UPDATED LINK ASSEMBLY IDENTIFICATION CODE MARKINGS Caterpillar

UPDATED LINK ASSEMBLY IDENTIFIAVSION CODE MARKINGS

This IRM replaces IRM UC91-21 dated December 2, 1991. Please destroy that copy.

Identification code markings are used for product follow-up, reporting, and warranty tracking of link assembly performance as well as First In First Out (FIFO) inventory fulfillment.

Please refer to this IRM for the location of the identification markings and interpretation of the coding system on AVSpare? link assemblies.

Location of Identification Markings

The identification number is stamped on the shoe surface of the second right-hand link from the bushing end master link. This allows for visual inspection of the link assembly identification number on a rolled-up chain. The number is centrally located between the shoe bolt holes as shown below.

 
                                                        Identification Location

Identification Code Interpretation

A. The identification number is comprised of five to eight digits in the following order:

Example:  P A 001 Y 01

P = Plant letter designation

G - Piracicaba (Brazil)

H - Grenoble (France) 

J ? Tianjin China (ATL)

P - East Peoria (USA)

X ? Sagami/Akashi (Japan)

A = Year of manufacture

2000=A through 2019=U, Excluding the letter ?I?, 20 year cycle

Note: this is a recent change to a previous 10 year cycle where 1990=A and 1999=K excluding ?I?. Thus, much of the current inventory will probably reflect the past code. If in doubt, the link assembly parts label also includes a date code, which may help identify the decade in which the link assembly was manufactured.

001 = Day of year built (001 - 366)

Y = Optional letter specified by individual plants

            Track press number, shift, etc.

01 = Optional consecutive number of link assemblies built on a given day

        (01-99)

Uses

The link assembly identification code is the "one safe source" to determine the age of AVSpare link assemblies.

It is recommended that this code number be included on reporting documentation and work orders.

The link assembly identification code is required for warranty claims.  Identification code markings are only applied to factory-assembled link assemblies. If the coded link must be replaced, it is recommended that the factory code numbers (or dealer?s own code) be added to the replacement link at service time.