Caterpillarasphalt paverasphalt screed

Caterpillar 8 FT

Maintenance schedule, common problems & OEM parts breakdown

The Caterpillar 8 FT identifies the 8-foot (2.44 m) base-width extendable screed offered on the Caterpillar AP-800 tracked asphalt paver — it is a screed option, not a stand-alone paving machine. Cataloged as the 8 FT VIP extendable screed and sold in this width class under the Extend-A-Mat 8-16B (hydraulic power-extending) and Pavemaster 8B (manually extended) product families, the screed carries no engine, transmission, or undercarriage of its own; all power and hydraulics come from the host AP-800 tractor. Across the AP-800, AP-800B, AP-800C, and AP-800D tractor generations, that host machine ran a Cat 3054 or 3054C four-cylinder turbocharged diesel rated roughly 75-96 kW (101-130 hp) depending on series, with total operating weight varying by tractor and screed configuration in the 10.5-13.5 tonne (23,000-30,000 lb) range. The 8 FT screed paves a fixed base width of 2.44 m (8 ft) and extends to roughly 6.1 m (20 ft) using bolt-on or hydraulic extensions and cutoff shoes, giving contractors one screed platform that scales from shoulder and bridge-deck work up to full lane widths.

Changes across the AP-800 tractor's production run centered on the engine and hydraulics rather than the screed itself: naturally aspirated 3054 power gave way to the turbocharged 3054DIT and 3054C as the B, C, and D letter series progressed, raising rated output and paving speed, while the 8 FT screed's base width, extension geometry, vibration, and heating systems stayed structurally consistent across the VIP, Extend-A-Mat, and Pavemaster naming. That overlap means an 8 FT screed pulled from a used AP-800B tractor can often serve as a compatible parts or exchange unit on an AP-800C or AP-800D, keeping it relevant in the used-equipment and parts market well after Caterpillar moved its 8-foot-class paving lineup to the modern SE47 V and SE47 FM screeds on the current AP400/AP455/AP500/AP555 tractor family. Buyers sourcing an 8 FT screed today are almost always supporting an existing AP-800-series fleet rather than building a new one, so extension hardware, wear plates, and heating components see steadier demand than complete screed assemblies.

Below: full specifications, fluids & capacities, the factory service schedule, common service parts, verified fault codes, what owners discuss, attachment guidance, the complete assembly directory, and a serial-number reference. Complete parts lists with full OEM part numbers, exploded diagrams, quantities, and fitment data are available free in Heavy Parts AI.

Caterpillar 8 FT specifications

Screed specifications (8 FT VIP extendable screed)

Size-class identity	"8 FT" designates the 8 ft (2.44 m) base-width screed class fitted to the Cat AP-800 rubber-tire paver tractor. Factory parts documentation lists this class as the VIP Extendable Screed on early production; later catalogs cover the same 8 ft class as the Extend-A-Mat 8-16B (power-extending) or Pavemaster 8B (fixed-width) screed
Standard/base screed paving width	2.44 m (8 ft)
Paving range, Extend-A-Mat 8-16B screed	2.44-4.75 m (8 ft-15 ft 6 in) power-extended; 1.8-6.1 m (6 ft-20 ft 2 in) with cutoff shoes and bolt-on extensions
Paving range, Pavemaster 8B screed	fixed 2.44 m (8 ft); 1.8-6.1 m (6 ft-20 ft) with cutoff shoes and extensions
Operating width, 8 ft screed	3.27 m (10 ft 8.7 in)
Screed plate heating	Extend-A-Mat 8-16B uses four fuel-oil burners with electric ignition; Pavemaster 8B uses two fuel-oil burners with insulated combustion chambers, both for even screed-plate heat
Screed extensions / vibration	Bolt-on extensions available in several widths; vibration is provided on the larger extension sizes on both screed options

AP-800 host paver — engine (reference; the screed has no engine of its own)

