Part 4 of this series showed you how to change the engine air filters to the CAT 314E and identify the correct filter for any make and model.

Part 5 will cover how to check the level and condition of the final drive oil and how to change it.

There’s also a video version of this task on the Tekamo HD YouTube channel. Check it out.

If you don’t have the time to perform the service yourself or want to enroll in a preventative maintenance program for your heavy equipment, contact Tekamo HD to schedule a heavy-duty mechanic.

Set the Final Drive Plugs Before Removing Them

Before draining the oil, set up the plugs as follows: the drain plug at the bottom and, in the case of the left track (the one this post focuses on), the level plug on the right side. If your machine has a third plug to fill the oil, it should be at the top, just like the John Deere 85G excavator.

To loosen the CAT 314E final drive plugs, you’ll need a 1/2″ drive ratchet. Some machines require an Allen key.

Start with the top plug first to release any buildup pressure and check if the final drive is low on oil. Turn the plugs counterclockwise to loosen them.

If oil comes out of the level plug hole as soon as you remove the plug, then the oil is perfectly topped.

Pull out the drain plug once you’ve checked the level and released the pressure.

A Good Practice Recommendation From an HD Mechanic

Remove the drain plug completely and let the oil drain into the catch pan underneath. You can sometimes flush the old oil out by pumping fresh oil into the level plug opening.

Consult your manufacturer’s specs regarding the amount of oil to use and the type of oil to flush out the final drive. Once new oil runs out, you’ll know the old oil is removed.

At Fortis, we have the best tools you need to service your machine’s final drive, regardless of the make and model. Visit our tools section to purchase high-quality breaker bars, ratchets,  extension bars, and bit sockets.

Fill the Final Drive

Some machines, including the CAT 314E, share the same level and fill plug. You must pump oil through the top fill hole for models with three-plug final drives.

So, pump oil through the level hole of the CAT 314E until it comes out of the same hole.

The CAT 314E’s final drive oil capacity is 0.8 gallons (each). Here are the CAT oil recommendations for their equipment’s final drive systems:

Compartment or
System		 Oil Type and
Performance
Requirements		 Oil Viscosity
Grade		 °C °F
Min Max Min Max
Final Drives and Swing Drives
CAT TDTO
Cold Weather		 SAE 0W-20 -40 0 -40 32
CAT TDTO SAE 10W -30 0 -22 32
SAE 30* -30 -35 -22 95
SAE 50 -15 50 5 122
CAT TDTO-TMS Multi-Grade -25 25 -13 77

* Factory fill oil for standard configuration machines.

The type of final drive oil varies among different makes and models. Some use 30-weight oil, others 80W-90, even for Cat equipment, as this member of MyTractorForum and a former employee at a Cat dealership claims, based on 11 years of experience.

As you reach the top, pump slowly to let the oil settle through the gears.

Put the level plug back in, and the fill plug if there is one.

You can use a brake cleaner with paper towels or a rag to clean the excess oil.

What Does a Contaminated Oil Look Like?

A contaminated oil will appear shiny or milky. Metal filings or shavings make the oil look shiny, while water turns the oil into a milky mixture.

You can buy oil sample kits from your local dealership to determine precisely what’s in the final drive oil and narrow down the diagnosis. Fill up the samples while draining the oil, fill in the information, and drop them back off at your local dealership to get a full report.

Tekamo HD’s Advanced Diagnostics & Repair Services provide detailed troubleshooting, major component overhauls, and emissions system repairs to keep your fleet running at peak efficiency.

Get in Touch Today.

Next Post

In the sixth and final post, we’ll show you how to complete the routine maintenance tasks on our CAT 314E excavator, including the location of the grease fittings and the proper way to service them.