2010/02/03 Caterpillar

Wheel Loader:

972H (S/N: A7D464-465,564,729,745,860,889-891,893; A7G859,912,948,987,1178,1227,1236)

980GSeries II (S/N: AXG389,484,614,649,810,896,900,1048,1059,1101,1174,1183,1234,1261,1280,1300,1323,1333,1343,1353,1566,1580,1628,1667,1704,1742,1748,1761; AWH382,1576)

980H (S/N: MHG225,261,290,297,300,340,387,584,690,708,744,795,861,905,1147,1180,4014,5035,5060,5065,5110,5126,5148; JMS659,804,846,1178,1934,1944,2341,2365,2373,2381,2392,2432,2440,2464,2564,2835,2844,2960,3281,3346,3424,3439,3454,4000,4013,4026,4221,4277,5143,5148,5178,5190,5202,5208,5217,5241,5348)

Description of Change: A new "B" pin and bearing has been designed for the bucket of Medium Wheel Loader steel mill machines that are working in severe applications. The new pin and bearing has a special thermal treatment and a special chemical treatment. A ribbed surface has been added to the bearing in order to improve lubrication. The diameter of the pin has been reduced by 0.1 mm (0.004 inch) in order to increase clearance. This design will improve the lubrication of the assembly. The new design will also make the assembly more rugged in the harsh work environment that is specific to machines in steel mill applications.

Adaptable To:

Table 1

Model	Part Number	Description
980H EAME	284-2174	Steel Mill AR
	331-9944	Steel Mill AR
980H NACD	266-3435	Steel Mill AR
	331-9943	Steel Mill AR
972H EAME	303-4514	Steel Mill AR
972H NACD	303-4178	Steel Mill AR

The new pin and bearing will be standard for 972H and 980H machines that are built after January 2010 that use the steel mill arrangements in Table 1.

Table 2

Model	Part Number	Description
972H	349-7200	Pin As
	349-7201	Sleeve Bearing
980H	349-1363	Pin As
	349-1364	Sleeve Bearing

Pin and bearing parts are available. Refer to Table 2.

Table 3

New Pin and Bearing Kits
Model	Part Number	Description
980G II & 980H	349-1365	Pin and Bearing Field Installation Kit
972H	349-7202	Pin and Bearing Field Installation Kit

For field installation on the 972H, 980G II, and 980H machines, a new kit with the new "B" pin and bearing will also be available for field installation. Refer to Table 3 for the proper kit for field installation.

Note: Before field installation of the new pin and bearing, the bore for the sleeve bearing should be inspected. The bore for the sleeve bearing should be in the initial dimensions. If the bore for the sleeve bearing is not in the initial dimensions, the bore will need to be built up. After the bore has been built up, the area must be rebored to the initial dimensions. The new "B" pin and bearing may then be installed.