Caterpillarwork toolshear-demolition/scrap

Caterpillar VHS-70/4

Maintenance schedule, common problems & OEM parts breakdown

Search live VHS-70/4 parts

The Caterpillar VHS-70/4 is a fixed-jaw hydraulic demolition and scrap shear, a Verachtert-built, Cat-badged work tool mounted to an excavator stick or boom rather than a self-powered machine. It carries no engine, ECM, transmission, or undercarriage of its own; the host excavator's auxiliary hydraulic circuit, rated to roughly 350 bar and up to 690 L/min, supplies all jaw-closing force. Operating weight runs 8,320 kg (18,342 lb) in boom-mount configuration and 7,975 kg (17,581 lb) in stick-mount configuration. It represents the fourth-generation /4 update to the VHS-70, built alongside its size-class sibling VHS-60/4 under a shared serial-prefix (M1C) and factory work-tool arrangement, and matched to excavators in roughly the 60 to 90 t (66 to 99 US ton) class, with Cat's own fitment guide naming the 365C, 374D, and 385C carrier tiers. It followed the base VHS-70 (1997-2000) and the VHS-70/3 update through the 2000s, and lines up size-for-size with Cat's own S385C Straight Shear in the current S305-S385C lineup.

Across VHS-70 generations, jaw opening tightened slightly - from 1,000 mm on the base model down to about 880 mm on the /3 and 879 mm (34.6 in) on the /4 - while the structure grew heavier and the recommended carrier class moved up toward the 90 t range, pointing to reinforced castings and a bigger host machine rather than a bigger bite. The /4 generation is the closest documented match to Cat's own S385C tier, which functions as this shear's internal successor line once Cat shifted new-production shears away from the VHS badge. That lineage keeps the VHS-70/4 relevant in the used and parts market today: because the tool is purely mechanical and hydraulic, a used unit still cuts scrap and demolition debris as long as its wear parts are serviced, and the recurring parts demand - reversible blade and piercing-tip sets, cylinder seal kits, and pivot pin-and-bushing kits - overlaps closely with what the current S385C consumes, so parts sourcing for a retired VHS-70/4 often runs through the same Cat/Verachtert channel as the shear that replaced it.

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 VHS-70/4 specifications

Engine

Power sourcePassive excavator-mounted hydraulic shear. No onboard engine, ECU, fuel system, or emissions tier. Runs entirely off the carrier excavator's auxiliary hydraulic circuit.
Emissions tierNot applicable - tool has no engine.

Weights

Operating weight, boom-mount8,320 kg (18,342 lb), includes mounting bracket
Operating weight, stick-mount7,975 kg (17,581 lb), includes mounting bracket
Ground pressureNot applicable - excavator-mounted attachment, no ground contact of its own

Dimensions

Overall length4,260 mm (167.7 in)
Overall height2,120 mm (83.5 in)
Overall width1,400 mm (55.1 in)
Jaw opening879 mm (34.6 in)
Jaw depth903 mm (35.6 in)
Fixed jaw width466 mm (18.3 in)
Moving jaw width150 mm (5.9 in)

Performance

Shear force, tip2,481 kN (279 short tons)
Shear force, apex (primary blade center)4,696 kN (528 short tons)
Shear force, throat (innermost cutting point)12,509 kN (1,406 short tons), at max operating pressure of 350 bar (5,076 psi)
Cycle time, jaw open5 seconds
Cycle time, jaw close3 seconds
Piercing capacity (steel thickness)33 mm (1.3 in)
I-beam cutting capacityUp to IPE 600 profile (European I-beam, approx. 600 mm / 23.6 in section depth)
Column / wide-flange cutting capacityUp to HE 450B profile (European wide-flange, approx. 450 mm / 17.7 in section depth)
Round bar cutting capacity125 mm (4.9 in) diameter
Square bar cutting capacity120 mm (4.7 in)
Pipe cutting capacityDN 508 (20 in) nominal diameter
Jaw typeFixed jaw, not a rotating shear head
Carrier classFactory matching guide lists stick-mount fitment on the 365C, 374D, and 385C excavator class; an independent equipment-specs listing gives carrying-device capacity as 80 to 95 t (88 to 105 US tons) - confirm current compatibility with your dealer, as matching tables are periodically revised

Service capacities (summary)

Fuel tankNot applicable - no engine
Engine oilNot applicable - no engine
Cooling systemNot applicable - no engine
Hydraulic cutting circuit, max relief pressure350 bar (5,076 psi)
Hydraulic cutting circuit, max recommended flow690 L/min (182 gpm)