Engine model	Caterpillar 3054DIT, four-stroke four-cylinder turbocharged diesel (AP-800C generation). An earlier tractor generation (AP-800B) used a different turbocharged four-cylinder diesel rated near 76 kW (102 hp) — engine varies by paver generation, verify by serial/data plate.
Gross power	80 kW (107 hp) at 2200 rpm
Net power	75 kW (101 hp) at 2200 rpm
Displacement	4.0 L (243 cu in); bore 100 mm x stroke 127 mm (3.94 in x 5.0 in)
Emissions / altitude derate	Built to meet period EPA/CARB engine rules for its model year; no power derate required to 2134 m (7,000 ft) altitude

AP-800 host paver — weights (reference, tractor + screed combined)

AP-800 tractor + Extend-A-Mat 8-16B screed	15 195 kg (33,500 lb)
AP-800 tractor + Pavemaster 8B screed	13 575 kg (29,930 lb)
AP-800 tractor + earlier tractor generation	approx. 10 660-11 900 kg (23,501-26,242 lb) without/with screed — lower figure reflects an earlier series listing; treat as approximate and cross-check by serial range
Shipping weight	Not published separately from operating weight in factory literature reviewed
Ground pressure	Not published

AP-800 host paver — overall dimensions (reference)

Overall length with push roller	6.01-6.51 m (19 ft 8.75 in-21 ft 3.25 in) depending on screed fitted
Overall length with truck hitch	6.50-6.97 m (21 ft 3.75 in-22 ft 10.25 in) depending on screed fitted
Overall height	3.02 m (9 ft 11 in)
Transport width, 8 ft screed (hoppers raised, no end gates)	2.44 m (8 ft)
Transport width, 8 ft screed (hoppers raised, with end gates)	2.72 m (8 ft 11 in)
Transport height (muffler removed)	2.60 m (8 ft 6.5 in)
Wheelbase	2.34 m (92 in)
Inside turning radius	approx. 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)

AP-800 host paver — performance (reference)

Paving speed, low range	0-46 m/min (0-150 ft/min)
Paving speed, high range	0-76 m/min (0-250 ft/min)
Travel speed, low range	0-11.3 km/h (0-7 mph)
Travel speed, high range	0-19 km/h (0-12 mph)
Speed variation note	Speeds vary slightly by drive-tire type; an earlier tractor generation is documented with a somewhat higher top travel speed (approx. 21 km/h / 13 mph) and higher max paving speed (approx. 95 m/min / 312 ft/min) — treat as series-dependent
Gradeability	Not published

Values vary by configuration, region, and serial range — confirm against your machine before planning transport or lifts.

8 FT fluids & capacities

System	Capacity	Recommended fluid
Hydraulic system (shared with AP-800 base paver — screed has no separate reservoir)	No dedicated screed tank. Screed extension, crown, and vibrator functions draw off the base paver's main hydraulic circuit; the base AP-800 paver's hydraulic tank holds approximately 39 L (10.3 US gal / 8.6 imp gal).	Cat HYDO Advanced 10 (SAE 10W) and Cat HYDO Advanced 30 (SAE 30W) / Cat BIO HYDO Advanced are the preferred oils. Second-choice oils: Cat MTO, Cat DEO, Cat DEO-ULS, Cat TDTO, Cat TDTO Cold Weather, Cat TDTO-TMS. Viscosity by climate: SAE 10W for -20 to 40 C (-4 to 104 F); SAE 30/ISO 46 multi-grade for 0 to 50 C (32 to 122 F); SAE 10W-30 for -20 to 40 C (-4 to 104 F); SAE 15W-40 or 0W-40 multi-grade for -15 to 50 C (5 to 122 F); SAE 0W-20 down to -40 C (-40 F) with Cat DEO-ULS Cold Weather or Cat TDTO Cold Weather.
Grease — external lubrication points (screed extension slide tubes, pivot pins, vibrator shaft bearings)	Spec only, no fill volume given. Service each zerk fitting until fresh grease purges the joint; flush pin joints fully when switching grease brands.	Cat Advanced 3Moly, NLGI Grade 2, rated -20 to 40 C (-4 to 104 F), is the general-purpose external lube point grease. Cold-climate options: Cat Ultra 5Moly NLGI Grade 1 or 0, rated -30 to 50 C (-22 to 122 F) down to -35 to 40 C (-31 to 104 F); extreme cold, Cat Arctic Platinum, -50 to 20 C (-58 to 68 F). Hot-climate option: Cat Desert Gold, -20 to 60 C (-4 to 140 F). Non-Cat grease must be certified compatible with Cat grease before use.
Engine, transmission/powertrain, final drive, fuel tank, cooling system	Not applicable to the screed itself.	The 8 FT VIP extendable screed is a mounted attachment for the AP-800 asphalt paver, not a self-powered machine — it carries its own serial number range separate from the paver tractor. It has no engine, transmission, final drive, fuel tank, or cooling system of its own; those fluid service points belong to the AP-800 base paver tractor and are covered under that unit's own operation and maintenance manual.

