Selecting the Viscosity
The proper oil viscosity grade is determined by the minimum outside ambient temperature. This is the temperature when the machine is started and while the machine is operated. In order 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 in order to select the oil viscosity grade for operating the machine at the highest temperature that is anticipated. 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. Consult your dealer if additional information is needed.
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Proper oil viscosity AND oil type/classification 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. Refer to the "Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures" tables and to ALL of the associated footnotes. |
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The footnotes are an integral part of the "Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures" tables - read ALL footnotes! |
Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures
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Do NOT use only the "Oil Viscosities" column when determining the recommended oil for a machine compartment. The "Oil Type and Classification" column MUST also be used. |
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The footnotes are a key part of the "Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures" tables. Read ALL footnotes that pertain to the machine compartment in question. |
Note: Only use the oil type and the classification that is recommended for the various machine compartments.
Note: Some machine compartments allow the use of more than one oil type. For the best results, do not mix oil types.
Note: Different oil brands may use different additive packages to meet the various machine compartment performance classification/specification recommendations. For the best results, do not mix oil brands.
Note: Caterpillar oils are the preferred choice. All other oil types and oil classifications which are listed in Table 1 are acceptable oils.
| Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compartment or System | Oil Type and Classification | Oil Viscosities | °C | °F | ||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | |||
| Final Drive | Caterpillar TDTO Caterpillar TDTO-TMS commercial TO-4 |
SAE 0W-20 (1) | -40 | 0 | -40 | 32 |
| SAE 0W-30 (1) | -40 | 10 | -40 | 50 | ||
| SAE 5W-30 (1) | -30 | 10 | -22 | 50 | ||
| SAE 10W | -30 | 0 | -22 | 32 | ||
| SAE 30 | -25 | 25 | -13 | 77 | ||
| SAE 50 | -15 | 50 | 5 | 122 | ||
| TDTO-TMS (2) | -30 | 25 | -22 | 77 | ||
| Hydraulic Excavator Swing Motor and Travel Motor Systems | Caterpillar HYDO Caterpillar DEO Caterpillar MTO Caterpillar TDTO Caterpillar TDTO-TMS Caterpillar Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil (HEES) API CH-4 API CG-4 API CF-4 API CF Global DHD-1 commercial TO-4 commercial BF-1 (3) (4) |
SAE 0W-20 | -40 | 40 | -40 | 104 |
| SAE 0W-30 | -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 10W30 | -20 | 40 | -4 | 104 | ||
| SAE 15W40 | -15 | 50 | 5 | 122 | ||
| Caterpillar MTO | -25 | 40 | -13 | 104 | ||
| Cat Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil (HEES) (3) (4) | -40 | 43 | -40 | 110 | ||
| TDTO-TMS (2) | -20 | 50 | -4 | 122 | ||
| Track Pins | Caterpillar GO (Gear Oil) API GL-5 gear oil |
SAE 75W-90 | -30 | 40 | -22 | 104 |
| SAE 80W-90 | -20 | 40 | -4 | 104 | ||
| SAE 85W-140 | -10 | 50 | 14 | 122 | ||
| SAE 90 | 0 | 40 | 32 | 104 | ||
| Track Roller Frame Recoil Spring | Caterpillar TDTO Caterpillar TDTO-TMS commercial TO-4 |
SAE 0W-20 (1) | -40 | 0 | -40 | 32 |
| SAE 0W-30 (1) | -40 | 10 | -40 | 50 | ||
| SAE 5W-20 (1) | -35 | 0 | -31 | 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 | ||
| TDTO-TMS (2) | -25 | 25 | -13 | 77 | ||
| Track Idlers and Track Rollers | Caterpillar DEO API CH-4 API CG-4 API CF Global DHD-1 |
SAE 30 | -20 | 25 | -4 | 77 |
| SAE 40 | -10 | 40 | 14 | 104 | ||
| SAE 5W-40 | -35 | 40 | -31 | 104 | ||
| ( 1 ) | The first choice is oils of full synthetic base stock without viscosity index improvers that meet the performance requirements of the TO-4 specification for the SAE 30 viscosity grade. The typical oil viscosity grades are SAE 0W-20, SAE 0W-30, and SAE 5W-30. The second choice is oils that contain a TO-4 additive package and a lubricant viscosity grade of SAE 0W-20, SAE 0W-30, or SAE 5W-30. |
| ( 2 ) | TDTO-TMS Transmission Multi-Season (exceeds the TO-4/TO-4M multigrade specification requirements). |
| ( 3 ) | Commercial Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil (HEES) must meet the Caterpillar BF-1 specification. The listed ambient temperature range is for the current Caterpillar Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil (HEES), not for commercial BF-1 oil. |
| ( 4 ) | Refer to the machine Operation and Maintenance Manual or contact your local Caterpillar dealer before using Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil (HEES) or commercial BF-1 oil in Caterpillar Hydraulic Excavators. |