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New to group... Just got a 1959 955H looking for guidance

Manicmech

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2019
Messages
14
Location
Garden Valley Ca
Good Afternoon all... I am new to group and just got a much needed 1959 955H Cat for our 65 acre animal rescue. Was wondering if anyone has information for specs, general maintenance and repair/ parts and a good lead for parts, fluids.
Appreciate any help or direction....
Thanks, and have a great day....
 

Nige

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Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
28,985
Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
Welcome.............
I guess a lot of your questions would be answered with an Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Manual. This covers the basics of machine operation & regular preventive maintenance tasks, including fluid recommendations, capacities, change frequency, etc, etc. Just be aware that for a machine of that vintage you're not going to get a modern glossy manual. Unlike the latest ones it's actually going to assume that you have some mechanical competence rather than spoon-feeding you with information. The upside is that you have none of those new-fangled electronics to worry about.
Usual price is $46 for a pdf download.
Post a machine Serial Number and I can walk you through the process if you like.
 

Manicmech

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2019
Messages
14
Location
Garden Valley Ca
Thanks Nige.... I havent gotten it to the property yet. Iron power is set to move it next week....
I have to move it through my property from the main rd about 2 miles, was just looking for basic fluids and maybe belts to make a basic preemptive before I traverse... It is the dozer in the picture, and has been working, but she is a 1959 cat, old forestry track so she is a bit tired, but still running strong. Thanks for any help.... I should be getting the serial number in the next day or so.
 

Mother Deuce

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Jul 17, 2016
Messages
1,603
Location
New England
You have a mid-to-late 1960 955H. In the latest system the Serial Number would be written as 60A00799.
I’ll have a look tomorrow for the Cat reference number for an Operation and Maintenance Manual for it.
Nige what is the 43A number? I have an idea but not sure
 

Nige

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Jun 22, 2011
Messages
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Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
For the OP - this is from back in the day when the Machine Serial Number and the Engine Serial Number were the same.
The engine 43A3001 dates from 1963 or so.
This could potentially pose a problem regarding engine parts because nobody apart from the person who did the transplant knows exactly which parts from which engine they used on the one that was installed in the 955.

This might be a good deal on a service manual although I have no idea if it includes an Operation & Maintenance Manual - eBay listing doesn't say ........... https://www.ebay.com/c/1533583891
Here's an O&M Manual - $42 for a CD. https://www.servicemanualpro.com/?page=Products&searchbox=60A00799
 

Bluox

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2010
Messages
1,960
Location
WA state
For the OP - this is from back in the day when the Machine Serial Number and the Engine Serial Number were the same.
The engine 43A3001 dates from 1963 or so.
This could potentially pose a problem regarding engine parts because nobody apart from the person who did the transplant knows exactly which parts from which engine they used on the one that was installed in the 955.

This might be a good deal on a service manual although I have no idea if it includes an Operation & Maintenance Manual - eBay listing doesn't say ........... https://www.ebay.com/c/1533583891
Here's an O&M Manual - $42 for a CD. https://www.servicemanualpro.com/?page=Products&searchbox=60A00799
They are the same engine a D 330 The only difference the 944 had a air compressor .
 

Manicmech

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2019
Messages
14
Location
Garden Valley Ca
Thanks for all of the assistance....
was wondering if anyone has a good method for priming the fuel system. While bringing on to the property the rubber fuel line came apart...
Unfortunately... ran the system dry till it died.
Replaced line but cant seem to get system primed.
 

kshansen

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
11,129
Location
Central New York, USA
Occupation
Retired Mechanic in Stone Quarry
Thanks for all of the assistance....
was wondering if anyone has a good method for priming the fuel system. While bringing on to the property the rubber fuel line came apart...
Unfortunately... ran the system dry till it died.
Replaced line but cant seem to get system primed.
As this machine appears to have been something other than the original would it be possible to upload a couple clear pictures of the engine showing the fuel pump and filter. Might be able to point out a few things if I could see exactly what you have there!
 

