Process to Interpret Elevated Soot Levels in 950L and 962L Engine

Oil Samples

Introduction
This document provides a process to evaluate soot levels in 950L and 962L wheel loader engine
oil samples. This process should be followed by SOS Services Interpreters when the Soot level
exceeds the SOS Services guideline of 60 UFM.

Required Information
A complete SOS Services engine oil sample report that contains: elemental analysis, soot,
oxidation, and viscosity at 100 degrees C. The elemental analysis must include wear metals,
typical additive elements, and typical elements associated with contamination.
SOS Services Wear Tables for the 950L and 962L engines
SOS Services Guidelines
API engine oil performance level
SOS Services Interpretation Training in the analysis of engine oil samples

Detailed Information
The current SOS Services guideline for soot in used engine oil is 60 UFM. This guideline was
developed at a time when engine oils could not adequately control the wear caused by higher
levels of soot. Today, CI-4 and CK-4 diesel engine oils are designed to handle much higher
levels of soot. These modern oils can suspend large amounts of soot in the oil, and control the
wear caused by soot. Therefore, when these modern oils are used, Cat engines will safely operate
at soot levels that exceed 60 UFM.
The average 950L & 962L engine will reach 60 UFM soot at about 250 oil hours. However, soot
levels as high as 130 UFM are commonly seen on 250 hour oil samples. The average soot level
is about 130 UFM for a 500 hour oil sample. Soot levels of 150 to 175 UFM may occur on some
engines at 500 oil hours.

Interpretation Process
The following interpretation process is not new. This process is taught by Caterpillar SOS
Services trainers to Cat dealer SOS Services interpreters worldwide. This document serves as a
reminder of the process and provides an overview of oil soot levels seen on 950L and 962L
engines.
When soot exceeds 60 UFM, the interpreter should look for signs of abnormal wear or abnormal
oil condition. Abnormal wear can be identified by Fe levels that exceed the Wear Table Fe
guidelines. Wear Tables are available for the 950L and 962L engines at 250 oil hours and 500

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oil hours. If the Fe results are acceptable, the interpreter should next look at the viscosity result
at 100 degrees centigrade. If the viscosity has not increased by more than 2 centistokes, then the
higher level of soot has not significantly degraded the oil.
As a final check, the interpreter should verify that the customer is using a CI-4 or CK-4 diesel
engine oil. If a Cat branded engine oil is being used, then the performance level of the oil is
known. Cat DEO is an API CI-4 oil. Cat DEO-ULS and Cat DEO-ULS SYN are API CK-4
oils. If a Cat branded oil is not in use, then the interpreter should ask the customer to verify the
performance level of the oil.
Therefore, engine oil sample results may receive a Green Alert if the Soot exceeds 60 UFM and
the oil sample results meet the criteria for acceptable wear, acceptable oil condition, and
acceptable API performance.

Summary
60 UFM is the current SOS Services guideline for Soot. It is a guideline, not an absolute limit.
950L and 962L engines frequently operate with oil Soot levels that exceed 60 UFM
Soot levels over 60 UFM require additional investigation by a trained interpreter
If the Fe wear and the viscosity are at acceptable levels, then the higher level of Soot is not a
significant problem. If the customer is using a CI-4 or CK-4 engine oil, then the oil sample may
receive a Green Alert and no further action is required by the customer.

David Nycz
Caterpillar S·O·S Services
13 May 2019

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 Caterpillar S•O•SSM Services
Wear table
Created 13 Dec 2018
Manufacturer CATERPILLAR
Family All
Model 950L
Product ID Prefix LXX, TNS
Compartment ENGINE
Valid Equipment 197
Valid Samples 848
Valid Fluid Hours 250
Element No Action Required Monitor Action Required
Copper 0 to 8 9 to 12 Over 12
Iron 0 to 36 37 to 46 Over 46
Chromium 0 to 2 3 to 4 Over 4
Aluminum 0 to 3 4 to 5 Over 5
Lead 0 to 2 3 to 4 Over 4
Silicon 0 to 9 10 to 11 Over 11
Tin 0 to 2 3 to 4 Over 4

