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How to Maintain Cat® Drive Train Oil
Estimated read time: 3 minutes
Drive train oil helps cool, lubricate and protect key parts and components of your heavy equipment. With proper fluid maintenance, you can extend the life of your Cat® drive train and get ahead of potential failures. Let’s go over some essential tips for managing drive train oil and filters as well as performing oil changes effectively.
To prepare, move your machine to a dry, level surface. Lower implements to the ground, lock out the hydraulics and turn off the engine.
Before you start working with drive train oil, it's important to prioritize safety. Always refer to your Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM) for the proper safety procedures specific to your equipment. Additionally, be sure to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and safety glasses, to protect yourself while handling fluids.
Cat drive train oil helps your clutch discs last longer and improves how your gears, bearings and friction discs perform. Here are two Cat oils you should know about:
Cat Transmission and Drive Train Oil (TDTO)™
This oil is made for transmissions, wet brakes and final drives. It offers several key benefits:
- Improves gear wear performance
- Reduces transmission slippage
- Helps control brake chatter
- Boosts breakout force
- Improves rim pull
Cat Final Drive and Axle Oil (FDAO)™
Cat FDAO is specifically designed for the final drives of off-highway trucks, large dozers, pipelayers and track skidders.
For optimal performance, pair Cat drive train fluids with Cat filters and S•O•SSM Services fluid analysis. This combo improves contamination control, helping to keep your drive train clean and operating efficiently.
Oil Changes: Timing is Key
The life of your drive train oil depends on a variety of factors, including operating conditions. Changing oil too early may waste fluids that still have life, while changing it too late can shorten the life of your components.
To get the timing right, consult your Cat dealer and use Cat S•O•S Services for fluid analysis results. And remember to always wear proper gloves when handling fluids.
Best Practices for Fluid Changes
To protect your drive train, follow these best practices for oil changes:
- Drain oil when it's warm to reduce the chance of contamination.
- Drain the dirty oil as completely as possible.
- Follow local disposal and recycling guidelines for proper handling of used fluids.
- When refilling oil, follow international cleanliness standards to ensure optimal performance.
If you need replacement filters or fluids, you can order those at Parts.Cat.com. Enter your machine’s serial number to see what works in your specific equipment.
For more information and support, contact your Cat dealer. And always check your Operation and Maintenance Manual for specific instruction and safety procedures.