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

VHS-70/4 fluids & capacities

SystemCapacityRecommended fluid
Hydraulic system (attachment)No dedicated reservoir; not applicableShear has no engine, transmission, or hydraulic tank of its own — it is a passive work tool powered entirely by the host excavator's hydraulic circuit. Oil used must match the host machine's hydraulic oil specification (typically Cat HYDO Advanced 10 or equivalent per the carrier's own OMM); no separate fill or capacity applies to the shear itself.
Grease points (pin and bushing lubrication)Spec only — no fill capacity; lubricate at each fitting per lube chart on the work toolCat Multipurpose Grease (NLGI 2, lithium-complex base) or equivalent EP multipurpose grease; general Cat work-tool practice calls for greasing linkage pins/bushings every 8 to 10 hours of operation, more frequently in wet, sandy, or abrasive conditions.

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

Caterpillar VHS-70/4 maintenance schedule

Service intervalTasks
Every 50 h
  • Grease all jaw pivot pins, mounting-bracket pins, and cylinder clevis pins until fresh grease purges at each fitting.
  • Inspect blade and piercing-tip edges for chipping, rounding, or cracking before starting work.
  • Check hydraulic hoses, quick-connects, and cylinder ports near the pivot area for leaks, abrasion, or chafing.
  • Confirm mounting-bracket pins and pivot bores show no play under a test cut.
  • Clear scrap, concrete, and rebar debris from the jaw throat and pivot points.
  • Verify the main cylinder rod is free of scoring or seal weep.
Every 250 h
  • Torque-check mounting-bracket and quick-coupler fasteners and cylinder pin retainers.
  • Measure jaw pivot and cylinder clevis pin-to-bushing clearance against wear limits.
  • Inspect welds around the jaw pivot bosses and mounting ears for early cracking.
  • Sample the carrier's hydraulic oil for contamination carried back through the shared cutting circuit.
  • Check blade and piercing-tip edges for index or rotation need.
Every 500 h
  • Pull and inspect jaw pivot and cylinder clevis pins/bushings; replace bushings at the wear limit.
  • Inspect the main cylinder for external leakage and run a drift test under load to check internal seal condition.
  • Index or replace reversible blade sets and the piercing tip as required.
  • Re-torque mounting-bracket, coupler, and cylinder mounting hardware.
  • Confirm the carrier's auxiliary circuit pressure and flow still match the shear's 350 bar / 690 L/min rating.
Every 1,000 h
  • Disassemble the main cutting cylinder and replace the seal kit.
  • Replace worn pivot pin and bushing sets across the jaw, mounting bracket, and cylinder clevis.
  • Replace blade and piercing-tip sets once past index/regrind limits.
  • Dye-penetrant or magnetic-particle inspect the jaw casting and mounting bracket for fatigue cracking.
  • Check hose condition and replace any hose showing age-related hardening near the pivot.
Every 2,000 h
  • Fully tear down the jaw structure and inspect all pivot and clevis bores; line-bore oversize bores back to tolerance.
  • Replace all cylinder seals and wear rings as standard overhaul practice.
  • Re-machine or replace mounting-bracket and coupler pin bores if elongated.
  • Replace all hydraulic hoses on the shear regardless of visible condition.
  • Function-test the rebuilt shear under load and verify jaw cycle time and cutting force against the carrier's rated flow.
Every 4,000 h
  • Replace jaw castings or weldments found beyond crack-repair limits on structural NDT.
  • Replace the complete main cylinder assembly if the barrel or rod is scored beyond honing limits.
  • Recondition all pivot and mounting-bracket bores to OEM tolerance with new pins and bushings.
  • Run full non-destructive testing on all load-bearing structural members.
  • Repaint and re-certify the shear before returning it to service.

Servicing the VHS-70/4 beyond the schedule

Predictive Maintenance & Fluid Analysis

The VHS-70/4 carries no fluid or filter of its own, so predictive care runs through the host excavator's own oil-analysis program. Sample the carrier's hydraulic oil on its normal schedule to catch metal particulate shed by main cylinder seal wear or jaw pivot pin/bushing wear before it surfaces as leakage or play. Track jaw open/close cycle time against the rated 350 bar / 690 L/min circuit - a creeping cycle time flags carrier pump wear or an internal cylinder leak before it becomes a stall.

Corrective & Common Repairs

Recurring VHS-70/4 repairs trace to the main cutting cylinder, jaw pivot, and blades. Cylinder drift under load points to worn piston or rod seals letting oil bypass, usually after a torn wiper let debris pit the rod - reseal rather than shim. Knocking or play at the jaw pivot or cylinder clevis calls for pin-and-bushing replacement as a matched pair, never the pin alone. Reversible blade and piercing-tip edges chip fastest on rebar-heavy concrete - rotate to a fresh edge before the jaw structure itself takes the load.

