Trailer may Sway when being Towed – 2015-2019 Vac-Tron LP873SDT Heavy Trailers

October 18, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V751000

Trailer may Sway when being Towed

Trailer sway can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V751

Manufacturer Vac-Tron Equipment, LLC

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 229

 

Summary

Vac-Tron Equipment, LLC is recalling certain 2015-2019 LP873SDT Heavy trailers. The trailer may sway while being towed.

 

Remedy

Vac-Tron will notify owners and dealers will move the trailer axles back 15 inches and modify the rear light wiring, repaint and reapply conspicuity tape that may have been damaged by moving the axles. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Vac-Tron customer service at 1-352-728-2222.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

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NHTSA is missing critical, required information for this safety recall. This information must be supplied through the NHTSA Recalls Portal within 5 working days of confirming its accuracy:

– A description of how the products to be recalled differ from similar products that are not included in the recall (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(2)).

– A description of the defect or noncompliance, including both a brief summary and a detailed description, with graphic aids as necessary, of the nature and physical location (if applicable) of the defect or noncompliance (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(5)).

– In the case of a defect, a chronology of all principal events that were the basis for the determination that the defect related to motor vehicle safety, including a summary of all warranty claims, field or service reports, and other information (such as numbers of deaths and/or injuries), with their dates of receipt (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(6)).

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VAC-TRON EQUIPMENT LLC

FIELD CAMPAIGN SERVICE BULLETIN #

SVV2020-003

DATE:

06 December, 2019

 

CAMPAIGN TYPE:	Mandatory-Product Safety
CAMPAIGN CATEGORY:	Kit and Bulletin

 

MACHINE / ATTACHMENT MODEL(S):	Serial Numbers
	Included	Excluded	Kit Version
LP873SDT	See attached listing on pages 4-7 of this Bulletin for specific VIN and Serial/Unit numbers	N/A	VVK01
LP873SGT
LP873XDT
LPSDT
LPSGT
LPXDT
MC873SDT
MINICOMBO

 

PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL

FIRST NOTICE

 

Subject:  Axle Relocation Kit

(VVK00-0002)

 

Background:

VACUUM EXCAVATOR SIDE-TO-SIDE SWAY POSSISBLE

While towing a vacuum excavator with a loaded debris tank and at highway speeds greater than 40 mph (64 km/h), the vacuum excavator may cause unpredictable sideto-side swaying behind the towing vehicle.

 

DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY POSSIBLE

When towing the vacuum excavator on public roadways, death or serious injury may result due to loss of control of the vacuum excavator and towing vehicle. Property or equipment damage may also occur.

 

Solution:

IMMEDIATE MACHINE MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED

VVK00-0002 has been created to provide the necessary parts and instructions to relocate the axle(s) rearward to redistribute the weight. This kit must be installed as soon as possible.

Please be reminded that it is a violation of Federal law for you to sell or lease the machines covered by this notification until this recall has been performed on these machines. Substantial civil penalties apply to violations of this law.

 

DEALER PARTICIPATION

REVIEW REPORT, ORDER KITS, CONTACT CUSTOMERS

1. Reports will be emailed by Vermeer Corporation on behalf of Vac-Tron during the week of December 6, 2019, to dealerships shown in our records which have units in their territory affected by this Alert. Please review the report for accuracy, including owner and/or address changes.

 

If the information contained in the report is NOT correct, please notify the Product Safety Department on or before December 13, 2019 at:

Telephone: 641-621-7060
Fax: 641-621-8562
Email: productsafety@vermeer.com

 

2. Dealerships Order Kits by calling Vac-Tron at 888-822-8766.

Each dealership should determine the quantity of Kits to order initially depending upon the number of units that may be available for immediate upgrade. Do not order more Kits than needed for immediate installation.

 

3. Contact your affected customer(s) to schedule a mutually acceptable time to upgrade their machine. Note: Letters will be sent to the customer(s) on or about December 20, 2019. Also refer to Owner Notification section below.

 

If you have any questions concerning the installation of VVK00-0002, please contact the Vac-Tron Service Department.

 

REIMBURSEMENT

Upon completion of each Kit installation, a campaign Warranty Claim must be submitted to the Vermeer Corporate Warranty Department for reimbursement of the parts cost and labor installation.

 

This kit will reimburse 18 hours of labor.

 

Note: Future notices to dealers and owners are dependent upon the receipt of Warranty Claims by Vermeer Corporate Warranty Department.

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Sample Letter: Included at the end of this Bulletin is a sample letter which will be sent by Vermeer Corporation on behalf of Vac-Tron directly to the Owners on or about December 20, 2019, via USPS certified/registered mail. The owner letter will be translated into the following languages.

