TM 5-3895-383-24
Cold Weather Lubricants
SMCS Code: 1000; 7000; 7581
Before attempting to start the engine, make sure that the oil in
the engine, oil in the transmission, and the oil in the hydraulic
system are fluid enough to flow. Check the oil by removing the
dipsticks. If the oil will drip from the dipstick, then the oil is fluid
enough to start the engine. Do not use oil that has been
diluted with kerosene. Kerosene will evaporate in the engine.
This will cause the oil to thicken. Kerosene will cause swelling
and softening of the silicone seals. If your machine is
equipped with a gasoline starting engine (earlier machine),
make sure that the oil is fluid enough to flow.
If the viscosity of the oil is changed for colder weather, also
change the filter element. If the filter is not changed, the filter
element and the filter housing can become a solid mass. Drain
all hydraulic cylinders and lines. After you change the oil,
operate the equipment in order to circulate the thinner oil.
When you start an engine or when you operate an engine in
ambient
temperatures
that
are
below
-20 C
(-4F) use base oils that can flow in low temperatures. These
oils have lubricant viscosity grade of SAE OW or of SAE 5W.
When you start a machine or when you operate a machine in
ambient
temperatures
that
are
below
-30 C
(-22F), use a synthetic base stock multigrade oil. The oil
should have a lubricant viscosity grade of OW or 5W. Use an
oil
with
a
pour
point
that
is
lower
than
-50 C
(-58F).
Because the number of acceptable lubricants is limited in arctic
conditions, Caterpillar has special recommendations for arctic
conditions. Caterpillar recommends the following lubricants for
use in Arctic conditions (the lubricants are listed by
preference):
·
Engine Oils
NOTICE
Using oils that are not recommended as first choice oils
could result in shortened life of the engine.
First Choice - use an oil with an EMA LRG-1 Recommended
Guideline or use a CH-4 oil that is API licensed with and SAE
OW20, SAE OW30, SAE OW40, SAE 5W30, or SAE 5W40
lubricant viscosity grade. A CG-4 oil that is API licensed with
an SAE OW20, SAE OW30, SAE OW40, SAE 5W30, OR SAE
5W40 lubricant viscosity grade may also be used. A CF-4 oil
that is API licensed with an SAE OW20, SAE OW30, SAE
OW40, SAE 5W30, or SAE 5W40 lubricant viscosity grade
may also be used.
Second Choice - use an oil that contains the CH-4,
CG-4, or CF-4 additive package although the oil has not been
tested for the requirements of the API license. The oil must
have an SAE OW20, SAE OW30, SAE 5W30, or SAE 5W40
lubricant viscosity grade.
·
Transmission/Drive Train Oils
NOTICE
Use of oils that are not recommended as first choice oils
could result in shortened life to the transmission and final
drive.
First Choice - use oils that meet the following requirements:
formulated from a full synthetic base stock without the viscosity
index improvers that meet the performance requirements of the
TO-4 specification and requirements for the SAE 30 lubricant
viscosity grade. Typical lubricant viscosity grades are SAE
OW30, SAE 5W30 and SAE OW20.
Second Choice - use oils with a TO-4 type additive package
and a lubricant viscosity grade of SAE OW30, of 5W30, or SAE
OW20
but
have
not
been
tested
against
the
TO-4
specifications.
Third Choice - use API CF/TO-2 oils with an SAE OW20,
OW30, or 5W30 lubricant viscosity grade.
NOTE: For maximum service life, use an oil with the
highest lubricant viscosity grade that is allowed
for the ambient temperature. Refer to the tables
for
Lubricant
Viscosities
for
Ambient
Temperatures
in
order
to
obtain
the
recommended oil viscosity.
·
Hydraulic Oils
Any of the oils that have a minimum zinc additive of 0.09
percent (900 ppm). These oils are listed under the heading of
Engine Oils or Transmission/Drive Train Oils.
Maintenance Section
Lubricant Specifications
1-50