Filter Criteria
Maximum Fluid Hours 700
Maximum Equipment Hours 14000
Break-In Samples Excluded True
Excluded Samples with Positive Fuel True
Excluded Samples with Positive Water True
Excluded Samples with Positive Glycol True
Excluded Samples where Sodium (Na) Exceeds PPM 25
Excluded Samples where Potassium (K) Exceeds PPM 25
Excluded Samples where Silicon (Si) Exceeds PPM 20
Starting Sample Date All
Ending Sample Date All
Specific Jobsites All
Specific Customers All
Dealers Excluded None
Mininmum Samples set at 30
Mininmum Equipment set at 3

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 Caterpillar S•O•SSM Services
Wear table
Created 13 Dec 2018
Manufacturer CATERPILLAR
Family All
Model 950L
Product ID Prefix LXX, TNS
Compartment ENGINE
Valid Equipment 197
Valid Samples 848
Valid Fluid Hours 500
Element No Action Required Monitor Action Required
Copper 0 to 11 12 to 14 Over 14
Iron 0 to 51 52 to 61 Over 61
Chromium 0 to 3 4 to 5 Over 5
Aluminum 0 to 4 5 to 6 Over 6
Lead 0 to 2 3 to 4 Over 4
Silicon 0 to 9 10 to 12 Over 12
Tin 0 to 2 3 to 4 Over 4

Filter Criteria
Maximum Fluid Hours 700
Maximum Equipment Hours 14000
Break-In Samples Excluded True
Excluded Samples with Positive Fuel True
Excluded Samples with Positive Water True
Excluded Samples with Positive Glycol True
Excluded Samples where Sodium (Na) Exceeds PPM 25
Excluded Samples where Potassium (K) Exceeds PPM 25
Excluded Samples where Silicon (Si) Exceeds PPM 20
Starting Sample Date All
Ending Sample Date All
Specific Jobsites All
Specific Customers All
Dealers Excluded None
Mininmum Samples set at 30
Mininmum Equipment set at 3

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 Caterpillar S•O•SSM Services
Wear table
Created 13 Dec 2018
Manufacturer CATERPILLAR
Family All
Model 962L
Product ID Prefix MTN, SXS
Compartment ENGINE
Valid Equipment 52
Valid Samples 310
Valid Fluid Hours 250
Element No Action Required Monitor Action Required
Copper 0 to 6 7 to 8 Over 8
Iron 0 to 43 44 to 54 Over 54
Chromium 0 to 3 4 to 5 Over 5
Aluminum 0 to 3 4 to 5 Over 5
Lead 0 to 2 3 to 4 Over 4
Silicon 0 to 8 9 to 10 Over 10
Tin 0 to 2 3 to 4 Over 4

Filter Criteria
Maximum Fluid Hours 700
Maximum Equipment Hours 14000
Break-In Samples Excluded True
Excluded Samples with Positive Fuel True
Excluded Samples with Positive Water True
Excluded Samples with Positive Glycol True
Excluded Samples where Sodium (Na) Exceeds PPM 25
Excluded Samples where Potassium (K) Exceeds PPM 25
Excluded Samples where Silicon (Si) Exceeds PPM 20
Starting Sample Date All
Ending Sample Date All
Specific Jobsites All
Specific Customers All
Dealers Excluded None
Mininmum Samples set at 30
Mininmum Equipment set at 3

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 Caterpillar S•O•SSM Services
Wear table
Created 13 Dec 2018
Manufacturer CATERPILLAR
Family All
Model 962L
Product ID Prefix MTN, SXS
Compartment ENGINE
Valid Equipment 52
Valid Samples 310
Valid Fluid Hours 500
Element No Action Required Monitor Action Required
Copper 0 to 7 8 to 10 Over 10
Iron 0 to 63 64 to 74 Over 74
Chromium 0 to 3 4 to 5 Over 5
Aluminum 0 to 4 5 to 6 Over 6
Lead 0 to 2 3 to 4 Over 4
Silicon 0 to 7 8 to 9 Over 9
Tin 0 to 2 3 to 4 Over 4

Filter Criteria
Maximum Fluid Hours 700
Maximum Equipment Hours 14000
Break-In Samples Excluded True
Excluded Samples with Positive Fuel True
Excluded Samples with Positive Water True
Excluded Samples with Positive Glycol True
Excluded Samples where Sodium (Na) Exceeds PPM 25
Excluded Samples where Potassium (K) Exceeds PPM 25
Excluded Samples where Silicon (Si) Exceeds PPM 20
Starting Sample Date All
Ending Sample Date All
Specific Jobsites All
Specific Customers All
Dealers Excluded None
Mininmum Samples set at 30
Mininmum Equipment set at 3

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