210 Inverness Center Parkway
Birmingham, AL 35242

Telephone: 205-991-7733
Facsimile: 205-991-9993
www.altec.com

This notice applies to your vehicle. See attached serial number list.

Dear Altec Owner,

March 31, 2021

Altec Industries, Inc. has developed a product improvement which relates to certain HD35A pressure diggers
built from 2005 through 2020.
Refer to SIL 795 for the items covered under the warranty policy. Altec will supply the necessary parts to correct this condition free of charge.
In order to determine if your unit is affected by SIL 795, compare the serial number of your unit with the list
of affected units attached to the SIL. The product improvement can be performed by the customer or you may
contact Altec at 1-877-GO-ALTEC (1-877-462-5832) for further assistance.
At any time, you may contact Altec at 1-877 GO ALTEC (1-877-462-5832) with your unit’s serial number to
determine if there are any other outstanding notices.
If you have sold or retired the unit, please call Altec at 1-877-GO-ALTEC (1-877-462-5832) so the records may
be changed.
We regret this inconvenience; however we are taking this action in the interest of your safety and continued
satisfaction with Altec products.
Thank you for your immediate attention on this important matter.

Altec Industries, Inc.
Midwest Operations
St. Joseph, MO

SIL 795

Service Information Letter
March 31, 2021
Units Affected: HD35A pressure diggers built from 2005 through 2020 (Verify that your unit serial number
is affected by reviewing the attached list in this SIL or by accessing your fleet on connect.altec.com/login)

Stationary Frame Inspection
Altec is committed to providing our customers safe and reliable products from initial delivery throughout
the useful life of the machine.
Some customers have reported cracks occurring in the stationary frame tubes above the chassis frame
rails. Investigation has shown this to be caused by improper orientation of the spacer blocks welded to the
bottom of the stationary frame tubes.
Altec requires the stationary frame on each unit to be inspected no later than the next preventive maintenance interval. Use the Inspection Procedure on page 2. If the spacer blocks are oriented incorrectly, the
unit must be repaired no later than 30 days after the inspection using the Repair Procedure beginning on
page 3.
This inspection and repair are covered under the Altec Warranty Policy and can be performed by Altec, the
customer, or the customer’s warranty provider. Altec will perform the repair for free at an Altec facility. If
the customer or the customer’s warranty provider performs the inspection and/or repair, a warranty claim
must be submitted to be reimbursed for the cost of the parts and/or labor. Altec requires the repair to be
performed by a qualified welder proficient in 3G uphill progression welding and 4G overhead welding.
Altec will allow up to $9 for the labor to perform this inspection and up to $711 for the labor to perform
this repair. Call 1-877-GO ALTEC (1-877-462-5832) to schedule the work to be done by an Altec service
technician. Customers are responsible for the travel costs of an Altec Mobile Service technician if the
technician performs the inspection at the owner’s location. An Altec Mobile Service technician is not able
to perform this repair.

Inspection labor
Repair labor
Account #
Travel
NHTSA code
Prime fail P/N
Doc ref

Altec Use Only
0.1 hr
7.9 hr
010.0390.43151.503.0000.000
Not included
98
n/a
n/a

Description
3/8” x 6” x 12” steel repair plate
1/2” x 6” x 12” steel repair plate

Page 1 of 6

Altec Use Only
Part Number
991287546
991287563

Qty
4
4

Warranty
Yes
Yes

SIL 795

Inspection Procedure
A tape measure or small ruler is required for this procedure. 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
and remove the key from the ignition.
2. Find the middle spacer block that is welded to the bottom of the stationary frame tube on the street side
of the unit near the rear axle (refer to Figure 1).
Stationary Frame

Front Spacer Block

Middle Spacer Block

Rear Spacer Block

Figure 1 – Spacer Block Location

3. Measure the length of the middle
spacer block on the street side from
the front edge to the rear edge (refer
to Figure 2). Repeat for the middle
spacer block on the curb side.
• Street side length _____________
• Curb side length ______________
4. Review the measurements.
• If the measurement is 3” or 5”
for both blocks, the blocks are
oriented correctly and no repair
is required. Return the unit to
service. Complete the Evaluation
Sheet at the end of the SIL.
• If the measurement is 4” for one
or both blocks, the block(s) are
oriented incorrectly. Proceed to
the Repair Procedure.

