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How To: 250-Hour Planned Maintenance on a Cat® Dozer
Estimated read time: 3 minutes
Every 250 service hours, it's time for PM1 maintenance. While the exact service requirements can vary by machine, here's what you can expect for a Cat® D6 XE Dozer. Always refer to your Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM) for safety procedures, and don't forget to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Watch this video to see how to perform this maintenance before you dive in:
Do your maintenance in a clean environment and on a level surface. Let your equipment coast to a stop because this will help when you check track tension. Engage the park brake, lower implements to the ground and lock out the hydraulics.
You can order all the necessary parts for planned maintenance at Parts.Cat.com. Enter your machine’s serial number to find the specific parts and Cat Self-Service Options (SSO) tailored for your equipment. SSOs provide detailed service instructions along with recommended parts and tools.
Before starting service, walk around your machine to look for leaks, rust or any other signs of damage.
Fluid Samples, Engine Oil Check
Open the left-side engine access door, and use a new S•O•SSM Services kit to take the engine oil sample. Wipe the port and valve with a lint-free cloth and drain a bit of fluid before taking the sample. Seal the bottle and then fully fill out the label before shipping it to the lab.
To check the engine oil level, wipe around the area with a clean, lint-free cloth. Be sure to do this before removing the dipstick to prevent introducing dirt into the system. Check the level and add more if needed.
Inspect the Electrical System
Before this inspection, shut off the D6 XE’s electrical system for your safety.
Check all:
Enclosures
Cables
Harnesses
Ground straps
Cables
Replace any missing hardware, clean off built-up debris and be sure to make necessary repairs before operating again.
Undercarriage Maintenance
Track tension: Stretch a string over the grousers from the sprocket to the front idler. Measure at the dips in the track. A diagram in your OMM shows exactly where the dips are. That’s also where you’ll check whether the average of the two measurements is within proper tension range. Too tight? Add grease to the adjustment valve. Too loose? Release grease. In that same panel, check the recoil spring oil level.
Also check your undercarriage’s equalizer bar end pins, front roller frame seals and track shoes for any signs of wear or damage.
To check final drive oil levels, move your machine so that the oil level mark is horizontal on one drive.
- Remove the magnetic oil check plug and wipe off any built-up deposits.
- If the level is below bottom of the filler plug opening, add more.
And repeat those steps, repositioning the machine as needed, on the other final drive. Note that it can be normal to see some metal shavings on the magnetic plug. But always refer to your S•O•S analysis to determine if there are wear issues.
Next, check pivot shaft oil on both sides of the track. The level should be at the bottom of the threaded hole, so add more if needed.
Filter Maintenance
Now, shut off the fuel valve at the back of the machine and drain any sediment. Replace the primary and secondary fuel filters, being sure to coat the new seals with clean diesel. Never prefill your fuel filters. Follow the instructions in your OMM to prime the fuel system.
Replace the fresh cabin air filter outside the cab. Inspect the recirculating filter in the cab, and replace it if it’s dirty.
While in this area, remove and clean the fuel tank strainer.
Final Tasks & Checks
- Serpentine belt: Inspect the serpentine belt and replace it if it's damaged.
- ROPS/FOPS: Check the bolts, making sure they are secure and not damaged. If you find any damage to your rollover or falling object protective structure, get it serviced immediately.
- Winch maintenance: If equipped, replace the winch oil and lubricate the roller and fairlead assembly.
Don’t forget to shut all compartments and put guards and steps back in operating position. Also turn the electrical system back on.
With thorough planned maintenance, you can help keep your Cat equipment ready for its next 250 service hours.
Looking for higher hours intervals? We have guides for 500-hour, 1,000-hour and 2,000-hour maintenance, too.
For more information and support, contact your Cat dealer. And always check your Operation and Maintenance Manual for specific instruction and safety procedures.
