How Can You Move a Non-Running Caterpillar 953 Track Loader

[MikePhua]

The 953 and Its Drive System Configuration
The Caterpillar 953 track loader, introduced in the early 1980s, was designed for versatility in excavation, land clearing, and material handling. With an operating weight of approximately 14,000 kg and powered by a turbocharged diesel engine, the 953 features a hydrostatic transmission and planetary final drives. These components are engineered to deliver high torque and precise control, but they also lock the machine in place when the engine is not running.
When a 953 loses engine function, moving it becomes a challenge. Unlike wheeled machines that can be towed with brakes released, the track loader’s drivetrain resists movement due to internal gear engagement and hydraulic lock. However, there are proven methods to bypass these constraints and make the machine roll.
Terminology Notes

• Planetary Final Drive: A gear system that multiplies torque and connects the hydrostatic motor to the sprocket.
  
• Sun Gear: The central gear in a planetary system; removing it disengages the drive.
  
• Brake Release Pump: A manual or hydraulic device used to release spring-applied brakes.
  
• Freewheel Condition: A state where the drivetrain is disengaged, allowing the machine to roll without engine power.
  

Methods for Moving a Dead 953
There are three primary approaches to make a non-running 953 mobile:

• Pull the Axles
  On some early models, removing the axle shafts allows the final drives to disengage from the sprockets. This method is effective but labor-intensive and requires proper lifting and blocking.
  
• Release the Brakes Manually
  Older 953 units may have a hand-operated brake release pump mounted onboard. Engaging this pump releases the spring-applied brakes, allowing the tracks to turn freely. Later models require external hydraulic pressure—typically from a volume bucket or portable pump—to release the brakes via service ports.
  
• Remove the Sun Gears
  By taking off the small circular covers at the center of each final drive and extracting the sun gears, the planetary system is disengaged. This allows the sprockets to rotate independently of the hydrostatic motors. However, this creates a true freewheel condition—meaning the machine can roll uncontrollably if not properly secured.
  

Field Experience and Safety Lessons
One technician recalled moving decommissioned military tanks without tracks. When unloaded on flat ground, the first tank rolled across a parking lot, through a hedge, and into a trailer home. The lesson: no tracks means no brakes. The same applies to a 953 with sun gears removed—gravity and slope can turn a safe move into a runaway hazard.
Operators should always:

• Chock the tracks before disengaging drive components
  
• Use a winch or tow vehicle with controlled tension
  
• Avoid slopes or uneven terrain during movement
  
• Reinstall sun gears or axles immediately after relocation
  

Recommendations for Safe Relocation

• Inspect the final drive covers for access to sun gears
  
• Use proper lifting equipment to support the machine during axle or gear removal
  
• Apply external hydraulic pressure if brake release pump is absent
  
• Coordinate with experienced technicians to avoid drivetrain damage
  
• Document all removed components for accurate reassembly
  

Conclusion
Moving a non-running Caterpillar 953 requires mechanical disengagement of the drivetrain or brake system. Whether pulling axles, releasing brakes, or removing sun gears, each method has trade-offs in labor, safety, and control. With careful planning and respect for the machine’s weight and gear configuration, operators can relocate a dead 953 without risking damage or injury.