Overhaul & Rebuild Points

Major overhaul on the VHS-70/4 centers on the jaw structure and main cylinder. Line-bore worn pivot, clevis, and mounting-bracket bores back to tolerance and fit matched pin-and-bushing sets rather than mixing old with new. Pull the main cylinder for a full reseal, honing the barrel if the rod shows scoring beyond limits. Crack-test the jaw casting and mounting ears before returning the tool to service, since a cracked structure on this size tier undercuts the value of fresh pins and blades.

Seasonal & Environment Servicing

The VHS-70/4 has no coolant or fuel system to winterize, but open pivot grease washes out fast on wet demolition and scrap sites - shorten the jaw pivot and cylinder clevis grease interval in rain or standing water, and switch to a low-temperature grease below freezing so it stays mobile at the fitting. Gritty, rebar-laden concrete accelerates blade and piercing-tip wear in yard environments, so check edges more often. Flush concrete dust and fines from pivot points after wet work and follow the carrier's own cold-start hydraulic warm-up before a full-pressure cut.

VHS-70/4 attachments & work tools

Carrier/excavator weight class

Sized for excavators in roughly the 60 to 90 tonne (66 to 99 US ton) stick-mounted class for this shear size tier. A much higher machine-class figure has been cited for some quick-coupler-mounted configurations elsewhere, but treat that as configuration-dependent — confirm carrier fitment with your dealer rather than assuming it applies.

Mounting/coupler system

Uses a dedicated mounting-bracket group shared across the wider VHS demolition/scrap shear family (VHS-10 through VHS-70), fitted either directly to the excavator stick or via a quick-coupler bracket sized to the carrier class. Bracket selection is carrier-specific and ordered to match the host excavator's stick or coupler geometry.

Hydraulic kit/arrangement

Requires an auxiliary hydraulic work-tool arrangement on the carrier to power the shear's cutting cylinder; Caterpillar documentation lists this as a distinct hydraulic AR (arrangement) kit rather than a bolt-on-only tool. VHS-60/4 and VHS-70/4 share the same work-tool hydraulic arrangement documentation, indicating a common hydraulic interface across both size variants in this generation.

Jaw/blade configuration

Fixed-jaw shear head (not a rotating shear); rotating demolition/shear attachments in the Cat lineup are a separate product line and do not apply to this model. Typical demolition-shear features for this size class include a bolt-on piercing tip and reversible/replaceable blade sections to manage wear, though model-specific confirmation for VHS-70/4 is limited.

Generational pairing

VHS-70/4 is documented alongside VHS-60/4 under one combined work-tool arrangement and serial-prefix scope (M1C00001-UP), indicating the two are size siblings within the same fourth-generation VHS shear update rather than separate unrelated lines.

All VHS-70/4 assemblies by section

Every catalogued assembly group for the Caterpillar VHS-70/4. Open an assembly to preview the parts inside — full OEM part numbers are available in Heavy Parts AI.

