Caterpillarwork toolpulverizer

Caterpillar VHP-40

Maintenance schedule, common problems & OEM parts breakdown

The Caterpillar VHP-40 is a passive hydraulic pulverizer work tool, not a self-propelled machine: an excavator-mounted demolition attachment built for Caterpillar by Verachtert. It has no engine, no ECM, no undercarriage, and no cab of its own -- every function runs off the host excavator's hydraulic circuit, drawing around 200 L/min at 350 bar. It is the mid-size unit in the VHP-30/VHP-40/VHP-50 pulverizer family, sized for carriers in roughly the 20 to 35 tonne class and mounting through Cat's CW30S- to CW40S-class coupler brackets depending on the host machine. At around 2,500 kg (2,440 kg on some configurations), it centers on a single jaw hydraulic cylinder working an upper and lower jaw across three distinct crushing zones -- tip, center, and root -- plus pivot pins, bushings, and replaceable cutting blades. No production-year timeline or generational split is documented for the VHP-40 itself; the OMM covers it and its VHP-30/VHP-50 siblings as one shared family, with size and force scaled to carrier class rather than model-year changes.

Across the VHP-30/40/50 line, the difference between siblings is size and crushing force scaled to carrier tonnage, not a change in operating principle: the same single-cylinder jaw architecture, the same pin-and-bushing hinge design, the same passive dependence on the host's hydraulic supply. No confirmed serial-prefix split or engineering revision is documented within the VHP-40 itself, and no confirmed direct successor exists -- Caterpillar's later MP-series multi-processors cover the same jaw-based demolition role with quick-change interchangeable jaws, but nothing ties the MP-series to the VHP-40 as a formal replacement. In the used and parts market, that simplicity is the draw: the wear items that keep a VHP-40 running -- jaw tips and cutting blades, pivot pins and bushings, cylinder seals -- are commodity-style consumables, so a unit stays serviceable and resellable long after the excavator it first shipped with has moved on.

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 VHP-40 specifications

Engine

Power source	No onboard engine. Passive hydraulic pulverizer attachment; all power comes from the carrier excavator's hydraulic system.
Required hydraulic flow	200 L/min (52.8 US gpm)
Operating pressure	350 bar (5,076 psi)
Emissions tier	Not applicable — no engine on the attachment

Weights

Operating weight	approx. 2,500 kg (5,511 lb)
Weight variance	One listing records 2,440 kg (5,379 lb) gross weight; treat 2,500 kg as the standard published figure and 2,440 kg as a configuration/adapter variance
Ground pressure	Not published — not applicable to this attachment

Dimensions

Transport length	2,900 mm (9 ft 6 in)
Transport width	1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Transport height	750 mm (2 ft 6 in)
Upper jaw width	360 mm (14.2 in)
Lower jaw width	500 mm (19.7 in)
Cutting blade length	260 mm (10.2 in)
Maximum jaw opening	1,015 mm (40 in)

Performance

Crushing force, jaw root/neck	340 t (3,335 kN / approx. 750,000 lbf)
Crushing force, jaw center	185 t (1,814 kN / approx. 407,800 lbf)
Crushing force, jaw tip/front	100 t (981 kN / approx. 220,500 lbf)
Jaw closing time	3 seconds
Jaw opening time	5 seconds
Carrier excavator class	20 to 35 t operating weight (one source narrows this to 25 to 35 t)

Service capacities (summary)

Fuel tank	Not applicable — no engine on the attachment
Engine oil	Not applicable — no engine on the attachment
Cooling system	Not applicable — no engine on the attachment
Hydraulic system	No dedicated reservoir. Runs on the carrier excavator's own hydraulic oil supply at the flow and pressure listed under Engine/power source

