General Information for Lubricants
When the oil type (or brand) is changed in a machine component or an engine, ensure that the system is flushed properly before changing the oil. This process reduces risk of mixing oil types that can be incompatible and that can reduce the effectiveness or cause other negative impacts. Caterpillar offers multiple publications to guide system flushing. Refer to Cat Media Information Center, your machine Operation and Maintenance Manual, or your dealer for information.
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.
Ambient temperature is the temperature of the air in the immediate vicinity of the machine. The temperature may differ due to the machine application from the generic ambient temperature for a geographic region. When selecting the proper oil viscosity for use, review both the regional ambient temperature and the potential ambient temperature for a given machine application. Generally, use the higher temperature as the criterion for the selection of the oil viscosity. Generally, use the highest oil viscosity that is allowed for the ambient temperature when you start the machine. Refer to the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables for guidance. In cold-weather applications, the preferred method is to use properly sized machine compartment heaters and a higher viscosity grade oil. Thermostatically controlled heaters that circulate the oil are preferred.
The proper oil viscosity grade is determined by the minimum ambient temperature (the air in the immediate vicinity of the machine). Ambient temperature is 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 to select the oil viscosity grade 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 when you start the machine.
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 this Special Publication, General Information for Lubricants article, Lubricant Viscosities tables, and any associated footnotes. Consult your Cat dealer if additional information is needed.
Note: SAE 0W and SAE 5W oils, where allowed for use in non-hydraulic system compartments, are not recommended for use in machines that are operated continuously and/or are heavily loaded. Refer to the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables for guidance. The oils that have the higher oil viscosity will maintain the highest possible oil film thickness. Consult your Cat dealer if additional information is needed.
Note: Oil viscosity grade selection is also machine compartment specific. Some machine models and/or machine compartments do not allow the use of all available viscosity grades. For guidance on selecting oil viscosity, refer to the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables.
Note: Generally, use the highest oil viscosity that is available to meet the requirement for the temperature at start-up.
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Proper oil viscosity AND oil type/specification are required to maximize machine compartment performance and life. Do NOT use only oil viscosity, or only oil type to determine the machine compartment oil selection. Using only the oil viscosity or only the oil type to determine a machine compartment oil selection can lead to reduced performance and compartment failure. Refer to the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables and to ALL of the associated footnotes. |
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Not following the recommendations found in the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables and associated footnotes can lead to reduced performance and compartment failure. |
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In colder ambient conditions a machine warm-up procedure and/or supplemental machine fluid compartment heat may be required. Machine specific warm-up procedures can typically be found in the Operation and Maintenance Manual for the machine. In addition, generic machine warm-up procedures can be found in this Special Publication, "Procedures for Machines that are Used in Cold Weather - (Generic)" topic. |
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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. |
The information provided in this section should be used with the 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:
Cat ELC - Preferred
Cat DEAC - Acceptable
Cat fluids have been developed and tested by Caterpillar in order to provide the full performance and service life that has been designed and built into Cat engines. The quality of finished oil is dependent on the quality of the base stock, the quality of the additives, and the compatibility of the base stock and additives. Cat fluids are formulated of high-quality refined oil base stocks and additives of optimal chemistry and quantity in order to provide high performance in engines and machine components. Cat fluids are used for factory fill of Cat engines and components and are offered by Cat dealers for service fills and as aftermarket products. Consult your Cat dealer for more information on these Cat fluids.
Cat recommends the use of the following lubricants in commercial engines:
| Cat Diesel Engines Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures(1)(2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compartment or System | Oil Type and Performance Requirements | Oil Viscosities | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | |||
| Engine Crankcase for all Direct Injection (DI) Engines | Cat DEO Cold Weather (API CK-4) | SAE 0W-40 | −40 | 40 | −40 | 104 |
| Cat DEO-ULS SYN (API CK-4) | SAE 5W-40 | −30 | 50 | −22 | 122 | |
| Cat DEO-ULS (API CK-4)
Cat DEO (API CI-4/CI-4 PLUS) |
SAE 10W-30 | −18 | 40 | 0 | 104 | |
| SAE 15W-40 | −10 | 50 | 14 | 122 | ||
| (1) | Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Engine Oil" for information on the recommended and required engine oils for Tier 4 emissions certified engines. |
| (2) | Commercial oils of viscosity grades that are not included in this table may be used if the oils are per Cat ECF specifications. Refer to the “Cat Engine Crankcase Fluids (ECF) Definitions” table in this Special Publication, "Engine Oil" for more information. Commercial oils are second choice. |
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.
