Caterpillar S440
Maintenance schedule, common problems & OEM parts breakdown
The Caterpillar S440 is a Straight Shear, a passive hydraulic demolition and scrap-processing attachment that mounts to a carrier excavator's boom or stick rather than a standalone machine. It carries no engine, ECM, or onboard hydraulic reservoir; its jaw-closing cylinders draw pressure and flow directly from the host excavator's auxiliary hydraulic circuit through hose-and-coupler connections. Caterpillar groups the S440 with the larger S465 and S490 under one factory service publication, placing it as the smallest of a three-model heavy-duty straight-shear line built for large stick- or boom-mounted excavators. Cat has not published an operating weight, jaw-opening dimension, or production-year range for the S440 specifically; the closest documented reference point is sibling S490, listed near 8.1 tonnes, which puts the family in Cat's heaviest straight-shear weight class. The tool ships with a straight lower jaw paired to an apex-style upper jaw, either a weld-on hardened piercing tip or a later bolt-on reversible tip depending on production era, and mounting options for direct pin-on brackets or quick-coupler fitment.
Documentation for the S440 line is thin compared with Caterpillar's consumer-brochure shear families and the current S2000/S3000 series; those later straight and rotating shears replaced the S340B, S365C, and S385C models from a separate Cat shear lineup, not the S440/S465/S490 family, so no factory successor has been identified for the S440 itself. Configuration differences across its production run show up mainly in piercing-tip style and coupler fitment rather than a lettered generational split like Cat uses on its smaller shears. In the used and parts market, the S440 holds value as a heavy-class demolition and scrap tool where buyers focus on jaw and blade wear condition, cylinder seal integrity, and pivot pin and bushing play rather than engine hours, since none of the drivetrain wear items that dominate machine resale apply here. Parts demand centers on reversible blade sets, piercing tips, cylinder reseal kits, and pin-and-bushing kits, the consumable and rebuildable items that determine remaining service life on a shear this size.
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 S440 specifications
Engine
| Power source | No onboard engine. This is a passive hydraulic shear attachment for excavators; cutting (and rotation, if equipped) draws hydraulic flow from the carrier excavator through stick- or boom-routed lines. |
| Model family | Cataloged by Caterpillar as part of the S440, S465 and S490 Straight Shears line, a distinct lineage from the S305-S390/S385C straight and rotating shears and from the later S2000/S3000 series shears. No public factory brochure was located for this line; coverage is limited to Caterpillar's internal service documentation. |
| Emissions tier | Not applicable — no engine or ECM on the tool itself. |
Weights
| Operating weight | Not published in any dealer or factory literature located for this exact model. Confirm with your Cat dealer, referencing the CXC serial-number prefix. |
Dimensions
| Overall length, height, width | Not published in available sources for this exact model. |
| Jaw opening and jaw depth | Not published in available sources for this exact model. |
Performance
| Configuration | Built as a Straight Shear (fixed jaw geometry on the mount), distinct from Caterpillar's separately named 360-degree Rotating shear models. |
| Shear force (tip, blade center, throat) | Not published in available sources for this exact model. |
| Cycle time (open/close) | Not published in available sources for this exact model. |
Service capacities (summary)
| Hydraulic system | No onboard reservoir or pump. The tool operates on the carrier excavator's auxiliary hydraulic circuit; required flow and pressure are excavator-specific and not published for this model. |
| Fuel tank, engine oil, cooling system | Not applicable — passive attachment with no engine. |
Values vary by configuration, region, and serial range — confirm against your machine before planning transport or lifts.
