Lubricant Viscosities
The proper lubricant viscosity grade is determined by the minimum outside temperature when the machine is started. The proper viscosity grade is also determined by the maximum outside temperature when the machine is operated. Use the column that is designated "Min" on the table to determine the viscosity grade that is required for starting a cold machine. Use the column that is designated "Max" on the table to determine the viscosity grade that is required for operating the machine at the highest anticipated temperature. When you refill the machine with lubricant, use the highest viscosity grade that is allowed for the ambient temperature when the machine is started. Consult your Caterpillar dealer if additional information is needed.
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Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures     | ||||||
Compartment or System     | Oil Type and Category     | Oil Viscosities     | °C     | °F     | ||
Min | Max     | Min     | Max     | |||
Engine Crankcase (1) (2)     | Cat DEO Multigrade CAT DEO SYN Cat Arctic DEO SYN (3) Cat ECF-1 (4) API CG-4 Multigrade (5)     |
SAE 0W-20     | -40     | 10     | -40     | 50     |
SAE 0W-30 | -40     | 30     | -40     | 86     | ||
SAE 0W-40 | -40     | 40     | -40     | 104     | ||
SAE 5W-30 | -30     | 30     | -22     | 86     | ||
SAE 5W-40 | -30     | 50     | -22     | 122     | ||
SAE 10W-30 (6) | -18     | 40     | 0     | 104     | ||
SAE 10W-40 | -18     | 50     | 0     | 122     | ||
SAE 15W-40 | -9.5     | 50     | 15     | 122     | ||
Hydraulic Systems (7)     | Cat HYDO Cat DEO Cat MTO Cat TDTO Cat TDTO-TMS Cat DEO SYN Cat Arctic DEO SYN Cat Arctic TDTO SYN Cat ECF-1 Cat BIO HYDO (HEES) API CG-4 API CF commercial TO-4 commercial BF-1 (8)     |
SAE 0W-20     | -40     | 40     | -40     | 104     |
SAE 0W-30 | -40     | 40     | -40     | 104     | ||
SAE 0W-40 | -40     | 40     | -40     | 104     | ||
SAE 5W-30 | -30     | 40     | -22     | 104     | ||
SAE 5W-40 | -30     | 40     | -22     | 104     | ||
SAE 10W | -20     | 40     | -4     | 104     | ||
SAE 30 | 10     | 50     | 50     | 122     | ||
SAE 10W-30 | -20     | 40     | -4     | 104     | ||
SAE 15W-40 | -15     | 50     | 5     | 122     | ||
Cat MTO | -25     | 40     | -13     | 104     | ||
Cat BIO HYDO-HEES (8) (9) | -40     | 43     | -40     | 110     | ||
Cat TDTO-TMS (10) | -20     | 50     | -4     | 122     | ||
Eccentric Weight Housing, Final Drive Planetary (Drum)     | Cat Synthetic Compactor Oil Commercial Synthetic Oil     |
Synthetic ISO 220 (11)     | −20     | 50     | −4     | 122     |
Synthetic ISO 68 (12) | −47     | 21     | −53     | 70     |
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( 1 ) | Supplemental heat is recommended for cold soaked starts below the minimum ambient temperature. Supplemental heat may be required for cold soaked starts that are above the minimum temperature that is stated, depending on the parasitic load and other factors. Cold soaked starts occur when the engine has not been operated for a period of time, which allows the oil to become more viscous due to cooler ambient temperatures. |
( 2 ) | API CF oils are not recommended for Caterpillar 3500 Series and smaller Direct Injection (DI) diesel engines. API CF-4 oils are not recommended for diesel engines that are used in the Caterpillar machines. |
( 3 ) | Cat Arctic DEO SYN is an SAE 0W-30 viscosity grade oil. |
( 4 ) | API CI-4, API CI-4 PLUS, and API CH-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification - 1) are met. API CI-4, API CI-4 PLUS, and API CH-4 oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 specification may cause reduced engine life. |
( 5 ) | API CG-4 oils are acceptable for use in all Caterpillar machine diesel engines. When API CG-4 oils are used, the oil change interval should not exceed 250 hours. API CG-4 oils that also meet API CI-4, API CI-4 PLUS, or API CH-4 must also meet the requirements of the Caterpillar ECF-1 specification. |
( 6 ) | SAE 10W-30 is the preferred viscosity grade for the 3116, 3126, C7, C9, and the C9 diesel engines when the ambient temperature is between −18 °C (0 °F) and 40 °C (104 °F) |
( 7 ) | Oils that are used in Caterpillar hydraulic systems must have a minimum zinc additive of 0.09 percent or 900 parts per million (ppm). |
( 8 ) | Commercial biodegradable hydraulic oil must meet the Caterpillar BF-1 specification. The listed ambient temperature range is for the current Cat BIO HYDO (HEES), not for commercial BF-1 oil. |
( 9 ) | Refer to the machine Operation and Maintenance Manual or consult your local Caterpillar dealer before using Cat BIO HYDO (HEES) or commercial BF-1 oil in Caterpillar Hydraulic Excavators |
( 10 ) | Cat TDTO-TMS (Transmission Multi-Season (synthetic blend that exceeds the TO-4M multigrade specification requirements). |
( 11 ) | This Cat lubricant is a premium PAO (polyalphaolefin) synthetic gear oil with no viscosity improver. This lubricant has an ISO viscosity grade to 220, and a minimum viscosity index of 152. Commercial oil for this application should have a full synthetic base stock with no viscosity improvers and an ISO viscosity grade to 220, and a minimum viscosity index of 150. |
( 12 ) | Select a synthetic lubricant with no viscosity improvers and ISO 68 viscosity grade. This lubricant should have a minimum viscosity index of 145 and a minimum pour point of −47° C (−53° F). |
Commercial Oils
If Caterpillar oils can not be used, the following commercial classifications can be used in hydraulic systems and in hydrostatic transmission systems.
- Engine oils that meet the Caterpillar ECF-1 specification and have a minimum zinc additive of 0.09 percent (900 ppm)
- API CG-4 engine oils that have a minimum zinc additive of 0.09 percent (900 ppm)
- API CF engine oils that have a minimum zinc additive of 0.09 percent (900 ppm)
- TO-4 Oils, or Oils that meet Caterpillar's TO-4 Oil specification, that have a minimum zinc additive of 0.09 percent (900 ppm)
Note: Industrial hydraulic oils are not recommended for use in Caterpillar machine hydraulic systems.
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