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2018/02/09 Lubricant Viscosities - Fluids Recommendations (SEBU9247-10)

SMCS - 7581 i07279193

General Information for Lubricants

PC
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When you are operating the machine in temperatures below −20°C (−4°F), refer to Special Publication,

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SEBU5898 , "Cold Weather Recommendations". This publication is available from your Cat dealer.

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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

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information. This manual may be found on the web at Safety.Cat.com.

in question.
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The footnotes are a key part of the tables. Read ALL footnotes that pertain to the machine compartment

Selecting the Viscosity 0

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Cat
To select the proper oil for each machine compartment, refer to the “Lubricant Viscosity for Ambient

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Temperature” table. Use the oil type AND oil viscosity for the specific compartment at the proper
ambient temperature.
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The proper oil viscosity grade is determined by the minimum ambient temperature (the air in the

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immediate vicinity of the machine). Measure 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 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.

Machines that are operated continuously should use oils that have the higher oil viscosity. The oils that
have the higher oil viscosity will maintain the highest possible oil film thickness. Refer to “General
Information for Lubricants” article, “Lubricant Viscosities” tables, and any associated footnotes. Consult
your Cat dealer if additional information is needed.

NOTICE
Not following the recommendations found in this manual can
lead to reduced performance and compartment failure.

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Engine Oil
Cat oils have been developed and tested in order to provide the full performance and life that has been
designed and built into Cat engines.

Cat DEO-ULS multigrade and Cat DEO multigrade oils are formulated with the correct amounts of
detergents, dispersants, and alkalinity in order to provide superior performance in Cat diesel engines
where recommended for use.

Note: SAE 10W-30 is the preferred viscosity grade for the 3116, 3126, C7, C-9,and C9 diesel engines
when the ambient temperature is between -18° C (0° F) and 40° C (104° F).

Table 1

Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures 

Compartment or Oil Type and Performance Oil °C  °F 

System  Requirements  Viscosities  Min Max Min Max 
Cat DEO-ULS Cold Weather  SAE 0W-40  −40  40  −40  104 
Cat DEO-ULS SYN
SAE 5W-40  −30  50  −22  122 
Cat DEO SYN
Engine Crankcase  Cat DEO-ULS
SAE 10W-30  −18  40  0  104 
Cat DEO
Cat DEO-ULS
SAE 15W-40  −9.5  50  15  122 
Cat DEO
Pump Coupling (If Cat DEO-ULS
SAE 10W-30  −18  40  0  104 
Equipped)  Cat DEO 

Note: API engine oil categories are backwards compatible. Cat DEO-ULS (API CK-4) oil can be used in
all engines with some restrictions related to fuel sulfur level. Cat DEO (API CI-4/API CI-4 PLUS) can be
used in engines that are Tier 3 emissions certified and prior, and in engines that do not use
aftertreatment devices.

Hydraulic Systems
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.

The following are the preferred oils for use in most Cat machine hydraulic systems:

Cat HYDO Advanced 10 SAE 10W

Cat HYDO Advanced 30 SAE 30W

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Cat BIO HYDO Advanced

Cat HYDO Advanced oils allow 6000 hours or higher oil drain intervals for most applications.
S·O·S Services oil analysis is recommended when the oil drain interval is increased to 6000 hours or
higher. In comparison, non-Cat commercial hydraulic oils (second choice oils) allow 2000 hours oil drain
interval. Itis recommended to followthe maintenance interval schedule for oil filter changes and for oil
sampling that is stated in the Operation and Maintenance Manual for your particular machine. Consult
your Cat dealer for details. When switching to Cat HYDO Advanced fluids, cross contamination with the
previous oil should be kept to less than 10%.

Second choice oils are listed below.

Cat MTO

Cat DEO

Cat DEO-ULS

Cat TDTO

Cat TDTO Cold Weather

Cat TDTO-TMS

Cat DEO-ULS SYN

Cat DEO SYN

Cat DEO-ULS Cold Weather

Note: Oil drain intervals of the oils listed above are less than those of Cat HYDO Advanced oils. The oil
drain interval of these oils is typically 2000 hours and up to a maximum of 4000 hours. An exception is
Cat TDTO Cold Weather oil which allows 6000 hours or higher oil drain interval. S·O·S Services oil
analysis is required when the oils listed above are used in Cat hydraulic system components and
hydrostatic transmissions.

