The automatic lubrication system has the capabilities of changing the intensity of the lubrication cycle. Changing the operating mode is done via the Caterpillar Monitoring System located in the cab.
The Caterpillar Monitoring System comes as standard equipment. Refer to the Caterpillar Monitoring System for mode selection and faults.
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| Illustration 1 | g01073835 |
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Number of the metering unit | |
The automatic lubrication system offers the ability to change the amount of grease that is supplied per cycle to each grease point. Changing the grease supply amount is completed by installing different sized metering units. Eleven different sizes of metering units are available. The metering units are stamped with numbers that correlate to the capacity of the metering unit. See Table 1 for reference.
| Metering Unit Number | Capacity (cm3) per Lubrication Cycle | CAT Part Number |
| 1 | 0.050 | 235-9080 |
| 2 | 0.100 | 178-2735 |
| 3 | 0.150 | 177-3516 |
| 4 | 0.200 | 177-3517 |
| 6 | 0.300 | 178-2740 |
| 8 | 0.400 | 177-3518 |
| 8.5 | 0.700 | 221-1585 |
| 9 | 1.000 | 178-2746 |
| 10 | 2.000 | 192-6212 |
| 11 | 4.000 | 279-1435 |
The system may repeatedly malfunction after the reservoir has been emptied. In this case, the grease lines must be purged.
Use the following procedure in order to purge the lines:
- Ensure that there is enough grease in the reservoir.
Note: Before opening the system, check to be sure that no pressure remains in the system.
- Remove the plugs from the distribution blocks that are at the end of every branch of the lubrication system.
- Turn on the engine start switch.
- Press the test button at the pump for at least 6 seconds.
Note: Since the plugs are removed, no grease pressure will build up. When the maximum time expires for the system to pump, the system will automatically move to the other grease line. This process is repeated until the engine start switch is turned off.
- Turn off the engine start switch when a solid flow of grease flows from the grease lines with an absence of air.
- Install the plugs back into the distribution blocks.
- Repeat Step 4, Step 5, and Step 6 until all of the branches of the lubrication system are purged.
- Run a single test cycle in order to check that the lubrication system functions correctly.
Refilling the Grease Reservoir
| Recommended Lubrication for the Automatic Lubrication System(1)(2)(3)(4) | |||||
| Grease | NLGI | Degrees Celsius | Degrees Fahrenheit | ||
| Caterpillar Autolube | 1 | -18 | +29 | 0 | +85 |
| Caterpillar Autolube | 2 | -1 | +41 | +30 | +105 |
| Caterpillar Autolube | 0 | -29 | +10 | -20 | +50 |
| Caterpillar Arctic Platinum(4) | 000 | -40 | +4 | -75 | +40 |
| Caterpillar Desert Gold | 2 | +4 | +66 | +40 | +150 |
| (1) | In order to use a non-Caterpillar lubricant, the supplier must certify that the lubricant is compatible with Caterpillar grease. Otherwise, each pin joint will require flushing with the new lubricant in order to remove the Caterpillar lubricant. Failure to meet this requirement may lead to failure of a pin joint due to premature breakdown of the lubricant. |
| (2) | The grease that is used with the automatic lubrication system must not contain any graphite or PTFE. |
| (3) | For additional information on the greases in this table, refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, SEBU6250, "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations". |
| (4) | The TWIN system operates with standard NLGI 1-2 grease up to |
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| Illustration 2 | g01068678 |
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Grease reservoir (1) is located near the rear fender on the right side of the machine. | |
- Remove the dust cap (2) from the grease reservoir (1).
- Clean the filler tube assembly (3) and the coupling on the filler assembly.
- Install the filler assembly onto the filler tube assembly (3).
- Fill the grease reservoir (1) with grease to the maximum level which is indicated on the grease reservoir (1).
Reference: For the correct type of grease, refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Lubricant Viscosities".
- Remove the filler assembly and install the dust cap (2).
If pumping becomes difficult, the filter behind the coupling or filler pipe of the pump may be clogged. Remove the clogged parts and clean the clogged parts. Cleaning the filter in the coupling on a regular basis is recommended.
Pumping air into the reservoir is possible. This air can accumulate under the piston. The air can be removed if the reservoir is refilled to a level slightly above the maximum level mark. Air and grease can escape through the overflow passage in the piston guide. Excess air and excess grease will be released from the pump at the overflow passage. The overflow passage is located on the right side of the pump. Refer to Illustration 27 on page 35 for more detail.