Determine the cause of damage, the extent of damage, and confirm the repair costs associated with the repair of the 2016 Rotochopper MC266 horizontal grinder.
ILC Analysis:
Grinder was being utilized to pulverize wood.
A few months after the grinder was purchased new, it suffered several mechanical failures and required substantial service part replacement.
Since the part replacement, persistent breakdowns have occurred.
Nearly $100,000 has been spent for service parts and repairs to keep the grinder operating.
Three years after the grinder was purchased new, the insured determined that the chopper had suffered a nearly catastrophic failure and could no longer operate.
Summary:
The long list of failures to the grinder was attributed to continuous operation with a severe vibration due to an improperly repaired main rotor, which was operating out of dynamic balance since the first rotor tooth mount failure.
ILC concluded that the recent failure of the grinder was the result of improper repairs, a lack of proper and timely maintenance, and user misuse.
ILC concluded replacement of the machine was not necessary to restore proper operation.
The required repairs, totaling $125,967, were the culmination of continued operation of a machine, repaired without adherence to industry-accepted practices or original equipment manufacturer support.