S440 fluids & capacities
| System | Capacity | Recommended fluid |
|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic circuit (shear cylinders, rotation drive if equipped) | No separate onboard reservoir documented — the S440 straight shear is a passive excavator work tool with no engine or powertrain of its own; jaw-close/open cylinders (and rotation motor on rotating variants) run off the host excavator's auxiliary hydraulic circuit through hose couplers | Fluid type and viscosity follow the host carrier machine's own hydraulic-oil spec (typically Cat HYDO Advanced or equivalent anti-wear hydraulic oil at the carrier's ISO viscosity grade) — the shear itself carries no separate fluid identity or capacity in the OMM |
| Grease — pivot pins, jaw bushings, blade/link joints, rotation bearing (rotating variants) | Spec only, no fill volume listed — lubricate at scheduled grease points per the OMM interval chart | Cat multipurpose extreme-pressure grease (NLGI 2), e.g. Cat Advanced 3Moly Grease or Cat Extreme Application Grease; Cat's moly-fortified grease is rated for medium-load, medium-speed pin joints across roughly -20 to 40 degrees C (-4 to 104 degrees F) ambient — use a straight multipurpose NLGI 2 grease outside that band per general Cat attachment guidance |
Capacities are refill values from factory literature — always fill to the dipstick/sight gauge, not the number.
Caterpillar S440 maintenance schedule
| Service interval | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Every 10 h |
|
| Every 250 h |
|
| Every 500 h |
|
| Every 1,000 h |
|
| Every 2,000 h |
|
| Every 4,000 h |
|
Servicing the S440 beyond the schedule
Predictive Maintenance & Fluid Analysis
The S440 has no engine or reservoir of its own, so predictive maintenance centers on the host excavator's hydraulic oil and the shear's own wear points. Sample hydraulic oil from the carrier's auxiliary circuit on schedule; milky or metallic fluid signals water ingress or internal cylinder wear before a seal fails outright. Track jaw pivot pin and bushing clearance with a wear gauge at each interval and log the trend, since rising play predicts bushing replacement well before structural risk. Watch cylinder rod finish and rotator bearing play, where fitted, for early leak or backlash trends.
Corrective & Common Repairs
Most corrective work on the S440 traces to three areas: weeping cylinder rod seals from full-pressure cycling on every cut, blade edge damage from rebar or heavy scrap, and jaw pivot slop from cyclic shock loading. A weeping rod seal needs a reseal, not a wipe-and-top-off. Chipped or cracked blade segments should be rotated to a fresh edge or reground rather than run to failure. Slow or stalled jaw closing is usually a carrier hydraulics mismatch — verify flow and pressure at the quick-couplers against the shear's rated cutting circuit before condemning the tool.
Overhaul & Rebuild Points
Overhaul on the S440 centers on the cylinder, lock, and housing groups rather than any powertrain. Plan a full cylinder reseal or rebuild once rod-gland leakage or internal bypass shows up, and pull jaw pivot pins and bushings as a matched set once wear exceeds factory limits to restore jaw geometry. Inspect the jaw root and mounting bracket welds with dye-penetrant or magnetic-particle methods at major overhaul intervals, the highest-stress area on a straight shear. Blade pockets and retaining hardware should be reconditioned or remachined if oversized before returning the tool to service.
Seasonal & Environment Servicing
Cold weather thickens grease at the S440's pivot points and stiffens cylinder seals; switch to a low-temperature multipurpose grease and confirm the host excavator's hydraulic oil is rated for the ambient range before heavy cutting in freezing conditions. In hot, dusty demolition or scrap-yard environments, shorten the pin and bushing grease interval and check hydraulic fittings more often, since abrasive grit accelerates seal and bushing wear faster than hour-based intervals assume. After extended idle or storage, cycle the jaw slowly through full travel and check for cylinder drift before returning the shear to production cutting.
S440 attachments & work tools
Family and size class
The S440 is a Caterpillar Straight Shear, grouped with the S465 and S490 as one documented machine family (shared factory service manual, common serial prefix). It is a mobile scrap and demolition work tool that mounts to a carrier excavator, not a standalone machine. Open brochures don't break out S440-specific dimensions, but sibling S490 is documented near 8.1 tonnes, placing the family in the same heavy-duty weight class as Cat's largest straight shears.
Jaw and cutting-head design
Cat straight shears in this class pair a straight lower jaw with an apex-style upper jaw so material is spread along the jaw length instead of concentrating at the tip, increasing usable cutting force versus a pure apex design. Main blades are reversible multi-edge knives, shimmed and bolt-retained in the jaw pockets for field blade changes.
Piercing tip
Depending on production series, Cat straight shears use either a weld-on hardened piercing tip that can be re-hardfaced in the field, or a later bolt-on, dual-sided, fully reversible piercing tip changeable with common hand tools. Which style ships on a given S440 depends on its production era; confirm the exact configuration for the serial range with a Cat dealer.
