Caterpillar 426 - Quarterly Maintenance

Drive Shaft Spline - Lubricate

• Access the grease fittings for the drive shaft spline from the bottom of the machine.

Engine Oil and Filter - Change

• Remove the crankcase drain plug and drain the oil into a suitable container. Clean the crankcase drain plug and replace the crankcase drain plug.

• Remove the engine access panel on the left side of the machine.

• Remove the filter element with a strap type wrench. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Oil Filter - Inspect”.

• Clean the filter mounting base with a clean cloth. Make sure that the old filter gasket has been removed.

• Apply a thin film of clean engine oil to the sealing surface of the new filter element.

• Install the new filter element by hand. When the gasket contacts the filter base, tighten the filter for an additional 3/4 turn.

• Pull the hood release lever (1) in order to open the engine access door (2) on the top of the machine.

• Remove the oil filler cap (4). Fill the crankcase with new oil. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Lubricant Viscosities” and Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Refill Capacities”. Clean the oil filler cap and install the oil filler cap.

• Start the engine and allow the oil to warm. Check for leaks.

• Stop the engine and allow the oil to drain back into the oil pan. Maintain the oil level in the crosshatched region of the engine oil dipstick (3). Add oil, if necessary

• Replace the engine access panel and close the engine access door.

Fuel System Filter - Replace

• Empty the bucket. Remove the pin that secures the loader lift arm brace to the left loader lift arm. Raise the loader arm to the maximum height.

• Position the loader lift arm brace over the left lift cylinder rod with the flat end against the cylinder end.

• Push the pin through the holes of the loader lift arm brace and install the cotter pin.

• Slowly lower the loader arms until the loader lift arm brace contacts the top of the lift cylinder and the bosses on the loader arm.

• Stop the engine.

Fuel System Water Separator Element - Replace

• Remove the water separator element. Rotate the locking ring counterclockwise in order to remove the filter element. Discard the filter element properly

• Clean the filter element mounting base . Remove any part of the filter element gasket that remains on the filter element mounting base.

• Coat the seal of the new filter element with clean diesel fuel.

• Install the new filter element. Rotate the locking ring clockwise in order to fasten the filter to the mounting base.

• Prime the fuel system in order to fill the filter element with fuel. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Fuel System - Prime”.

Hydraulic System Oil Filter - Replace

• Pull the hood release lever (1) in order to open the engine access door (2) on the top of the machine.

• Remove the hydraulic tank filler cap that is located under the access panel on the top of the engine compartment.

• The hydraulic oil filter is located on the left side of the machine.

• Remove the filter element with a strap type wrench.

• Clean the filter element mounting base. Remove any part of the filter element gasket that remains on the filter element mounting base.

• Apply a light coat of oil to the gasket of the new filter element.

• Install the new filter element by hand. When the gasket contacts the filter element mounting base, tighten the filter element for an additional three quarters of a turn.

• Remove the hydraulic tank breather. Replace the old breather with a new breather.

• Maintain the hydraulic oil level in the sight gauge between the “MIN” mark and the “MAX” mark. Add oil, if necessary.

• Inspect the gasket on the hydraulic tank filler cap for damage. Replace the gasket, if necessary.

• Install the hydraulic tank filler cap.

• Close the access door.

Transmission Oil Filter - Replace

• Remove the transmission oil filter element with a strap type wrench.

• Clean the filter element mounting base. Remove any part of the filter element gasket that remains on the filter element mounting base.

• Apply a light coat of oil to the gasket of the new filter element.

• Install the new filter element by hand. When the gasket contacts the mounting base, tighten the filter element for an additional three quarters of a turn.

• Start the engine and apply the service brake. Slowly operate the transmission controls in order to circulate the transmission oil.

• Move the transmission control lever to NEUTRAL and engage the parking brake. Inspect the filter element for leaks.

• Maintain the transmission oil level within the crosshatched region on the “CHECK WITH WARM OIL” side of the dipstick when the transmission is warm. Add transmission oil, if necessary.

• Stop the engine.