New to me 143 H

zhkent · Sep 23, 2020

Hi everyone!
I just bought an ex-county machine off of BigIron Auctions.
CAT0143HV1AL01163
Pretty low hours, around 4500. Called to see if oils needed changed up, they said it had been in shop last winter. Oils changed, drive chains changed, trans solenoids replaced, and some maintenance done in the front wheels.
So a couple questions.
Should the front wheel assist be used at all times? Is there a choice?
Any quirks I should know about on that machine?

Thanks, Kent

Nige · Sep 24, 2020

First question: If you plan on doing your own maintenance do you at least have an Operation & Maintenance Manual for it.?
To download a pdf version from Cat go to - https://catpublications.com/
When the popup appears, click on Continue as Guest
Type SEBU7063 in the box and click the Search button. You should see the illustration below. (Paper & CD versions have S&H charges on top of the posted price)

zhkent · Sep 24, 2020

Yes, it comes with operation and maintenance manual.
Also get a service manual, so yay!
Haven't got the machine or manuals yet.
Bookmarked the link, thanks.

Nige · Sep 24, 2020

zhkent said:
Bookmarked the link, thanks.

Be aware that the link works better if you know the Pubication Number of the document you're searching for. Sometimes searching based on a model number it can return all sorts of spurious results.

Welder Dave · Sep 24, 2020

Curious why a county would sell a grader with only 4500 hours? Most I've seen have been around the 10,000 hour mark or more when replaced.

Cat 140M AWD · Sep 24, 2020

Just curious did Bennet County have that grader? as far as the all wheel drive goes there’s a switch on the right side of the cab by the ignition switch that will turn your front wheel assist on there’s a lever on the left of the control rack you push it forward to make the front wheels pull more I generally don’t use AWD unless you need it.

zhkent · Sep 25, 2020

Yes, Bennet County was the seller.
I will be using it on terraces. Digging is mostly with the "belt".
video of belt
When blading we keep moving dirt towards the back, wider is better!
Generally will be blading to move some more dirt over when cleaning up.
My plan is that this blade will be ran by my helper. He has ran the 613 and belt.
I won't be running it, and he is inexperienced, so thought some guidance would be a good thing.

zhkent · Sep 25, 2020

Dave,
I would guess they sold it because of age?
It'll be 20 next year.

Welder Dave · Sep 25, 2020

It might have been less headaches for them to keep it than get a new grader with all the electronic and DPF issues you could keep hearing about.

John C. · Sep 25, 2020

That machine is configured for snow plowing. The post in the back is the rear mount for a wing and the front linkage is for a push blade. Operating time and age are pretty typical for snow machines. Salt and sitting for long periods of time take a toll on all the linkages. Government gets a big advantage over private buyers in that there are lots of programs the provide huge breaks in initial costs plus there are guaranteed buy backs and lots of competition from Deere and Volvo for the business. Around here, government graders get traded out just before they go out of warranty. That being the case, they are not a bargain buy when they hit the used machine markets.

Cmark · Sep 25, 2020

In my opinion you can't go wrong with an H series grader. Super reliable, infinitely rebuildable and plenty of aftermarket parts available.

zhkent · Oct 27, 2020

Well John C. was right about the linkages being worn more than I would of expected. And man was the radiator filthy.
And there might be another problem. The first time we used the grader was a very soft waterway that had dried up some. Noticed that when I pushed the front assist power lever forward it gets noisy and seems to come from transmission. I tried it again on regular ground a different time. It makes noise from the transmission like a bearing is out. It gets worse when the power is turned up, and goes away when the power to the front is turned down. Without the front assist on things are pretty normal. Reverse 4th gear has just a bit of wine, but nothing I would of noticed if I wasn't listening for problems.
And they sent me the books for the newer serial number.
Other than that it's just like new lol!

DB2 · Oct 27, 2020

I would say an oil sample may be in order. Maybe an inspection of the filter as well. Probably cheaper to fix it before it fails completely. Just my opinion

Cmark · Oct 28, 2020

The front wheel drive is hydrostatic so if you're taking oil samples the hydraulic is important. The FWD pump is driven by the transmission so this may be where the noise is coming from.

Nige · Oct 28, 2020

Have you serviced the transmission & hydraulic systems yet..?
If not don't forget to have a good look at the suction screens for the transmission & diff housings when you do.

zhkent · Oct 28, 2020

Planned to get serious when the weather goes south. Will check screens and filters and change hyd and trans oils. Need to tighten up lift cylinder sockets then also. There aren't any shims left, they are pretty loose, figure will have to weld on new stud-balls.

Tyler d4c · Oct 28, 2020

Cmark said:
In my opinion you can't go wrong with an H series grader. Super reliable, infinitely rebuildable and plenty of aftermarket parts available.

Thats why I own cats parts are available all over the place

Nige · Oct 28, 2020

Have the inserts (#6) gone totally south as well..? New inserts will often give you a bit of additional life without having to resort to welding on a new ball.

zhkent · Oct 28, 2020

When I get it in I'll see if the inserts will do it!

zhkent · Nov 1, 2020

A friend came by and we got to spend a little time on the grader.
The speed sensor has quit I think, the speedometer stays at 25 mph all the time.
So on the front assist I use manual mode. And I used the front assist in 2nd and 3rd, so when it's turned up it's really pulling. I showed my friend, turned up the power to the front, and he was pretty sure it was just pump noise.
It pulled the 613 out of a mud hole so yay!

New to me 143 H

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