TM 5-3895-383-24P KEBP0206-02 GENERAL INFORMATION A-3 GENERAL INFORMATION 1.  MACHINE IDENTIFICATION Caterpillar machines are identified by     Product Information Numbers (PIN). Some components included   in   a   machine   may   be   identified   by   Serial Numbers    (S/N).    Typical    components    that    will    be serialized  include  engines,  transmissions,  bulldozers, and   rippers.   The   machine   and   engine   are   further identified by arrangement numbers and in some cases modification  numbers.  These  numbers  are  shown  on the  product  identification  plate(s)  and  on  the  master plate in the operator's compartment. Caterpillar   dealers   need   all   of   these   numbers   to determine accurate parts identification. 2.  ORDERING PARTS When   replacement   parts   are   required   for   this product  Caterpillar  recommends  using  Caterpillar replacement     parts     or     parts     with     equivalent specifications     including,     but     not     limited     to, physical dimensions, type, strength and material. Failure to heed this warning can lead to premature failures, product damage, personal injury or death. Quality Caterpillar replacement parts are available from Caterpillar  dealers  throughout  the  world.  Their  parts inventories are up to date and include all parts normally required   to   protect   your    investment    in    Caterpillar machines. Dealers may offer repair kits or remanufactured  parts  to  allow  selection  of  the  most effective   repair   alternative   for   a   particular   situation. When  ordering  parts,  your  order  should  specify  the quantity,   part   number,   part   name,   and   the   serial number/product  identification  number  of  the  machine for which the parts are needed. 3.  PARTS MANUAL ORGANIZATION Product   information   in   this   manual   is   presented   as "information    elements"    that    represent    all    of    the components for the specific model. Engine Arrangement    and    Seat    Group    are    examples    of information  elements.  The   information   elements   are organized alphabetically by part name and secondarily by   part   number   within   each   major   section   of   the manual. 4.  TABLE OF CONTENTS A table of contents (TOC) is found at the beginning of the manual. The TOC lists each section of the manual with    a    complete    list    of    all    information    elements organized as they appear in the manual. Page numbers are   provided   for   quick   reference   to   detailed   parts identification illustrations and serviceable consist lists. 5.  MAINENANCE PARTS INDEX The    Maintenance    Parts    Index,    located    near    the beginning  of  the  manual,  references  most  frequently used maintenance part numbers, providing description, quantity,  usage  and  page  number.  This  information  is organized alphabetically by part description. 6.  INDEX The  index  located  near  the  front  of  the  manual  is  an alphabetical listing of all information elements included in  the  manual.  Page  numbers  are  provided  for  quick reference   to   detailed   parts   identification   illustrations and serviceable consist lists. 7.  PART NUMBER INDEX A   numerical   index   listing   all   part   numbers   and   the corresponding page number(s) appears at the back of the manual. 8.  CAPTIONS Captions   located   at   the   top   of   each   page   of   an information  element  identify the  part  number  and  part name along with additional descriptive information. PIN and  S/N  information  found  in  each  caption  should  be used    to    select    correct    information    for    a    specific machine.  Field  replacement  options,  identification  of optional   attachment   components,   and   where   used (“part of”) information is also provided. The first line of a caption is shown in larger type font to indicate   the   beginning   of   an   information   element. Captions   for additional pages that may be required to illustrate   an   information   element   will   be   shown   in standard type font and will include the term (contd.).