Wednesday 21st

A 7:45am start this morning to do some more Caterpillar facility tours.

I knew the minute that I walked out the door, that these guys still have not had enough of looking at stuff...

Mike Kamp looked after us while in Peoria and transporting the group around and making sure that we get to do the things we wanted to. So this morning he turned up in his Jeep .....

We visited several Caterpillar facilities in East Peoria today.  
Photo's are not allowed at these facilities, so we are a bit short on pictures for the day.

First off was a tour of the machining and assembly of transmissions. This facility produces 196 different types of transmissions and 63% of  the parts required are manufactured here. All of the fabrications, heat treatment, machining, assembly and testing is done here.

Next stop was the fabrication and machining of tractor components. This facility is the largest fabrication facility that Caterpillar has world wide.

We had the opportunity to meet two design engineers on the D10T. Specific design discussion was on Hydraulic Lines. We saw how engineers use software to design and make changes. There was lots of discussion on serviceability and access, which the engineers were glad to make note of.

After lunch we had a tour of Building SS, Track Type Tractor Final Assembly.  Watching everyone's reaction as we entered the factory floor, was a common theme of "WOW!".  The whole facility was very impressive and a great opportunity to see CPS in action.
We did manage a couple of pics out the front of the building .....

This explains it all ......

We managed to get a last minute addition to our agenda to visit LC,  Service Learning.  Here Phil Adams (Product and Technical Training Supervisor) and Rick Beal were waiting to take us for a tour through their facility.

A quick photo opportunity ......

....  and then onto the stuff that really matters.  We were shown through the training facility, and made a stop in this lab that had the 3600 Gas Engine. Some very serious discussions going on here ....

...  until somebody decided that it was enough of that !! 

Phil and Rick ......

Of course,  there must always be a photo of either a car or a truck in our day ....

....  and could not walk away without getting one more picture of something that has Service written on it.

On the way back, we saw this unfortunate engine being put to good use in the training centre.

..  What can I say .....  Jason and Dusty

No, this will not fit into your luggage ..........

.....  but they did find some stuff in here that would.  More pressies for those back at home ....

One final glance at the big Caterpillar building that is so very famous, before we have to say goodbye to Peoria tomorrow morning.

We are all very tired and kept to a nice quiet dinner at Longhorn

Back on the bus by 9:15 and when I heard the laughter coming from the back of the bus at 9:16, this is what I saw ....

 Somehow it seems like we have been travelling for ages, but on the other hand its hard to believe that it is all coming to an end now. 

I will have some messages from the guys on the blog tomorrow, so keep looking.