Capacities are refill values from factory literature — always fill to the dipstick/sight gauge, not the number.

Caterpillar 8 FT maintenance schedule

Service interval	Tasks
Every 50 h	Inspect screed plates and extension wear plates for scoring or thinning before each shift. Clean and lubricate extension slide rails, bushings, and pivot pins at start and end of shift. Check crown and cross-slope calibration before paving begins. Inspect heating elements or burners for even heat across the full screed width and check fuel/propane connections for leaks. Verify vibrator runs smoothly with no unusual noise or loss of amplitude. Clear the walkway, endgates, and extension area of hardened asphalt buildup.
Every 250 h	Grease extension slide bushings, lift points, and crown-adjustment pivots per the lubrication chart. Check vibrator shaft bearings for play or noise and inspect bearing seals for grease leakage. Measure moldboard and tamper bar wear strips and replace any below minimum thickness. Inspect hydraulic hoses and quick-couplers feeding the screed circuit from the tractor for leaks, chafing, or soft spots. Confirm grade and slope sensor mounts are secure and recalibrate sensors.
Every 500 h	Clean burner assemblies, check igniters, and verify even heat distribution across the extended width. Check extension tube alignment and slide clearance, shimming or adjusting as needed to hold mat-thickness consistency at the joint. Inspect the vibrator eccentric shaft and its drive coupling for wear or play. Cycle screed hydraulic cylinders (crown, lift, extension) and check for drift or seal leakage. Test and calibrate heating thermostats or temperature controllers.
Every 1,000 h	Inspect vibrator shaft bearings closely and replace any found worn beyond tolerance. Check the main screed tube and extension tubes for twist or wear that affects mat flatness. Inspect wiring and connectors to heating elements and grade sensors for insulation damage from heat cycling. Sample the shared tractor/screed hydraulic fluid for contamination and change hydraulic filters. Inspect endgate and extension wear components and replace as needed.
Every 2,000 h	Rebuild the vibrator shaft assembly, replacing bearings and seals as a matched set. Inspect the screed frame and mounting brackets for fatigue cracking from sustained vibration. Replace screed plates and moldboard wear strips approaching minimum thickness. Overhaul the crown-adjustment linkage and bushings to remove accumulated slop. Flush and refill the shared hydraulic system feeding the screed circuit per spec.
Every 4,000 h	Strip hardened asphalt buildup from screed and extension plates and refinish or coat exposed steel before extended storage. Rebuild extension slide assemblies, bushings, and wear pads as a complete set to restore factory tightness. Replace all screed heating elements or burner components as a set rather than piecemeal. Fully recalibrate the grade and slope control system before the next paving season. Inspect the complete screed structure for corrosion and structural wear at end-of-season teardown.

Servicing the 8 FT beyond the schedule

Predictive Maintenance & Fluid Analysis

Because the 8 FT screed has no engine or transmission of its own, predictive work centers on the shared hydraulic circuit and wear trending. Sample the AP-800 tractor's hydraulic fluid on schedule, since the screed's lift, crown, extension, and vibrator cylinders all draw from that same reservoir — contamination shows up first as sluggish extension response or crown drift, before a cylinder actually fails. Track screed plate and extension slide wear-plate thickness over time, and log vibrator bearing noise trends to catch bearing wear before it scars the main tube.

