ADAPTER 1U3513 - Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is frequently approached by engine owners and/or oil companies that wish to qualify an oil for use in 3600 or C280 Series diesel engines. For 3600 and C280 Series diesel engines that are configured to use distillate fuel: When the following fuels are used (distillate fuel, crude oil fuel or biodiesel fuel that meets the Cat published recommendations), Caterpillar recommends the use of Cat DEO (Diesel Engine Oil) single grade and multigrade and DEO-ULS multigrade.Caterpillar does not recommend the names of other commercial brands of lube oils. Caterpillar has established the following guidelines for the Field Performance Evaluation of lube oil in 3600 and C280 Series diesel engines.Note: These Field Performance Evaluation guidelines provide a way for oil companies to "self certify" oil for use in Cat 3600 and C280 Series diesel engines.Note: These guidelines are applicable to engines that use distillate fuel, heavy fuel oil, crude fuel oils, or biodiesel.Note: Approximately 50 percent of engine problems are related to the cooling system. Follow the recommended maintenance practices.Operating Conditions for the Field Performance Evaluation
Duration - The minimum number of operating hours for a single engine installation is 7000 hours. The minimum for one engine at an installation with multiple engines is also 7000 hours.Load Factor - The load factor must be representative of the normal engine application at the site. High load factors are preferred.Lube Oil - The candidate oil must be selected by the oil company.The Cat Micro-Oxidation Test is recommended as a pre-screening method to qualify oils for Field Performance Evaluation.Note: Passing the Cat Micro-Oxidation Test does NOT guarantee passing the Field Performance Evaluation, but oils that do not pass the Cat Micro-Oxidation Test will likely fail the Field Performance Evaluation.Oil Analysis - Caterpillar recommends the S O S Services oil analysis program. Alternate oil analysis programs must measure oil condition and wear metals. Used oil samples must be obtained for analysis at 250 hour intervals.Oil Change Interval - The oil change interval is determined by condemning limits that are established by Caterpillar. The limits are based on analysis of the used oil and the trend lines that are established. Generally, the service life of lube oil for engines that use distillate fuel is between 600 and 1400 hours. Usually for engines that use heavy fuel oil, the service life of the lube oil ranges between 300 and 700 hours. If SOS oil analysis and other factors allow, maximum oil service life for diesel fueled engines is 3000 hours. Maximum oil service life for heavy fuel oil fueled engines is 2000 hours. Refer to the S O S article in this Special Publication.Fuel Analysis - An analysis of the fuel must be provided by an independent laboratory at the beginning of the Field Performance Evaluation. Subsequent analyses of the fuel must be provided at intervals of 2000 hours or provided when new shipments of fuel are received. The fuel must meet the guidelines that are listed in this Special Publication, "Fuel Specifications" topic.Criteria for