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

VHP-40 fluids & capacities

System	Capacity	Recommended fluid
Engine crankcase / cooling system / fuel tank	Not applicable	VHP-40 is a passive hydraulic pulverizer work tool (jaw-type demolition/crushing attachment) with no onboard engine, so no crankcase, cooling system, or fuel tank appears in its fluid chart.
Transmission / powertrain / final drives / axles	Not applicable	No transmission, final drive, or axle compartments exist on this attachment; it has no drivetrain of its own.
Hydraulic system (tool circuit)	No dedicated reservoir on the tool itself; rated flow around 200 l/min (53 US gal/min) at roughly 350 bar (5,076 psi) working pressure, per the host circuit	The jaw cylinder draws power through auxiliary lines from the host excavator's own hydraulic system, so oil type and fill volume follow the carrier's OMM (typically Cat HYDO Advanced 10 or the hydraulic oil grade specified for that excavator, viscosity selected by ambient temperature per the carrier's chart). The VHP-40 tool manual does not list a separate hydraulic fluid capacity of its own.
Grease (pivot pins, jaw bushings, rotation bearing)	Spec only — no fill volume; lubricated via grease fittings at scheduled intervals	Standard multipurpose EP lithium-complex grease (Cat Multipurpose Grease, NLGI 2) is the baseline spec used across Cat's demolition and pulverizer work-tool line, with an arctic-grade grease (Cat Arctic Platinum Grease) substituted for cold-climate operation. The exact grease callout on the VHP-40 lube chart itself could not be pulled directly from the OMM text — confirm the specific grade against the tool's lube decal or dealer parts documentation before servicing.

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

Caterpillar VHP-40 maintenance schedule

Service interval	Tasks
Every 50 h	Inspect jaw tips and cutting blades at the tip and center crushing zones for cracking, chipping, or rounding before each shift Check pivot pins and bushings at every hinge point for play, knock, or grease migration Inspect the jaw cylinder rod and seal gland for leakage or scoring after each demolition shift Grease every pivot pin and bushing per the lube chart with Cat Multipurpose Grease NLGI 2 (Cat Arctic Platinum Grease in cold climates), wiping fittings clean first Clear concrete debris and rebar fragments from the jaw throat between the tip and root zones Check CW30S/CW40S coupler lock pins and mounting bracket fasteners for tightness before mounting on the carrier
Every 250 h	Torque-check jaw frame and coupler bracket mounting bolts Measure jaw tip wear against service limits and rotate or replace tips before wear reaches the center zone Inspect the jaw cylinder rod surface across the full 3-second close and 5-second open cycle for scoring or seal weeping Confirm grease is reaching every zerk fitting; clear any blocked or dry pivot points Check hydraulic hose routing and clamps for chafing against the jaw frame through its full 1,015 mm opening arc
Every 500 h	Measure pin and bushing wear clearances at each hinge point; replace any pair exceeding service limit Inspect jaw cylinder mounting pins and pin bores for elongation Inspect the root-zone jaw structure and welds for cracking, since this zone carries the highest crushing load Check hose assemblies feeding the jaw circuit for age-related hardening or cracking Re-torque structural fasteners on the jaw frame and cylinder mounts Inspect coupler bracket wear plates and lock pins for oval wear
Every 1,000 h	Drift-test the jaw cylinder for internal leakage; reseal if drift exceeds spec Run a full pin and bushing wear survey across the jaw linkage; replace worn sets as matched pairs Inspect jaw tips and cutting blades at all three crushing zones (tip, center, root) for uneven wear patterns that point to off-center feeding Replace hydraulic hose assemblies showing age-related hardening or cracking Inspect the coupler bracket and lock pin mechanism for wear before it affects mounting security
Every 2,000 h	Tear down the jaw assembly fully: pins, bushings, cylinder, and tips Pull the jaw cylinder, pressure-test it, and fit a new seal kit Replace all main jaw pivot pins and bushings as a matched set rather than mixing worn with new Dye-penetrant inspect the jaw frame and pin bosses around the root zone for fatigue cracking Replace or recondition jaw tips and cutting blades across all three crushing zones
Every 4,000 h	Replace the jaw cylinder assembly if the barrel or rod shows scoring beyond honing limits Full structural inspection of the jaw frame, coupler bracket, and pivot housings under dye penetrant Replace coupler bracket wear components and lock pins as a complete set Strip, inspect, and repaint the frame after full disassembly Verify jaw opening and closing cycle times against the 3-second/5-second factory spec after rebuild, and check the host excavator's auxiliary flow and pressure if cycle times drift