Corrective & Common Repairs

Typical 8 FT screed repairs involve the extension mechanism and heating system, not driveline parts. Worn slide bushings and wear plates cause extension drag or an uneven mat step at the joint between main and extension screeds — replace them in matched sets to hold alignment. Burner or heating-element failures show up as cold spots that cause asphalt pickup on startup; clean or replace igniters and elements rather than running on partial heat. Vibrator shaft bearing wear is the most common cause of chatter marks in the finished mat and calls for prompt bearing replacement.

Overhaul & Rebuild Points

An 8 FT screed overhaul focuses on the extension slide assembly, vibrator shaft, and crown mechanism. Rebuild extension bushings, slide rails, and wear pads as a set to restore factory tightness between main and extension screeds, since mismatched wear accelerates uneven mat depth. Replace vibrator shaft bearings and seals together rather than individually, and check the shaft itself for wear grooves. Inspect the crown-adjustment linkage and screed frame welds for fatigue cracking from years of vibration loading before returning the screed to paving service.

Seasonal & Environment Servicing

Before seasonal storage, strip hardened asphalt buildup from screed plates and extension tubes and coat exposed steel to prevent corrosion over the off-season. Cold-weather startups stress the heating system hardest — verify burners or heating elements bring the full screed width up to temperature evenly before paving, since cold spots cause tearing and pickup. In hot, high-production seasons, extension slides and vibrator bearings run hotter and need closer grease-interval attention. Recalibrate crown, slope, and grade-control sensors at the start of each paving season.

8 FT attachments & work tools

Screed types offered

The 8 ft (2.44 m) base-width screed for the AP-800 paver comes in two families: the power-extending Extend-A-Mat 8-16B, which hydraulically varies from 2.44 m to 4.75 m (8' to 15'6"), and the fixed-width Pavemaster 8B, held at a constant 2.44 m (8') mat. Parts listings for this size class also carry it as the 8 ft VIP extendable screed, reflecting its lineage from the Barber-Greene Extend-A-Mat design Caterpillar inherited.

Maximum paving range with extensions

With cutoff shoes and bolt-on extensions fitted, the Extend-A-Mat 8-16B reaches 6.1 m (20'2"), and the Pavemaster 8B ranges 1.8-6.1 m (6'-20'). Actual maximum width varies by which extension and cutoff-shoe combination is installed.

Bolt-on screed extensions

Extend-A-Mat bolt-on extensions come in 305 mm (1') and 711 mm (2'4") widths; the wider one carries its own vibrator, the narrower gets heat only by convection from the main screed. Pavemaster extensions come in 152 mm (6"), 305 mm (1'), 610 mm (2'), and 914 mm (3') widths, with heat and vibration standard on the 610 mm and 914 mm sizes.

Cutoff shoe package

A cutoff shoe kit narrows the paving width in 76 mm (3") steps, using one 305 mm (1') and one 610 mm (2') shoe on the Extend-A-Mat screed.

Hydraulic strike-offs

Both screed families use hydraulic strike-off moldboards with on-the-go power height and slope adjustment, sloping down to 8 degrees (14%) with no up-slope capability. On the Pavemaster, strike-offs widen the mat by up to 1069 mm (3'6") per side, extendable another 305 mm (1') with bolt-on strike-off extensions.

Bevel end plates

Bolt-on bevel end plates taper the mat edge to match 38, 51, 64, or 76 mm (1.5", 2", 2.5", 3") lift thicknesses.

Berm extensions

Right- or left-hand berm extension kits run 357, 508, or 660 mm (14", 20", 26") long with 457 mm (18") screed plates; slope is adjustable 0-127 mm (5") high at the outer edge, and each kit includes its own extender-control wiring harness.

Screed heating

Screed plates are heated by fuel-oil burners with electric ignition and insulated combustion chambers for even heat distribution - two burners on the Pavemaster screed and four on the Extend-A-Mat screed to cover its extender sections.

Power controls

The Extend-A-Mat screed offers electric motor-driven gearboxes for fingertip control of main-screed crown, extender slope, and extender height. The Pavemaster gets power crown control only, through a single electric motor-driven gearbox.

