently had a completely new Cat undercarriage fitted to his D8T dozer by Terra Cat and the finished result has the machine impressing everyone.
Neville Earthworks' established Napier-based operation specialises in forestry roading, landings and skid sites as well as irrigation work. The company has a modern Cat fleet including recent Next Generation Cat 336 and 323 excavator acquisitions (the Next Gen 323 features a full 3D package which is ideal for working on large irrigation dam projects). As well as the D8T dozer Neville Earthworks also runs Cat 320E, 326F and 330F excavators, and 815F, CP563E, 12H, 627G, D6R and D6T units amongst others of the iconic American brand. All are well-maintained and presented in a fashion that the business can be very proud of.
For his D8T, owner Barry Neville chose genuine Cat undercarriage componentry because it’s a premium and reliable product at a great price. Barry has always maintained proactive planning practices, so he took advantage of Terra Cat’s CPRO (Committed Planned Repair Order) promotion in conjunction with his local Parts and Service Sales Rep. The project scope and preparations for the D8T’s undercarriage replacement started about three weeks prior to the machine’s arrival to the workshop.
The undercarriage components were then delivered to the Terra Cat Napier branch to undertake the job. So what exactly did the scope of work on the D8T involve?
Cleaning of machine before work started
Safely jack up and block the machine
Remove the blade and both track frames
Swap old track links with new track links (links are completely new with grouser shoes on)
Replace 4 x idlers
Remove and replace both track frame boogie cartridge pins and pads
Replace both track frame bottom rollers and carrier idlers
Replace the sprocket segment in both final drives
Replace the equalizer bar on both ends bearings and seals
Remove and fit track frames (both sides)
Replace pivot shaft bushes and seals in undercarriage frames (both sides)
Fit both track frames and blade
Clean the machine after work completed
The D8T achieved 4700 hours of life from the previous set of Cat general duty link assemblies and its rebuild actually follows a D6R full track rebuild that was completed earlier in 2019. The Terra Cat Napier branch assists Neville Earthworks with breakdowns, component overhauls, track gear replacements and specific servicing. Barry has his own mechanic who performs his machine fleet’s regular servicing.
Barry is very happy with the job done on the D8T and the dozer’s operator Matt Gordon is rapt with what he’s now working with. “Simply the Best” and just like a new machine! The dozer is currently busy along with the rest of the Neville Earthworks fleet on roading and skid development throughout the Hawkes Bay and Gisborne regions.
For more information about genuine Cat undercarriage products available from Terra Cat, contact us now.