Frame And Body
331-5232 Housing Gp-Shear
09***05Bolt-Socket Head; (M16x2x100-mm)8
15***19Lockwasher2
15***21Lockwasher12
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
360-0135 Housing Gp-Shear
09***05Bolt-Socket Head; (M16x2x100-mm)8
15***21Lockwasher14
16***12Clip; (Slot)2
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
308-0525 Housing Gp-Shear
15***19Lockwasher2
15***21Lockwasher14
16***12Clip; (Slot)2
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
Hydraulic System
344-7542 Cylinder & Valve Gp
14***06Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x140-mm)5
20***25Valve Group-Speed Control1
34***42Cylinder & Valve Group1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
344-1185 Cylinder & Valve Gp
14***06Bolt-Socket Head; (M20x2.5x140-mm)5
20***25Valve Group-Speed Control1
34***85Cylinder & Valve Group1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
344-1187 Cylinder Gp-Shear
09***48Nipple, Grease1
16***16Seal1
17***23Plug As4
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
344-7543 Cylinder Gp-Shear
16***16Seal1
17***21Adapter As1
1P***05Seal (Check Valve Outlet)2
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
344-1186 Cylinder Gp-Shear
16***16Seal1
17***21Adapter As1
1P***05Seal (Check Valve Outlet)2
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
344-7544 Cylinder Gp-Shear
09***48Nipple, Grease1
16***54Seal1
17***82Bolt-Socket Head; (M24x3x150-mm)29
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
170-2174 Manifold Gp-Control
14***20Bolt-Socket Head; (M6x1x75-mm)4
17***74Manifold Group-Control1
7Y***19Seal-O-Ring (Id=12.37mm)2
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
170-2173 Motor Gp-Gerotor
17***73Motor Group-Gerotor1
17***21Kit-Housing1
17***22Shaft-Output1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
216-7650 Motor Gp-Gerotor
17***73Motor Group-Gerotor1
17***76Ring-Mounting1
17***77Gear-Drive; (15-Teeth)1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
266-7382 Rotator Gp-Hydraulic
09***73Bolt; (Socket Head) (M12x1.75x60mm)16
12***28Adaptor - Includes:-4
12***24Seal-O-Ring; (12.37mm Id)4
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
243-1695 Rotator Gp-Hydraulic
09***73Bolt; (Socket Head) (M12x1.75x60mm)8
12***28Adaptor - Includes:-4
12***24Seal-O-Ring; (12.37mm Id)4
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
265-6468 Swivel Gp
16***43Seal1
17***57Plug As4
17***14Stator1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
208-8451 Valve Gp-Control
13***54Plug As3
20***51Valve Group-Control1
20***87Slack Adjuster Group1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
208-5125 Valve Gp-Speed Control
09***01Bolt-Socket Head; (M8x1.25x40-mm)4
17***55Seal-O-Ring2
20***74Bolt-Socket Head; (M16x2x55-mm)8
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
Service Equipment And Supplies
332-0235 Kit-Maintenance
20***41Washer; (21x63.5x22-mm Thk)2
24***86Wrench; (Lock, 140)1
24***76Wrench; (Lock, 160)1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
321-8390 Kit-Maintenance
20***41Washer; (21x63.5x22-mm Thk)2
24***85Ring1
24***86Wrench; (Lock, 140)1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
334-1630 Plate & Film Gp
13***55Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)2
15***96Film-Notice; (Lift Eye Location)5
22***69Film-Warning; (Do Not Operate, Read Omm)2
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
334-1628 Plate & Film Gp
13***55Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)2
15***96Film-Notice; (Lift Eye Location)5
22***69Film-Warning; (Do Not Operate, Read Omm)2
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
360-0139 Plate & Film Gp
13***55Setscrew; (M4x0.7x8-mm)2
15***96Film-Notice; (Lift Eye Location)5
22***69Film-Warning; (Do Not Operate, Read Omm)2
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
Work Tool Arrangement
334-1627 Shear Ar-Hydraulic
30***24Shear Group-Hydraulic1
32***90Kit-Maintenance1
33***27Shear Ar-Hydraulic1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
334-1629 Shear Ar-Hydraulic
33***31Shear Group-Hydraulic1
33***35Kit-Maintenance1
33***29Shear Ar-Hydraulic1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
360-0138 Shear Ar-Hydraulic
33***35Kit-Maintenance1
36***36Shear Group-Hydraulic1
36***38Shear Ar-Hydraulic1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
Work Tools
308-0526 Edge Gp-Cutting
22***62Shim; (1-mm Thk)4
22***63Shim; (1-mm Thk)3
22***64Shim; (1.5-mm Thk)1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
360-0140 Edge Gp-Cutting
22***63Shim; (1-mm Thk)4
22***64Shim; (1.5-mm Thk)4
22***67Edge-Cutting1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
331-5234 Edge Gp-Cutting
22***63Shim; (1-mm Thk)2
22***64Shim; (1.5-mm Thk)2
22***67Edge-Cutting2
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
331-5231 Shear Gp-Hydraulic
24***95Rotator Group-Hydraulic1
33***31Shear Group-Hydraulic1
33***32Housing Group-Shear1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
308-0524 Shear Gp-Hydraulic
26***82Rotator Group-Hydraulic1
30***24Shear Group-Hydraulic1
30***25Housing Group-Shear1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →
360-0136 Shear Gp-Hydraulic
24***95Rotator Group-Hydraulic1
36***35Housing Group-Shear1
36***36Shear Group-Hydraulic1
See all parts with full part numbers in Heavy Parts AI →

VHS-70/4 serial number reference

The PIN plate is riveted or stamped to the shear body near the top mounting bracket/cylinder housing where it attaches to the excavator stick. Read the first 3 characters of the PIN as the serial prefix (identifies the model/build series); the digits that follow are the sequential unit number within that prefix run.

PrefixIdentifies
M1CVHS-70/4

Frequently asked questions

What powers the Caterpillar VHS-70/4?

