Bulletin No. 16.

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File Under Wheel Loaders
®

FLUID ANALYSIS GUIDE

Machine Profiles
990 and 990 Series II Wheel Loaders

Description Recommended Oil Sampling Intervals

These are articulated steer loaders with planetary The recommended oil sampling intervals for this
power shift transmission and oil cooled multi-disc machine model is 250 hours for the engine and 500
brakes. Machines have lockup clutch as standard. hours for all other systems. Caterpillar dealers or
users may wish to consider a 250 hour sampling
interval for all systems, particularly under the
Serial Number Range: O&MM: following circumstances:
990: 7HK, SEBU6628 1. If the machine is under a Customer Support
(09-93) Agreement (CSA).
2. If the machine application is more severe than
990II: 4FR SEBU6979-01 normal.
(11-97) 3. If the machine is under a “close follow” to monitor
wear levels to ascertain whether a failure mode is
Lubrication Recommendations
in progress.
For complete information concerning lubrication
4. If an oil change interval has been altered from the
recommendations, refer to Caterpillar Machine
interval recommended in the Operations &
Lubricant Recommendations. Form SEBU6250.
Maintenance Guide.
Oil Sampling Procedures
Filter Inspection
These machines are equipped with oil sampling
Recommend that filters be saved for inspection.
valves for the components with pressurized oil
Plastic bags are convenient for retaining the filters
systems. A sampling gun is required for the
until they can be cut open for inspection. The
differentials and final drives.
4C5084 Filter Cutting Tool is available for this
Oil Sampling Intervals purpose. Be alert for visible pieces of synthetic
Engine: 250 hours friction material or metal which may indicate a
problem.
Transmission: 500 hours
Hydraulics: 500 hours
Final Drives: 500 hours

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Printed in U.S.A. (12/98)
 CONFIDENTIAL
This document contains unpublished confidential
proprietary, and trade secret information of Caterpillar Inc.,
and is intended for distribution only to parties specifically
authorized by Caterpillar. Unauthorized copying, distri-
bution, or use is specifically prohibited.
© 1998 CATERPILLAR INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

NOTICE
Information supplied by this document is intended to
be used only as a general guideline for interpretation.
Model-specific information supplied by this document
is subject to change and may vary on a machine-by-
machine basis. Most often, changes to major
components changes are delineated by specific serial
number breaks and/or prefix changes. Equipment
changes and updates are frequent; therefore, you
may need to consult current Operations and
Maintenance Manuals, Parts Manuals, Service
Manuals or other reference materials for details for a
specific serial number machine.
Wear tables, provided elsewhere by Caterpillar, were
developed for average conditions and are intended to
reflect expected values at normal oil change periods.
They may be too high or too low for some specific
machine applications. Interpretations should be
based on the trend of wear values in each
compartment whenever possible.

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Printed in U.S.A. (12/98)
 ENGINE Iron
Crankshaft
Machine Model: 990 and 990II Wheel Loaders Camshaft
Machine Model S/N: 990: 7HK; 990II: 4FR Valves
Engine Model: 990: 3412 TA Valve seats, guides, liners and cylinder walls
Oil pump
990 II: 3412 E TA HEUI
Cam follower
Horsepower Rating: 990: 455 kw, 610 FWHP Prelub starter gears and bearings (if equipped)
990 II: 466kW, 625 FWHP
Chromium
Oil Change Interval: 250 Hrs.
Piston rings
Filter Change Interval: 250 Hrs.
Oil Sampling Interval: 250 hours Lead
Recommended Level I Coolant Analysis: Main and rod bearings
Camshaft bearings
Level 1: As determined by customer requirements.
Level 2: After 500 hours of initial use, and annually Tin
or as determined by Level 1 analysis. Main and rod bearings
Sump Capacity: Camshaft bearings
Water pump bearings
990: 72 Liters (18.7 Gal.)
Prelub starter bearings (if equipped)
990 II: 50 Liters (13 Gal.)
Aftercooler type: Air-to-water Aluminum
Main bearing
Engine Oil Cooler: Water
Rod bearing
Cooling System: 183 Liters (47.6 Gal.) Timing gear bushing
Oil Transfer Possibilities: Timing gear cover
1. Oil may transfer between the engine and Crankshaft thrust bearing
transmission through the rear crankshaft seal. Rocker arm
Fuel pump lifter
2. Hydraulic oil could transfer to the engine through
Pistons
a damaged steering pump seal.
Timing gear bearings
Notes: Oil pump bushings
1. Recommend Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil (DEO). Turbocharger thrust bearing
Dirt entry (clay soils)
2. Fuel injectors are under valve covers. Leakage
Anti-seize compounds (no failure)
could show as fuel dilution in the oil sample.
Prelub starter pump housing (if equipped)

