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Home›Repair guides›Conductor Tensioning Procedure

Caterpillar — Conductor Tensioning Procedure

A Caterpillar service procedure — check it applies to your exact model before use.

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Before you start

  • TAIL TENSION IS CRITICAL TO PREVENT CONDUCTOR SLIPPAGE ON THE BULLWHEELS AND IN SOME CASES
  • TO PREVENT BIRDCAGING OF THE CONDUCTOR AS IT PASSES AROUND THE BULLWHEELS. THEREFORE, THE REELSHAFT BRAKE CONTROL MUST BE ADJUSTED TO PROVIDE PROPER TAIL TENSION. THE HANDWHEEL PRESSURE SHOULD BE SET TO KEEP THE CONDUCTOR FROM SLIPPING ON THE BULLWHEEL. AS THE DIAMETER OF THE CONDUCTOR ON THE REEL DECREASES, HANDWHEEL PRESSURE SHOULD BE DECREASED TO MAINTAIN CONSTANT TAIL TENSION. IF TAIL TENSION IS ALLOWED TO BECOME EXCESSIVE THE CONDUCTOR WILL TEND TO PULL DOWN BETWEEN THE LAYERS WHICH COULD DAMAGE THE CONDUCTOR.

Procedure

  1. Perform the field set up.
  2. Thread the bullwheels.
  3. Adjust the reelshaft brake to provide tail tension from the reel to the bullwheels.
  4. Turn the bullwheel pressure control fully clockwise to hold the tensioner bullwheels stationary.
  5. When the pulling machine starts, turn the pressure control counter-clockwise slowly until the bullwheels start to turn.
  6. Re-adjust the reelshaft brake control to adjust the tail tension from the reel to the bullwheels.
  7. Adjust pressure control as required during pulling operation in order to maintain the desired tension in the conductor.
  8. To stop the pull, the pulling unit must stop first. Do not attempt to stop the pull using the tensioner.

Source: manual:4934_T30-36-BWRC-Operators-Manual.pdf. Figures and steps are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.