Electronic ain't necessarily better. I've got over $60k in 2 separate hydrostat failures, between warranty and me, on our 953C, before it hit 3k hours. Not from electronics, but rather plumbing and parts issues. The plumbing and parts updates should keep it together from here on out. Yet my 943A and 963B just keep soldiering on, with no electronics to speak of.In looking thru the service documents from Nige, I find it quite startling to realize that Cat implements a BUNCH of controls within the pump/drive setup MECHANICALLY. When likely all of the controls could be implemented electronically thru computer control.
They must have been designed before the real push to move as much as possible to computer control finally came thru.
When did the first Cat hydrostatic crawler loaders hit the market? If they were in the early '80's I can see the reason for all the mechanical monkey motion in the pump controllers. (In 1980 I was fiddling with my first computer that had 8" floppy drives and zeroing sawmill hydraulic setworks servo valves with a nylon allen key because a metal key screwed up the magnetic field in the valve--all stone age electronics)
But the mechanical controls sure improved the return for the Cat service people.
I'd love to pick up a 955 loader but I'll run away screaming from anything with hydrostatic drive... unless it's fully electronic but then I probably couldn't afford it 'cause its too new...
Jon.
DittoFantastic info OZDozer..!!!
Oh, that's expensive and bad - but it's identical to the problems I found in my 3204. The original Cat 2 ring pistons are weak. Use IPD aftermarket 3 ring pistons, they are superior to anything else.
The engine is "parent bore" - that is, it does not use cylinder liners. You will have to machine the bores to oversize.
You need to measure the wear in the cylinder bore and make a decision on the final overbore dimension. Pistons available are only 0.020" oversize and 0.040" oversize.
Make sure you have the pistons in hand before you carry out any oversize boring, as there are specific instructions in the box, for bore sizing and finish for the IPD pistons.
The Caterpillar parts are expensive and will be slow to be acquired. However, ensure you use genuine Cat "little end" (bronze) conrod bushings.
These will come from Cat Japan and are the ONLY conrod bushings to install. These bushings are the weak point of the engine (besides the original pistons!).
The cylinder head also has no valve guide inserts, the valve stem runs directly on the cast iron head metal. These wear badly, and you will find the valve stems are "sloppy".
Machine the head to take "K-line" bronze valve stem inserts, and this will fix the problem. The "K-Line" inserts are excellent U.S.-made aftermarket parts.
Also, install new valve springs, because these are cheap and important to replace. Aftermarket valve springs are manufactured by S.B. International in the U.S. or by TRW.
You would be well advised to replace all the valves as well, good quality U.S-made aftermarket valves are easily obtained, and only cost around US$150 for a full set of 8 valves.
Friday Parts are an agent for Chinese-manufactured parts and components, and they are based in Hong Kong. I would not use Chinese internal engine parts or components, their quality is still not good enough.
I did purchase a Chinese water pump from Jeenda Controls, another seller of Chinese parts based in Hong Kong.
The water pump was cheap, and the quality is O.K., and if the water pump breaks down, it's not such a problem to replace - unlike a broken piston!
The "DI" means your engine uses Direct Injection in the combustion chamber. Earlier 3204's used "PC" - precombustion chambers, and the precombustion chamber design was a completely different design to DI.
Your bearings shows signs of what is called "cavitation erosion". This odd wear pattern can be caused by the oil pump sucking air, or inadequate oil pressure.
Make sure your oil pump rotors are in good condition, or replaced if they show wear. The oil pump rotor is very expensive to buy, about US$700 even for aftermarket. Cat want over US$1000 for their oil pump rotor.
I am re-using my oil pump rotor, because the rotor wear is minimal, and the wear level is still well within specification levels.
Bearing Damage: Cavitation Erosion
Cavitation erosion is an impact fatigue attack caused by the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles in the oil film under conditions of rapid pressure changes during the crank cycle in internal combustion engines.www.waukbearing.com
This is probably the single most important factor for a successful engine rebuild, or any repair on the machine for that matter.It is important to have the repair/service manual for your tractor, so you can obtain the disassembly and assembly instructions and the specifications for clearances.
Sorry I have no leads regarding the availability of spare parts other than the ones already mentioned.Could you help me with the purchase of spare parts?
Hi OzDozer,cat951b, here is the IPD website link (below) with a range of literature to inform you. There is an IPD Headquarters for European parts distribution, they will be able to advise you who your local IPD distributor or agent is, in Hungary.
It appears IPD EU operate from Poland, the manager is listed as Michal Owczarek, and he can be contacted at mowczarek@ipdparts.com - or call him at +45 7550 7666.
Literature - Premium Quality Heavy-Duty Engine Parts
IPD shares resources on a wide range of engine related topics, including parts, industries and applications. Download the brochures from our website.www.ipdparts.com
Landing Page - Europe - Premium Quality Heavy-Duty Engine Parts
Explore top-tier engine parts at IPD Europe. Elevate your vehicle's performance and reliability with our premium components. Shop now for excellence!www.ipdparts.com
Maybe not “damaged” as you think but it is obvious from the photos that the O-Rings are no longer circular in cross-section. They appear to be almost square and I would bet that their material is very hard. It is quite likely that they were leaking.The O-rings are not visibly damaged
Actually there is damage on at least one O-Ring when the photo is zoomed. See below.The O-rings are not visibly damaged