Cat® Sidebar Protectors Installation Guide

Estimated read time: 3 minutes

Shop Sidebar Protection
Shop Sidebar Protection

Sidebar protectors help protect the edge of your machine’s bucket from premature wear. They also help keep material inside the bucket so that you can maximize each load.

You have three options for sidebar protection on your excavator or wheel loader: pinned, Cat® CapSure™ and mechanically attached wear plates.

  • Pinned sidebar protectors are held in place by retaining pins. It’s a good choice for buckets with pre-drilled holes for sidebar protectors.

  • One option for a hammerless system is the mechanically attached wear plates are hammerless and fit any bucket option. They are ideal for buckets without pre-drilled holes.

  • CapSure is your other hammerless option. The retainer lock system holds the pin so that you don’t need to manually drive it in.

All three systems provide the same level of protection for your bucket or ripper. The difference comes down to how you remove and install them.

Watch this video to learn more about how to remove and install CapSure sidebars.

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As shown in the video, CapSure sidebar protectors require no hammer or special tools.

You can lock and unlock these protectors with just a 180-degree turn of a ratchet.

Removal and Installation: Pinned Sidebar Protection

If you use a pinned system, you must remove and install both the retaining pins and the sidebar protector.

  • Pins cannot be reused, so always replace them when you replace or rotate the protector.

  • To remove pins, use a hammer and punch to drive them out in the same direction they were installed. If the shoulders of the pin lock internally, drive on the back part of the pin until it starts to move.

  • Once the pins are out, clean the sidebar protector and surrounding area. Attach a lifting device, drive out the bolts and remove both the sidebar protector and spring clips from the bores.

Installing New Sidebar Protection

  1. Clean the bucket side walls and bores to remove dirt or corrosion.

  2. Install new spring clips, using grease to hold them if needed.

  3. Place the new sidebar protector on the side wall, align the bores and drive in the new bolts.

front cab guard on a Cat 317 Hydraulic Excavator
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For sidebar protectors with one pin: Position the bottom of the protector over the lugs of the corner adapter, then position the top. The rear of the pin has a larger head and is marked “BACK.” Make sure this mark faces the rear of the bucket. Strike both sides of the pin with a hammer until it sticks out evenly.

For sidebar protectors with two pins: Start both pins at the same time from the opposite side of the protector. Strike both sides of both pins until they stick out evenly.

Removal and Installation: Mechanically Attached Wear Plates

Mechanically attached sidebar protectors are hammerless but require a weld-boss for retention. To install a new protector:

  1. Insert the protector into the dovetail base plate.

  2. Grab the mechanically attached wear plate compression retainer.

  3. Install one end of the retainer, then secure the other end with a small pry bar.

Order replacement sidebar protectors, pinned, CapSure or mechanically attached at Parts.Cat.com.

For more information and support, contact your Cat dealer.

Q: What are Cat sidebar protectors?
A: Sidebar protectors are ground engaging tools (GET) that shield the sides of a bucket and help keep material inside.

Q: What types of Cat sidebar protectors are available?
A: Cat offers pinned sidebar protectors, CapSure sidebar protectors and mechanically attached wear plates.

Q: How do you install pinned sidebar protectors?
A: Replace the pins and protector at the same time. Drive pins out with a hammer and punch, clean the area, then align and install new clips, bolts and pins.

Q: What makes CapSure sidebar protectors different?
A: CapSure protectors use a hammerless retainer system. They lock and unlock with a ratchet turn, making changeout safer and faster.

Q: Can I use sidebar protectors on buckets without predrilled holes?
A: Yes. Mechanically attached wear plates fit any bucket and are secured with a weld-boss and compression retainer.

Q: Where can I buy replacement sidebar protectors?
A: You can order pinned, CapSure and mechanically attached sidebar protectors at Parts.Cat.com.

 

 

 

 

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