Product Safety Alert

Date: 21 December 2020

Bulletin Number: 1000064381-SA Revision: 02

Top Drive

Subject: Interference Between Top Drive Carriage and Shipping Skid

Product Model: TDS-9SA, TDS-11SA, TDS-11HD, and TDS-11SH Top Drive Drilling Systems

Effectivity: • All TDS-9SA, TDS-11SA, TDS-11HD, and TDS-11SH Top Drive Drilling
Systems Upgraded with TDS-9/11 Accumulator Upgrade Kit (P/N
16683433-001)
• All TDS-9SA, TDS-11SA, TDS-11SH Top Drive Drilling Systems Shipped
between June 2017 and October 2020

Affected Assemblies: Hydraulic Plumbing Package (Various Part Numbers) and Accumulator
Upgrade Kit (P/N 16683433-001)

Objective
To alert customers of an interference between the carriage and shipping skid and advise an inspection.

Issue
NOV received several reports of an accumulator on a TDS-11SH Carriage, which had been upgraded with
a TDS-9/11 Accumulator Upgrade Kit (P/N 16683433-001), having interference with the shipping skid
upper lifting lug (Figure 1). Although no dropped objects have occurred, the potential exists.

The TDS‐9/11 Accumulator Upgrade Kit relocates the accumulator to make room for carriage bolt spacers
that improve pre-load retention. All accumulators on TDS‐9 and TDS-11 Top Drives produced between
June 2017 and October 2020 were relocated per the upgrade and are also likely to have insufficient
clearance.

Solution
NOV has concluded an investigation and determined that interference between the accumulator and
shipping skid lifting lug can occur over time, due to flexing during torqueing/drilling operations and/or
after normal wear of carriage assembly and guide beams. For affected customers, NOV will provide a
retrofit Lifting Lug and Accumulator Strap Restoration Kit (18442487-001), which is comprised of a new
lug and welding instructions that repositions the lug to create the required clearance for customers that
wish to restore the ability to use lifting shackles. The kit also provides a replacement accumulator strap
and associated hardware.

1000064381-SA/02 Page 1 of 4
 Product Safety Alert

The replacement lifting lug and welding instructions have been added to TDS-9/11 Accumulator
Upgrade Kit (P/N 16683433-001), and new production shipping skids have been revised to provide the
required clearance.

Although the restoration kit is not required, the lifting lug pad eye must be removed to prevent future
incidents. In the interim period before the lifting lug pad eye is removed, regularly inspect the
accumulator and straps for signs of contact. If indications of contact are observed, NOV recommends
immediately removing the pad eye portion of the lifting lug (Figure 2) and verifying proper operation
and retention of the accumulator.

Removal of the pad eye will require the use of slings instead of shackles when handling the shipping
skid.

Interference

Scrape Due to Interference

Figure 1. Accumulator interference with shipping skid lift lug

1000064381-SA/02 Page 2 of 4
 Product Safety Alert

Figure 2. Lifting lug pad eye removed

Ordering and Contact Information

Please contact National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Aftermarket at RA-AM@nov.com with reference to Product
Bulletin No. 1000064381-SA for further assistance.

Economic Impact
Parts will be supplied by NOV, delivered FCA, NOV facility, (Incoterms 2010), for all equipment
defined by NOV to be affected by the above described issue. Parts will be supplied free of charge
for a period of one year from the release date of the bulletin. For plants/equipment still under
warranty, parts will be provided as per terms of contract. Send a Warranty Claim with reference
to Product Bulletin 1000064381-SA to NOV.

Customers should also refer to previous NOV Product Bulletins for additional information regarding safe
operation, maintenance, and inspection criteria by signing in to https://access.nov.com. For information
on registering, please follow the first-time user instructions posted on the landing page.

1000064381-SA/02 Page 3 of 4
 Product Safety Alert

Failure to follow the recommendations and/or guidance in NOV Manuals and Product Bulletins may
result in death, bodily injury or property damage.

Revision History
Revision Date Change Description
00 Month 0000 (vertical line to the side of a paragraph indicates a change)
01 10 Sept 2020 Initial Release

02 21 Dec 2020 Provide conclusion and solution to issue

1000064381-SA/02 Page 4 of 4