SIL780 – EZ Trac AWD System Inspection – 2018-2020 Altec EC505 & EC655

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Altec Industries, Inc.
Midwest Service
St. Joseph, MO
Service Information Letter
February 17, 2021
Units Affected: Model year 2017-2020 chassis equipped with the EZ Trac AWD system (Verify that your unit is affected by reviewing the attached list in this SIL or by accessing your fleet on connect.altec.com/login)
EZ Trac AWD System Inspection
Altec is committed to providing our customers safe and reliable products from initial delivery throughout the useful life of the machine.
Altec has discovered that the EZ Trac hydraulic all-wheel drive (AWD) system may have been improperly installed on some units. Incorrect steering adjustments can cause the front wheels to oversteer. This can damage the steering stop bolts, causing the tires to rub on chassis components. Incorrect hydraulic hose routing can subject the hoses to damage. This can cause fluid leakage, resulting in the loss of AWD assistance.
Altec requires the following actions to be performed on the affected units no later than 30 days after receiving this SIL.
• Inspect the EZ Trac system using the Inspection Procedure beginning on page 2.
• Have Altec make any required repairs.
The inspection is covered under the Altec Warranty Policy, and can be performed by Altec, the customer, or the customer’s warranty provider. Altec will perform the inspection for free at an Altec facility. If the customer or the customer’s warranty provider performs the inspection, a warranty claim must be submitted to be reimbursed for the cost of the labor. Altec will allow up to $45 for the labor to perform this inspection. Call 1-877-GO ALTEC (1-877-462-5832) to schedule the work to be done by an Altec service technician. The customer is responsible for the travel costs of an Altec Mobile Service technician if the technician performs the inspection at the owner’s location.
The repair is covered under the Altec Warranty Policy and must be performed by Altec at an Altec facility. The repair will be performed for free. Call 1-877-GO ALTEC (1-877-462-5832) to schedule the work to be done at an Altec service center.
SIL 780
Altec Use Only
Parts Kit
Part No.
Qty
Warranty
EZ Trac adjustment kit, TRW steering box
991221709
1
Yes
EZ Trac stop bolt kit, Sheppherd steering box
991276348
1
Yes
Altec Use Only
Inspection labor
0.5 hr
Repair labor
1.0 hr
Account #
010.0660.52362.0.9124.0
Travel
Not included
NHTSA code
01
Prime fail P/N
N/A
Doc ref
991258130
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SIL 780
Inspection Procedure
A mechanic’s creeper and a flashlight are required for the inspection procedure. Two people are required
for the steps of the procedure that need the front tires raised off the ground. The front tires can be raised
by extending the front outriggers and using jack stands or by using a floor jack and jack stands or a frame
lift. Read and understand all steps of the instructions before beginning the procedure.
1. Position the unit on a level surface. Apply the parking brake and chock the wheels. Turn off
the engine.
2. Get under the front of the chassis on a mechanic’s creeper.
3. Visually inspect the steering stop bolts to see if they are bent or otherwise damaged (refer to
Figure 1).
4. Visually inspect the inside
of the front tires for
any signs of rubbing or
chafing on chassis components
(refer to Figure
2).
5. Visually inspect the EZ
Trac hydraulic hoses
for any signs of rubbing,
chafing, or leaks. Also inspect the EZ Trac hoses for
routing that goes under any axle or suspension components
or routing that could otherwise cause potential wear
or snagging of the hoses (refer to Figure 2).
6. Raise the front tires off the ground.
• If the unit has front outriggers, start the engine and engage
the unit’s hydraulic system. Extend the front outriggers
far enough to raise the front tires off the ground, using outrigger pads as necessary.
Place jack stands under the front axle, and retract the front outriggers until the vehicle
weight is on the jack stands. Ensure that the tires are still off the ground. Disengage the
unit’s hydraulic system.
• If the unit does not have front outriggers or if the outriggers do not extend far enough to
raise the front tires off the ground, use a floor jack and jack stands or a frame lift to raise the
front tires off the ground and properly support the unit.
7. Start the engine if it is not already running. Get under the front of the chassis on a mechanic’s
creeper.
8. Visually inspect for the following issues while a second person turns the steering wheel fully
counterclockwise and holds it there. Only hold the steering wheel at full travel for ten seconds
at a time and then release it for five seconds to prevent overheating of the power steering
fluid.
Steering Stop Bolt
Figure 1 – Inspecting Stop Bolt
Tire Chafing
EZ Trac Hose
Routed
Incorrectly
Figure 2 – Inspecting Tire and Hose
Axle
Page 3 of 6
SIL 780
• Check whether the inside of the tire contacts any chassis components or is close enough it
could make contact during suspension movement.