Middle Spacer Block

Measurement

Figure 2 – Spacer Block Measurement

Page 2 of 6

SIL 795

Repair Procedure
Normal mechanic’s hand tools plus a drill, 1/4” drill bit, grinder, sander, and electric welder are required
for the installation of this kit. Required materials are four 6” x 12” steel plates with a thickness of either
3/8” or 1/2” as determined in step 9 of the procedure, weld-through primer, and white finish paint. Read and
understand all steps of the instructions before beginning the procedure. All welds must be applied by a
qualified welder proficient in 3G uphill progression welding and 4G overhead welding using one of the
following approved methods:
• FCAW-G - gas shielded flux core wire (E71T-1M/9M)
• FCAW-S - gasless self-shielded flux core wire (E71T-11)
• SMAW - stick electrode (E7018 H4R)
• GMAW - solid core wire (ER70S-6)
1. Position the unit on a level surface. Apply the parking brake and chock the wheels. Turn off the engine
and remove the key from the ignition.
2. The Repair Procedure is written assuming the repair is required on both sides of the stationary frame.
If a 4” middle spacer block measurement was found on only one side of the stationary frame in step 3
of the Inspection Procedure, then only that side requires the repair.
3. Remove the paint from the bottom
corners of the tube in an area 12”
ahead of and 12” behind the middle stationary block on both sides
of both stationary frame tubes (refer to Figure 3).

Middle Spacer Block
12”

12”

Check for Cracks

Check for Cracks

4. Inspect for any cracks near the
spacer block on both sides of both
tubes.
• If any cracks are visible, proceed
to step 5.
• If no cracks are visible, proceed
to step 9.
5. Drill a 1/4” hole at the end of each
crack.

Remove Paint on
Both Sides of Tube

Figure 3 – Removing Paint and Checking for Cracks

6. Vee-grind a groove 1/8” deep x 1/4” wide along each crack.
7. Use a sander to remove the paint about 1/2” beyond each side of the grooves.
8. Weld the grooves and the holes slightly above full, and sand the welds flush.
9. Measure the gap between the bottom of the stationary frame tube and the top of the chassis frame rail
on both sides of the spacer block.
• If the gap is 3/8” or less, use 3/8” thick steel for the repair plates in step 10.
• If the gap is greater than 3/8”, use 1/2” thick steel for the repair plates in step 10.
Page 3 of 6

SIL 795

10. Obtain or fabricate four 6” wide x 12” long repair plates from
ASTM A36 or higher grade steel having the thickness determined in step 9 (refer to Figure 4). If desired, call 1-877-GO
ALTEC (1-877-462-5832) to obtain the plates from Altec using the applicable part number below.
• 3/8” x 6” x 12” plate, part number 991287546
• 1/2” x 6” x 12” plate, part number 991287563
Figure 4 – Repair Plates

11. Paint the repair plates on all sides with weld-through primer and allow them to dry.
12. Insert the repair plates between the stationary frame tube and the chassis frame rail, located directly in
front of and behind the middle spacer blocks on both sides of the unit with the 12” sides parallel to the
side of the chassis frame (refer to Figure 5). If necessary, drive the plates into place using a hammer or
mallet. In addition, a pry bar can be used between the stationary frame tube and chassis frame rail to
create more room to insert the plates (refer to Figure 6).

12” Side

Figure 5 – Installing Repair Plate

Figure 6 – Using Pry Bar

13. Protect the tires and chassis components from weld spatter. Weld the repair plates to the stationary
frame tubes on both sides of both tubes using 2” long 1/4” flare-bevel stitch welds with 3” spacing (refer
to Figure 7).

3” Spacing (Typical)
2” Weld Length (Typical)

1/4

2-5

Typical

Figure 7 – Welding Repair Plates

Figure 8 – Painting Repaired Areas
Page 4 of 6

SIL 795

14. Paint the repaired areas with white finish paint (refer to Figure 8).
15. Return the unit to service. Complete the Evaluation Sheet at the end of the SIL.

Page 5 of 6

SIL 795

SIL 795 Stationary Frame Inspection Sheet
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 [email protected]
• FAX to 1-877-659-9929
*Customer performed warranty can be submitted online for reimbursement
through Altec Connect.
Model

Altec Unit
Serial Number

To login to your existing
Altec Connect account,
scan here with your
smart phone!

Date Inspected

Company Name: _______________________________________________

Phone____________________________

Service Company Name:_ ________________________________________

Phone:___________________________

Company Contact: _ ________________________________________________________________________________
Company Street Address:_____________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________________ State:_ ________________ ZIP Code:_ _______________
Signature:_ ____________________________________________________

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.
Page 6 of 6