• Arabic
• French

 

All translated owner notices will also include English owner notification.

 

This owner notification/letter instructs the owner to contact their local dealership to

arrange for a time to have the Kit installed. After receiving VVK00-0002 from the Parts Center, you must contact your affected customer(s) immediately and schedule a mutually acceptable time to upgrade their machine.

 

We regret any inconvenience these corrective measures may cause you. This required work is for safety of the crew, the towing vehicle driver and occupants as well as others traveling on public roadways or in the immediate area while being towed. We hope you agree the safety benefits surpass the inconvenience.

 

VAC-TRON EQUIPMENT LLC

 

Attachment:

VVK00-0002 Kit Instructions

 

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NHTSA SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 19V-751

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

First Notice

Axle Relocation Kit 

(VVK00-0002)

 

Model: «Model»
This notice applies to your vehicle,
Serial No: «VIN»

Unit No: «Unit No»

 

December 20, 2019

VIA USPS CERTIFIED/REGISTERED MAIL

 

Dear «MODEL» Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

 

Vac-Tron Equipment LLC has decided that a defect, that relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain model year 2015–2019 Vac-Tron «MODEL».

 

VACUUM EXCAVATOR SIDE-TO-SIDE SWAY POSSISBLE

While towing a vacuum excavator with a loaded debris tank and at highway speeds greater than 40 mph (64 kph), the vacuum excavator may cause unpredictable side-to-side swaying behind the towing vehicle.

 

DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY POSSIBLE

When towing the vacuum excavator on public roadways, death or serious injury may result due to loss of control of the vacuum excavator and towing vehicle. Property or equipment damage may also occur.

 

IMMEDIATE MACHINE MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED

VVK00-0002 has been created to provide the necessary parts and instructions to relocate the axle(s) rearward to redistribute the weight. This kit must be installed as soon as possible.

 

Please be reminded that it is a violation of Federal law for you to sell or lease the machines covered by this notification until this recall has been performed on these machines. Substantial civil penalties apply to violations of this law.

 

Please contact your authorized, independent Vermeer dealer immediately to arrange a mutually acceptable time and location to install VVK00-0002 at no cost to you for labor or materials. The installation of this kit is estimated at 18 hours of labor.  If the Vermeer dealer travels to the unit to install the kit, costs may be incurred by the owner. You must have your machine upgraded for these safety features.

 

Contact your local Vermeer Dealer:

«Service_Dealer_Name»
«Serv_Dealer_Add1» «Serv_Dealer_Add2»
«Serv_Dealer_City» «Serv_Dealer_St» «Serv_Dealer_Zip»
«SERV_DEALER_COUNTRY»

Telephone: «Serv_Dealer_Phone»

 

According to our records, you currently own a Vac-Tron «MODEL» vacuum excavator. The Model and Serial Number of the «MODEL» is shown at the top right of this letter.  If you no longer own this unit, please notify Vac-Tron by notifying Vermeer Corporation’s Product Safety Department at:

Toll Free: 800-829-0051, extension 7060
Telephone: 641-621-7060
E-mail: productsafety@vermeer.com

If possible, please provide the name and address of the new owner.

 

We regret any inconvenience that these corrective measures may cause you. This required work is for safety of the towing vehicle driver and occupants as well as others traveling on public roadways or in the immediate area while being towed. We hope that you agree that the safety benefits surpass the inconvenience.

 

Very truly yours,

VAC-TRON EQUIPMENT LLC

 

Federal regulations require that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten (10) days.

 

If the authorized dealer has failed or is unable to remedy the defect without charge and within a reasonable time, contact Vac-Tron through Vermeer Product Safety by email at productsafety@vermeer.com or by calling 800-829-0051 or 641-621-7060. You may also submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov

 

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Vermeer Corporation

 

FIELD CAMPAIGN KIT #  VVK000002

Rev. 1

DATE: 27 January 2020

 

For Dealer Reference: Service Bulletin #SVC2020-003 Rev. 1

 

AXLE RELOCATION KIT

CAMPAIGN TYPE:	Mandatory-Product Safety
CAMPAIGN CATEGORY:	Kit and Bulletin

 

KIT INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN REVISED TO:

• CORRECT GUSSET LOCATIONS SHOWN IN STEP 17, PAGE 12.
• ADDED INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING WATER TANK PLUMBING IN STEPS 6-9 AND 33-35.
• BOM UPDATED TO INCLUDE ITEMS 7-9 IN FIGURE 1 ON PAGE 27.