Cat HYDO Advanced 10 SAE 10W, Cat HYDO Advanced 20 SAE 20W, Cat HYDO Advanced 30 SAE 30W, or Cat BIO HYDO Advanced are the preferred oils for use in most Cat machine hydraulic and hydrostatic transmission systems. Cat HYDO Advanced fluids have at least 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 following 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. To gain the most benefit from the improved performance designed into Cat HYDO Advanced fluids, when switching to Cat HYDO Advanced fluids, cross contamination with the previous oil should be kept to less than 10%.
Second choice oils are Cat MTO, Cat DEO, Cat DEO-ULS, Cat TDTO, Cat Cold Weather TDTO, Cat TDTO-TMS, Cat Cold Weather DEO-ULS.
Note: Industrial hydraulic oils are not recommended for service fill in Caterpillar hydraulic systems.
| Hydraulic Systems Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures(1)(2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compartment or System | Oil Type and Performance Requirements | Oil Viscosities | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | |||
| Hydraulic System | CatHYDO Advanced 10(3) | SAE 10W | −20 | 40 | −4 | 104 |
| CatHYDO Advanced 20
Cat TDTO |
SAE 20W | −5 | 45 | 23 | 113 | |
| Cat HYDO Advanced 30
Cat TDTO |
SAE 30 | 0 | 50 | 32 | 122 | |
| Cat BIO HYDO Advanced(4) | "ISO 46" Multi-Grade | −30 | 45 | −22 | 113 | |
| Cat MTO
Cat DEO-ULS Cat DEO |
SAE 10W-30 | −20 | 40 | −4 | 104 | |
| Cat DEO-ULS
Cat DEO |
SAE 15W-40 | −10 | 50 | 5 | 122 | |
| Cat TDTO-TMS | Multi-Grade | −15 | 50 | 5 | 122 | |
| Cat DEO-ULS SYN | SAE 5W-40 | -20 | 50 | -22 | 122 | |
| Cat DEO Cold Weather | SAE 0W-40 | −40 | 40 | −40 | 104 | |
| Cat TDTO Cold Weather | SAE 0W-20 | −40 | 40 | −40 | 104 | |
| (1) | For fire-resistant hydraulic oil recommendations, refer to Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Hydraulic Oil". |
| (2) | Commercial oils of viscosity grades that are not included in this table may be used if the oils are per Cat ECF specifications. Refer to the “Cat Engine Crankcase Fluids (ECF) Definitions” table in this Special Publication, "Engine Oil" for more information. Commercial oils are second choice. |
| (3) | Typical factory fill oil for standard configuration machines. |
| (4) | Factory fill oil for applications that require biodegradable oils. |
Preferred oils
- Cat ATF-HD2 (LP Compressors Only)
- Mobil Rarus SHC 68(ALL Compressors)
- Mobil Rarus SHC 46(ALL Compressors)
- Mobil Rarus SHC 32(ALL Compressors)
Preferred oils allow up to 1000 hours or higher oil drain intervals for most applications.
S·O·S Services oil analysis is recommended when the oil drain interval is increased.
Second choice oils.
Non-Cat commercial oils are, as a group, second choice oils.
Second choice oils allow a 250 hour oil drain interval.
S·O·S Services oil analysis is required when second choice oils are used in Cat air compressor system components
Note: When the oil type (or brand) is changed in a machine component or an engine, ensure that the system is flushed properly before changing the oil. This process reduces risk of mixing oil types that can be incompatible and that can reduce the effectiveness or cause other negative impacts. Caterpillar offers multiple publications to guide system flushing. Refer to Cat Media Information Center, your machine Operation and Maintenance Manual, or your dealer for information.
| Air Compressor Fluid Recommendations for Ambient Temperatures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compartment or System | Oil Type and Performance Requirements | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | ||
| High Pressure Air Compressor | Mobil Rarus SHC 68(1) | -19 | 52 | -2 | 126 |
| Mobil Rarus SHC 46 | -22 | 37 | -8 | 99 | |
| Mobil Rarus SHC 32 | -29 | 26 | -20 | 79 | |
| Low Pressure Air Compressor | Cat ATF-HD2(2) | -22 | 52 | -8 | 126 |
| Mobil Rarus SHC 68 | -19 | 52 | -2 | 126 | |
| Mobil Rarus SHC 46 | -22 | 52 | -8 | 126 | |
| Mobil Rarus SHC 32 | -29 | 26 | -20 | 79 | |
| (1) | Typical Factory Fill for High Pressure Air Compressor |
| (2) | Typical Factory Fill for Low Pressure Air Compressor |
Note: When the oil type (or brand) is changed in a machine component or an engine, ensure that the system is flushed properly before changing the oil. This process reduces risk of mixing oil types that can be incompatible and that can reduce the effectiveness or cause other negative impacts. Caterpillar offers multiple publications to guide system flushing. Refer to Cat Media Information Center, your machine Operation and Maintenance Manual, or your dealer for information.
