Cat Oil

[Reds]

I know this has been discussed in the old forum, but I cannot find any info on the new forum. I need to change the oil in my Cat pumps. I know I can buy genuine Cat Oil from several sources. Is there a suitable replacement oil that I can buy locally? If so, what weight? Detergent or non Detergent? Or should I stick with the "real thing"?

Thanks for your help.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I just use 30W in mine. I have had only one crankcase related failure on a Cat pump in my nearly 40 years in the biz. That pump was nearly new and still had the Cat oil in it.

 

[Gabriel]

Has anyone determined who makes Cat Oil? I am sure they are not in the oil business and simply buy the oil, possibly with their set of specs. Still, that does not mean is any better than other major brand oils. It might be good to research. Anyone using Armitsu oil?

 

[MEP001]

I used to do PM work on a wash that had lots of problems with water in the oil of the pumps since it had the pumps stacked and had float tanks for each pump (Old Futura unit). I used a 3:1 mix of non-detergent 30W and transmission fluid in all the pumps, which were a mix of Cat, General and Hypro. The transmission fluid "traps" small amounts of water so the oil can still lubricate, and it becomes cloudy right away so you can see more easily when there's water in it, whereas water in plain 30W will stay clear until there's enough water to get stirred up and emulsified.

 

[phred113]

The Arimitsu oil is thinner than the Cat oil due to the finer tolerances/clearances in the Arimitsu pumps. I would not recommend Arimitsu oil be used in Cat pumps since the looser fit Cat pumps will not be properly lubricated by thinner oil. Think of oil like a replacement part - it is designed to go with the machine. The thicker cat oil is designed to be used with sloppier fitting pumps like Cat and General.

 

[Waxman]

A friend of mine who is a long-time car washer recommended a brand called Lubriplate.

My distributor uses Cat Oil. I bought the Cat Oil.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

At my 30 yr. old wash I have always used ND30W oil.
I started about 4 yrs. ago replacing pumps.
I still have 2 original pumps running but this spring I'll probaly be replacing them.

 

[Ric]

Several years ago at an ICA show I stopped by the Cat booth and ask them for some. alternatives to their oil. They are required by law to give you alternatives. They gave me several to choose from. We use Shell Tellus T68 oil. We purchase it in 5 gallon buckets from a local Shell distributor for about $50.

 

[Wally]

I`ve been in this business about 30 years and have never had a pump to fail in the crankcase. I have never bought Cat oil. I have always used Chevron ISOGST100 Turbnine Oil. It is designed for industrial turbines and marine applications. Cost $50 for a five gallon pail. I would never change brands. My Laser came with a General pump and a two gallon pail of oil was supplied and it and it is a much heavier oil. I have continued to use the heavier oil in this pump.