Component:
Steering and Lift Mast
Product:
Fork Lift
Case Number:
1032
Problem:
Old-style, O-ring only SAE plugs and JIC fittings backed out in GPS-guided fork lifts used in a food and beverage distribution center. The leaks initially went unnoticed, but ultimately contaminated consumable food product. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration ordered the product to be destroyed and issued fines.
Use Description
Various sizes of plugs are used to block unused ports in a manifold that feed the forklift mast and steering gear. JIC fittings are used to plumb the tilt and lift functions of the forklifts.
Solution
The old-style, O-ring only SAE plugs and JIC fittings were replaced with -04, -06 and -08 socket head Zero-Leak Gold plugs and -04-04, -06-06 and -06-08 Zero-Leak Gold JIC fittings.
Results
The mechanical advantages resulting from the taper-to-taper engagement of the ports and the Zero-Leak Gold plugs and fittings were overwhelming. They stopped the plugs and fittings from backing out due to vibration, thereby eliminating the contamination of consumable food and beverage products, as well as fines from the FDA.
Post-Script
The distribution center was so pleased with the results achieved by the use of the Zero-Leak Gold plugs and fittings they ordered an additional 15 GPS-guided forklifts from the manufacturer to be used in their distribution centers world wide.
63739
Component:
Pump, Hydraulic
Product:
Case Number:
1045
Problem:
Old-style, O-ring only SAE plugs were backing out in operation. The resulting leaks caused malfunctions in the operation of the pumps.
Use Description
The hydraulic pumps were installed in forklift trucks, which were used in industries where leaks of any kind could not be tolerated because of the environmental and contamination risks.
Solution
The forklift company requested that the pump producer install Zero-Leak Gold plugs in the pumps on order and provide plugs to replace the SAE plugs in the field that were backing out.
Results
Customized metric style Zero-Leak Gold plugs were installed, and the leak potential was eliminated.
Post-Script
62726
Component:
Hydraulic Cylinder
Product:
Plastic Plug
Case Number:
1082
Problem:
Due to the heat in an oven dryer, the plastic plug used to seal off the port and keep hydraulic oil in the cylinder was expanding - causing it to deform, which resulted in oil leaking on the surface of the cylinder. The oil is often overlooked prior to painting and the oil causes imperfections resulting in rework and customer dissatisfaction.
Use Description
Customer was using plastic plugs to seal off SAE ports in hydraulic cylinder application during the paint booth cleaning and painting process.
Solution
Zero-Leak Gold plugs were used to seal the port and keep hydraulic oil from leaking.
Results
Customer has decided to replace plastic cap plugs with Zero-Leak Gold plugs across the board.
Post-Script
506301