Grade and slope control compatibility

An optional automatic proportional grade-and-slope control package, or a non-contacting sonic grade-and-slope control package (two sonic sensors, one slope controller, screed-mounted control units), can be fitted to either screed. Either option requires a transverse beam in 2.4 m (8') or 3 m (10') length matched to tractor width, and a sonic feeder sensor is separately available to read hopper material level without contact.

Grade reference options

Reference devices compatible with the screed system include a rigid ski (9.1 m or 12.2 m / 30' or 40'), an outboard leveler in the same lengths, an inboard leveler for tight clearances, a two-section mobile stringline, and a fore-and-aft leveler that bridges the screed extensions to reference both ahead and behind the screed.

Mounting to tractor

The screed is a pull-behind unit towed from the paver tractor's rear leveling/pull arms rather than a quick-coupler attachment. Overall machine length changes slightly depending on whether a push roller or a hydraulically actuated truck hitch is fitted at the tractor's front.

All 8 FT assemblies by section

Every catalogued assembly group for the Caterpillar 8 FT. Open an assembly to preview the parts inside — full OEM part numbers are available in Heavy Parts AI.

Vip Asphalt Screed

Adjustment Assembly

Ap-800 Asphalt Paver 8 Ft. Vip Extendable Screed

Burner Fuel Line Plumbing

8c7116 Control As-Flow

8C***16

Control As-Flow

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Crowning Assembly

Main Screed Assembly

Main Screed Blower Assembly

Main Screed Vibrator Assembly

8c7167 Motor Gp-Hydraulic

8C***67

Motor Group-Hydraulic

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Platforms And Handrails Assembly

Rear Screed Assembly

Rear Screed Blower Assembly

Rear Screed Slide Assembly

Rear Screed Vibrator Assembly

Screed Control Junction Box Assembly

Attachment : Screed Extension, 1'0"

Screed Extension Control Plumbing

Screed Main Junction Box Assembly

Ap-800 Screw Conveyor Extension Assembly, 1'-0"

Ap-800 Tow Arms Assembly, 8 Ft. Screed

Vibrator Drive Hydraulic Plumbing

8 FT serial number reference

The 8 FT VIP extendable screed has its own ID plate, separate from the Cat AP-800 paver it is mounted on. Read the plate as CAT + product ID digits + 3-character serial prefix + 5-digit sequence in the last 8 characters (prefix 2PF followed by the unit sequence number, starting at 2PF00001). Do not substitute the paver tractor's own PIN (which starts with a different prefix) when ordering screed parts — check the screed plate directly, since running design changes within the 2PF range affect which structural and electrical parts fit.

Prefix	Identifies	Notes
2PF	8 FT VIP extendable screed (fitted to Cat AP-800 asphalt paver)	The 8 FT VIP extendable screed carries its own serial plate and prefix, separate from the AP-800 paver it mounts to. Production runs from 2PF00001 up, with internal structural/electrical parts-group breaks around 2PF00084 and 2PF00104 reflecting running design changes, not different screed models. Always read the screed's own plate, not the paver tractor's, when ordering screed-specific parts.

Frequently asked questions

What engine does the Caterpillar 8 FT run?

The 8 FT is a screed attachment, not a self-powered machine — it draws all power from its host AP-800 tracked paver. Across the AP-800, AP-800B, AP-800C, and AP-800D tractor generations, that host ran a Cat 3054 or 3054C four-cylinder turbocharged diesel rated roughly 75-96 kW (101-130 hp) depending on series. The screed itself has no engine.

What is the operating weight of the Caterpillar 8 FT?

The 8 FT screed adds modest weight compared to the AP-800 tractor it mounts to. Total operating weight of an AP-800-series paver fitted with the 8 FT screed runs roughly 10.5-13.5 tonnes (23,000-30,000 lb), varying by tractor generation and screed/extension configuration — confirm the exact figure for your specific tractor-and-screed combination.

What replaced the Caterpillar 8 FT screed?

