Caterpillar Skid Steer Loader 257B3

Position one final drive so that the oil fill/drain plug is at the bottom

Remove the oil plugs and allow the oil to drain into a suitable container

Check the drained oil for large metal chips or a significant number of metal particles

Clean the plugs and inspect the plugs. Replace a worn plug or a damaged plug

Position the final drive so that the oil fill/drain plug is at the top

Add oil through the opening of the oil fill/drain plug that is now at the top

Fill the final drive to the bottom of the opening for the oil check plug

Install the two oil plugs. Tighten the oil plugs to a torque of 27 ± 1 N·m (20 ± 0.7 lb ft)

WARNING: Personal injury can result from contact with refrigerant. Contact with refrigerant can cause frost bite. Keep face and hands away to help prevent injury. Protective goggles must always be worn when refrigerant lines are opened, even if the gauges indicate the system is empty of refrigerant. Always use precaution when a fitting is removed. Slowly loosen the fitting. If the system is still under pressure, release it slowly in a well ventilated area.

Personal injury or death can result from inhaling refrigerant through a lit cigarette. Inhaling air conditioner refrigerant gas through a lit cigarette or other smoking method or inhaling fumes released from a flame contacting air conditioner refrigerant gas, can cause bodily harm or death. Do not smoke when servicing air conditioners or wherever refrigerant gas may be present.

Use a certified recovery and recycling cart to properly remove the refrigerant from the air conditioning system.

NOTICE: If the refrigerant system has been open to the outside air (without being plugged) for more than 30 minutes, the receiver-dryer must be replaced. Moisture will enter an open refrigerant system and cause corrosion which will lead to component failure.

Refer to Service Manual, UENR4125, “Air Conditioning and Heating R-134a For All Caterpillar Machines” for the proper procedure to change the receiver-dryer assembly and for the procedure to reclaim the refrigerant gas.

A qualified mechanic should perform this service because special refrigerant handling tools and training are required. See your Cat dealer for this service.

Note: Operating the machine in conditions that are muddy or sandy will cause accelerated wear on the sprocket and other undercarriage components. It is important to clean the undercarriage of the machine daily in order to maximize component life.

Sleeves meet the minimum thickness?

If the sleeves do not rotate freely, refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Sprocket - Inspect” for information about the inspection of the sprocket assembly.

Sign off on the Skid Steer Loader Maintenance

Fuel System Filter (In-Line) - Replace

Is the filter screen more than half obstructed?

Is the engine performance poor?

Remove the fuel filter and discard the fuel filter.

Replace the fuel filter. Ensure that the arrow on the filter points upward.

WARNING: Pressurized system: Hot coolant can cause serious burn. To open cap, stop engine, wait until radiator is cool. Then loosen cap slowly to relieve the pressure.

NOTICE: Mixing ELC with other products will reduce the effectiveness of the coolant. This could result in damage to cooling system components.

Note: The machine was shipped from the factory with Extended Life Coolant (ELC) in the cooling system.

For information about the addition of Extender to your cooling system, see the Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Cooling System Coolant (ELC) Extender - Add” or consult your Caterpillar dealer.

Drain the coolant whenever the coolant is dirty or whenever the coolant is foaming.

The radiator cap is located under the radiator guard on the top of the engine compartment.

Allow the machine to cool before you change the coolant.

Open the engine access door. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Access Doors and Covers”.

Raise the radiator guard. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Radiator Tilting”.