I have recently acquired a '68 12F grader (affectionately known as Hanna) that I will be using to maintain my 2km driveway here in the Yukon bush, as well as a doing what I can to provide her with TLC. Restoring her will be my hobby for the foreseeable future, I expect.

I am hopeful that someone can tell me what the oil level should be when I look into the Power Control Housing. It is supposed to hold 4.5 gallons of oil (specs call for CO--'crankcase oil'). But I have no idea how much is currently in the housing and what I should see if it's full--looking down the filler opening. E.g., should I be able to see the oil? (Currently, I cannot see oil--though all the gears appear well coated.)

Also wanting to test the glow plugs. Can anyone fill me in on what the resistance should be? (P/N 3S-9624)

My machine is not quite an antique, but it's getting there. I have lots to learn and am delighted to have discovered the club!

Thanks for any advice/help folks can provide! (pic of Hanna attached).

Hi, Onfoot.
I spent quite a bit of time on the earlier Cat 12s with the full gear controls and then jumped straight to the G series with the full hydraulic controls so have no experience of the F series 12s or the E series 14s. The earlier 12s had a level plug in the face of the control box to check the oil level. Does yours have a plug there, probably with a square like a pipe plug? If it is there, it would be just in front of your knee(s) when sitting in the seat.

Just my 0.02.

What series and s/n 12F do you have?
13K1-3379 uses CD engine oil, SAE 30 above 32* and SAE 10W below 32* F
13K-3380-up uses Dexron ATF.
Check sight glass at base of tower.
Most glow plugs run about 0.1 to 6 ohm resistance but up to 11 ohm or so can still be good. Usually they run either good or no good (shorted)

Old wrote:

What series and s/n 12F do you have?
13K1-3379 uses CD engine oil, SAE 30 above 32* and SAE 10W below 32* F
13K-3380-up uses Dexron ATF.
Check sight glass at base of tower.
Most glow plugs run about 0.1 to 6 ohm resistance but up to 11 ohm or so can still be good. Usually they run either good or no good (shorted)

Thanks, Old Magnet. The S/N of my 12F is 58H498. The plate on her calls for 'CO'--crankcase oil. (See attached photos.)

I have not seen a site glass on the Power Control Housing, but will look more carefully. Appreciate the glow plug info.

Onfoot

Slight slip in you 58H prefix,actually is a 59H, Canada built 1967.
My service manual shows a sight glass for the 13K, and 89H US models, I'd think the 59H would be the same.

Old wrote:

Slight slip in you 58H prefix,actually is a 59H, Canada built 1967.
My service manual shows a sight glass for the 13K, and 89H US models, I'd think the 59H would be the same.

Good catch! I keep doing that--somehow the 59 became a 58 in my antique head! Will take a good luck as soon as it is light outside. Thanks again!

Deas wrote:

Hi, Onfoot.
... The earlier 12s had a level plug in the face of the control box to check the oil level. Does yours have a plug there, probably with a square like a pipe plug? If it is there, it would be just in front of your knee(s) when sitting in the seat..

Have posted two photos with arrows pointing to what I think might be the level plug to which you refer? Wondering if that is what you are recalling?

Thanks again!

Onfoot

Deas wrote:

Hi, Onfoot.
I spent quite a bit of time on the earlier Cat 12s with the full gear controls and then jumped straight to the G series with the full hydraulic controls so have no experience of the F series 12s or the E series 14s. The earlier 12s had a level plug in the face of the control box to check the oil level. Does yours have a plug there, probably with a square like a pipe plug? If it is there, it would be just in front of your knee(s) when sitting in the seat.

Just my 0.02.

I happen to know of a 12E that you have spent some time on!

Hi, Onfoot.
That would be the oil level check. As I said, I went straight from 12Es to 12Gs, skipping the 12Fs and so have no knowledge of them.

Hi, Paso Bob.
Yep, I know of a LOTTTT of 12Es that I spent time on but the 12F has a whole different control system from the E series and I never got to sit my favorite rump steak on wunna them animals. Onfoot's 2 photos above will give you an idea of the differences, especially the second one, not much like an E series at all.

Just my 0.02.

The way that looks it is supposed to be a sight glass plug.