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CAT 955L - Identification - Australia

Island

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia
Hello from Australia,

A couple of days ago I purchased a 955L from a bloke down the road.
I cannot locate a SN in any of the locations mentioned in these forums.
The only SN I found does not seem to make sense, it is on the side of the engine (left)
53 H 168
decal on right side shows 955L

The motor I think is a D330 or D330c, based on info from threads:
- early type fuel pump
- spring tensioner for the belts
- cartridge filters rather than spin on
(note that the motor seems to be in contradiction with the decal. I thought 955L all had the 3304?)
The local CAT shop has not been able to decipher based on the info I have given them.
If it is miss labeled, what other differences could I check to separate a 955L from a 955K ?
ie. different rams, undercarriage etc.

NB: Machine runs well. sounds nice.
fwd/reverse good, only two gears engaging, adjustment issue I am thinking.
Glow plugs under-performing, chemical assistance to start.
Start switch was buggered. using bare wires for now (lugs).
Ram seals - 3 of the four rams leak to varying degrees.
Piping for the bucket 4in1 rams fractured.
The left track loosened a little when I moved it, but not too bad. will clean it up and check once I get it home.
Both Gearbox and Bevel case need oil changes.
All wiring will need to be replaced.

Need to wait till the end of the week for the roads to dry out a bit before floating it home. only 15 odd km.

Any assistance wrt to where this machine sits in terms of age and which manual would suit would be appreciated.
Not sure if the Australian machines were US made or Japan?

Looking fwd to fixing it up. Have holes to dig.
I am not far from the machine and can check/photograph as required.
I am a Marine Engineer by trade, so competent mechanically.

cheers, Jack

NB:did I mention that it sounds good?
 

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Island

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia
Barr the 955L decal on the side, there is no real indication (or promise) of age. Trying to figure it out.
The 168 certainly points to being an early model.
The Owner has died, and the son is reluctantly sold it for the estate. He has used it over the years, but does not know details.
 

Nige

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
28,984
Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
Barr the 955L decal on the side.....
There's the rub. Decals can be changed (and often are to make machines look newer than they actually are) really easily. IIRC the late K & L models had a 3304 engine, the earlier K's and everything before that were equipped with the D330.

I'd need to check in my Serial Number book but, like 56Wrench above, I think you possibly have something that's older than you think it is. Unfortunately 53H is not listed in the online system.
 

Island

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia
Figured it was an older unit. Not worried about that. Just need to figure out which manual will do the trick.
The motor does not look like any of the 3304 photos I have found. It does look like the D330 photos.

more photos can be supplied if useful. Let me know what of.
Perhaps ID by part number? such as one of the rams? the turbo? or the Fuel pump.
The alternator is an odd unit.
It is a Wilson, made in Canada.
 

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Island

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Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia
OK.
So no luck with 955L SN or engine arrangements.
Found a 955K operators book which 53H SN's
Looks like it is either a 955K or 955L with a motor change.
Looking at Jensales site.
 

Island

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Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia
Jensales have the workshop manual as well.

Is there any value in the operators manual?
Would assume it is generic material.
 

56wrench

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2016
Messages
2,074
Location
alberta
If the generator(thats what you have), has a WILSON# on it, it is a rebuilt. It will have a separate voltage regulator. Wilson usually used the delco or prestolite numbers which was good. Wilson originally had a rebuild facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba but now i believe they are rebuilt in the states- i don't remember where. That 706X number may be the number stamped in by an engine rebuild shop. Thats how they keep track of the engine and corresponding work order
 
Last edited:

Island

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia
Thanks 56,
It look after market ish.
Winnipeg is on the tag.
The regulator is pictured below.
It appears to be the same as the reg from the 755K manual.
 

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56wrench

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Dec 4, 2016
Messages
2,074
Location
alberta
Its even got the polarizing instructions which is good. If it sits for a long time with the battery disconnected, and it won't charge after starting, occasionally they need to be polarized again
 

Island

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Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia
It was not charging when I ran it. sat for at lest 3 years without batteries.
When you say polarizing, it that the same as flashing a generator rotor?
 

Island

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Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia
Good words to hear.
I may need to use those model numbers with William Adams (local CAT) as they did not recognize the 53H.

thanks.
 

Island

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Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia

Island

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia
Track pitch 175.5/175.75mm left/right measured over 4 and averaged.
Track width 380mm
overall width 2060mm

seems to be D5 dimensions
still inconclusive on the machine model. Either 955K or early 955L with reco 330c motor from a 955K '67/'68 vintage
 

Nige

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Jun 22, 2011
Messages
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G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
Regarding your manuals. Bob mentioned above that 48H 61H 31J prefixes are the same as your 53H machine.
An Operation & Maintenance Manual can be downloaded from Cat in pdf format for US$28.
Go to https://catpublications.com/
Click on "Continue as Guest"
Put SEBU6650 in the box and click Search. The illustraion below should appear. This O&M Manual suits all 4 Serial number prefixes.
A download is usually available within 5 minutes of paying for it.

upload_2021-8-26_9-37-38.png
 

Nige

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Messages
28,984
Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
Regarding Parts Manuals the story is nowhere near as clear.
The same Cat Publications site lists two Parts Manuals as shown below. Neither of them covers 53H though.
You may struggle a bit if the 53H was only ever built in Australia.

upload_2021-8-26_9-40-19.png
upload_2021-8-26_9-42-7.png
 

Island

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Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Messages
46
Location
Australia
Thanks Nige,
I pulled the trigger early today on a 53H service manual from Jensale. I could not locate it from CAT and was not sure about the comparable manuals at the time. Will let you know what it is like when received.

Just about happy with the engine ID side atm.
D330
SN 53H168
build date 1969
By virtue of the generator (Wilson) and 709X stamp under the SN plate, it appears it is a reco motor. Unsure if it is the original motor for the machine or not.
The spring tensioner, Fuel pump, cartridge filters and 4S8500 block stamping lead me to believe it is the D330 rather then the D330c which should have the 3304 block (5S5300)

Machine
Not yet certain.
It has a faded original looking 955L decal on the right side hyd tank (could be red herring)
It is either very early 955L (due to track width 6'9" (2060mm) and 175.5mm pitch)
Or consistent with the motor it is a 1969 955K 53H Australia build

Please correct me with any of the above.
I think Iam correct wrt early 955L having the D5 tracks, but cannot locate the thread you posted about them.
I am looking for differences between the models other than the engine to determine the correct parts manual.
Looking into the Bevel case atm. Stamping on top of mine is GK201
cheers, Jack
 

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56wrench

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Dec 4, 2016
Messages
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Location
alberta
It was not charging when I ran it. sat for at lest 3 years without batteries.
When you say polarizing, it that the same as flashing a generator rotor?
i'm not sure, but here it was known as polarizing-maybe someone else will chime in
 

tctractors

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Oct 9, 2007
Messages
2,383
Location
Worc U.K.
The engine is the 4"1/2 bore 330B Series so I would tend to think it's from the 1967/8 spot as the 330C with the 4"3/4 bore engine was a 1969 baby ( I recall ???) the D5 Track pitch was 6"-91, looks a nice Shovel to have about. tctractors.
 
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