RRAD/Caterpillar continue partnership journey

By U.S. ArmyFebruary 10, 2010

Partnership
Caterpillar marked its partnership with Red River Army Depot by loaning the depot a cut-away model of a 3126 engine for display during a ceremony on January 13. RRAD Commander Col. Daniel G. Mitchell received the model of the engine on behalf of the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

On 13 January, Caterpillar marked its partnership with Red River Army Depot by loaning the depot a cut-away model of a 3126 engine for display.

Dave Shipley, Caterpillar program manager, and Jim Garrison, manager, Customer Support Defense and Products presented the model to RRAD Commander Col. Daniel G. Mitchell during a ceremony.

"There has been a tremendous amount of work done," said Garrison. "It has always been first class working with Red River."

The partnership began in February 2007 when then Army Materiel Command commanding general, Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin encouraged RRAD to discuss the possibility of public-private partnership with Caterpillar. The benefits of partnership would allow RRAD to sustain future fleets of vehicles that have Caterpillar engines.

"The bottom line is that this is the future of Red River," said Mitchell. "You are playing a pivotal role in the future of the depot and the future looks very bright."

In November 2008, RRAD produced 15 pilot engines and the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command concluded that pilot program needed a larger sample of data.

RRAD is currently remanufacturing 100 Caterpillar engines - 50 each of the 3126 and 3116 models. Expected completion date is March 2010.

According to Mike Cox, RRAD logistics management specialist, one main benefit of the partnership is the condition based maintenance approach that Caterpillar brings to the table. The approach is based on Caterpillar best practices and gives specific information such as when the engine was manufactured, how many hours it was used and where it was used.

"The approach will make us more competitive," said Cox. "We will save money on parts, sustain quality and increase velocity because we are able to determine which engines need a full overhaul and which ones only need certain parts."

After completion of the current 100 Caterpillar engines, the Product Support Integration department for Medium Tactical Trucks will review the analysis and determine the next step.

"I look at this as a long term relationship," said Garrison. "There are probably 80,000 engines out there and want all of those engines coming to you guys (Red River). We want Red River as the center of excellence for Caterpillar engines."

Since its inception over 80 years ago, Caterpillar has grown to be the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.