Caterpillar 257 - Daily Maintenance

Axle Bearings - Lubricate

• Apply lubricant to the grease fittings for the rear axle bearings and the front axle bearings.

• Repeat the process for the opposite side of the machine.

Backup Alarm - Test

• Get into the operator’s seat. Fasten the seat belt and pull the armrest downward.

• Start the engine.

• Disengage the parking brake.

• Move the speed/direction control lever to the REVERSE position.

• The backup alarm (if equipped) should sound immediately. The backup alarm should continue to sound until the speed/direction control lever is returned to the HOLD position or to the FORWARD position.

Bogie and Idler - Inspect/Replace

• Remove the track. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Track (Rubber) - Remove/Replace”.

• Remove the retaining ring (1) and the dust cap (2).

• Remove the nut (3) and the washer (4).

• When you reinstall the nut (3), tighten the nut to the following torque 168 ± 30 N·m (124 ± 22 lb ft).

• Remove the bearing (5).

• When you reinstall the bearing (5) lubricate the bearing with 1P-0808 Multipurpose Grease.

Cooling System Level - Check

• Open the engine access door. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Access Doors and Covers”.

• Tilt the radiator guard upward. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Radiator Tilting”.

• Maintain the coolant to the top of the sight gauge with the radiator in the LOWERED position. The sight gauge is located on the right side of the radiator.

• If you need to add coolant to the radiator, the radiator cap is located on the upper left corner of the radiator. Remove the radiator cap slowly in order to relieve system pressure.

• Inspect the cooling system hoses for any leaks, cracks, or signs of deterioration. Replace any damaged hoses.

• Inspect the radiator cap and the gasket. Replace the cap if the cap or the gasket is damaged. Install the radiator cap.

• Tilt the radiator guard downward.

• Maintain the coolant level in the coolant reservoir between the “MIN” and “MAX” lines on the reservoir tank.

• Close the engine access door.

Engine Air Filter Service Indicator - Inspect

• Mount the machine.

• Fasten the seat belt. Lower the armrest.

• Start the engine.

• Run the engine at high idle.

• Stop the engine.

• Open the engine access door. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Access Doors and Covers”.

• Tilt the radiator upward if it is necessary. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Radiator Tilting”.

• Inspect the engine air filter service indicator. If the yellow piston in the filter service indicator enters the red zone, service the air cleaner.

• See the Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Engine Air Filter Primary Element - Clean/Replace”. See the Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Engine Air Filter Secondary Element - Replace”.

• Reset the engine air filter service indicator.

• Tilt the radiator downward.

• Close the engine access door.

Engine Oil Level - Check

• Stop the engine and allow the oil to drain back into the oil pan.

• Open the engine access door. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Access Doors and Covers”.

• Tilt the radiator upward. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Radiator Tilting”.

• Maintain the oil level to the “FULL” mark (3) on the dipstick (1).

• If necessary, remove the oil filler cap (2) and add oil.

• Clean the oil filler cap and install the oil filler cap.

• Tilt the radiator downward.

• Close the engine access door.

Fuel System Primary Filter (Water Separator) - Drain

• Open the engine access door. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Access Doors and Covers”.

• Loosen the drain valve on the bottom of the water separator. Allow the water and the sediment to drain into a suitable container.

• Tighten the drain valve.

• Close the engine access door.

Hydraulic System Oil Level - Check

• Park the machine on level ground.

• Lower the work tool to the ground. Turn off the engine.

• Wait for about five minutes before checking the level of the hydraulic oil.

• Maintain the oil level to the middle of the sight gauge. Do not overfill the hydraulic tank.

Lift Arm and Cylinder Linkage - Lubricate

• Apply lubricant to the grease fittings (1) for the lift arm linkage.

• Apply lubricant to the grease fittings (2) for the lift cylinder bearings.

• Repeat the process for the opposite side of the machine.

Quick Coupler - Inspect

• Move the quick coupler levers (1) to the disengaged position. Ensure that the levers are not bent or broken.