 

MACHINE / ATTACHMENT MODEL(S):	Serial Numbers
	Included	Excluded	Kit Version
LP873SDT	See attached listing on pages 23-25 of this Bulletin for specific VIN and Serial/Unit numbers	N/A	VVK01
LP873SGT
LP873XDT
LPSDT
LPSGT
LPXGT
MC873SDT
MINICOMBO

 

PRODUCT SAFETY ALERT

 

Vermeer and the Vermeer logo are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S and/or other Page 1 of 27 countries.  Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

PURPOSE:

VACUUM EXCAVATOR SIDE-TO-SIDE SWAY POSSISBLE

While towing a vacuum excavator with a loaded debris tank and at highway speeds greater than 40 mph (64 kph), the vacuum excavator may cause unpredictable side-to-side swaying behind the towing vehicle.

 

DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY POSSIBLE

When towing the vacuum excavator on public roadways, death or serious injury may result due to loss of control of the vacuum excavator and towing vehicle. Property or equipment damage may also occur.

 

IMMEDIATE MACHINE MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED

VVK00-0002 has been created to provide the necessary parts and instructions to relocate the axle(s) rearward to redistribute the weight. This kit must be installed as soon as possible.

 

SPECIAL TOOLS AND CONDITIONS:

• Suitable lifting device capable of lifting approximately 390 lb (177 kg)

 

 

Shutdown Procedure

STOPPING THE MACHINE

 

For your safety and the safety of others, follow shutdown procedure before working on the machine for any reason, including servicing, maintaining, cleaning, inspecting, unclogging or transporting machine, or as otherwise directed in Operator’s manual.

 

Step 1: Make sure end of vacuum hose is clear of all spoils, debris, and other materials.

 

Step 2: Turn Water Pump Switch to OFF.

 

Step 3: Push Throttle Switch to SLOW. Idle engine 5 minutes to allow vacuum pump to cool down. This helps to prevent the buildup of condensation.

 

Step 4: Turn Keyswitch to OFF to shut off engine.  Remove the key.

 

Step 5: Pull trigger on any high-pressure water tool to relieve line pressure.

 

Step 6: Disassemble all water line connections, vacuum hoses, and tools.  Stow properly on machine.

 

Step 7: Drain CVS Filter Housing / Cyclone.

 

WARNING: Do not point high pressure water tool in the direction of people when relieving the pressure.

 

 

PROCEDURE:

 

1. Ensure the debris tank and water tanks are empty. Use suitable blocking to ensure the trailer does not shift or fall while work is performed. LP 873 trailers weigh approximately 8,500 lb (3855 kg), MC 873 trailers weigh approximately 9,500 lb (4310 kg).
2. Disconnect the control panel located inside the engine enclosure door on the curb side.

 

3. Disconnect wires from the POSITIVE battery terminal located inside the engine enclosure on the street side.

 

4. Remove the conspicuity tape located on the fenders below the water tanks on both sides of the trailer (Curb Side shown).

 

5. Use a 1/2″ (12.7 mm) socket to remove the (8) tank strap ties. Retain tank strap ties and fasteners for future installation.

 

6. Disconnect the overflow hose from the ball valve located near the hose reel (curb side).

 

7. Locate the float valve wires on the curb side water tank. Unplug the wire connectors located inside of the wire loom.

 

8. Remove the zip ties and hose clamps from the 2” hoses that connect the water tanks to the 4way valve.

 

9. Remove the 2” hoses and discard.

 

10. Remove the water tanks. Use a suitable lifting device.  Empty water tank weighs approximately 90 lb (41 kg).

 

11. Use suitable lifting device. LP 873 trailers weigh approximately 8,500 lb (3855 kg), MC 873 trailers weigh approximately 9,500 lb (4310 kg).  Use suitable blocking.

 

12. Use a 1-1/8” socket to loosen 32 lug nuts and remove all (4) tires. Retain lug nuts for future installation.  Use a suitable lifting device.  Wheels weigh approximately 55 lb (25 kg).

 

13. Use a 3/8” (9.525 MM) socket to remove the mud flaps from both sides of the trailer (Curb Side shown). Retain the fastening hardware and mud flaps for future installation.

 

14. Disconnect the brake light and marker light wiring from both sides of the trailer. Disconnect the license plate light on the street side of the trailer.

 

15. Pull the disconnected light wires through the I-beam and place on the fender platform to prevent damage from the upcoming torch cutting and welding operations.

 

16. Pull remaining hoses and wires away from the I-beam on the street side. Use blocks of wood to keep the hoses and wires from contacting the I-beam and prevent damage from heat generated by torch cutting and welding operations.