Mounting and coupler options
Straight shears of this size can be boom-mounted, which favors maximum cutting force on a given carrier for scrap processing, or stick-mounted, which favors reach for demolition work. Mounting uses a bolt-on bracket, either pinned directly to the boom or stick, or fitted for a dedicated quick coupler or pin-grabber quick coupler for faster tool changes.
Hydraulic requirements
The shear draws cutting pressure from the carrier's high-pressure auxiliary circuit; on Cat's largest documented straight shears, cutting-circuit relief pressure runs around 35,000 kPa (5,075 psi) with recommended flow in the hundreds of L/min (100+ gpm) range. Exact flow and pressure for the S440 varies by configuration, so carrier hydraulics should be matched or kitted per the dealer's spec for this model. Where a field-fitted rotator is used, it draws from a separate lower-pressure circuit around 14,000 kPa (2,030 psi), plumbed independently of the cutting circuit.
Rotation system
As a Straight Shear, the S440's jaw geometry is fixed to the mounting bracket rather than built with an integral 360-degree rotating head, unlike Caterpillar's separately named Rotating Shear line. Some field installations add a stand-alone hydraulic rotator, using a slewing-ring design similar to Cat's Multi-Processor line, between the mounting bracket and the shear body for positioning flexibility; where fitted, it services on its own schedule, separate from the shear's cutting circuit.
Carrier excavator class and guarding
As a large straight shear, the S440 is intended for big stick- or boom-mounted carriers; documented siblings in this weight class pair with heavy excavators in the tens of tonnes and up. An exact published carrier list for the S440 specifically was not found in open Cat literature and varies by configuration — verify carrier matching with a Cat dealer. Caterpillar recommends optional falling-object guarding for the carrier cab in demolition and scrap applications where overhead debris is a risk.
All S440 assemblies by section
Every catalogued assembly group for the Caterpillar S440. Open an assembly to preview the parts inside — full OEM part numbers are available in Heavy Parts AI.
Frame And Body
209-1710 Housing Gp-Shear
| 14***78 | Lockwasher | 24 |
| 15***21 | Lockwasher | 24 |
| 16***64 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x55-mm) | 24 |
210-9420 Housing Gp-Shear
| 14***52 | Elbow As. | 2 |
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 38 |
| 15***21 | Lockwasher | 18 |
217-8728 Housing Gp-Shear
| 11***73 | Seal; (0.5cm) (X2) | 0 |
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 2 |
| 15***21 | Lockwasher | 34 |
217-8727 Housing Gp-Shear
| 11***73 | Seal; (0.5cm) (X2) | 0 |
| 14***52 | Elbow As. | 2 |
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 2 |
217-8729 Housing Gp-Shear
| 11***73 | Seal; (0.5cm) (X2) | 0 |
| 14***78 | Lockwasher | 24 |
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 2 |
208-4485 Housing Gp-Shear
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 42 |
| 15***21 | Lockwasher | 34 |
| 16***09 | Nut; (M100x4-Thd) | 1 |
Hydraulic System
187-2996 Cylinder & Lines Gp-Shear
| 12***22 | Bolt; (M14x2x50-mm) | 8 |
| 16***16 | Seal | 1 |
| 17***21 | Adapter As | 1 |
196-2026 Cylinder & Lines Gp-Shear
| 16***16 | Seal | 1 |
| 17***21 | Adapter As | 1 |
| 19***26 | Cylinder & Lines Group-Shear | 1 |
187-2962 Cylinder & Lines Gp-Shear
| 16***16 | Seal | 1 |
| 17***21 | Adapter As | 1 |
| 18***62 | Cylinder & Lines Group-Shear | 1 |
196-2022 Cylinder & Valve Gp
| 14***06 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x140-mm) | 5 |
| 14***78 | Lockwasher | 1 |
| 14***51 | Elbow Group | 1 |
187-2945 Cylinder & Valve Gp
| 14***78 | Lockwasher | 1 |
| 15***18 | Lockwasher | 2 |
| 16***54 | Seal | 1 |
187-2993 Cylinder & Valve Gp
| 14***78 | Lockwasher | 1 |
| 14***51 | Elbow Group | 1 |
| 15***18 | Lockwasher | 2 |
187-2978 Cylinder Gp-Shear
| 09***48 | Nipple, Grease | 1 |
| 16***16 | Seal | 1 |