Nothing onboard - it has no engine, ECM, or fuel system. The VHS-70/4 is a passive hydraulic shear that mounts to an excavator stick or boom and draws all jaw-closing force from the carrier's auxiliary hydraulic circuit, rated around 350 bar and up to 690 L/min (182 gpm) flow. Match the carrier's auxiliary output to that rating; a mismatched carrier shows up as slow or weak cutting, not a fault code, since the tool has no diagnostics of its own.

What is the operating weight of the Caterpillar VHS-70/4?

8,320 kg (18,342 lb) in boom-mount configuration and 7,975 kg (17,581 lb) in stick-mount configuration, mounting bracket included. Cat's factory fitment guide matches it to excavators in the 365C, 374D, and 385C class, roughly a 60 to 90 t (66 to 99 US ton) carrier range - confirm current compatibility with your dealer, since fitment tables are periodically revised.

What replaced the Caterpillar VHS-70/4?

No separate VHS-badged model followed the /4 generation. It lines up size-for-size with Cat's own S385C Straight Shear, the top tier of the current S305-S385C lineup, which functions as the closest documented successor once Cat moved new-production shears away from the Verachtert-lineage VHS badge. Wear parts - blades, piercing tips, cylinder seal kits, and pivot pin-and-bushing kits - carry the same demand pattern into that current line, which keeps parts sourcing for a used VHS-70/4 aligned with the shear that succeeded it.

What VHS-70/4 owners discuss

What's the most common hydraulic complaint owners raise about the cutting cylinder on a shear this size?
Cylinder drift under load is the recurring complaint - jaws creep shut or open a little after the control is released. Owners trace most cases to worn piston seals letting oil bypass internally, often after a worn rod seal let dust in and pitted the rod. A simple field check: close the jaws fully under load, shut the carrier down, and measure jaw movement after ten minutes. A few millimeters is normal wear; movement that keeps increasing points to a reseal. Have your dealer verify before putting the tool back into service.
How do the blades hold up, and how often do they get attention?
Reversible, multi-edge blades are standard practice on this class of shear - operators rotate to a fresh edge well before the edge is fully spent, since running a blade past its wear limit loads the jaw structure itself, not just the cutting edge. Chipping shows up fastest cutting rebar-heavy concrete or scrap with embedded hardened steel; that's treated as expected wear rather than a defect, and it's checked at every blade rotation interval, not just at replacement time.
What wear pattern typically shows up in the pins and bushings?
Wear concentrates at the main jaw pivot and the cylinder clevis pins - the highest-load, highest-cycle joints on the tool. The reported symptom is a knock or play felt at the pivot when the jaws are worked empty. Play beyond normal running clearance is generally addressed with pin and bushing replacement rather than shimming, since a loose main pivot bleeds cutting force and accelerates further wear. Have your dealer verify pin and bushing clearances against build spec before continued use.
What matters for mounting-bracket and coupler fit before running this shear on a given carrier?
The point raised consistently: the bracket and coupler have to match the specific carrier's weight class and hydraulic flow and pressure, not just the mount pattern. A mismatched pairing shows up as sluggish cycle times or premature wear on both the tool and the carrier's linkage. Short, low-restriction hose routing between carrier and tool also matters for consistent cycle performance. Confirm the bracket was matched to the carrier model in question rather than carried over from a different excavator size class.
What causes a shear like this to close unevenly or bind partway through a cut?
Uneven closing usually traces back to the cylinder circuit rather than the blades themselves - if one cylinder's piston seal starts to bypass, oil reaches the paired cylinder out of step and the jaw gap shifts mid-cut, producing a rough cut or a bind. Community consensus treats this as a seal issue to check first, with structural misalignment a distant second cause. Have your dealer verify the synchronization circuit before any teardown.
Is there a routine cause of premature wear across this whole class of shear attachment?
Under-greasing is the most cited cause of early pivot and bushing failure - pivot points are expected to be greased at least once per shift, more on a demanding job, and skipping it is the fastest way to turn normal pin wear into a costly rebuild. It's treated as basic daily upkeep, not an optional interval.
What should a buyer check on a used VHS-70/4 before purchase?
Check blade edge condition and chipping severity across all reversible faces, feel for play at the main jaw pivot and cylinder clevis pins, run a cylinder drift test under load to judge seal condition, and look over the frame and mounting ears for cracking or weld repairs from overload. Also ask what carrier the tool was run on previously, since a mismatch between the tool's rated capacity and an oversized or undersized carrier is a common driver of the wear patterns above. Have your dealer verify pin, bushing, and cylinder condition before putting it into service.

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

Need a specific VHS-70/4 part?

Search live OEM part data, check fitment, and cross-reference alternatives with Heavy Parts AI.

Search parts in the app