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.
Only use lubricants that meet the performance requirements of the lubricants listed below.
Note: Consult your lubricant supplier to determine a compatible lubricant.
| Rotary Drills Fluid Recommendations for Ambient Temperatures | ||||||
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| Compartment or System | Lubricant Type and Performance Requirements | Oil Viscosities | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | |||
| Final Drive | Cat Synthetic GO | SAE 75W-140 | -30 | 45 | -22 | 113 |
| Cat GO (Gear Oil) | SAE 80W-90 | -20 | 40 | -4 | 104 | |
| SAE 85W-140 | -10 | 50 | 14 | 122 | ||
| Water Injection System Pump | Cat DEO-ULS (API CJ-4)
Cat DEO (API CI-4/CI-4 PLUS) |
SAE 15W-40 | −10 | 50 | 14 | 122 |
| Water injection Pump | Commercial Oil | ISO 100
SAE 30 |
-18 | 35 | 0 | 95 |
| ISO 220
SAE 50 |
35 | 49 | 95 | 120 | ||
| ISO 68
SAE20 |
-34 | 16 | -30 | 60 | ||
| ISO 150
SAE40 |
-18 | 35 | 0 | 95 | ||
| Mast Winch | Commercial Oil | ISO 220, | -4 | 54 | 25 | 130 |
| ISO 150, | -12 | 38 | 10 | 100 | ||
| Synthetic Commercial Oil | ISO 150, ISO 220 | -32 | 54 | -25 | 130 | |
| Sheaves, Bearings | Cat Extreme Application Grease | Cold Weather, NLGI 0 | -40 | 35 | -40 | 95 |
| High Loads, NLGI 2 | -30 | 50 | -22 | 122 | ||
| Cat Prime Application Grease | Medium Loads, NLGI 2 | -20 | 40 | -4 | 104 | |
| Cat Utility Grease | Low Loads, NLGI 2 | -30 | 40 | -22 | 104 | |
| Undercarriage -Track Idlers and Track Rollers | Cat DEO (single grade)
API CF |
SAE 30 | -20 | 25 | -4 | 77 |
| Cat DEO-ULS SYN | SAE 5W-40 | -35 | 40 | -31 | 104 | |
The grease used with the automatic lubrication system must not contain any graphite or PTFE.
Note: Pumpability is based on "US Steel Mobility and Lincoln Ventmeter Tests". Performance may vary depending on lubrication equipment and the length of the lines.
Reference: Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations" for additional information about grease. This manual may be found on the Web at Safety.Cat.com.
| Recommended Grease for the Autolube System | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compartment or System | Grease Type | NLGI Grade | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | |||
| Cat Autolube System | Cat Extreme Application Grease | NLGI Grade 1 | −35 | 40 | -31 | 104 |
| NLGI Grade 2 | −30 | 50 | -22 | 122 | ||
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 | Grease Type | NLGI Grade | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | |||
| External Lubrication Points | Cat Prime Application Grease | NLGI Grade 2 | −20 | 140 | −4 | 284 |
| Cat Extreme Application Grease | NLGI Grade 1 | −20 | 140 | −4 | 284 | |
| NLGI Grade 2 | −15 | 140 | +5 | 284 | ||
| Cat Extreme Application Grease-Artic | NLGI Grade 0.5 | -50 | 130 | -58 | 266 | |
| Cat Extreme Application Grease-Desert | NLGI Grade 2 | −10 | 140 | +14 | 284 | |
| Cat Utility Grease | NLGI Grade 2 | −20 | 140 | −4 | 284 | |
| Cat Ball Bearing Grease | NLGI Grade 2 | −20 | 160 | −4 | 320 | |
Only use lubricants that meet the performance requirements listed by the hammer or bit manufacturer that is installed on the machine.
Note: Consult your lubricant supplier to determine a compatible lubricant.
Only use lubricants that meet the performance requirements of the lubricants listed below.