Servicing the VHP-40 beyond the schedule

Predictive Maintenance & Fluid Analysis

The VHP-40 carries no engine or hydraulic reservoir of its own, so predictive care tracks the host excavator's hydraulic oil and the tool's own wear trends. Sample and lab-test the carrier's hydraulic oil regularly, since contamination or degraded fluid attacks the jaw cylinder seals first at the working pressure this tool runs at, up to 350 bar. Log jaw tip wear across all three crushing zones -- tip, center, root -- over time, and track pin and bushing clearance readings so replacement is scheduled before play turns into pin knock or a damaged bore.

Corrective & Common Repairs

Most VHP-40 downtime traces to worn jaw tips at the outer crushing zone, elongated pin bores, or a weeping cylinder rod seal from repeated contact with rebar and debris. Typical corrective work: swap chipped or rounded tips and cutting blades, press out and replace worn pivot pins and bushings before the housing bore itself wallows out, and reseal the jaw cylinder when rod seepage shows at the gland. Slow open/close cycles against the 3-second close and 5-second open spec usually point to a starved or undersized host auxiliary circuit, not a tool fault.

Overhaul & Rebuild Points

A full VHP-40 overhaul centers on the jaw assembly, since the tool has no engine, transmission, or undercarriage to rebuild. Strip the jaw to bare frame, replace every pivot pin and bushing as a matched set rather than mixing new with worn, and pull the main jaw cylinder for pressure-testing and a full seal kit. Inspect the root zone -- the highest-force crushing point at up to roughly 340 t -- and surrounding pin bosses under dye penetrant for fatigue cracking, then recondition or replace jaw tips and cutting blades before the tool returns to service.

Seasonal & Environment Servicing

In cold climates, grease every pivot pin and bushing with a low-temperature grease such as Cat Arctic Platinum Grease so pins do not gall on startup, and check hydraulic hoses feeding the jaw circuit for stiffening or cracking, since cold makes rubber brittle at the tool's high-flex opening arc. In hot or dusty demolition settings, clean grit from the jaw throat and pivot points more often to limit abrasive wear, and inspect the cylinder rod wiper and seal more closely, since heat and grit both accelerate seal wear on a tool that cycles at up to 350 bar.

VHP-40 attachments & work tools

Carrier excavator weight class

The VHP-40 is sized for excavators in roughly the 20 to 35 tonne (44,000 to 77,000 lb) operating-weight class. It is a passive, excavator-mounted attachment with no engine or ECM of its own, so all power comes from the host machine's hydraulic system.

Coupler / mounting system

Listings for this unit show it bridging the Cat CW30S (roughly 15 to 25 tonne carriers) and CW40S (roughly 20 to 30 tonne carriers) dedicated hook-type quick-coupler classes, matching its 20 to 35 tonne carrier range. Where a dedicated quick coupler is not fitted, mounting is via a standard pin-on/pin-grabber style bracket sized to the carrier's stick and link pins.

Hydraulic flow and pressure requirements

Reported working pressure is around 350 bar, with a required auxiliary hydraulic flow of roughly 200 L/min (about 53 US gpm) from the host excavator's circuit. Actual flow/pressure delivered depends on the carrier's own auxiliary circuit configuration, so treat these as nominal, varies by configuration.

Jaw force / cutting capacity class

Crushing force is rated in three zones along the jaw, matching the tip/center/root design common to this class: roughly 100 t (about 220,500 lbf) at the tip, 185 t (about 407,800 lbf) at the center, and 340 t (about 750,000 lbf) at the root. This scales with the mid-size 20 to 35 tonne carrier class, suited to reinforced-concrete demolition rather than light secondary sizing work.

Jaw and wear-part configuration

Like other Cat/Verachtert-lineage hydraulic pulverizers, wear is taken by replaceable, bolt-on or pin-on jaw tips and plates rather than a welded edge, allowing field replacement without shop welding. Exact tip/tooth pattern options were not confirmed from independent model-specific documentation, so treat as typical for this attachment class rather than a confirmed VHP-40 spec.

