Cat 944 Track Loader?

[roycec]

I am to take delivery either today or tomorrow of a Cat track loader. It is an older machine - not so old as to have cable lift on the bucket, but certainly not hydrostatic drive, either. It is marked as a 944 in what looks like it could be factory paint, but I can find no information on this model. I know some things about farm equipment, but this is an entirely new type of machine to me. Can anyone tell me where the id tag might be located on these, or anything at all about what I might have?

 

[AJ.]

I think you may have a 941 loader as I can't recall any 944 track loader,the serial number will be on the bevel gear housing on the left side up from the drawbar,there is another tag on the fire wall over the right pedal,see the picture,if you get the serial number post it and someone will give you the info.
Good luck with your investment.
AJ

 

[VaTom]

This is a 944. Fantastic tractor, but no tracks. My 933 track loader had numbers under the seat on the housing there if you scraped off enough crud.

 

[roycec]

Thanks, guys. I will definitely be checking all three places as soon as I take delivery. I'll post again then, if not before, (I'm pretty excited about this machine.)

 

[Anonymous-0]

This CAT 944 Track loader should be a serie 43A with d330 motor

 

[Old Magnet]

The 944 43A is a wheel loader.

 

[JOHNNYfromMI]

If it is a Catapiller.
If the last number is even it has wheels.
If the last number is a odd number --tracks.

 

[rexhellwig]

I never knew CAT made a non-articulating loader until I climbed on 944 about 30 years ago.

 

[VaTom]

And you got off?

There were other straight Cats, I just found my 944 first. A little more tractor than a 920. Non-articulated was the only type I considered for my unusual use, on a mountain. The extra stability was worth the less maneuverability.

My 944 suited me so well my track loader now lives in Peru.

 

[roycec]

Well, I'm back. I was unable to find any ID numbers, save for the one on the engine. It reads Traxcavator, Material Handler, 12A1899, Crawler Type, Caterpillar Tractor Co. Does this help? Seeing as how we all love pictures, I am attempting to attach some of those as well...

 

[Old Magnet]

Thats a 955C 12A model (1956) with D315 engine.
D4 size undercarriage components.

 

[roycec]

Wow. That was seriously fast. Thanks. I guess that I am off in search of reference materials for it. It runs really well, save for the pony motor. It had been sitting for so long that you couldn't hardly see it for the honeysuckle....

 

[VaTom]

Congratulations, you're gonna have fun. Appears to have had a relatively easy life so far. If you're working trees, think seriously about a widow-maker canopy. First priority up here.

I paid Cat to print an owners' manual for me as my crawler didn't have a chart. Expensive, until I learned about 3 critical grease points I never would have found. Then it was cheap.

 

[Robert Plumadore]

you have a beautiful 12A 955. the two holes in the radiator guard are for pins that will hold the bucket in the raised position so you can work on the engine with out the bucket leaking down on you. A peice of 4 inch X 3/8" Angle Iron works better. the tractor is designed to run with engine side guards. Not just to keep brush out but to direct the airflow. I think I still have a parts book.

 

[roycec]

Thanks. I was wondering what those holes were for. I was guessing that there may have been a canopy option that utilized them. They will make working on the machine much more convenient, as I don't ever work under an attachment that is held up by hydraulics alone.

The side guards were not to be found when the machine was purchased at auction, and I'm not really sure what to do about that just yet. I'm assuming that they were fabricated out of some pretty hefty sheet stock.

I am in the process of looking for parts, service, and owners manuals for it...

 

[roycec]

Thanks. I am definitely looking forward to using it more extensively. Everything seems to be in really good shape except for the fuel system on the pony motor. After uncovering it from the vines that had covered it and checking the fluids, it started with barely a nudge from another loader. No smoke, misses, blow by, or leaks. I even left the bucket raised when I shut it off, and it has maintained position for nearly two days now. I am currently feeling incredibly lucky.

I have been thinking about a canopy for it, but haven't come to any design conclusions yet - ever seen one on this vintage 955? Woods work will definitely be a part of its future life here, and the thought of doing that without protection is positively frightening.

 

[VaTom]

My crawler also had an easy earlier life, changed when it came here. This canopy was assembled by a former owner. Mostly it's a matter of looking to see where you can find a firm footing, then using enough steel.

This had a fiberglass top cover when I got it. Now stainless, with several substantial dents. The canopy on my 944 (below) I built after some head-scratching about how to support the rear half.

Open top old Cats are normal. Mine are the only two in those models I've seen canopies installed. All depends on your needs. Also nice when it's sprinkling.

Good that you were concerned. Have fun (safely).

 

[AJ.]

When that machine came out new it was the Rolls Royce of loaders,straight stack no muffler,what a bark it had,my late father imported lots of them used in the late fifties into the UK,we used to convert them to direct start,that was in the days before the helical drive could be got for the starter,clutch out,flywheel off change the ring gear and button it up again,I think I still have the jig for drilling the precombustion chambers for the glow plugs,the job that was not so nice to do was the steering clutches or gearbox repair but the 933 was worse.
AJ

 

[Old Magnet]

Hi AJ,
Got a question for you that you may know. Can't seem to get any feedback on late direct start conversions using the later 40MT, 42MT & 50MT starters on the 955 12A's. My question is will the later type starters with direct mount solenoids fit the 12A's without interference? Or do you have to use the early style inertia drives like original. Thanks

 

[roycec]

That's a nice looking canopy you have there. Loader too, for that matter. Do the vertical members in the front interfere much with your working view? No criticism here, just curiosity...

 

[VaTom]

Good question. The crawler came to me that way, so I never really noticed them. With my 944, I intentionally painted the columns a dark color to minimize their intrusion. Those were 4x4 tubes, larger than what I wanted, but what was available at the scrap yard.

That photo was what got the Peruvians' attention. Cost them $17k to ship it there. Apparently a good place to sell old Cats.

Short answer: doesn't take long to get accustomed to looking around the columns. Small price to pay for protecting yourself.

 

[AJ.]

Cannot remember using the inertia type starters,it was always the pre engaged type like the 50MT,it was Simms starters and generators we used mostly,back then they were half the price of imported stuff,the later 45A that was built here had Simms electrics as standard.
AJ

 

[Old Magnet]

OK, thanks
Must fit ok or you'd remember it. Maybe it was on an HT4 that I seem to recall a fit problem when using the later starter conversions.