Note: Consult your lubricant supplier to determine a compatible lubricant.
| Lubricant Type and Performance Requirements | ||
| Copper Supreme Special Blend Thread Grease(1) | ||
| DROP POINT | |
ASTM D556 |
| PENETRATION | 300-320 mm | ASTM D217 |
| WEIGHT/GAL | 10.2 lbs/gallon | |
| FLASH POINT | |
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| BRUSHABLE TO | |
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| SERVICE RATING | |
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| TORQUE FACTOR | 1.1 (per API RP 7A1) | |
| CONTAINS | Copper flake, synthetic and amorphous graphite and other nonmetallic additives. | |
| (1) | Typical factory fill oil for standard configuration machines |
Note: In conditions below
Note: Pumpability is based on "US Steel Mobility and Lincoln Ventmeter Tests". Performance may vary depending on lubrication equipment and the length of the lines.
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These recommendations are subject to change without notice. Consult your local Cat dealer for the most up to date recommendations. |
Diesel engines may burn a wide variety of fuels. These fuels are divided into two general groups. The two groups are called the preferred fuels and the permissible fuels.
The preferred fuels provide maximum engine service life and performance. The preferred fuels are distillate fuels. These fuels are commonly called diesel fuel, furnace oil, gas oil, or kerosene. These fuels must meet the “Cat Specification for Distillate Diesel Fuel for Off-Highway Diesel Engines” found in this Special Publication, "Distillate Diesel Fuel" article.
The permissible fuels are some crude oils, some blends of crude oil with distillate fuel, and some marine diesel fuel. These fuels are not suitable for use in all engine applications. The acceptability of these fuels for use is determined on a case by case basis. A complete fuel analysis is required. Consult your Cat dealer for further information. Biodiesel fuel is permissible for use in Cat engines. Follow all the recommendations and guidelines given in this Special Publication, "Biodiesel" article.
Note: Except for some biodiesel, permissible fuels are not acceptable for use in on-highway applications.
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Use of permissible fuels can result in higher maintenance costs and reduced engine service life. |
Note: Use of fuels that do not meet at least the minimum performance recommendations and/or requirements may lead to lower compartment performance and/or compartment failure. Problems/failures that are caused by using fuels that do not meet the minimum recommended and/or required performance level are not Cat factory defects and therefore are NOT covered by the Cat warranty. The fuel supplier and customer are responsible.
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be made from vegetable oils, animal fat, and waste cooking oil. Soybean oil and rapeseed oil are typically the primary vegetable oil sources. The raw oils or animal fats are chemically processed (esterified) to form a fatty acid methyl ester (referred to as FAME). The esterified product (FAME) is biodiesel fuel that can be used in compression ignition engines. Without the chemical processing referred to as esterification, the oils or fats are not suitable for use as fuel in compression ignition engines. The oil or fat must be esterified and the water and contaminants removed.
Fuel made of 100 percent FAME is referred to as B100 biodiesel or neat biodiesel.
Biodiesel can be blended with distillate diesel fuel. The blends can be used as fuel. The most commonly available biodiesel blends are B5, which is 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent distillate diesel fuel, and B20, which is 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent distillate diesel fuel. The percentages are volume-based.
Recommendations for the Use of Biodiesel in Caterpillar Nonroad Engines
| Recommendations for Biodiesel Fuel Application in Caterpillar Nonroad Engines(1) | ||
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| Production year/Tier/Stage | Engine model | Biodiesel acceptable blend levels |
| All years | 3114, 3116, 3126, 3176, 3196, 3208, 3306 3406, 3408, 3412, 3456, 3406E, 3408E, 3412E, 3500 Series, and 3600 Series
C-9, C10, C-12, C-15, C-16, C-18, C280 Series, CM20, CM25, and CM32 ACERT engines(1) C7, C9, C9.3, C11, C13, C15, C18, C27, C32, and C175 |
Up to B20 (For use of higher blend levels up to B100, consult your Cat dealer) |
| (1) | EU Regulations require the biodiesel blends used in Stage V engines operated within the European Union (EU) to contain no more than 7% v/v FAME unless specified otherwise in the engine-specific Operation and Maintenance Manual. |
Note: Do not change any engine settings when using biodiesel fuel. When the use of biodiesel fuel is planned, simply convert to this fuel. Follow the guidelines, recommendations, and quality specifications given in this Chapter to avoid any performance issues or downtime.
For applications running biodiesel or biodiesel blends, if fuel treatments are needed, consult with your fuel supplier or with a reputable provider.