IT 12 B Caterpillar IT 12 B Specifications & Technical Data (1990—2026)

Service

Less time spent on maintenance gives you more time on the job.Swing out engine compartment doors provide easy access to: oil dipstick and filler spout engine oil filter air filter fuel filters air cleaner indicator Sight gauge provides fast hydraulic fluid level check, filters are located on side of hydraulic tank.Fuel filler and dipstick accessible from ground level.Ground-level access to main implement control valves.Cat 3114 turbocharged Engine. Rebuildable for a second life!Parent-metal cylinder block can be rebored (two times) and dry-sleeved.Cast cylinder head has replaceable valve guides and seats.Forged, induction-hardened crankshaft can be reground and reused.Camshaft bearings replaceable without reboring the cylinder block.

Linkage

Sealed pins in lift arms and bucket hinge points for longer pin and bushing life, lower maintenance costs. Grease once every 50 service meter units.

Caterpillar Engine

Caterpillar unit injection fuel system with individual, adjustment-free injector for each cylinder. Cam-ground and tapered, aluminum-alloy pistons have three rings each. Steel-backed, copper-bonded bearings. Forged carbonized steel crankshaft. Pressure lubrication with full-flow filtered and cooled oil. Dry-type air cleaner and 4.4 liters/268 in³ displacement. Direct-electric, 24-volt starting system with 55-amp alternator.

Axles

Front axle fixed; rear axle oscillates ±11°, total of 22°, for greater machine stability. One rear wheel can drop or rise a total of 330 mm/13" with all wheels on the ground for maximum traction. Quiet spiral bevel gear set reduces noise level for better operator comfort. Inboard axles provide excellent durability and higher component life. Conventional differentials standard. Optional NoSPIN differential rear axle is recommended for slippery underfoot conditions.

Final Drives

The final drive consists of a ring gear pressed and doweled into the axle shaft housing and a planetary carrier assembly which includes planet gears, shafts, full floating bronze sleeve bearings, retaining pins and the sun gear shaft. The sun gear has a large number of teeth for long service life and excellent resistance to pitting.

Transmission

Electrically controlled powershift transmission with four forward and three reverse speeds with on-the-go shifting for greater operator efficiency and productivity. Single lever on the left side of steering column controls both speed and direction. Rotate the handle for speed changes. Move the lever forward or back for direction change. Neutral start provision prevents starting machine in gear. Single-stage, single-phase torque converter.

Steering System

Center-point frame articulation. Rear and front wheels track at all times for greater operator efficiency, lower rolling resistance, reduced tire wear. Hydrostatic steering provides automotive feel for precise control. Full-flow filtering. Minimum turning radius (over tires) 4830.7 mm/15'10". Steering angle (each direction) 35°. Hydraulic system — Two 69.9 mm/2.75" bore, double-acting cylinders powered by gear-type pump. Pump sized for excellent steering response at all engine speeds. Output @ 2400 engine RPM and 6900 kPa/69 bar/1000 psi 50 liters/min/13 gpm. Relief valve setting 17 600 kPa/176 bar/2552 psi.

The Machine

35° articulated steering for close-quarters operation.Power for outstanding productivity and versatility.Power shift transmission for smooth, on-the-go shifting.Four forward and three reverse speeds.Advanced operator's compartment for day-long productivity.Four-plate loader tower and solid-plate main frame.High capacity differentials and planetary final drives with lifetime enclosed oil-disc brakes.Outstanding service ease for longer on-the-job days.

Integrated Toolcarrier Linkage

Eight bar design for excellent breakout force, big bucket loads. More lift height and reach than comparably sized loaders due to longer lift arms, taller front tower, and higher pivot point. Parallel lift allows the operator to raise or lower a load over the complete lift cycle without manual tilt adjustment — the operator concentrates on placement, not load. This design provides more tilt capacity than lift in almost all positions for superior load control, assuring sufficient hydraulic capacity to tilt the load forward or backward for precise placement. A 55.5° rack-back angle at carry height provides excellent load retention in load and carry applications. No linkage protrusion below lift arms permits reaching across railroad cars or other wide carriers for easy, one-side loading and unloading.

Integral Quick Coupler

Designed and built by Caterpillar specifically for the Integrated Toolcarrier machines — not an add-on coupler, so lifting capacity and stability are not compromised. It permits most tool changes in less than 30 seconds, without leaving the cab. A lever in the operator’s compartment actuates a hydraulic cylinder for positive tool retention or disengagement. There is a standard third valve arrangement, with an optional fourth valve arrangement available for additional front tool hydraulic functions.

Hydraulic Controls

Lift circuit — Positions: raise, hold, lower, and float. Automatic kick-out adjustable up to full lift height. Tilt circuit — Positions: roll back, hold, and dump. Automatic load positioner adjustable to the desired loading angle. Coupler — Engage, hold, disengage.

The Competitive Edge

Integral quick coupler for fast tool changes.Tools versatile enough for any application.Increases lift height and reach over conventional loaders.Parallel lift from ground level to maximum height.Exceptional load control throughout lift.Standard transmission neutralizer switch for low speed maneuverability.Positive carry position for load stability and retention.Standard third valve and optional fourth valve for multiple tool functions.All tools interchangeable between Integrated Toolcarrier machines.Excellent center visibility to quick coupler and tool.

Efficient Operator’s Compartment

Suspension seat is fully adjustable and contoured to provide a comfortable work station. Single-lever transmission, electrically controlled, provides fast speed and direction changes. Standard transmission neutralizer switch converts left brake pedal to an “inching” control for slow, precise operation. Dual pedal braking permits regular braking (right pedal) or neutralizing of transmission (left pedal) with braking to maintain high engine RPM for fast hydraulic response. Resiliently-mounted platform and cab isolates noise, vibration. Standard heater controls environment. Pressurization keeps out dust. Standard ROPS cab provides easy entry and exit and excellent visibility in all directions. Sunvisor and tinted glass add to operator’s comfort.

Brakes

Enclosed wet-disc brakes, hydraulically actuated. Fade-resistant. Separate brake circuits for front and rear axles. Two brake pedals: right pedal brakes only; left pedal brakes while neutralizing transmission. Low fluid warning light. Internal shoe-and-drum brake system acts on the main drive line. Operator applies manually. Audible alarm and red light warn operator if transmission is engaged while parking brake is applied. With a dead engine, both stages of the master cylinder will provide brake pressure for secondary braking. In the event of a failure of either the front or rear brake circuit, the remaining circuit will provide secondary braking.

Cab

Cab offered by Caterpillar, when tested with doors and windows closed according to ANSI/SAE J1166 JUL87, meets OSHA and MSHA requirements for operator sound exposure limits in effect at the time of manufacture.