Caterpillar retired the VIP, Extend-A-Mat, and Pavemaster 8 FT-class screeds along with the AP-800 tractor family. Its successors are the SE47 V and SE47 FM screeds, which cover the same 2.44 m (8 ft) base width and extend to 4.7-6.2 m (15 ft 6 in-20 ft 6 in), fitted to the current AP400, AP455, AP500, and AP555 paver lineup.

What 8 FT owners discuss

What's the most common complaint about the 8 FT VIP/Extend-A-Mat screed's extension wings?

Operators report the extension adjustment plates working loose under a full head of material. Plates set true on a level shop floor can pop out of alignment within the first pass once load hits them, and in bad cases the wing won't close back to zero. Root cause is usually worn adjustment-plate hardware or pivot bushings, not a bent extension tube. Re-torque and re-shim the plates at the start of a shift on a machine with hours on it, and check the pivot points for slop before blaming setup or the operator.

Fuel-fired or electric screed heat on this machine, and what actually fails?

Cat's 8-foot screed line has moved to electric heat, which runs more evenly and doesn't warp the plate the way a fuel burner left on all day can. Field complaints center on individual heating-element failures (a multimeter check near zero or open/infinite resistance flags a dead element) and corroded or loose element connectors under the plate, not the heat system as a whole. On a fuel-fired setup, low line pressure and clogged or cracked burner nozzles are the usual heat-uniformity complaints, along with plate warping from burners left running with no mix underneath.

Does the auger or extension gearbox cause mat defects on an 8 FT-class screed?

Yes. A longitudinal streak centered behind the gearbox is a recognized symptom of worn or missing auger paddles, or an extension auger not pushing enough mix under the box. On extendable screeds, extension-shaft bearing blocks that are out of alignment throw extra load back onto the gearbox and auger bearings and accelerate wear on both. Check auger height and reverse-paddle condition before assuming it's a screed float problem.

The grade control sensor gives erratic readings. Is that a screed problem?

Almost always the sensor or its mounting, not the screed itself. Sonic sensors (ski or non-contact) pick up false echoes from nearby unused sensor heads, curbs, or dust, and an averaging ski that's too short for the pass geometry will hunt as much as it corrects. Confirm unused sensors are capped or moved clear, and that the active sensor is reading the intended reference surface, before chasing a lift-cylinder or hydraulic problem on the screed end.

What does a failing screed vibrator bearing look and feel like?

Loss of vibration, a change in vibration pitch or sound, or an inconsistent mat texture with visible striping. Because the vibrator setting drives compaction, a bearing on its way out often shows up first as density loss or a rougher mat, before it shows up as a noise you can pin down by ear. Treat any change in vibrator sound as a bearing or hydraulic-motor check, not just something to dial around with the setting.

Lift cylinders let the screed sag or move on its own. What's the fix?

Worn cylinder packing and seals are the reported cause, letting the screed drift down or lift unevenly side to side, most noticeable when the screed is set to float and neither cylinder should be holding pressure. Rebuild kits restore consistent lift. Also check strike-off plate height, which should sit slightly proud of the main plate, roughly 12 mm (1/2 in), since a low strike-off plate mimics the same symptom. A loaded screed can drop suddenly during hydraulic work; have your dealer verify cylinder and relief-valve condition before anyone works underneath a raised screed.

Buying a used 8 FT screed on an AP-800 — what should actually get measured?

Check the main screed plate at all four corners, front and rear. New thickness runs about 12.7 mm (1/2 in), and roughly 6 mm (1/4 in) of remaining material is considered usable life; uneven thickness side to side points to a twisted frame or long-term misalignment, not just normal wear. Inspect extension tubes for scoring and packed-in mix, since debris buildup accelerates bushing wear. Work the thickness-control screws by hand; binding indicates worn bushings. Open the chain case and check seals, since a leaking seal lets mix contaminate the case and damage internal components. None of this covers the tractor side — the AP-800's hydraulic pump and filters supply screed extension, heat, and vibration functions and should be checked separately. Have your dealer run a full pre-purchase inspection on both the screed and the tractor before you commit.

Compiled from owner and technician discussions across the industry — experiences vary by serial range and machine history.

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