357
May 2006
Oil, Air and Water: Keys to Long Engine Life
The repowered River Star on the Fraser River.
When they pulled a the six year old Cummins KTA19 out of the 40x15-foot single-screw tug River Star it had 35,000 hours on it. This is the equivalent of running the boat for nearly 16 hours out of every twenty-four over the six years. The engine had definitely earned its keep and the fleet's owner Kerry Moir had decided to replace it like-for-like with a brand new 600 hp Cummins KTA19 M3. “When we got it up to the shop we turned it over, pulled the pan and checked the shaft bearings. We could have rebuilt the top end and put another 20,000 hours on that engine, “ said Riverside Towing's port engineer Dave Petrunia.
The repowered River Star on the Fraser River.
This kind of longevity is a credit to the classic KTA19 engine's well-established reputation for longevity, but it also a credit to Rivermarine Towing's understanding of what is important for an engine's longevity. “I am meticulous with oil, air, and water,” Petrunia explained, “With the oil I keep the changes under the 250 hour mark, that way there is no chance of getting busy and going over time.”
Dave Petrunia with the River Eagle.
With the repower of the River Star completed Petrunia started in on the company's larger 51x20-foot twin-screw tug River Eagle. A pair of non-Cummins diesels of unknown age had powered it. After the proven record of the River Star engine the decision was made to repower with a pair of Cummins KTA19 M3s rated for 500 hp each at 1800 RPM. By early May the new engines and their Twin Disc 518 gears were in place on the reworked engine beds of the 39-year-old tug. Petrunia was finishing up the project by taking care of his concern for adequate air and installing a big blower capable of pumping 4,000 cubic feet of air per minute into the engine room.
With this kind of commitment to a quality installation it seems likely that Riverside Marine's Eagle with soar up with the Star for a good many years to come.
The newly installed Cummins KTA19s in the River Eagle.
For further information please contact:
Kerry Moir
Riverside Towing Ltd.
General Marine Towing and Log Storage
16031 River Road
Richmond, BC V6V 1X5
Phone: 604 273 7551
Fax: 604 273 5918
Carry Griffith
Marine & Industrial Engine Sales
Cummins18452 - 96th Ave.
Surrey, BC
Canada V4N 3P8
Phone: 604 882 5000
Fax: 604 985 3936
E-Mail: Cary.J.Griffiths@Cummins.com
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