22 Cat priming oil system ?

Tap in the oil manifold and pump the oil into the engine as you are rotating it. A pvc pipe "bomb " that you can pressurize with air works well. Local mechanic had a water type fire extinguisher that he used to prime all his overhauls before starting. He could put all the oil in at one time, fill it with air and control the flow with the valve.

Sure beats the option of pouring oil over everything, taking the plugs out for no compression, then cranking it, till your arm falls off!

What I do is remove the spark plugs and slowly drag the old girl in reverse with another tractor, in a few yards you will see your oil pressure gauge working, and if I'm in doubt about my oil pressure gauge I unhook the oil line and actually look for the oil being pumped out the line under pressure, then I close the oil line and fire the tractor up. On my recent 2 Ton fire up I'd previously rolled the motor over by hand with the rocker cover off and could see the oil being pumped out over the valve train, you should check this once you get the motor running.

Most important thing about starting a motor for the first time is knowing how to stop it if the throttle is jammed open, or something is wrong, test your magneto On / Off switch, and in the case of diesel motors have the air intake pipe open so you can slap a piece of plywood over it to starve the motor of air.

Good luck, there is nothing better than hearing a old Cat. motor fire up for the first time.
regards
Mike

I am going to try the pressure bottle idea like the fire extinguisher jug. I will just tap into the oil pressure gauge line and let er flow. Spinning the engine over by hand with no spark plugs may be a good idea.

The pump in those when full of oil is submerged, I believe, so it will prime fast.

I have used a cheap old plastic garden sprayer --disconnected the wand and clamped the hose to the oil line
it seemed to work quite well.

Dave, I would pull the plugs and crank it a few times, Thats what I did on my 22 and didnt take much cranking to have oil flow and the needle going up on the gauge. Isnt your son in wrestling? have him do a little training by cranking it for you... he will be able to pin anyone down👍

Robert

Hi all
I use a refrigeration recover can, put about one gallon of oil in , add air, attach to oil gallie, with about 20psi, go to go.

Ernieintucson

these are all good suggestions and ideas, some I have used myself. But here what caterpillar has to say about eliminating the dry start. Although is for the mentioned engines please make note of the last paragraph.
Kelly


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