NEW HYBRID TRACK FOR TRACTORS, LOADERS, EXCAVATORS, AND FELLER BUNCHERS 8.00� (203.2mm) PITCH Caterpillar

NEW HYBRID TRACK FOR TRACTORS, LOADERS, EXCAVATORS, AND FELLER BUNCHERS 8.00? (203.2mm) PITCH

The new Hybrid track is available for the following specific machine models:

The new Hybrid link assembly is a consolidation of the best features of (3) current production Sealed & Lubricated Track link assemblies. These include the former D6 Oval (SALT), 963 Hystat (EWL SALT), and D6H Elevated (SALT). Also, a sealed version is available for oval track tractors & loaders, excavators, and feller bunchers. The new features of this track will help lower machine Owning & Operating (O & O) costs. When used in combination with tough steel sprocket segments (specific models), machine O & O costs will be further lowered.

Benefits of the new Hybrid track will be different, based on the machine model involved. The following is a list of Hybrid track features and benefits, per specific machine model.

Features/Benefits

Oval Track Tractors & Loaders: D6G/E/D/C, 955L/K

      *Increased system life when EWL roller and idler shells are used with the new Hybrid track.

Hystat Loaders: 963C/B, 963

Elevated Sprocket: D6H

Excavators & Feller Bunchers: 225, 229, 231, 235, FB227

Adaptability/Serviceability

Oval Track Tractors, Loaders, Excavators, & Feller Buncher: D6G/E/D/C, 955L/K, 225, 229, 235, FB227

?        The new link assembly maintains the same inner and outer link spreads, and fits onto existing track rollers, idlers, and carrier rollers. The track pin length is the same, so the new link assembly is interchangeable within existing track-guiding guards (end, center, and full length).

?        The S & L track bushing has the same outside diameter and fits existing D6 and 955 sprocket segments.

?        The D6, 955, Excavators, and Feller Buncher one-piece master link sealed Hybrid track has a larger bushing than the former bushing.  See Attachment II for new wear chart.  Hybrid track on Excavators and Feller Buncher machines can only be used with worn (current rim part number 9M-3818) sprockets, or new (new rim part number 246-5228) sprockets.

?        The shoe bolt pattern and mounting hardware are the same. So, current shoes and hardware are interchangeable.

?        The new track link is 7mm (0.28?) taller than the former SALT link. This will cause the front idler to retract slightly further when the new track is installed. So, care must be taken not to overbuild the idlers. An overbuilt idler may prevent a new track from being fastened together, even with the track adjuster cylinder fully collapsed.

?        Due to the Hybrid consolidated improvements, individual piece parts within the link assembly are not interchangeable.

Hystat Loaders: 963C/B, 963

?        The new hybrid track is factory standard on 963C Tier II Hystat track loaders (reference IRM UC04 ? 21), and is adaptable to earlier 963?s.

?        The new link assembly maintains the same inner and outer link spreads, and fits onto current 963 track rollers, idlers, and carrier rollers. The track pin length is the same, so the new link assembly is interchangeable within existing 963 end and full-length track guiding guards.

?        The track bushing has the same outside diameter and fits existing sprocket segments.

?        The shoe bolt pattern and mounting hardware are the same. So, current shoes and hardware are interchangeable.

?        Due to the Hybrid consolidated improvements, individual piece parts within the link assembly are not interchangeable.

Elevated Sprocket: D6H

?        The new link assembly maintains the same inner and outer link spreads, and fits onto the D6H track rollers, idlers, and carrier rollers. The track pin length is the same, so the new link assembly is interchangeable within existing SALT track end, center, and full-length guide guards.

?        The track bushing has the same outside diameter and fits existing D6H sprocket segments.

?        For the D6H only, the new Hybrid link assembly shoe bolt pattern is different. So, current D6H SALT shoes cannot be reused. The standard shoe mounting bolts are the same ?? thread size, but a different part number. The new Hybrid link assembly uses the D6D shoes and mounting bolts, so new shoes and mounting bolts are required.  Refer to page 280 of the 4^th Edition U/C PSK. The D6D shoes have the same shoe section as the D6H, so performance and life of the shoes are the same. Two options are available for a D6H retrofit

o             Option A: The difference between the lower (Consumer List) price of the new Hybrid link assembly and the former D6H SALT link assembly provides the new (required) shoes at approximately half price. This, in addition to increased Hybrid track wear life benefits, make this a good option where existing shoes are more than 40% worn.

o       Option B: The D6H Heavy Duty link assembly uses the same bolt hole pattern as the D6H SALT link assembly. So, existing D6H SALT track shoes can retrofit onto the Heavy Duty link assembly. The Heavy Duty link assembly uses a heavier link with a wider track pin. D6H tractors built after 1992 had end track guiding guards that can be adjusted with shim removal for this wider track pin.  Further details on Heavy Duty track can be found in IRM?s UC92 ? 20 and UC93 ? 8. The Heavy Duty link assembly is a good option when D6H SALT track shoes are fairly new, with little grouser or shoe trailing/leading edge wear.

