Product Bulletin No.

: D63FMS375-141-PIB-001 Rev Handling Tools

Date: April, 2012 Subject: Potential of dropping bottom guides from Varco Type E/S and FMS375 Product: All Varco Type Elevator/Spiders and FMS375 Objective: Inform NOV customers to inspect the wear on bottom guide flanges and (old design) guide keepers to prevent potential dropped objects Issue: NOV has been made aware that on some occasions the old design guide keeper, which retains the bottom guide in the elevator or FMS375 body, does not always sufficiently cover the guide. In some occasions, it is possible for the bottom guide to unintentionally come out of the body with the guide keepers installed. Potentially this could result in a dropped object.

2012 National Oilwell Varco

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Detail showing the old design guide keeper not retaining the guide, allowing the guide to come loose

NOV has changed the design of the guide keepers in May 2007. The new design Guide keeper (P/N 12897-1) for the Elevator Spider has an enlarged radius of 1.900.

Old design with 1.605 diameter

New Design with diameter 1.900

Guide Keeper for the FMS375 The FMS375 guide keeper (p/n 50006244) has a little extrusion that prevents the guides from coming out of their seating. Warning: This guide keeper (p/n 500006244) should never be used in the Varco type 350, 500, 750 & 1000 ton Elevator Spiders.

Guide Keeper for FMS375

NOV recommends to check the diameter of the guide keepers per above drawings, to fit the right type guide keeper.
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Further, NOV recommends inspecting the guide keepers for the correct overlap with the bottom guide. When the bottom guide and the guide keeper are in position, the guide should be pushed hard to the left side of the body half. On the right side, the guide keeper should have a minimum overlap of 1/8. The bottom guide should then be pushed hard to the right side of the body and the overlap of the guide keeper on the left side should have a minimum overlap of 1/8. Repeat this procedure for the other body half. NOV recommends inspecting the guide keepers and their overlap on the bottom guide, prior to all jobs.

Operators should also refer to previous NOV Product Information Bulletins and Safety Alerts at http://www.nov.com/drilling for additional information regarding safe operation, maintenance, and inspection criteria. Please contact your local National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Service Center if you have any questions regarding this Product Information Bulletin.
Failure to follow the recommendations and/or guidance in NOV Product Bulletins may result in death, bodily injury or property damage.

2012 National Oilwell Varco

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