Transport weight and factory configuration

Unit (transport) weight runs approximately 2.4 to 2.5 tonnes (about 5,290 to 5,510 lb) with typical transport dimensions near 2.9 m long by 1.6 m wide by 0.75 m tall. A full hydraulic rotation head is a common factory/dealer option on pulverizers of this class, but it was not independently confirmed as standard or optional specifically for the VHP-40.

All VHP-40 assemblies by section

Every catalogued assembly group for the Caterpillar VHP-40. Open an assembly to preview the parts inside — full OEM part numbers are available in Heavy Parts AI.

Frame And Body

334-6101 Housing Gp-Pulverizer

33***01	Housing Group-Pulverizer	1
33***11	Plate	1
33***12	Bar	8
33***13	Plate	1

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321-0878 Housing Gp-Pulverizer

32***78	Housing Group-Pulverizer	1
32***83	Plate	1
32***84	Plate	2
32***15	Bar	2

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340-2436 Housing Gp-Pulverizer

34***36	Housing Group-Pulverizer	1
34***45	Plate As	1
34***55	Bar	1
34***57	Bar	7

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Hydraulic System

222-8830 Cylinder & Lines Gp-Shear

09***48	Nipple, Grease	1
09***06	Bolt-Socket Head; (M16x2x80-mm)	24
16***16	Seal	1
16***71	Bushing	2

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187-2996 Cylinder & Lines Gp-Shear

09***48	Nipple, Grease	1
14***84	Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x110-mm)	22
16***16	Seal	1
16***55	Bushing	2

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222-8828 Cylinder & Lines Gp-Shear

09***48	Nipple, Grease	1
12***11	Hose As	1
16***16	Seal	1
16***87	Bushing	2

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334-6110 Cylinder & Valve Gp

14***51	Elbow Group	1
14***92	Elbow; (-12 Orfs/-12 Orfs Swivel)	2
15***46	Seal	1
15***18	Lockwasher	2

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321-1277 Cylinder & Valve Gp

14***51	Elbow Group	1
14***92	Elbow; (-12 Orfs/-12 Orfs Swivel)	2
15***46	Seal	1
15***18	Lockwasher	2

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340-2439 Cylinder & Valve Gp

14***51	Elbow Group	1
14***52	Elbow As.	2
15***18	Lockwasher	2
16***54	Seal	1

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234-5669 Lines Gp-Connecting

1P***04	Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia)	2
1P***67	Flange-Half (43.31 mm Id)	4
23***69	Lines Group-Connecting	1
24***71	Hose As	2

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357-9484 Lines Gp-Connecting

1P***03	Seal - Rectangular (31.86mm Id)	2
1P***04	Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia)	2
1P***67	Flange-Half (43.31 mm Id)	4
35***84	Lines Group-Connecting	1

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354-6671 Lines Gp-Connecting

17***20	Hose As	2
1P***04	Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia)	2
1P***67	Flange-Half (43.31 mm Id)	4
35***71	Lines Group-Connecting	1

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354-6672 Lines Gp-Connecting

1P***04	Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia)	2
1P***67	Flange-Half (43.31 mm Id)	4
35***72	Lines Group-Connecting	1
35***74	Hose As	2

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357-9493 Lines Gp-Connecting

1P***03	Seal - Rectangular (31.86mm Id)	2
1P***04	Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia)	2
1P***67	Flange-Half (43.31 mm Id)	4
35***93	Lines Group-Connecting	1

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357-9490 Lines Gp-Connecting

1P***03	Seal - Rectangular (31.86mm Id)	2
1P***04	Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia)	2
1P***67	Flange-Half (43.31 mm Id)	4
35***90	Lines Group-Connecting	1

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357-9482 Lines Gp-Connecting

1P***03	Seal - Rectangular (31.86mm Id)	2
1P***04	Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia)	2
1P***67	Flange-Half (43.31 mm Id)	4
35***82	Lines Group-Connecting	1

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354-7379 Lines Gp-Connecting

1P***04	Seal - Rectangular (45mm Dia)	2
1P***67	Flange-Half (43.31 mm Id)	4
23***81	Hose As	2
35***79	Lines Group-Connecting	1

