Capital Equipment News January 2018

PARTS & MAINTENANCE NEWS

Bobcat stresses significance of aftermarket support

Bobcat Equipment South Africa has fully- equipped service centres and qualified technicians to take care of its customers’ maintenance and repair requirements. The company’s nine countrywide branches all have their own dedicated service centres, according to national aftermarket manager, Arina van der Westhuizen. This is in support of its general three-year warranties. Once these expire, there is often a temptation for Bobcat equipment users to seek out ‘grey market’ products and service providers in an effort to reduce aftermarket and repair costs. “In the long term, this will cost customers substantially more, as the use of imitation parts and non-accredited service providers results in major machine breakdowns, owing to faulty parts or shoddy workmanship,” says Van der Westhuizen. Most of Bobcat Equipment South Africa’s service centres are fully-equipped with overhead cranes, and all of them have specialised diagnostic tools that not only pinpoint specific problems with machines, but which can also update the software on more advanced models. “We can also send technicians out to any site to undertake repairs and maintenance on equipment. We have a fleet of vehicles that is fully-equipped to assist clients in As regulations on carbon emissions around the globe lead original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to improve the environmental performance of their products, diesel injector technologies are advancing apace, and Germiston-based Reef Fuel Injection Services (RFI) is staying at the cutting edge. With the recent installation of its second Hartridge test bench, RFI has boosted its capability and can now calibrate the new generation smart Delphi diesel injectors. “We align ourselves closely with the OEMs in each of our diesel injector lines, so that we can offer a remanufacturing process that is officially certified and gives the customer the peace of mind that their remanufactured unit will last as long as a new one,” says RFI director Andrew Yorke. What comes out of the OEM-approved repair process is an injector with the same quality and specifications as a new injector from that OEM, says Yorke. Other diesel fuel injection systems for which RFI is an authorised service agent include Bosch, Denso and Stanadyne. All RFI’s repairs are backed by an OEM warranty, and the compa-

Bobcat Equipment SA’s national aftermarket manager, Arina van der Westhuizen.

Westhuizen highlights the critical role that proactive maintenance plays in extending equipment life. Strong aftermarket service is therefore critical in retaining clients. “It is no longer sufficient to simply sell equipment, and not offer a comprehen- sive and cost-effective post-sales service offering. Customers pay good money for their machines, and deserve to have peace of mind, knowing that the company that supplied them the equipment will be with them throughout its operating life.” b

addressing all necessary aftermarket servic- ing of machines.” Bobcat Equipment South Africa currently has 27 highly-skilled and certified technicians countrywide. Van der Westhuizen notes that there has been a noticeable increase in the refur- bishment market. “In the current economic climate, many companies do not have the resources to purchase new equipment, and are seeking to extend the lifespan of their existing machines for as long as possible.” The company also offers clients a bespoke retrofit solution on older machines. Van der ny also handles warranty claims on behalf of the OEM dealers. RFI is acknowledged as the market leader for the repair of CAT fuel injection systems. “The new Hartridge bench, which is part of our ongoing investment to keep up with world class technology, will double our capacity to repair, remanufacture, test and calibrate Delphi diesel injectors,” says Yorke. “It will also allow us to serve the growing market in Delphi systems, as this brand expands beyond its traditional appli- cation in light motor vehicles to larger truck engine applications.” Yorke says the remarkable progress of injector technology – while being driv- en mainly by the global drive to reduce emissions from diesel engines – also brings cost related benefits to customers, including higher efficiencies and lower fuel consump- tion for end users from the Delphi smart fuel injection system. “The higher pressures that are being built into modern injection systems produce bet- ter atomisation and contribute considerably to the efficiency of the combustion cycle – which in turn improves engine efficiency

RFI keeps pace with fast-moving diesel injector technology

and diesel consumption rates,” he says, re- minding users that it makes economic sense to ensure that all diesel that is put into an engine is properly burnt. b

A Caterpillar Acert Heui pump being calibrated at RFI.

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JANUARY 2018 36