CAT 1M-9444 RETAINER

The CAT 1M-9444 is a Caterpillar genuine heavy-duty flexible retainer, commonly used for positioning bucket teeth, linkages, or hydraulic components in excavators and loaders. It achieves anti-loosening and axial fixation through elastic preload. The following are precise original factory specifications and application information; replacement parts are not included.

Core Technical Parameters

Item Details
Part Model: CAT 1M-9444 (Heavy-duty elastic retainer with pre-tensioned elastic structure)

Material: 65Mn spring steel, quenched and tempered at medium temperature (HRC 42-48), galvanized and passivated surface, balancing elasticity and rust prevention

Key Dimensions: Inner diameter 25.4 mm (1.00 in), outer diameter 38.1 mm (1.50 in), total height 12.7 mm (0.50 in), elastic opening width 3.2 mm (0.126 in)

Performance Parameters: Radial preload ≥ 5 kN, compatible shaft diameter tolerance 0/-0.02 mm, operating temperature -40℃ to +120℃, can withstand low to medium speed impact loads

Single Weight: Approx. 0.12 kg (0.26 lbs)

Tolerance Standards: Inner diameter tolerance 0/-0.01 mm, outer diameter tolerance… 0/+0.015 mm, height tolerance ±0.05 mm, surface roughness Ra ≤ 0.8 μm

Core Features: Flexible opening design generates radial preload after installation, preventing axial movement and loosening of components, suitable for vibration conditions.

Structure and Core Features:

Spring steel elastic structure: 65Mn material heat-treated to ensure high elasticity and toughness. The opening design allows for radial contraction, generating continuous preload force against the shaft surface after installation, providing better anti-loosening performance than ordinary retaining rings.

Galvanized color passivation protection: Surface treatment enhances resistance to salt spray and moisture, suitable for dusty and humid construction environments, preventing jamming or failure caused by rust.

Heavy-load adaptable design: Quenching treatment enhances hardness, capable of withstanding impact loads during bucket operation, preventing deformation or breakage of the retainer, suitable for high-intensity working conditions of construction machinery.

Quick positioning function: No additional fasteners required; automatically clamps after installation, achieving axial positioning of components, reducing assembly steps and improving maintenance efficiency.

Compatible Models and Application Scenarios

Compatible Equipment: CAT 320 and 325 series excavators, and 950 and 966 series loaders, specifically the bucket tooth pins, connecting rod joints, or hydraulic cylinder piston rod positioning parts.

Core Purpose: Installed at the end of the bucket tooth pin, connecting rod shoulder, or axial positioning surface of hydraulic components, it uses elastic preload to prevent loosening of components under vibration and impact, ensuring bucket operational stability. Suitable for heavy-duty working conditions such as mining and infrastructure construction.

Installation and Maintenance Points

Installation: Clean the shaft diameter surface and mounting groove, removing burrs and oil stains. Check the retainer for cracks, elastic failure, and deformation of the opening.

Use special snap ring pliers to open the elastic opening, align it with the mounting groove, and release it, ensuring the retainer is fully embedded in the groove and fits snugly against the shaft surface without gaps.

After installation, check the preload force. Manually move it; it should not be loose. Ensure axial displacement ≤ 0.03 mm.

Maintenance: Inspect every 800 hours. If weakened elasticity, peeling galvanized layer, or deformed openings are found, replace immediately to prevent loose parts from causing malfunctions.

Avoid overloading to prevent impact-induced elastic failure of the retainer, which would affect positioning performance.

For long-term storage, apply anti-rust oil to the retainer surface to prevent corrosion in humid environments.