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170-3229 Valve Gp-Speed Control

17***29	Valve Group-Speed Control	1
17***30	Plug	6
17***31	Valve	1
17***32	Plug-Screw	2

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Service Equipment And Supplies

321-0877 Kit-Maintenance

16***18	Shim; (1-mm Thk)	1
16***19	Shim; (1.5-mm Thk)	1
17***03	Wrench-T-Handle	1
17***38	Wrench	1

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340-2434 Kit-Maintenance

16***18	Shim; (1-mm Thk)	1
16***19	Shim; (1.5-mm Thk)	1
16***92	Wrench	1
17***03	Wrench-T-Handle	1

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334-6100 Kit-Maintenance

16***86	Shim; (1-mm Thk)	1
16***88	Shim; (1.5-mm Thk)	1
17***03	Wrench-T-Handle	1
17***04	Wrench	1

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200-2959 Lock Gp-Shear

20***14	Plate-Lock	2
20***59	Lock Group-Shear	1
8T***32	Nut (M16 X 2 Thd); (M16x2.00 Thd)	2
8T***75	Bolt; (M16x2x90-mm)	1

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200-2960 Lock Gp-Shear

20***16	Plate-Lock	2
20***60	Lock Group-Shear	1
8T***32	Nut (M16 X 2 Thd); (M16x2.00 Thd)	2
8T***75	Bolt; (M16x2x90-mm)	1

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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
8T***75	Bolt; (M16x2x90-mm)	1

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321-0876 Plate & Film Gp

11***73	Seal; (0.5cm) (X2)	0
15***96	Film-Notice; (Lift Eye Location)	5
24***76	Film-Warning; (Do Not Operate, Read Omm)	1
30***53	Cover As	2

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340-2432 Plate & Film Gp

11***73	Seal; (0.5cm) (X2)	0
15***96	Film-Notice; (Lift Eye Location)	5
24***76	Film-Warning; (Do Not Operate, Read Omm)	1
31***21	Film-Warning; (Crush Hazard, Stay Back, Hand), Name-Plate (Reserve Tank Led)	2

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334-6099 Plate & Film Gp

11***73	Seal; (0.5cm) (X2)	0
15***96	Film-Notice; (Lift Eye Location)	5
24***76	Film-Warning; (Do Not Operate, Read Omm)	1
30***53	Cover As	2

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Work Tool Arrangement

336-8904 Pulverizer Ar-Hydraulic

13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
33***98	Pulverizer Group-Hydraulic	1
33***99	Plate & Film Group	1
33***00	Kit-Maintenance	1

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340-2430 Pulverizer Ar-Hydraulic

13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
34***30	Pulverizer Ar-Hydraulic	1
34***32	Plate & Film Group	1
34***33	Pulverizer Group-Hydraulic	1

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339-0410 Pulverizer Ar-Hydraulic

13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
32***75	Pulverizer Group-Hydraulic	1
32***76	Plate & Film Group	1
32***77	Kit-Maintenance	1

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Work Tools

179-1645 Bracket Gp-Mounting

15***18	Lockwasher	8
16***18	Bracket As	1
16***97	Plate-Cover	1
17***45	Bracket Group-Mounting	1

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169-5307 Bracket Gp-Mounting

16***07	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
17***47	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
8T***67	Washer-Hard; (26x44x4-mm Thk)	14

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255-0001 Bracket Gp-Mounting

16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
20***71	Washer; (26x90x8-mm Thk)	2
25***01	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
25***02	Bracket As	1

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299-0293 Bracket Gp-Mounting

13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
29***93	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
29***94	Bracket As	1

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193-4497 Bracket Gp-Mounting

16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
19***97	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
20***66	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
8T***67	Washer-Hard; (26x44x4-mm Thk)	14

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169-5311 Bracket Gp-Mounting

16***11	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
16***16	Bracket As	1
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
8T***67	Washer-Hard; (26x44x4-mm Thk)	14

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169-4971 Bracket Gp-Mounting

13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
16***71	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
16***91	Bracket As	1
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14