Manicmech

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2019
Messages
14
Location
Garden Valley Ca
Thanks for the reply... from what I have been able to see so far, the cat has been pretty morphed together. When it ran before the fuel line came apart, seemed as though she ran and moved pretty good once warmed up.
I will try to get some pics today and get them posted back as soon as possible.
Has anyone got some good part numbers for the fuel pre filter and man filters, figure I need to change them out while I am going through this. The pre filter was pretty gummed up with dirt and rust.
I did get a 955 traxcavator service manual from the guy I bought this from. Unfortunately he didnt really have much more info for me as he only had it for about 6 months or so..
Once more appreciate any help.
 

kshansen

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Mar 11, 2012
Messages
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Location
Central New York, USA
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Retired Mechanic in Stone Quarry
Here are a couple pages from parts book that may help: See if they look like what you have there!
 

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  • 955 fuel filter.pdf
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  • 955 pump and filter.pdf
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old-iron-habit

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Nov 22, 2012
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Moose Lake, MN
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Fill the fuel tank all the way full. The fuel level should then be above the injection pump. Loosen the bleeders at the filter until fuel flows there and then at the injectors. Stand by and have a couple cups of coffee. The fuel should bleed thru by gravity to the injectors. Another way is to take a inner tube and cut a round hole in it big enough to clamp it over the fuel fill on the tank. Put some air in it to partially expand the tube. Open the bleeders and any connection as necessary to bleed the air out. It does not take much air to push the fuel thru. Only a couple pounds or less.

EDIT: The big thumbscrew identified as a needle on Ken's filter tower diagram is the bleeder for the filters. Just loosen it until the fuel flows to there and then close it and on to the injectors. Cat makes a special little wrench for the injector bleeders. Some have been able to use a small 6 sided socket to turn them. 5/16" maybe or close to that. If you are going to change the fuel filters in the tower, 4 ea. if I remember in that one, be careful taking them out. Them little phenolic rods are easily broken when replacing the filters.
 
Last edited:

Manicmech

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2019
Messages
14
Location
Garden Valley Ca
Just a quick update... Got the Cat to the property and has been running pretty good. I have been clearing up the area at top of property and she is getting at it pretty good. I do notice a bit of trans slippage when at a steep incline. Thinking it is a good time for filters and fluid. Looking for filter numbers and fluid recommendations if anyone has them handy. I could not tell you how long it has been that this machine had a good maintenance done to it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 

rmllarue91

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Apr 16, 2014
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701
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northeast pa
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field technician
Hey manic I don't know much about these but it's common for fuel transfer pump / filter housing? to put fuel in engine oil and it takes bearings out of motor. Check oil daily for dilution. And see if it slips forward and reverse and is gear specific?
 

Manicmech

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2019
Messages
14
Location
Garden Valley Ca
Thanks everyone for the replies....
Have not noticed any fuel in engine oil but need to give her a once over this coming weekend.
I did notice that she tends to heat up after a while s well.....
I did work it pretty good clearing some areas up top, and there is a lot of gr
Any recommendations on fluids and filters.
I stopped at Napa and a few other places, but could not get much help determining what I needed for trans etc....
I did see TDTO and a 50w mentioned a few places...
Wondering if anyone has any clarification and/or suggestions...
(Of course the game was on and a bit of a lack of motivation as well.. hahahaaaa)
I have been ordering some stuff from Holt, but usually a bit of a delay, as well as trying to find the correct P/N.
Once more THANKS SO much for all of the assistance...
This is definitely a learning experience for me working with such an old and morphed together machine...
 

Nige

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Jun 22, 2011
Messages
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Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
You're planning on investing money in lubricants & filters, maybe some other stuff too.
Make the leap of faith and at least get an Operation & Maintenance Manual for it.
See here - https://www.servicemanualpro.com/?page=Products&searchbox=60A00799
$150 would get you both the O&M and the Parts Manual on CD. IIRC this outfit do discounts for multiple purchases or something like that. Can't remember the details.
 
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