EFFECTIVE DATE: 4/01/2011 EXPIRATION DATE: 3/31/2013

(Reissue of P08-V-3)

PROGRAM POLICY LETTER NO. P11-V-10

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for

 Coal Mine Safety and Health

 LINDA F. ZEILER

 Acting Director of Technical Support

SUBJECT: Approval Plate for Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA Diesel Engine

Scope

This Program Policy Letter (PPL) affects underground coal mine operators using dieselpowered equipment, miners and miners’ representatives, and Coal Mine Safety and 

Health (CMS&H) enforcement personnel.

Purpose

This PPL clarifies that Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA diesel engines installed in 

permissible equipment bearing approval plates (7E-B003) are approved for use in 

permissible equipment even though the approval plates indicate the engines are 

approved only as Category B (nonpermissible) engines.

Policy

Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA diesel engines are approved by the Mine Safety and 

Health Administration (MSHA) under Part 7, Subpart E as both a Category A and B 

approved engine. Mechanically, there is no difference in the construction and 

performance of the basic engine. MSHA will permit the use of a Model 3306 PCNA 

engine that has a Category B approval tag affixed to it to be used in a permissible 

machine. The gaseous ventilation quantity specified for the Category A approval must 

be used as required under 75.325(f) through (k) and the Category A gaseous ventilation 
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quantity must be stamped on the permissible machine’s approval plate. The ventilation 

quantity for a Category A, Model 3306 PCNA engine is 9,500 cubic feet per minute.

Background

Part 75.1907(b)(5) states that permissible diesel-powered equipment manufactured on 

or after November 25, 1999, shall incorporate a power package approved in accordance 

with Part 7, Subpart F. A Part 7, Subpart F power package must incorporate a Part 7, 

Subpart E, Category A diesel engine and have a Category A engine approval plate 

affixed to the engine. The Caterpillar Model 3306 PCNA diesel engines are approved 

under Part 7, Subpart E as both a Category A and B engine. Some Model 3306 PCNA 

engines have been installed in permissible machines that have a Category B tag affixed 

to the engine. Except for the gaseous ventilation rate and particulate index assigned to 

the engine, there is no mechanical difference between the two engines.

Since the Model 3306 PCNA engine is no longer in production, this tagging issue only 

affects the current engine inventory. In the past, Caterpillar customers ordered an 

engine based on an “arrangement number.” The arrangement number for the Category 

A engine includes a water-cooled exhaust manifold. However, many power package 

manufacturers do not use the Caterpillar water-cooled exhaust manifold for their

Subpart F approval. Consequently, a Category B approval tag was affixed to the engine 

by Caterpillar when customers ordered the Model 3306 PCNA without the watercooled exhaust manifold.

Authority

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 C.F.R. §§7.82, 7.90, 7.98, 75.1907, 

and 75.325.

Internet Availability

This program policy letter may be viewed on the Internet by accessing MSHA’s home 

page at (http://www.msha.gov) and choosing Compliance Info then “Program Policy 

Letters.”

Issuing Office and Contact Person

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Health Division

Robert A. Thaxton, (202) 693-9515

E-mail: thaxton.robert@dol.gov

Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center

Jeffrey Moninger, (304) 547-2324

E-mail: moninger.jeffrey@dol.gov

Distribution

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders

Miners’ Representatives

Coal Mine Operators

Manufacturers of Mine Equipment

Special Interest Groups
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