How to Inspect Your Cat^® Drive Train

Before you get started, always check your Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM) for the correct safety procedures, and be sure to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Daily Checks

Your daily pretrip inspection is a great opportunity to look for anything abnormal with your machine. The drive train includes components like the final drives, brake groups, transmission, axles and differentials, though this can vary by machine type.

• Final drives: Look for leaks, rust and cracks around the final drive.
• Track machines: If you have a track machine, check the sprockets, rollers, track shoes and drop box for similar issues.
• Wheeled machines: For wheeled machines, inspect the backside of the wheel stations for cracks, leaks and rust. Also, check the tires for any unusual wear or damage.
• U-joints: Check the U-joints for loose bolts, lack of grease or signs of excess wear.
• Discolored paint: Red or orange paint around the transmission or final drives can signal overheating or other issues.
• Fasteners & lines: Make sure fasteners aren’t loose, and inspect hoses, brake lines and cooling lines for damage.

Remember, damage of any kind — whether or not it's related to the drive train — should be addressed immediately to prevent further complications.

Operation

When you start your equipment and while you’re operating it, monitor your gauges and alerts closely.

If you notice that the machine is burning fuel faster than usual, investigate the cause. White smoke is often a sign of excess fuel burn and should be addressed right away.

Pay attention to hesitation, slippage, vibration or overheating. These can indicate problems with the drive train, but a thorough maintenance program can usually catch these issues before they become serious.

Maintenance Intervals

Refer to your OMM or SIS 2.0 for specific service intervals, but here are a few key ones you could expect:

• Every 50 hours: Check tire pressure.
• Every 100 hours: Test secondary steering.
• Every 250 hours: Lubricate the axle oscillation bearings, test the brake system and check the differential and final drive oil.

These are just a few of the maintenance tasks you’ll need to perform to protect your drive train system. Following the recommended maintenance schedule will help prevent unexpected downtime and costly repairs.

If you do encounter a problem with your equipment, document the issue and immediately schedule an inspection and servicing. Catching and fixing problems early is the key to keeping your Cat equipment running efficiently.

For more information and support, contact your Cat dealer. And always check your Operation and Maintenance Manual for specific instruction and safety procedures.