Lube for Cat 3512B used in Drilling rig

Any oil meeting the rating of "API SERVICE CJ-4" would be acceptable for your engine.

The change interval would be best determined by your local Cat dealer, or by oil analysis.

Lube oil selection is bit more complicated than just choosing a "good" oil. A few factors to consider:

* minimum ambient temperature at the location of operation

* maximum operating temperature of the engine

* engine age

* Engine load percentage

* fuel used

* Is the engine still under warranty?

* how much money can you spend????

This will start you on the right track for choosing the specs of the engine oil needed. Caterpillar approves a list of lube oils for the 3500 series engines (including their own brand).

Just as an example, I have two 3516's. One operates in stand-by one running continuously, varying load(30% - 82%). The stand-by unit uses castrol edge 0w40 synthetic, because of the cold starting, and quick loading. The unit that runs continuously uses a strait 40 because it never drops lower than 50degC before restart.

Hope this helps

Bob is exactly right on the rating of API rating of CJ-4 and should be changed at 250 hour interval. Cat also requires that oil analysis be performed @ oil changes for warranty purposes. Cat also offers a long life oil system that will make the oil change interval increase up to 500 hours and taking into account that an oil change requires 83 gallons in the 3512B the system is definetly wourt checking into. Hope this helps.

I looked up the Cat site some time ago and found a range of recommendations for lubricants and change intervals, give it a go.

Cat's web site has downloadable information and dealers are required to assist you. Cat factory (not all dealers) value drilling customers higher than all others so you can use this fact to your advantage.

Actually CH-4, CI-4 & CE-4 are acceptable for the 3500's.

I spoke with the Cat service manager for Ohio about oil drain intervals. He stated that as long as oil analysis is done every 250 hours, and the results show the oil is still usable, there are no upper limits as far as time or mileage on the oil.

As a rep for Schaeffer Oil, I can attest to most of my customers extending the drain intervals way beyond 250 hours with great results. One of my customer has been at 1000-1200 hours for over 2 years. The oil samples show wear metals, soot, TBN, additives, viscosity, etc. all within the normal range.

It is important to know the operating temperature range to determine the proper viscosity. It is also important to know how much wear your machine has seen. If the engine is older, a full synthetic may blow-by the rings and create an oil consumption problem.

Another factor that affects oil life is the amount of soot in the oil. This can be controlled somewhat by using the Schaeffer Diesel Treat. It will maintain like-new combustion, which will in turn reduce the soot creation within the engine.

Feel free to write me regarding your situation.

No disrespect intended toward anyone and this certainly is only ones oppinion...

But I personally believe there is no substitute for clean oil and a properly tuned engine.

When people introduce high dollar "snake oils" in place of industry standard lubricants they sometimes overextend the change intervals to the point of damaging there equipment in an effort to justify the the purchase of such oils.

No disrespect taken.

A "clean" oil does not necessarily afford the protection of a "value-added" product. I have customer oil analysis results that prove my assertions.

I agree that there is what you refer to as "snake oil" out there. Much of what these companies sell is "image". They spend tons of money on advertising, buying buildings, sponsoring race car drivers, buying teams, etc.

Schaeffer is a 170 year old company that does not do the above. We do not advertise, and are growing by word-of-mouth.

On another note, during the past year, the major oil companies increased the cost of their oil products several times. Most of these increases were between 7% and 18%, each time.

Schaeffer had to increase their prices also, but never exceeded 5%.

One might ask the question:If Schaeffer is buying expensive base oils and additive packages, how can they afford to raise their prices a small percentage of the majors?

The only reason I can come up with is that we are trying to treat our customers like they would want to be treated, while still making a reasonable profit.

Analysis and when in doubt analysis and when sure analysis