| 16***41 | Bushing | 2 |
196-2030 Cylinder Gp-Shear
| 09***48 | Nipple, Grease | 1 |
| 16***16 | Seal | 1 |
| 17***23 | Plug As | 4 |
187-3002 Cylinder Gp-Shear
| 09***48 | Nipple, Grease | 1 |
| 14***84 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x110-mm) | 22 |
| 16***16 | Seal | 1 |
217-3612 Lines Gp-Connecting
| 1P***04 | Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia) | 4 |
| 21***12 | Lines Group-Connecting | 1 |
| 21***89 | Hose As | 1 |
216-3467 Lines Gp-Connecting
| 14***38 | Elbow | 2 |
| 1P***04 | Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia) | 2 |
| 21***67 | Lines Group-Connecting | 1 |
211-0163 Lines Gp-Connecting
| 1P***04 | Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia) | 4 |
| 21***63 | Lines Group-Connecting | 1 |
| 21***34 | Hose As | 2 |
221-1073 Lines Gp-Connecting
| 1P***05 | Seal (Check Valve Outlet) | 4 |
| 22***73 | Lines Group-Connecting | 1 |
| 22***12 | Hose As | 1 |
216-1734 Lines Gp-Connecting
| 14***38 | Elbow | 2 |
| 1P***04 | Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia) | 2 |
| 21***31 | Hose As | 2 |
216-3908 Lines Gp-Connecting
| 14***38 | Elbow | 2 |
| 1P***04 | Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia) | 2 |
| 21***56 | Hose As | 1 |
213-9160 Lines Gp-Connecting
| 1P***05 | Seal (Check Valve Outlet) | 4 |
| 21***60 | Lines Group-Connecting | 1 |
| 21***08 | Hose As | 1 |
213-7287 Lines Gp-Connecting
| 1P***05 | Seal (Check Valve Outlet) | 4 |
| 21***87 | Lines Group-Connecting | 1 |
| 21***91 | Hose As | 2 |
208-8451 Valve Gp-Control
| 13***54 | Plug As | 3 |
| 20***51 | Valve Group-Control | 1 |
| 20***87 | Slack Adjuster Group | 1 |
208-5125 Valve Gp-Speed Control
| 09***01 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M8x1.25x40-mm) | 4 |
| 17***55 | Seal-O-Ring | 2 |
| 20***74 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M16x2x55-mm) | 8 |
170-3229 Valve Gp-Speed Control
| 17***29 | Valve Group-Speed Control | 1 |
| 17***30 | Plug | 6 |
| 17***31 | Valve | 1 |
172-2207 Valve Gp-Speed Control
| 17***30 | Plug | 6 |
| 17***31 | Valve | 1 |
| 17***32 | Plug-Screw | 2 |
Service Equipment And Supplies
209-1708 Film Gp
| 14***36 | Film-Warning; (Flying Debris) | 2 |
| 15***96 | Film-Notice; (Lift Eye Location) | 5 |
| 15***35 | Film-Warning; (Crush Hazard, Stay Back) | 2 |
210-9403 Film Gp
| 14***36 | Film-Warning; (Flying Debris) | 2 |
| 14***69 | Film-Warning; (Alert) | 2 |
| 14***70 | Film-Warning; (Read Omm) | 2 |
210-9422 Film Gp
| 14***36 | Film-Warning; (Flying Debris) | 2 |
| 14***69 | Film-Warning; (Alert) | 2 |
| 14***70 | Film-Warning; (Read Omm) | 2 |
213-8385 Kit-Maintenance
| 17***03 | Wrench-T-Handle | 1 |
| 17***77 | Fitting As; (Quick Disconnect, Male) | 2 |
| 17***50 | Wrench; (Lock, 140) | 1 |
210-9405 Kit-Maintenance
| 16***74 | Shim; (0.5-mm Thk) | 10 |
| 16***75 | Shim; (1-mm Thk) | 14 |
| 16***92 | Wrench | 1 |
210-9408 Kit-Maintenance
| 14***74 | Fitting As | 2 |
| 16***86 | Shim; (1-mm Thk) | 2 |
| 16***88 | Shim; (1.5-mm Thk) | 1 |
Work Tool Arrangement
208-4471 Shear Ar-Hydraulic
| 20***71 | Shear Ar-Hydraulic | 1 |
| 20***85 | Housing Group-Shear | 1 |
| 21***03 | Film Group | 1 |
209-1706 Shear Ar-Hydraulic
| 20***06 | Shear Ar-Hydraulic | 1 |
| 20***08 | Film Group | 1 |
| 20***10 | Housing Group-Shear | 1 |
210-9418 Shear Ar-Hydraulic
| 21***08 | Kit-Maintenance | 1 |
| 21***18 | Shear Ar-Hydraulic | 1 |
| 21***20 | Housing Group-Shear | 1 |
Work Tools
233-7246 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 16 |
| 16***43 | Seal | 1 |
| 16***80 | Adapter As | 2 |
208-4473 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 17***93 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x80-mm) | 24 |
| 20***73 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
| 20***80 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
208-4475 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 17***90 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x70-mm) | 48 |
| 20***75 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