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169-4970 Bracket Gp-Mounting

16***70	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
16***90	Bracket As	1
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
7Y***10	Washer-Special; (17x65x6-mm Thk)	2

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169-5308 Bracket Gp-Mounting

16***08	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
17***45	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
8T***67	Washer-Hard; (26x44x4-mm Thk)	14

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254-4039 Bracket Gp-Mounting

09***49	Washer; (22x60x6-mm Thk)	1
13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
20***71	Washer; (26x90x8-mm Thk)	1

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234-9927 Bracket Gp-Mounting

13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
23***27	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
34***39	Bracket Group-Mounting	1

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226-4127 Bracket Gp-Mounting

15***19	Lockwasher	8
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
22***19	Bracket As	1
22***20	Bracket Group-Mounting	1

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231-0474 Bracket Gp-Mounting

13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
15***19	Lockwasher	8
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
22***87	Cover	1

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201-9466 Bracket Gp-Mounting

15***18	Lockwasher	8
16***97	Plate-Cover	1
20***66	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
20***31	Bracket As	1

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169-4967 Bracket Gp-Mounting

16***67	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
16***86	Bracket As	1
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
5P***76	Washer Guard To Support Assembly And Guard Assembly	2

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169-4969 Bracket Gp-Mounting

16***69	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
16***89	Bracket As	1
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
7X***53	Bolt-Plt; (M16 X 2.0 X 40)	2

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179-1647 Bracket Gp-Mounting

15***18	Lockwasher	8
16***19	Bracket As	1
16***97	Plate-Cover	1
17***47	Bracket Group-Mounting	1

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248-7980 Bracket Gp-Mounting

13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
15***21	Lockwasher	2
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
20***59	Plate-Serial Number	1

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169-4974 Bracket Gp-Mounting

16***74	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
16***93	Bracket As	1
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
7X***53	Bolt-Plt; (M16 X 2.0 X 40)	2

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276-7982 Bracket Gp-Mounting

16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
27***82	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
27***83	Bracket As	1
8T***67	Washer-Hard; (26x44x4-mm Thk)	14

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169-4975 Bracket Gp-Mounting

13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
16***75	Bracket Group-Mounting	1
16***94	Bracket As	1
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14

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253-7830 Bracket Gp-Mounting

09***49	Washer; (22x60x6-mm Thk)	2
13***55	Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)	2
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
20***59	Plate-Serial Number	1

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254-4463 Bracket Gp-Mounting

09***49	Washer; (22x60x6-mm Thk)	1
16***82	Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x70-mm)	14
20***71	Washer; (26x90x8-mm Thk)	1
25***63	Bracket Group-Mounting	1

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321-0875 Pulverizer Gp-Hydraulic

11***73	Seal; (0.5cm) (X2)	0
14***98	Screw-Flat Head; (M20x2.5x90-mm)	3
15***21	Lockwasher	4
15***22	Lockwasher	4

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340-2433 Pulverizer Gp-Hydraulic

11***73	Seal; (0.5cm) (X2)	0
14***15	Screw-Flat Head; (M20x2.5x100-mm)	3
15***21	Lockwasher	4
15***22	Lockwasher	5

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334-6098 Pulverizer Gp-Hydraulic

11***73	Seal; (0.5cm) (X2)	0
14***98	Screw-Flat Head; (M20x2.5x90-mm)	3
15***21	Lockwasher	4
15***22	Lockwasher	4

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Frequently asked questions

What engine does the Caterpillar VHP-40 use?

None. The VHP-40 is a passive hydraulic pulverizer attachment with no onboard engine or ECM. It draws all its power from the host excavator's hydraulic circuit -- around 200 L/min at 350 bar -- through a CW30S- to CW40S-class coupler, on carriers in roughly the 20 to 35 tonne class.

What is the operating weight of the Caterpillar VHP-40?

Approximately 2,500 kg (5,511 lb), with one configuration listed at 2,440 kg (5,379 lb). Treat 2,500 kg as the standard published figure and the lower number as a bracket or adapter variance.

What replaced the Caterpillar VHP-40?