?        A complete list of shoes for the new Hybrid link assembly is found on page 280 of the 4^th Edition Undercarriage Parts Sales Kit.

?        Due to the Hybrid consolidated improvements, individual piece parts within the link assembly are not interchangeable.

Part Number Information

See the following tables for link assembly and track group part numbers.  Refer to Attachment I for part number consist for the link assemblies and hardware.

D6G/E/D/C, 955L/K, 963C/B 963, D6H S&L Link Assemblies

         * Requires ordering new shoes, refer to page 280 in the 4^th Edition of the U/C PSK

D6G/E/D/C MTO Track Groups

963C/B MTO Track Groups

D6D, 955, 225, 229, 231, 235, FB227 Sealed Link Assemblies

* Hybrid track on these machines can only be used with a worn (current rim part number 9M-3818) sprockets, or new (new rim part number 246-5228) sprockets.

Custom Track Service (CTS) 

Oval Track Tractors & Loaders: D6G/E/DC, 955L/K

?        The new Hybrid track has a taller link, providing approx. 20% more link wear life. A new CTS wear chart is attached (see Attachment II) for the new, taller link.

?        Although not required, Extended Wear Life (EWL) track rollers and idlers should used with the new Hybrid link to achieve the increased link/roller system wear benefit. The total link/roller system life improvement is approximately 40% more than the standard D6/955 link/roller system. Part numbers for the EWL components are listed in the 4^th edition Undercarriage Parts Sales Kit. Appropriate wear charts for the regular and EWL rollers and idlers are found in the 15^th edition Custom Track Service Handbook or software program PC CTS version 5.5.

?        Tough steel sprocket segments should also be considered with this option to improve sprocket and bushing life. The bushing to sprocket and bushing to link wear balance will also improve.

?        The D6 and 955 one-piece master link sealed Hybrid track has a larger bushing than the former bushing.  See Attachment II for new wear chart.

Hystat Loaders: 963/B/C

?        The Hybrid track link is the same height and has the same wear life as the former 963 EWL link. Even though the link height is the same, a new CTS wear chart is used (see Attachment II). The larger bushing bore requires different link ultrasonic measurement values.

?        Tough steel sprocket segments should be considered for use with the new Hybrid link. They will improve sprocket and bushing life. They will also improve bushing to sprocket and bushing to link wear balance, and reduce sprocket ?tip roll over? wear. Reference IRM UC03-11 for tough steel segment details.

?        The current 963 CTS wear charts are used for all other undercarriage components (bushings, rollers, idlers, carrier rollers).

Elevated Sprocket: D6H

?        The new Hybrid track has a taller link, providing approx. 20% more link wear life over the D6H SALT link. A new CTS wear chart is attached (see Attachment II) for the new, taller link.

?        The allowable wear material for the Hybrid link is about the same as the D6H/R Heavy Duty and RBT track link. So, current D6H rollers, idlers, and carrier rollers will also have approx. 20% more wear life when matched with the new, taller Hybrid link. The existing ?Heavy Duty & RBT track? CTS wear charts for the track roller, carrier roller, and idler, should be used with the Hybrid link assembly, to allow this extra wear life. These charts are in the D6H section of the 15^th edition Custom Track Service Handbook or software program PC CTS version 5.5.

Excavators & Feller Bunchers: 225, 229, 231, 235, FB227

?        The new Hybrid track has a taller link, providing more link wear life. A new CTS wear chart is attached (see Attachment II) for the new, taller link.

?        The Excavators and Feller Bunchers have a new larger outer diameter bushing in the Hybrid track.  A new CTS wear chart is available (see Attachment II) for the new larger bushing.

?        Current excavator and feller buncher CTS wear charts are used for all other undercarriage components (rollers, idlers, carrier rollers).

EAMathewson

Undercarriage Marketing Division

Parts and Service Marketing

CV4111 ? Tel (309) 675-7850

Mathewson_Eric_A@cat.com

Attachment I

D6G/E/D/C, 955L/K SEALED AND LUBRICATED TRACK

Hybrid Split Master Links

Attachment I

963C/B 963, D6G/E/D/C SEALED AND LUBRICATED TRACK

Hybrid Split Master Links

Formerly EWL Link Design

Attachment I

D6H SEALED AND LUBRICATED TRACK

Hybrid Split Master Links

* Replaced by Hybrid link assembly and D6D track shoes.

Attachment I

D6G/E/D/C, 955L/K SEALED TRACK

Hybrid Split Master Links

D6G/E/D/C, 225,229,231,235, FB227 SEALED TRACK

Hybrid One Piece Master Links

** Hybrid track on these machines can only be used with worn (current rim part number 9M-3818) sprockets, or new (new rim part number 246-5228) sprockets.

Attachment II

D6D/C/E/G, D6H, 963C/B, 963, 225, 229, 231, FB227, 235, 955K/L

Hybrid Track Links

228-2735 & 228-2736