| 20***82 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
208-4472 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 17***93 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x80-mm) | 24 |
| 20***72 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
| 20***79 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
222-8514 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 13***17 | Bearing-Sleeve; (116.23mm Od) | 2 |
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 16 |
| 16***43 | Seal | 1 |
222-8515 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 16 |
| 17***61 | Cover | 2 |
| 1P***04 | Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia) | 2 |
208-4479 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 14***81 | Plug | 2 |
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 16 |
| 16***80 | Adapter As | 2 |
208-4481 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 13***17 | Bearing-Sleeve; (116.23mm Od) | 2 |
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 16 |
| 17***61 | Cover | 2 |
208-4483 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 14***81 | Plug | 2 |
| 15***28 | Bearing-Sleeve | 2 |
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 16 |
208-4476 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 17***90 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x70-mm) | 48 |
| 20***76 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
| 20***83 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
208-4482 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 16 |
| 19***93 | Cover | 2 |
| 1P***05 | Seal (Check Valve Outlet) | 4 |
222-8509 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 17***93 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x80-mm) | 24 |
| 22***09 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
| 22***14 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
208-4477 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 17***90 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x70-mm) | 48 |
| 20***77 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
| 20***84 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
208-4474 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 17***90 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x70-mm) | 34 |
| 20***74 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
| 20***81 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
222-8510 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 17***90 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x70-mm) | 34 |
| 22***10 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
| 22***15 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
208-4480 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 14***81 | Plug | 2 |
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 16 |
| 16***80 | Adapter As | 2 |
233-7093 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 17***93 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x80-mm) | 24 |
| 23***93 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
| 23***46 | Bracket Group-Mounting | 1 |
208-4484 Bracket Gp-Mounting
| 14***81 | Plug | 2 |
| 15***19 | Lockwasher | 16 |
| 19***93 | Cover | 2 |
195-0780 Edge Gp-Cutting
| 14***15 | Screw-Flat Head; (M20x2.5x100-mm) | 14 |
| 14***81 | Screw-Flat Head | 3 |
| 16***85 | Edge-Cutting | 1 |
216-7648 Edge Gp-Cutting
| 14***15 | Screw-Flat Head; (M20x2.5x100-mm) | 7 |
| 14***87 | Screw-Flat Head | 7 |
| 14***78 | Lockwasher | 3 |
197-7455 Edge Gp-Cutting
| 14***15 | Screw-Flat Head; (M20x2.5x100-mm) | 7 |
| 14***87 | Screw-Flat Head | 7 |
| 16***74 | Shim; (0.5-mm Thk) | 10 |
196-2023 Edge Gp-Cutting
| 14***66 | Screw-Flat Head; (M24x3x160-mm) | 9 |
| 14***25 | Screw-Flat Head | 9 |
| 17***81 | Edge-Cutting | 1 |
217-1410 Edge Gp-Cutting
| 11***30 | Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x150-mm) | 4 |
| 14***66 | Screw-Flat Head; (M24x3x160-mm) | 9 |
| 14***25 | Screw-Flat Head | 9 |
217-1411 Edge Gp-Cutting
| 14***15 | Screw-Flat Head; (M20x2.5x100-mm) | 14 |
