Caterpillar 72H PIPELAYER - Maintenance | Monthly

Belt - Inspect/Replace

• Park the machine on level ground. Lower the dozer blade to the ground. Move the transmission control to the NEUTRAL position and engage the parking brake. Shut off the engine.

• Open the right engine access door.

• Inspect the condition of serpentine belt (1) visually.

• Close the right engine access door.

Replace the Belt

• Replace a belt that is in poor condition, when a new belt is required.

• Park the machine on level ground. Move the transmission control to the NEUTRAL position and engage the parking brake. Shut off the engine.

• Open the right engine access door.

• Turn the battery disconnect switch to the OFF position.

• Release the tension on serpentine belt (1). Insert a 12.7 mm (0.50 inch) ratchet into the square hole in the belt tightener (2) and pry the belt tightener in a clockwise direction.

• Remove the belt from the pulleys.

• Install the new belt around the pulleys.

• When you release the tension off the belt tensioner, the belt tensioner will automatically adjust the belt to the correct position. Recheck the belt tension.

• Turn the battery disconnect switch to the ON position.

• Close the right engine access door.

• If a new belt is installed, recheck the belt adjustment after 30 minutes of operation.

Engine Oil Sample - Obtain

• Open the engine access door on the right side of the machine.

• Remove the protective cap.

• Use 169-8373 Fluid Sampling Bottle in order to obtain a sample of the engine oil.

• Replace the protective cap.

• Close the engine access door.

• Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Lubricant Viscosities” for the correct fluid for your machine.

Equalizer Bar End Pins Oil Level - Check

• Clean the areas that are around the end pin with a high-pressure wash. Inspect the condition of the seal (1).

• Check the area for oil leakage. Be sure that the seal is in a neutral position.

• Remove plug (2).

• Check the oil level. Oil level (4) should be at the top of the hex head on the fitting.

• If the oil level is low, apply the gear oil through fitting (3) until the gear oil reaches oil level (4) at the top of the hex head on the fitting. Remove any excess oil. This exercise will maintain a volume of air.

• The gear oil must be applied with a 7H-1680 Lubrication Hand Pump. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Lubricant Viscosities” for the correct oil. The gear oil has excellent load carrying capacity.

• Be sure that seals (1) are not pushed out. Push back the seals if the seals are pushed out.

• Install plug (2).

Final Drive Oil Level - Check

• Position one final drive so that oil level mark (1) is horizontal and drain plug (3) is at the bottom.

• Remove oil filler plug (2).

• The oil level should be at the bottom of the filler plug opening. Add oil, if necessary.

• See the Table in the article “Lubricant Viscosities” for the type of oil.

• Install oil filler plug (2).

• Repeat Step 186 to Step 4 in order to check the oil level in the other final drive.

Fuel Tank Water and Sediment - Drain

• Open the drain valve. Allow the water and the sediment to drain into a suitable container.

• Close the drain valve.

Track - Check/Adjust

• Move the machine forward. Allow the machine to coast to a stop without the use of the service brakes. Adjust the tracks while you are in the machine typical operating conditions. If packing conditions prevail on the workplace, the tracks should be adjusted without removing the packed material.

• To measure the sag in the track, stretch a string over the grousers that are between the sprocket and the front idler. Take the measurement from the string to the top of the grouser at the maximum measurement. Dimension (A) is the maximum distance between the string and the grouser.