machine ID and operators manual?

Looks like a 977, 20Axxxx series.

Thanks
Is the engine oil supposed to be checked with the machine running?

I found a dipstick under drivers seat(guessing gear 80-90 gear lube) is that it far as oil besides hydraulic tank on side?


anyone know where a operation or maintence manual is availabel for download?

Check engine oil when running.
Also check main clutch oil level, transmission, final drives, injection pump/governor and pony motor oil levels.
Manuals I get are purchased from ebay once you sort out the s/n.

manuals are readily available on ebay. the fun is finding the correct one and that is in good condition.

anywhere there is a grease nipple use a NGLI no. 2 grease such as red and tacky or 3% black moly (molybdenum disulphide) also known as mos2 these are good general purpose greases i like moly type greases due to the fact the moly stay behind even if the grease base is squeezed out (its attracted to metal).

note not all grease nipples on cat equipment are the standard push on zerk type fittings that everyone uses cat also use the 7/8 button type on things like track rollers etc since they are more robust the conector slides on instead of push on, dont panic amelite and mcnuaght both make adapters to suit so you can use a standard grease gun to grease them if you need to replace any of the button type fittings contact your local cat dealer they are cheap through cat as they are still used on more modern equipment. i bought some for Au $7.50 each from my dealer. the local hydraulics joint wanted over $20 each.

that's the thing about cat parts if it's common it's cheap uncommon parts can be a little pricey.

the serial no should be on the left side of engine block and at rear of the machine stamped into aluminium tags

found a operaters manual on Fleabay for a cool ten bucks, gonna be a few days before it get here
Started to wash this thing down and holy mother of grease certs this thing has a lot of lubrication points! Gonna order a cordless grease gun today also.
Uncovered another dipstick just towards the rear of the engine oil, guessing it's the clutches.
Can someone give me a hint on what kind of oil goes in here?[attachment=55114]IMG_20190827_084349.jpg[/attachment]

uncovered the tag on engine block but haven't been able to make it out yet everything was spray bombed on this tractor also a hint to where at in the rear

still gotta find a service manual if anyone has a digital copy would be much appreciated

Your machine is 977 serie 20a with motor 318 and the dipstick on cluch housing is for the wet cluch and you use the same oil than motor

Well looks like I flubbed up on the books ordered, they are for the 53a and up, same thing or should I hunt up the 20a books?????

The 53a book would be interesting reading but is not for your machine. 20a was made 1955 to 60, 100Hp manual shift 32,000 lbs.. 53a 1960 to 66 150Hp Turbo and powershift. 37500 lbs.
The 20a was the first 977, the 53a 977H had a lot of improvements.

So, is the 20a a dog without the turbo? Seems to be easy to bog the motor, definitely feels underpowered to me, like if you hit a brake in 2nd gear it will bog machine but clutch might not be working real well too, is the proper name a d318? I might try to do a compression test but engine doesnt seem to use much oil, also uphill in second gear with a bucket full of dirt is doggy, nature of the beast?????