General Information for Lubricants
When you are operating the machine in temperatures below
Refer to the “Lubricant Information” section in the latest revision of the Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations" for a list of Cat engine oils and for detailed information. This manual may be found on the Web at Safety.Cat.com.
The footnotes are a key part of the tables. Read ALL footnotes that pertain to the machine compartment in question.
To select the proper oil for each machine compartment, refer to the “Lubricant Viscosity for Ambient Temperature” table. Use the oil type AND oil viscosity for the specific compartment at the proper ambient temperature.
The proper oil viscosity grade is determined by the minimum ambient temperature (the air in the immediate vicinity of the machine). Measure the temperature when the machine is started and while the machine is operated. To determine the proper oil viscosity grade, refer to the “Min” column in the table. This information reflects the coldest ambient temperature condition for starting a cold machine and for operating a cold machine. Refer to the “Max” column in the table for operating the machine at the highest temperature that is anticipated. Unless specified otherwise in the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables, use the highest oil viscosity that is allowed for the ambient temperature.
Machines that are operated continuously should use oils that have the higher oil viscosity in the final drives and in the differentials. The oils that have the higher oil viscosity will maintain the highest possible oil film thickness. Refer to “General Information for Lubricants” article, “Lubricant Viscosities” tables, and any associated footnotes. Consult your Cat dealer if additional information is needed.
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Not following the recommendations found in this manual can lead to reduced performance and compartment failure. |
Cat oils have been developed and tested to provide the full performance and life that has been designed and built into Cat engines.
Cat DEO-ULS or oils that meet the Cat ECF-3 specification and the API CJ-4 are required for use in the applications listed below. Cat DEO-ULS and oils meeting Cat ECF-3 specification and the API CJ-4 and ACEA E9 oil categories have been developed with limited sulfated ash, phosphorus, and sulfur. These chemical limits are designed to maintain the expected aftertreatment devices life, performance, and service interval. If oils meeting the Cat ECF-3 specification and the API CJ-4 specifications are not available, oils meeting ACEA E9 may be used. ACEA E9 oils meet the chemical limits designed to maintain aftertreatment device life. ACEA E9 oils are validated using some but not all ECF-3 and API CJ-4 standard engine performance tests. Consult your oil supplier when considering use of an oil that is not Cat ECF-3 or API CJ-4 qualified.
Failure to meet the listed requirements will damage aftertreatment-equipped engines and can negatively impact the performance of the aftertreatment devices. The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) will plug sooner and require more frequent DPF ash service intervals.
Typical aftertreatment systems include the following:
- Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF)
- Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOC)
- Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
- Lean NOx Traps (LNT)
Other systems may apply.
| Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compartment or System | Oil Type and Performance Requirements | Oil Viscosities | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | |||
| Engine Crankcase | Cat DEO-ULS Cold Weather | SAE 0W-40 | −40 | 40 | −40 | 104 |
| Cat DEO-ULS SYN | SAE 5W-40 | −30 | 50 | −22 | 122 | |
| Cat DEO-ULS | SAE 10W-30 | −18 | 40 | 0 | 104 | |
| Cat DEO-ULS | SAE 15W-40 | −9.5 | 50 | 15 | 122 | |
Refer to the “Lubricant Information” section in the latest revision of the Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations" for detailed information. This manual may be found on the Web at Safety.Cat.com.
The following are the preferred oils for use in most Cat machine hydraulic systems:
- Cat HYDO Advanced 10 SAE 10W
- Cat HYDO Advanced 30 SAE 30W
- Cat BIO HYDO Advanced
Cat HYDO Advanced fluids have a 50% increase in the standard oil drain interval for machine hydraulic systems (3000 hours versus 2000 hours) over second and third choice oils when you follow the maintenance interval schedule for oil filter changes and for oil sampling that is stated in the Operation and Maintenance Manual for your particular machine. 6000-hour oil drain intervals are possible when using S·O·S Services oil analysis. Consult your Cat dealer for details. When switching to Cat HYDO Advanced fluids, cross contamination with the previous oil should be kept to less than 10%.