| 14***81 | Screw-Flat Head | 3 |
| 14***78 | Lockwasher | 3 |
200-2885 Lock Gp-Shear
| 20***85 | Lock Group-Shear | 1 |
| 20***86 | Plate-Lock | 2 |
| 8T***32 | Nut (M16 X 2 Thd); (M16x2.00 Thd) | 2 |
200-2962 Lock Gp-Shear
| 20***62 | Lock Group-Shear | 1 |
| 8T***32 | Nut (M16 X 2 Thd); (M16x2.00 Thd) | 2 |
| 8T***75 | Bolt; (M16x2x90-mm) | 1 |
200-2961 Lock Gp-Shear
| 20***17 | Plate-Lock | 2 |
| 20***61 | Lock Group-Shear | 1 |
| 8T***32 | Nut (M16 X 2 Thd); (M16x2.00 Thd) | 2 |
S440 serial number reference
The PIN/serial plate on the S440 is riveted or bolted to the shear body frame, usually near the mounting bracket or pivot housing where the tool couples to the excavator stick. The plate reads as a 3-letter prefix followed by a sequential number (e.g. CZW1-UP); the letters identify the specific model/configuration build, and the digits are the unit's place in that production run.
| Prefix | Identifies | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CZW | S440 Straight Shear | Serial prefix for the S440 within the shared S440/S465/S490 Straight Shear parts publication. Passive hydraulic shear attachment, no engine or ECM; runs off the host excavator's hydraulic circuit. Confirm with dealer against the actual PIN plate before use. |
| CXC | S465 Straight Shear (sibling, shares S440 publication) | Lead/base serial designation on the combined S440-S465-S490 Straight Shears parts manual cover, and the prefix used on S465-specific component listings within that manual. Mid-size sibling in the same shear line, not the S440. Included for context only; confirm with dealer before applying to an S440 unit. |
| FZZ | S490 Straight Shear (sibling, shares S440 publication) | Serial prefix for the S490, largest sibling in the same combined parts publication as the S440. Its hydraulic shear cylinder spec is larger (bore and stroke) than the base configuration, consistent with the bigger frame. Included for context only; confirm with dealer before applying to an S440 unit. |
Frequently asked questions
What excavator size class does the Cat S440 fit?
The S440 is the smallest model in Caterpillar's heavy-duty Straight Shear line (S440, S465, S490), built for large stick- or boom-mounted excavators in the tens-of-tonnes-and-up class. Cat has not published an exact compatible carrier list for the S440 specifically; carrier hydraulic flow and pressure must be matched to the shear's cutting circuit, so confirm the pairing with your Cat dealer before ordering.
What is the Cat S440's operating weight?
Caterpillar has not published an operating weight, jaw-opening dimension, or cutting-force figure for the S440 in available factory literature. The nearest documented reference is the larger sibling S490, listed near 8.1 tonnes, which places the family in Cat's heaviest straight-shear weight class, but that figure should not be assumed for the S440 itself. Verify exact weight and dimensions with your Cat dealer using the unit's serial number.
What replaced the Cat S440?
No documented factory successor exists for the S440. Caterpillar's current S2000/S3000 series mobile shears replaced the S340B, S365C, and S385C models from a separate, consumer-brochure Cat shear lineup, not the S440/S465/S490 family. The S440 remains its own documented product line with no announced replacement.
What S440 owners discuss
What's the biggest complaint owners have about running a big straight shear like the S440?
How do the blades hold up, and what's the consensus on blade life?
What about pin and bushing wear on the jaw?
Do these shears ever run with a rotator attached, and what wears there?
Hydraulic cylinder leaks — what's typical on this size of shear?
Any electrical or sensor quirks to know about?
What should I check before buying a used Cat S440?
Compiled from owner and technician discussions across the industry — experiences vary by serial range and machine history.
Need a specific S440 part?
Search live OEM part data, check fitment, and cross-reference alternatives with Heavy Parts AI.