No direct successor is documented. Caterpillar's later MP-series multi-processors, which use quick-change interchangeable jaws for pulverizing, shearing, and cutting on one frame, cover the same demolition role today, but no source confirms the MP-series as a formal replacement for the VHP-40. Treat it as its own line when sourcing parts, and verify jaw and pin part numbers against the machine plate, since Caterpillar documents VHP-30, VHP-40, and VHP-50 in one shared manual.

What VHP-40 owners discuss

What wears out first on a VHP-40, the jaw tips or the pivot pins?

The jaw tips. This design crushes in three zones — tip, center, and root — with the root built for the highest force and the tip doing the most repeated cycling in everyday secondary-demolition work. Tip teeth round off or chip first and are the routine wear item. Pivot pins and bushings wear much more slowly under normal straight-on feeding, but wear jumps fast if the operator twists or side-loads material instead of centering the bite. This reflects general behavior across this class of hydraulic jaw attachment rather than model-specific test data.

What causes pin and bushing wear on this attachment, and how do you slow it down?

Side-loading is the main driver, not straight crushing force. Working rebar or an oversized chunk off to one side of the jaw instead of centering it in the bite accelerates bushing play and eventually causes pin knock. Daily greasing of the jaw pivot and cylinder pin points is the standard preventive step for this class of attachment; skipping grease intervals is the most common reason for early pin and bushing replacement.

How long do the jaw cylinder seals typically last, and what shortens their life?

The jaw cylinder runs at up to roughly 350 bar and sees full-pressure loading every time it closes to the root of the jaw, which is harder duty than a typical bucket or boom cylinder sees. Seal life is generally shorter in dusty demolition settings, where grit riding on the exposed rod during the return stroke wears the seal and can pit the rod itself. Wiping the rod down and keeping any wiper/scraper clean extends seal life. A pitted or scored rod usually means a fresh seal will fail again quickly — have your dealer verify rod condition before paying for a reseal.

What size carrier and hydraulic supply does a VHP-40 actually need?

This attachment is rated for roughly 20 to 35 t carriers and needs around 200 L/min at 350 bar to cycle at its designed speed. A carrier at the low end of that range, or one with an undersized auxiliary circuit, shows slow jaw open/close cycles and can run hot under sustained work. A carrier that oversupplies flow doesn't add crushing force, it just shortens hose and seal life. Matching the auxiliary circuit's actual flow and pressure to the attachment's rating, not just the carrier's tonnage class, is the standard advice for this whole category of static pulverizer.

Are there any recurring service quirks specific to this model?

Caterpillar documents the VHP-40 in a shared manual with its VHP-30 and VHP-50 siblings, so parts references and torque specs are sometimes written at the family level rather than per model. Double-check jaw tooth and cutting-blade part numbers against the specific machine's plate before ordering, since jaw dimensions differ between the three sizes. Otherwise the maintenance items are the class-standard ones: daily grease of pivot and cylinder pins, periodic check of jaw bolt torque, and inspection of hose routing for chafe points, since the jaw's wide opening arc will rub through a hose that isn't clipped down correctly.

Does the VHP-40 rotate, or is the jaw fixed in one position?

No independent continuous-rotation function is documented for this model. It mounts on the carrier's quick coupler and uses a single double-acting hydraulic circuit just to open and close the jaw, matching the general pattern for static (non-rotating) pulverizers in this weight class. If working odd angles without repositioning the carrier matters for the job, confirm that capability on the specific unit rather than assuming it's built in.

What should you check before buying a used VHP-40?

Check the jaw teeth and cutting blades for wear pattern — heavy wear concentrated at the tip is normal, but wear or cracking near the root/pivot area points to abuse or overload. Work the jaw and watch the pivot for visible knock or slop that signals worn pins and bushings. Inspect the cylinder rod for pitting or scoring and check the seal gland area for weep marks. Look at the coupler pins and lock plates for oval wear. Ask what carrier class the unit was actually run on — an attachment worked on a carrier above its rated flow and pressure shows accelerated wear across all of the above. Have your dealer verify cylinder and pivot condition before final purchase if any of these look borderline.

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

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