Second choice oils are listed below.
- Cat MTO
- Cat DEO
- Cat DEO-ULS
- Cat TDTO
- Cat TDTO Cold Weather
- Cat TDTO-TMS
- Cat DEO-ULS SYN
- Cat DEO SYN
- Cat DEO-ULS Cold Weather
| Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compartment or System | Oil Type and Performance Requirements | Oil Viscosities | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | |||
| Hydraulic System | CatHYDO Advanced 10
Cat TDTO |
SAE 10W | −20 | 50 | −4 | 122 |
| Cat HYDO Advanced 30
Cat TDTO |
SAE 30 | 10 | 50 | 50 | 122 | |
| Cat BIO HYDO Advanced | "ISO 46" Multi-Grade | −30 | 50 | −22 | 122 | |
| Cat MTO
Cat DEO-ULS Cat DEO |
SAE10W-30 | −20 | 40 | −4 | 104 | |
| Cat DEO-ULS
Cat DEO |
SAE15W-40 | −15 | 50 | 5 | 122 | |
| Cat TDTO-TMS | Multi-Grade | −15 | 50 | 5 | 122 | |
| Cat DEO-ULS SYN
Cat DEO SYN |
SAE 5W-40 | −30 | 40 | −22 | 104 | |
| Cat DEO-ULS Cold Weather | SAE0W-40 | −40 | 40 | −40 | 104 | |
| Cat TDTO Cold Weather | SAE 0W-20 | −40 | 40 | −40 | 104 | |
| Recommended Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures(1) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compartment or System | Oil Viscosities | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | ||
| Differentials and Final Drives
TO-4 or TDTO |
SAE 5W20 (SPC) | −30 | 0 | −22 | +32 |
| SAE 10W | −30 | 0 | −22 | +32 | |
| SAE 30 | −20 | +25 | −4 | +77 | |
| SAE 40 | −10 | +40 | +14 | +104 | |
| SAE 50 | 0 | +50 | +32 | +122 | |
| Transmission and Pump Drive | SAE 75W-140(2) | −20 | +40 | −4 | +104 |
| (1) | When you are operating the machine in temperatures below |
| (2) | When the use of gear oil is specified, use Cat GO or Cat Synthetic GO in order to maximize the component life. |
To use a non-Cat grease, the supplier must certify that the lubricant is compatible with Cat grease.
Each pin joint should be flushed with the new grease. Ensure that all old grease is removed. Failure to meet this requirement may lead to failure of a pin joint.
| Recommended Grease | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compartment or System | GreaseType | NLGI Grade | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | |||
| External Lubrication Points | Cat Advanced 3Moly | NLGI Grade 2 | −20 | 40 | −4 | 104 |
| Cat Ultra 5Moly | NLGI Grade 2 | −30 | 50 | −22 | 122 | |
| NLGI Grade 1 | −35 | 40 | −31 | 104 | ||
| NLGI Grade 0 | −40 | 35 | −40 | 95 | ||
| Cat Arctic Platinum | NLGI Grade 0 | −50 | 20 | −58 | 68 | |
| Cat Desert Gold | NLGI Grade 2 | −20 | 60 | −4 | 140 | |
| Cat Multipurpose Grease | NLGI Grade 2 | −30 | 40 | −22 | 104 | |
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NACD Film | |
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EAME Film | |
Diesel fuel must meet “Caterpillar Specification for Distillate Fuel” and the latest versions of "ASTM D975" or "EN 590" to ensure optimum engine performance. Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations" for the latest fuel information and for Cat fuel specification. This manual may be found on the Web at Safety.Cat.com.
