ISSUE DATE: 07/31/09 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P09-21 

FROM: LINDA F. ZEILER 

 Acting Director of Technical Support 

 KEVIN G. STRICKLIN Charles Thomas for

 Administrator for 

 Coal Mine Safety and Health 

SUBJECT: Re-Issue P04-03 - Retrofit Program for Caterpillar Model 

 3306 PCNA Diesel Engines under Approval Numbers 

 7E-A002 and 7E-B003 

Who needs this information?

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) personnel, Underground Coal 

Mine Operators, Miner's Representatives, and Repair Shop Facilities should have 

this information. 

Why is MSHA issuing this Bulletin?

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) is to inform mine operators of a 

Caterpillar retrofit program and the importance of maintaining diesel engines in 

approved condition. 

Why do Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA diesel engines require retrofit?

Fuel rate settings are critical to efficiency of diesel engines. MSHA specifies a 

fuel setting and a fuel deration curve for each engine during the approval 

process. The fuel deration curve is intended to ensure that the fuel rate does not 

exceed the maximum allowable at any altitude. 

MSHA has found that some Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA diesel engines were 

not properly derated and as a result are over-fueled when operated at altitudes 

above 1,000 feet. Over-fueling will not significantly increase the power output of 

the engine since engines can only utilize fuel in relation to the air available. 
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Excess fuel is not efficiently burned in the combustion chambers of the engine 

creating an excessive amount of Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) and Carbon 

Monoxide (CO). Proper engine fuel settings convert fuel to power more 

efficiently resulting in less fuel usage for about the same amount of power. In 

addition, engines with excessive fuel-to-air ratios operate at higher temperatures 

which shorten the useful life. Most importantly, proper fuel settings result in 

cleaner exhaust emissions. 

How can Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA diesel engines be properly adjusted?

Caterpillar has committed to adjust engines as needed for high altitude operation 

through an ongoing retrofit program for the Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA diesel 

engine. Caterpillar has trained technicians at their distributors to perform the 

required adjustment. You should contact your servicing Caterpillar Dealer for 

assistance. 

Which engines require retrofit?

All Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA engines labeled with MSHA Approval 

Numbers 7E-A002 and 7E-B003 must be retrofitted in order to comply with the 

requirements of Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations (30 C.F.R.) § 75.1909(a)(1). 

Each engine must be re-tagged to indicate that the maximum altitude before 

deration is 1,000 feet. Engines operated at altitudes above 1,000 feet may require 

a fuel reset before relabeling. 

You may contact MSHA's Approval and Certification Center with questions on 

which engines require fuel adjustment. Please contact Stephen B. Cole at 

 (304) 547-2304 or by e-mail at cole.stephen@dol.gov for assistance. 

What happens to engines that are not retrofitted? 

At the conclusion of the retrofit program, only Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA 

diesel engines labeled with proper tags will be considered as approved. The 

MSHA Approval Numbers 7E-A002 and 7E-B003 will require approval tags that 

specify the maximum altitude before deration to be 1,000 feet. The retrofit 

program concluded on April 1, 2004.

What is the background for this bulletin?

MSHA's Quality Assurance Division audits revealed that the fuel deration 

specifications applied to the Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA diesel engines were 

not acceptable. Section 75.1909(a)(1) of 30 C.F.R. requires all nonpermissible 

diesel-powered equipment except for diesel-powered ambulances and fire 

fighting equipment to be equipped with an engine approved under 30 C.F.R. 

Subpart E of Part 7. Engines must be equipped with an air filter service indicator 

set in accordance with the engine manufacturers’ recommendations. To comply 

with Section 75.1909(a)(1) and Part 7 approval requirements, all Caterpillar 
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Model 3306 PCNA diesel engines must be retrofitted and labeled by the 

manufacturer. Revising the fuel adjustment of the engines will improve the 

emissions of the engines operated at high altitudes and bring the engines into 

compliance with the requirements of their approval. 

What is MSHA's authority for this Program Information Bulletin?

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977; 30 C.F.R. Part 75.1909 

(a)(1), 30 C.F.R. Part 7 

Internet Availability

This information bulletin may be viewed on the Internet by accessing MSHA's 

home page at http://www.MSHA.gov and then choosing “Rules & Regs” and 

“Compliance Assistance Information”. 

Who are the MSHA contact persons for this bulletin?

Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center 

Stephen B. Cole, (304) 547-2304 

Email: cole.stephen@dol.gov

Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center 

George P. Saseen, (304) 547-2072 

Email: saseen.george@dol.gov

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division 

John Arrington, (202) 693-9549 

Email: arrington.john@dol.gov

Who will receive this bulletin?

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders 

Miners' Representatives 

Underground Mine Operators 

Manufacturers of Mine Equipment and Mining Products 

Owners of Caterpillar Diesel Engines 

Special Interest Groups