Hello all - recently acquired a new-to-me CAT 12 Grader, s/n 8T20835.  Purchased it from a company that was working it and I'll be using it to maintain my neighborhood's roads, so it's still earning a paycheck.  Pony motor still runs at the moment!

Questions:

1. The usual question - any idea on the year?  I assume mid-1950's +/- a few years?
2. Did 8T's have an option for a hydraulic blade slide/shift?  (this is in addition to the mechanical side shift)  Mine has one and hadn't seen anything in any literature that I could find on 8T's having hydraulic blade shift.  
3. I can't find a separate serial number for the engine - it just has the same s/n as the grader.  Any way to confirm what the D318 (I'm assuming that's what it is) s/n is?
4. Does anyone have a good source for blade slide wear strips and retainers and can confirm part numbers?  Talked with the parts guys at the local CAT place and they had trouble finding stuff on the microfiche.  Best guess I have so far for the wear strips is part number 2D0963 and the retainers 2D0962.

 

Your grader is a 1957, the serial number would be the same for the machine and engine at that time, unless a replacement engine was installed, and there was a hydraulic side shift available as an option. 2D0963 and 2D0962 are good numbers for the wear strip and retainer.

Thanks for posting I have a 1954, No.12 8T with the D318, amazing piece of equipment. Option for the hyd. side shift drew oil from the power steering tank. I haven't seen an 8T with the side shift in person. I believe it was more of a common option on the No.12 99E.
 thanks for the pictures.
😎
 

I did notice the Frame S/N tag is on the right side of the frame and not the left side. My parts book only goes to 8T14781, yet most S/N tags are on the right side of the D318 engine block, behind the pony mag, and the left side of the frame near the scarifier mount. 😉

That is a very nice, straight looking 12 you acquired. You should get plenty of joy and hopefully $$$ from being the local blade person.
Owners manuals are your best friend. Plenty of savvy folks here as well. I own an 8T15911, and it is very reliable and handy to have around the farms.
Thank you for sharing photos of your new machine. JM

I echo juiceman's advice; The Operation & Maintenance Instructions, Servicemans Reference Book, and the Parts Book are invaluable when you own one of these graders.

Fat wrote:

Thanks for posting I have a 1954, No.12 8T with the D318, amazing piece of equipment. Option for the hyd. side shift drew oil from the power steering tank. I haven't seen an 8T with the side shift in person. I believe it was more of a common option on the No.12 99E.
 thanks for the pictures.
😎
 

 

Here is a picture of the blade shift.  It looks identical to the 99E machine drawings that I have found.  I have the cover off in this photo to replace the hoses, and yes, it pulls from the power steering tank.   

Fat wrote:

I did notice the Frame S/N tag is on the right side of the frame and not the left side. My parts book only goes to 8T14781, yet most S/N tags are on the right side of the D318 engine block, behind the pony mag, and the left side of the frame near the scarifier mount. 😉

Yes, both tags are on the right side of the machine.

juiceman wrote:

That is a very nice, straight looking 12 you acquired. You should get plenty of joy and hopefully $$$ from being the local blade person.
Owners manuals are your best friend. Plenty of savvy folks here as well. I own an 8T15911, and it is very reliable and handy to have around the farms.
Thank you for sharing photos of your new machine. JM

Thank you!
I'll be happy if I cover enough of my costs to prevent getting divorced!  ha!
I have acquired the Serviceman's manual and the Operators manual.  The Parts book is in the mail, so hopefully have it soon.

Oh man, hydraulic sideshift would be nice 😏. I'm quite jealous that is a great looking machine. 👍