Table 2

Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures 

Compartment or Oil Type and Performance Oil °C  °F 

System  Requirements  Viscosities  Min Max Min Max 
Hydraulic System  CatHYDO Advanced 10
SAE 10W  −20  40  −4  104 
Cat TDTO 

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Cat HYDO Advanced 30

SAE 30  10  50  50  122 
Cat TDTO
"ISO 46" Multi-
Cat BIO HYDO Advanced −30  50  −22  122 
Grade 
Cat MTO
Cat DEO-ULS SAE10W-30  −20  40  −4  104 
Cat DEO
Cat DEO-ULS
SAE15W-40  −15  50  5  122 
Cat DEO
Cat TDTO-TMS Multi-Grade  −15  50  5  122 
Cat DEO-ULS SYN
SAE 5W-40  −30  40  −22  104 
Cat DEO SYN
Cat DEO-ULS Cold Weather SAE0W-40  −40  40  −40  104 
Cat TDTO Cold Weather SAE 0W-20  −40  40  −40  104 

Other Fluid Applications

Table 3

Excavators, Front Shovels, Mass Excavators, Demolition Excavators, and Track

Material Handlers
Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures 

Oil Type and Oil °C  °F 

Compartment or
Performance Viscosity
System 
Requirements  Grade  Min Max  Min  Max 
SAE 0W-20  -40  0  -40  32 
SAE 0W-30 -40 10  -40  50 
Cat TDTO SAE 5W-30 -30 10  -22  50 
Cat TDTO-TMS
Final Drives and Swing SAE 10W −30 0  -22  32 
Cat TDTO SYN Cold
Drives 
Weather SAE 30 −25 25  −13  77 
commercial TO-4 
SAE 50 -15 50  5  122 
Cat TDTO-
−30 25  -22  77 
TMS
Track Roller Frame Recoil Cat TDTO SAE 0W-20  −40  0  −40  32 
Spring and Pivot Shaft Cat TDTO-TMS
Bearings  Cat TDTO SYN Cold SAE 0W-30 −40 10  −40  50 
Weather SAE 5W-30 −35 0  −31  32 
commercial TO-4 
SAE 10W −30 0  −22  32 
SAE 30 −20 25  −4  77 
SAE 40 −10 40  14  104 

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SAE 50 0 50  32  122 

Cat TDTO-
−25 25  −13  77 
TMS
Cat DEO (single grade)
Cat DEO SYN SAE 30  −20  25  −4  77 
Cat DEO-ULS SYN
Track Idlers and Track
Cat ECF-1-a
Rollers 
Cat ECF-2
Cat ECF-3 SAE 5W-40 −35 40  −31  104 
API CF 

Table 4

Excavators, Front Shovels, Mass Excavators, Demolition Excavators, and Track

Material Handlers
Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures 

Oil °C  °F 

Compartment or Oil Type and Performance
Viscosity
System  Requirements  Min Max  Min  Max 
Grade 

Cat Full Synthetic Multigrade

DEO SAE 0W40(1)  -40  50  -40  122 
commercial Full Synthetic
Variable Pitch Multigrade Diesel Engine Oil
Flexxaire Fan (If meeting either Cat ECF-1 or SAE 5W40(1) -40 50  -40  122 
Equipped) 
API CG-4 
SAE 30(2)  -15  25  -5  77 
Caterpillar Non-Synthetic TO-4
SAE 50(2) −10  50  14  122 
(1)
This is the first choice. Full synthetic oils are recommended. Synthetic oils may provide longer service life for the fan.
(2) Synthetic oils allow for increased service intervals over non-synthetic oils.
This is the second choice. Caterpillar TDTO is acceptable. Commercial oils that meet the TO-4 specification are also
acceptable.TDTO is non-synthetic. Commercial TO-4 oils are typically non-synthetic.

Special Lubricants
Grease
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.