WEAR ELEMENT SOURCES Silicon

Dirt entry
Copper Silicon grease (no failure)
Front and rear idler gear thrust bearing Silicon additives (no failure)
Jacket water pump thrust bearing
Turbocharger sleeve bearing Sodium
Wrist pin bushing Water or coolant entry
Oil pump drive thrust washer Oil additives (no failure)
Governor bushings Condensation
Service meter drive gear
Molybdenum
Cooling system leaks
Cam follower roller shaft Plasma coated rings
Turbocharger thrust bearing Oil additives (no failure)
Oil additives (no failure)
Oil cooler core tubes (no failure)

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Printed in U.S.A. (12/98)
 TRANSMISSION & TORQUE WEAR ELEMENT SOURCES
CONVERTER Copper
Machine Model: 990 and 990II Wheel Loaders Sleeve bearing in TC housing Assembly
Machine Model S/N: 990: 7HK; 990II: 4FR Sleeve bearing in TC Adapter Assembly
Sleeve bearings for Planetary Shaft Assembly
Type: Electronic Planetary Power Shift Bronze TC Roller Bearing Cage
Speeds: 3F 3R Electronic starting motor bushing wear
Oil Change Interval: 1000 Hrs. Cooler core leaching (no failure)
Filter Change Interval: 500 Hrs. Oil additives (no failure)
Anti-seize compounds (no failure)
Oil Sampling Interval: 500 hours
Sump Capacity: Iron
990: 110 Liters (29 Gal.) Pump housing
Gears
990 II: 70 Liters (18 Gal.)
Bearings
Transmission Pump Type: Gear Clutch plates - Transmission
Oil Cooler Type: Water Clutch plates - Lockup clutch
Disc Material: Clutch plates - Impeller clutch
Transmission Disc Friction Material: F37 and Splines
Rayflex Shafts
Lockup Clutch: Cellulose fiber Pump wear
Impeller Clutch: Cellulose fiber Housing
Oil Transfer Possibilities: Chromium
1. Oil may transfer between the engine and Bearings
transmission through the rear crankshaft seal.
Tin
2. Hydraulic oil could transfer to the transmission
through a damaged supplemental steering pump Bearings
seal. Aluminum
3. Steering/brake oil could transfer to the Torque converter impeller
transmission through damaged seals at the pump Torque converter turbine
shaft. Dirt entry (clay soils)
Anti-seize compounds (no failure)
Notes:
1. Recommend Caterpillar Transmission / Drive Silicon
Train Oil (TDTO). Dirt entry
2. This model is equipped with both a lock-up clutch Cellulos Fiber Friction Material
and an impeller clutch. Silicon grease (no failure)
3. Pump drive is part of converter housing. Silicon additives (no failure)
4. Transfer gear box attaches to transmission and Sodium
provides power to front and rear axles through U- Coolant leak
joints. Condensation
5. Magnetic strainer in gear case sump. Drain oil in Water entry
sump before removing to inspect if failure is Oil additives (no failure)
suspected.
6. Lockup clutch engagement is normally automatic
and controlled by engine speed versus converter
output speed. Operator has a switch to override
engagement. If operator uses switch needlessly,
clutch wear will result.
7. Transmission is common with the 992D.

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Printed in U.S.A. (12/98)
 IMPLEMENT AND BRAKE WEAR ELEMENT SOURCES
ACTUATION HYDRAULICS Copper
Machine Model: 990 and 990II Wheel Loaders Copper pump components
Machine Model S/N: 990: 7HK; 990II: 4FR Cooler core leaching (no failure)
Oil additives (no failure)
Oil Change Interval: 2000 Hrs. Pressure plate wear (gear pump)
Filter Change Interval: 500 Hrs. Anti-seize compounds (no failure)
Oil Sampling Interval: 500 hours
Iron
Sump Capacity:
Gears
Tank Only: 174 Liter (45.2 Gal.) Cylinder wear
System: 435 Liters (11.3 Gal.) Pump wear
Oil Cooler Type: Air Chromium
Implement Hydraulics: Pilot Operated System Cylinder rods
Hydraulic Pump: Caterpillar Fixed Piston Pump Bearings
Pilot Pump: Vane type Tin
Brake Actuation Hydraulics Pump: Tyrone Gear- Bearings
type
Aluminum
Brake Type: Axle shaft wet multi disc
Dirt entry (clay soils)
Brake Disc Friction Material: Raybestos Pump body wear (gear pump)
Parking Brake: Dry spring loaded-hydraulic Isolation plate (gear pump)
release located on transfer gear case. Anti-seize compounds (no failure)
Common Sump: Implement hydraulics and brake
Silicon
hydraulics share a common sump.
Dirt entry
Oil Transfer Possibilities:
Silicon grease (no failure)
1. Oil could transfer between the transmission and Silicon additives (no failure)
hydraulic compartments through damaged pump
seals in the pump drive. Sodium
Condensation
Notes: Water entry
1. Recommend Caterpillar Hydraulic Oil (HYDO). Oil additives (no failure)
2. Implement pump is located on the back side of
the flywheel housing.
3. Fan drive pump is located on the front side of the
torque converter housing.