 

17. Disconnect the wires from each brake drum.

 

18. Use a 15/16” (24 mm) socket to remove the axles from the trailer. Retain hardware for future installation.  Use suitable lifting device for each axle.  Each axle weighs approximately 390 lb (177 kg)

 

19. Use a cutting torch to remove the (4) gussets from both sides of the trailer (Curb Side shown). Grind away residual slag from the trailer frame.

 

 

20. Measure and drill new axle bracket holes through the bottom of the I-beam on both sides of the trailer as shown.

 

21. Measure for new gusset locations and weld as shown on both sides of the trailer. Ref 1 and 2, Fig. 1.

 

22. Weld on the 3” scissor tube as shown, Ref. 3, Fig. 1.

 

23. Grind all welds and weld splatter. Clean all surfaces on the I-beam, gussets, scissor bar, and fenders.  Paint all exposed surfaces.  Allow paint to dry thoroughly.

 

24. Use a 15/16” (24 mm) socket with the fasteners retained from Step 18 to attach the axles in the new locations. Use a suitable lifting device for lifting axles.  Each axle weighs 390 lb (177 kg).

 

25. Reconnect brake wires using heat shrink butt connectors Ref. 4, Fig. 1.

 

26. Use a 1-1/8” socket and the lug nuts retained from Step 12 to reinstall all (4) tires. Tighten lug nuts to a max torque of 325 ft-lb (441 Nm).

 

27. Reinstall the mud flaps on both sides of the trailer using the hardware retained from Step 13.

 

28. Remove the wooden blocks from behind the hoses and wires in the street side I-beam.

 

29. Feed the brake light, marker light, and license plate wires back through the I-beam on both sides of the trailer. Zip tie excess wire to the main wire harness Ref 5, Fig 1.

 

30. Reconnect the brake light, marker light, and license plate wires using heat shrink butt connectors. 4, Fig. 1.

 

31. Clean area where the conspicuity tape will be installed with light soap and water. Reinstall the conspicuity tape on fenders on both sides of the trailer (curb side shown) Ref 6, Fig. 1.

 

32. Place the (2) water tanks back into position on the fenders.

 

33. Install the replacement 2” water tank hoses and hose clamps.

 

34. Reconnect the float valve wires on the curb side water tank.

 

35. Reconnect the overflow hose to the ball valve on the curb side of the water tank.

 

36. Reinstall the (8) water tank strap ties with the hardware retained from Step 5.

 

37. Reconnect wires to the positive battery terminal.

 

38. Reconnect the Control Panel.

 

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		FIGURE 1 Parts List
REF. NO.	PART NO.	DESCRIPTION	QTY.
1	B250-4031	HEAVY FENDER GUSSET, RS	2
2	B250-4032	HEAVY FENDER GUSSET, CS	2
3	S300-0316-0B	3” SCISSOR TUBE	1
4	P-2369	16-14 HEAT SEAL BUTT CONNECTOR, BLUE	18
5	P-1301	ZIP TIE	15
6	P-0485	2” (2.5 cm) WIDE, 101” (256.5 cm) LONG CONSPICUITY TAPE	2
7	P-1265	2” CLEAR SPIRAL FIBER HOSE 54” LENGTH	1
8	P-1265	2” CLEAR SPIRAL FIBER HOSE 24” LENGTH	1
9	P-5884	(1-5/8″-2-7/16″) STAINLESS STEEL HOSE CLAMP	4

 

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5 Affected Products

Vehicle

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
VAC-TRON	LP 873 SD	2015-2019

 

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14 Associated Documents

Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-1

RCLQRT-19V751-1209.PDF 211.305KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-1

RCLQRT-19V751-5821.PDF 211.227KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-19V751-1754.pdf 3216.999KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-2

RCLQRT-19V751-8323.PDF 211.305KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-4

RCLQRT-19V751-4595.PDF 211.121KB

 

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Safety Bulletin

RCSB-19V751-9040.pdf 338.142KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-19V751-3339.pdf 3635.026KB

 

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Miscellaneous Document- LP800 HVY CONFIGURATIONS

RMISC-19V751-8898.pdf 191.25KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-19V751-6458.pdf 3505.201KB

 

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Safety Bulletin

RCSB-19V751-9856.pdf 762.504KB

 

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Recall 573 Report- Amendment 1

RCLRPT-19V751-5560.PDF 214.921KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V751-3997.pdf 246.346KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V751-8770.PDF 211.91KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2020-3

RCLQRT-19V751-2288.PDF 211.408KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V751&docType=RCL

 

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