Table 5

Recommended Grease 

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Compartment or NLGI °C  °F 

Grease Type 
System  Grade  Min Max  Min  Max 
NLGI Grade
Cat Prime Application Grease  −20  140  −4  284 
2 
NLGI Grade
−20  140  −4  284 
Cat Extreme Application 1 
Grease NLGI Grade
−15  140  +5  284 
2
External Lubrication Cat Extreme Application NLGI Grade
-50  130  -58  266 
Points  Grease-Artic 0.5 
Cat Extreme Application NLGI Grade
−10  140  +14  284 
Grease-Desert 2 
NLGI Grade
Cat Utility Grease −20  140  −4  284 
2 
NLGI Grade
Cat Ball Bearing Grease −20  160  −4  320 
2 

Grease for the Autolube System (if Equipped)

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.

Table 6

Recommended Grease for the Autolube System 

Compartment or NLGI °C  °F 

Grease Type 
System  Grade  Min Max Min Max 
NLGI Grade
−35  40  -31  104 
Cat Extreme Application 1 
Cat Autolube System 
Grease  NLGI Grade
−30 50  -22  122 
2

Diesel Fuel Recommendations

Diesel fuel must meet “Caterpillar Specification for Distillate Fuel” and the latest versions of "ASTM
D975" or "EN 590" to ensure optimum engine performance. Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6250 ,

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PC
"Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations" for the latest fuel information and for Cat fuel

P-0
specification. This manual may be found on the web at Safety.Cat.com.

202 00
The preferred fuels are distillate fuels. These fuels are commonly called diesel fuel, furnace oil, gas oil,

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/
or kerosene. These fuels must meet the “Caterpillar Specification for Distillate Diesel Fuel for Off-
Highway Diesel Engines”. Diesel Fuels that meet the Caterpillar specification will help provide maximum
engine service life and performance.
11:
SEB 06- 8
Misfueling with fuels of high sulfur level can have the following negative effects:

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Reduce engine efficiency and durability 0
Increase the wear 023 7
Increase the corrosion Cat
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Increase the deposits
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Lower fuel economy
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Shorten the time period between oil drain intervals (more frequent oil drain intervals)

Increase overall operating costs

Negatively impact engine emissions

Failures that result from the use of improper fuels are not Caterpillar factory defects. Therefore the cost
of repairs would not be covered by a Caterpillar warranty.

Caterpillar does not require the use of ULSD in off road and machine applications that are not Tier
4/Stage IIIB certified engines. ULSD is not required in engines that are not equipped with after
treatment devices.

Follow operating instructions and fuel tank inlet labels, if available, to ensure that the correct fuels are
used.

Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6250 , "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations" for more
details about fuels and lubricants. This manual may be found on the web at Safety.Cat.com.

Fuel Additives
Cat Diesel Fuel Conditioner and Cat Fuel System Cleaner are available for use when needed. These
products are applicable to diesel and biodiesel fuels. Consult your Cat dealer for availability.

Biodiesel
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Biodiesel is a fuel that can be made from various renewable resources that include vegetable oils,
animal fat, and waste cooking oil. Soybean oil and rapeseed oil are the primary vegetable oil sources.
To use any of these oils or fats as fuel, the oils or fats are chemically processed (esterified). The water
and contaminants are removed.

U.S. distillate diesel fuel specification "ASTM D975-09a" includes up to B5 (5 percent) biodiesel.
Currently, any diesel fuel in the U.S. may contain up to B5 biodiesel fuel.

European distillate diesel fuel specification "EN 590" includes up to B5 (5 percent) and in some regions
up to B7 (7 percent) biodiesel. Any diesel fuel in Europe may contain up to B5 or in some regions up to
B7 biodiesel fuel.

When biodiesel fuel is used, certain guidelines must be followed. Biodiesel fuel can influence the engine
oil, aftertreatment devices, non-metallic, fuel system components, and others. Biodiesel fuel has limited
storage life and has limited oxidation stability. Follow the guidelines and requirements for engines that
are seasonally operated and for standby power generation engines.

To reduce the risks associated with the use of biodiesel, the final biodiesel blend and the biodiesel fuel
used must meet specific blending requirements.

All the guidelines and requirements are 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.

Coolant Information
The information provided in this “Coolant Recommendation” section should be used with the “Lubricants
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:

Preferred - Cat ELC (Extended Life Coolant)

Acceptable - Cat DEAC (Diesel Engine Antifreeze/Coolant)

NOTICE
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.

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PCP-0003785E
2023/03/28
06:10:50-07:00
i00059667
© 2023 Caterpillar Inc.

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