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Printed in U.S.A. (12/98)
 STEERING AND ENGINE FAN WEAR ELEMENT SOURCES
DRIVE HYDRAULICS Copper
Machine Model: 990 and 990II Wheel Loaders Copper pump components
Machine Model S/N: 990: 7HK; 990II: 4FR Thrust washers
Bronze pump components
Oil Change Interval: 2000 Hrs.
Planet Gear Sleeve Bearings
Filter Change Interval: 500 Hrs.
Anti-seize compounds (no failure)
Oil Sampling Interval: 500 hours
Sump Capacity:
Tank Only: 129 Liters (33.5 Gal.) Iron
System: 194 Liters (50.5 Gal.) Gears
Bearings
Oil Cooler Type: Water
Shafts
Steering Hydraulics: Pilot Operated System Splines
Pump: Rex Roth Variable Displacement Piston
Pump Chromium
Cylinder rods
Pilot System Pressure from Fan Drive Pump (See
Roller bearings
Implement/Brake Hydraulics page)
Fan Drive Hydraulics: Rex Roth Variable Tin
Displacement Piston Pump drives Rex Roth fixed Roller bearings
piston motor.
Aluminum
Common Sump: Steering
Dirt entry (clay soils)
Oil Transfer Possibilities: Steering/Fan Drive oil
Anti-seize compounds (no failure)
could transfer to the transmission through damaged
pump seal at the pump shaft. Silicon
Notes: Dirt entry
Silicon grease
1. Recommend Caterpillar Hydraulic Oil (HYDO).
Oil additives

Sodium
Water entry
Condensation
Oil additives (no failure)

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Printed in U.S.A. (12/98)
 DIFFERENTIAL, BEVEL GEAR, WEAR ELEMENT SOURCES
BRAKES AND FINAL DRIVES Copper
Machine Model: 990 and 990II Wheel Loaders Differential thrust washers
Machine Model S/N: 990: 7HK; 990II: 4FR Final drive thrust washer
Oil Change Interval: 2000 Hrs. Sleeve bearing - differential
Sleeve bearing - final drive gears
Oil Sampling Interval: 500 hours
Oil additives (no failure)
Sump Capacity: Anti-seize compounds (no failure)
Front: 218 Liters (56.7 Gal.)
Rear: 218 Liters (56.7 Gal.)
Final Drive Type: Outboard single reduction Iron
Planetary Axle thrust button
Brake Disc Friction Material: Cellulose Fiber Gears
Bearings
Common Sump: Differential, bevel gear and final
Splines
drives share a common sump.
Final drive housing
Oil Transfer Possibilities: Shafts
1. Brake actuating oil (hydraulic oil) could leak past Brake plates
the piston seals in the wheels and transfer to the
final drive compartment. Chromium
Roller Bearings
2. Wear metals, silicon, or water within either final
drive or the differential will be transferred to the Tin
other compartments. Roller Bearings
Notes: Aluminum
1. Recommend Caterpillar Transmission / Drive Dirt entry (clay soils)
Train Oil (TDTO). Anti-seize compounds (no failure)
2. When operating in water, check for water and or
silicon. Silicon
3. Recommend that oil samples be taken at the Dirt entry
differential and both final drives. Although there Silicon grease (no failure)
is oil transfer within the axle housing individual Silicon additives (no failure)
samples can pinpoint which component may be Sodium
experiencing abnormal wear.
Condensation
4. Tire spinning causes differential wear. Iron and Water entry
copper will show highest in axle with tire spin, Cellulose Fiber Friction Material
usually rear axle. Oil additives (no failure)
5. Inspect magnetic plug in final drive covers for
chips or flakes which may indicate abnormal
wear.
6. Bevel gear sets and differentials are common
with the 992D.

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Printed in U.S.A. (12/98)