• Check the top edges of the quick coupler assembly (2) for wear or for damage.

• Move the quick coupler levers (1) to the engaged position. Ensure that the levers move freely without restriction.

• Make sure that the coupler pins (3) extend through the bottom of the quick coupler assembly. Check the pins for wear and check the pins for damage.

• Move the quick coupler levers to the disengaged position.

• If any wear is suspected or damage is suspected, consult your Caterpillar dealer before you use a work tool.

Radiator Core - Clean

• Open the engine access door. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Access Doors and Covers”.

• Tilt the radiator guard upward. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Radiator Tilting”.

• Clean the radiator core

• Remove any dirt or debris from the fan, the fan hub, the oil cooler, the radiator guard and the fan guard.

• Tilt the radiator guard downward.

• Close the engine access door.

Seat Belt - Inspect

• Always check the condition of the seat belt and the condition of the seat belt mounting hardware before you operate the machine. Replace any parts that are damaged or worn before you operate the machine.

• Check the seat belt mounting hardware (1) for wear or for damage. Replace any mounting hardware that is worn or damaged. Make sure that the mounting bolts are tight.

• Check buckle (2) for wear or for damage. If the buckle is worn or damaged, replace the seat belt.

• Inspect the seat belt (3) for webbing that is worn or frayed. Replace the seat belt if the seat belt is worn or frayed.

• Consult your Caterpillar dealer for the replacement of the seat belt and the mounting hardware.

• If your machine is equipped with a seat belt extension, also perform this inspection procedure for the seat belt extension.

Sprocket Retaining Nuts - Check

• Check the torque on the nuts for new sprockets or for sprockets that have been reinstalled after every ten service hours until the specified torque is maintained.

• Check the nuts on both sprockets. Use a star pattern when you tighten the nuts.

• Tighten the nuts for the 247 and 257 to the following torque 175 ± 30 N·m (129 ± 22 lb ft).

• Tighten the nuts for the 267, 277 and 287 to the following torque 270 ± 40 N·m (199 ± 30 lb ft).

Tilt Cylinder Bearings and Bucket Linkage Bearings - Lubricate

• Wipe all of the grease fittings before you apply lubricant.

• Lubricate the fittings with the loader lift arms in the fully lowered position

• Apply lubricant to the grease fittings (1) for the upper bearings for the tilt cylinders.

• Apply lubricant to the grease fittings (2) for the lower bearings for the tilt cylinders.

• Apply lubricant to the grease fittings (3) for the coupler engagement pins.

• Apply lubricant to the grease fitting (4) for the pivot pin of the quick coupler assembly.

• There are a total of 8 grease fittings.

Track (Rubber) - Inspect/Adjust

• Periodic adjustment of the track tension is necessary in order to avoid damage to the tracks. If a track is too loose, the track will be more likely to come off of the machine.

• Track guides are recommended if the machine will be operated in very rough terrain. Track guides are recommended for the 267 and 277 if the machine will be frequently operated on side slopes or very rough terrain.

• Do not overtighten the tracks. Tracks that are too tight can cause premature failure of the tracks. Tracks that are too tight can cause power loss and bearing failures.

Work Tool - Lubricate

• Apply lubricant to the grease fitting (1) for the pivot pin of the apron.

• Apply lubricant to the grease fitting (2) for the rod end of the multipurpose bucket cylinder.

• Apply lubricant to the grease fitting (3) for the head end of the multipurpose bucket cylinder.

• Repeat for the other side of the bucket.

• There are six grease fittings.

Work Tool Mounting Bracket - Inspect

• Inspect upper angled plate (1) and ensure that the plate is not bent or otherwise damaged. Inspect holes (2) for wear and for damage. Inspect lower angled plate (3) and ensure that the plate is not bent or otherwise damaged. If any wear is suspected or any damage is suspected, consult your Caterpillar dealer before you use the work tool.