• Check whether the steering stop bolts have the proper clearance of 1/8” from the chassis
steering stops as shown in Figure 3, if they have more or less than 1/8” clearance, or if they
are hitting the steering stops as shown in Figure 4.
9. Repeat step 8 with the steering wheel turned and held fully clockwise.
10. Lower the front tires to the ground.
• If the front outriggers were extended, start the engine and engage the unit’s hydraulic system.
Extend the front outriggers to lift the vehicle weight off the jack stands, and remove
the jack stands. Fully retract the front outriggers. Disengage the unit’s hydraulic system and
turn off the engine.
• If the front outriggers were not used to raise the front tires, operate the floor jack or frame
lift to lower the front tires to the ground.
11. Review the inspection results from steps 3 through 9, and proceed as described below.
• If there are no concerns with any of the inspected components and clearances, return the
unit to service. Complete the Inspection Sheet at the end of this SIL and return it to Altec as
specified.
• If there are concerns with any of the inspected components or clearances, determine if the
chassis has a TRW steering gearbox or a Sheppherd steering gearbox by looking for the
manufacturer’s name on the gearbox housing (refer to Figures 5 and 6). Then proceed as
described below.
– For a unit with a TRW steering gearbox, call 1-877-GO ALTEC (1-877-462-5832) to
schedule to have the unit repaired at an Altec facility, and state that the unit has a TRW
steering gearbox. Also describe the inspection concerns that were found. Take the unit
out of service until the repair is completed. Do not complete the Inspection Sheet at the
end of this SIL.
– For a unit with a Sheppherd steering gearbox, call 1-877-GO ALTEC (1-877-462-5832) to
schedule to have the unit repaired at an Altec facility, and state that the unit has a Sheppherd
steering gearbox. Also describe the inspection concerns that were found, including
whether or not the steering stop bolts are damaged. Take the unit out of service until the
repair is completed. Do not complete the Inspection Sheet at the end of this SIL.
Figure 3 – Proper Stop Bolt Clearance Figure 4 – Stop Bolt Hitting
Steering Stop Bolt
Chassis Steering Stop
1/8”
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SIL 780
Figure 5 – TRW Steering Gearbox Figure 6– Sheppherd Steering Gearbox
Manufacturer’s ID
Manufacturer’s ID
Page 5 of 6
SIL 780
THIS PAGE IS FOR ALTEC USE ONLY
Altec Service Procedure for ordering parts required when
scheduling repair at an Altec facility according to SIL 780
1. Confirm with the customer whether the unit has a TRW steering gearbox or a Sheppherd
steering gearbox.
• If the unit has a TRW steering gearbox, do the following.
– Confirm what SIL 780 inspection concerns were found.
– Order the EZ Trac adjustment kit for TRW steering box, part number 991221709.
• If the unit has a Sheppherd steering gearbox, do the following.
– Confirm what SIL 780 inspection concerns were found, including whether or not the
steering stop bolts are damaged.
○ If the steering stop bolts are damaged, order the EZ Trac adjustment kit for Sheppherd
steering box, part number 991276348.
○ If the steering stop bolts are not damaged, use QuickFinder to obtain the EZ Trac Repair
Instructions, part number 991258130.
Page 6 of 6
SIL 780
SIL 780 EZ Trac Inspection Sheet
Company Name: _______________________________________________ Phone____________________________
Service Company Name:_ ________________________________________ Phone:___________________________
Company Contact: _ ________________________________________________________________________________
Company Street Address:_____________________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________________________ State:_________________ ZIP Code:_ _______________
Signature:_ ____________________________________________________
Complete this form and return to Altec to document inspection completion.
Choose one of these options.
• Online through the customer portal – Altec Connect*
Sign in or Register for an account at www.altec.com/altec-connect/
1. Select Equipment
2. Select Altec Product Notices
3. Select Report a Completed APN
• Scan and Email to product.safety@altec.com
• FAX to 1-877-659-9929
*Customer performed warranty can be submitted online for reimbursement
through Altec Connect.
To login to your existing
Altec Connect account,
scan here with your
smart phone!
Submission of this form does not order parts or schedule service from Altec.
If the customer or the customer’s warranty provider performs the repair, a warranty claim must
be submitted to be reimbursed for the cost of the parts and/or labor through Altec Connect.
For more information or to schedule the work to be done by an Altec Service technician, call:
1-877-GO ALTEC (1-877-462-5832)
Make copies of this form for additional units if needed.
Model Altec Unit Date Inspected
Serial Number

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