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Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel 0.0015 percent (≤15 ppm (mg/kg)) sulfur is required by regulation for use in engines certified to nonroad Tier 4 standards (U.S. EPA Tier 4 certified) and that are equipped with exhaust aftertreatment systems. European ULSD 0.0010 percent (≤10ppm (mg/kg)) sulfur fuel is required by regulation for use in engines certified to European nonroad Stage IIIB and newer standards and are equipped with exhaust aftertreatment systems. |
Misfueling with fuels of higher sulfur level can have the following negative effects:
- Shorten the time interval between aftertreatment device service intervals (cause the need for more frequent service intervals)
- Adversely impact the performance and life of aftertreatment devices (cause loss of performance)
- Reduce regeneration intervals of aftertreatment devices
- Reduce engine efficiency and durability.
- Increase the wear.
- Increase the corrosion.
- Increase the deposits.
- Lower fuel economy
- Shorten the time period between oil drain intervals (more frequent oil drain intervals).
- Increase overall operating costs.
Failures that result from the use of improper fuels are not Caterpillar factory defects. Therefore the cost of repairs would not be covered by a Caterpillar warranty.
Caterpillar does not require the use of ULSD in off road and machine applications that are not Tier 4/Stage IIIB certified engines. ULSD is not required in engines that are not equipped with after treatment devices. For Tier 4/Stage IIIB/Stage IV certified engines always follow operating instructions. Fuel tank inlet labels are installed to ensure that the correct fuels are used.
Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations" for more details about fuels, lubricants, and Tier 4 requirements. This manual may be found on the Web at Safety.Cat.com.
Cat Diesel Fuel Conditioner and Cat Fuel System Cleaner are available for use when needed. These products are applicable to diesel and biodiesel fuels. Consult your Cat dealer for availability.
Biodiesel is a fuel that can be made from various renewable resources that include vegetable oils, animal fat, and waste cooking oil. Soybean oil and rapeseed oil are the primary vegetable oil sources. To use any of these oils or fats as fuel, the oils, or fats are chemically processed (esterified). The water and contaminants are removed.
U.S. distillate diesel fuel specification "ASTM D975-09a" includes up to B5 (5 percent) biodiesel. Currently, any diesel fuel in the U.S. may contain up to B5 biodiesel fuel.
European distillate diesel fuel specification "EN 590" includes up to B5 (5 percent) and in some regions up to B7 (7 percent) biodiesel. Any diesel fuel in Europe may contain up to B5 or in some regions up to B7 biodiesel fuel.
Note: The diesel portion used in the biodiesel blend must be Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (15 ppm sulfur or less, per "ASTM D975"). In Europe the diesel fuel portion used in the biodiesel blend must be sulfur free diesel (10 ppm sulfur or less, per "EN 590"). The final blend must have 15 ppm sulfur or less.
Note: Up to B20 biodiesel blend level is acceptable for use in Excavator engines.
When biodiesel fuel is used, certain guidelines must be followed. Biodiesel fuel can influence the engine oil, aftertreatment devices, non-metallic, fuel system components, and others. Biodiesel fuel has limited storage life and has limited oxidation stability. Follow the guidelines and requirements for engines that are seasonally operated and for standby power generation engines.
To reduce the risks associated with the use of biodiesel, the final biodiesel blend, and the biodiesel fuel used must meet specific blending requirements.
All the guidelines and requirements are provided in the latest revision of Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations". This manual may be found on the Web at Safety.Cat.com.
The information provided in this “Coolant Recommendation” section should be used with the “Lubricants Information” provided in the latest revision of Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations". This manual may be found on the Web at Safety.Cat.com.
The following two types of coolants may be used in Cat diesel engines:
Preferred - Cat ELC (Extended Life Coolant)
Acceptable - Cat DEAC (Diesel Engine Antifreeze/Coolant)
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Never use water alone as a coolant. Water alone is corrosive at engine operating temperatures. In addition, water alone does not provide adequate protection against boiling or freezing. |