Model Spotlight

Case 855D Crawler Loader: Specs, Parts & Common Issues

Produced 1980 – 1994, the Case 855D Crawler Loader is the crawler-loader sibling to the Case 850D dozer — same 14-year production window, same chassis, same Case 6-cylinder diesel engine family (Case A336 on early production transitioning to Case 6-590 / Cummins 6BT-derived on later units), same power shift transmission. The 855D substitutes a front-mounted hydraulic loader bucket and loader arms for the 850D's dozer blade and pushframe.

Broken Tractor Editorial Team• Updated May 2026• 10 min read

The Case 855D Crawler Loader is the crawler-loader sibling to the Case 850D dozer, produced from 1980 through 1994. The 855D shares chassis, engine, transmission, and undercarriage with the 850D — but where the 850D mounts a dozer blade and pushframe, the 855D mounts a hydraulic loader bucket on lifting arms. Crawler loaders are the mid-class material-handling machine for sites where wheel loader traction is inadequate (loose ground, rough terrain, snow, soft soil). The 855D combines crawler tractor stability and traction with loader-quick material handling.

Like the 850D, the 855D had a 14-year production run with significant engine transition mid-run. Early-production 855Ds use the Case A336 inline 6-cylinder diesel; later-production units transition to the Case 6-590 (Cummins 6BT-derived) inline six-cylinder. The 6BT-family engine ecosystem is one of the deepest in industrial diesel — late-production 855D owners benefit from the same parts ecosystem advantage as late-production 850D owners.

855D = 850D chassis + hydraulic loader The 855D and 850D share chassis, drivetrain, engine, undercarriage, operator station, and cab. The difference is on the front: dozer blade and pushframe (850D) vs. hydraulic loader bucket and loader arms (855D). When ordering parts, dozer-side hardware (blade cylinders, blade carrier, cutting edges) is 850D-specific; loader-side hardware (bucket cylinders, bucket linkage, bucket teeth) is 855D-specific. Chassis, engine, transmission, and undercarriage parts are common between the two machines.

At-a-glance specifications

Case 855D — factory specifications

Production years: 1980 – 1994
Sibling machine: Case 850D Crawler Dozer (same chassis)
Engine — early production: Case A336 inline 6-cylinder diesel (5.5 L)
Engine — later production: Case 6-590 inline 6-cylinder diesel (Cummins 6BT-derived, 5.9 L)
Power: ~85 – 95 horsepower flywheel (configuration dependent)
Transmission: Power shift with torque converter
Hydraulics: Open-center implement circuit
Bucket capacity: Approximately 1.5 – 2.0 cubic yards (configuration dependent)
Bucket options: General-purpose bucket, multi-purpose (4-in-1) bucket
Track variants: Standard, LGP (Low Ground Pressure)
Operating weight: ~22,500 – 26,000 lb depending on configuration and engine
Serial plate location: Right side of operator's platform / chassis frame

Crawler loader vs. crawler dozer

The crawler loader configuration uses a front-mounted hydraulic bucket on lifting arms, similar in concept to a wheel loader but mounted on a crawler tractor chassis. The advantages over a wheel loader:

Traction and stability — crawler tracks provide superior traction on loose, muddy, or slippery surfaces compared to rubber tires.
Soft-ground capability — wider track footprint reduces ground pressure, allowing operation on soft soil or wetlands where a wheel loader would sink.
Pushing capability — crawler loaders can push material like a small dozer when needed, though they're not as efficient as a dedicated dozer for sustained pushing work.
Multi-task versatility — load, push, grade, and (with the right bucket options) clamp and dump.

The trade-offs vs. a wheel loader are operating speed (crawlers are slower over distance) and transport (crawlers require a lowboy trailer; wheel loaders can typically drive between job sites).

Multi-purpose (4-in-1) bucket

The 855D was commonly ordered with a multi-purpose bucket (often called a "4-in-1" bucket). The 4-in-1 bucket is a hinged bucket — the floor of the bucket can be opened hydraulically, turning a standard loader bucket into:

A standard loader bucket (closed) for loading and dumping
A clam-shell bucket (open) for grabbing and clamping bulky items
A grading blade (floor open and inverted) for back-blading and grading
A dozer blade (floor open and pushed forward) for pushing

4-in-1 bucket cylinders, hinges, and seal kits are routine service items on machines that use the bucket regularly. Confirm bucket type when ordering parts — standard bucket vs. 4-in-1 bucket service kits are different.

Engine: Case A336 to Case 6-590 transition

The 855D's most significant production-run change is the engine transition, same pattern as the 850D. Early-production 855Ds use the Case A336 inline six-cylinder diesel — 336 cubic inches (5.5 L), well-documented and well-supported parts ecosystem. Later-production 855Ds transition to the Case 6-590 — the Case-branded version of the Cummins 6BT inline six-cylinder, 5.9 L displacement.

The 6BT family is one of the most widely produced industrial / commercial diesel engines in the world. Parts ecosystem is enormous — filters, injectors, water pumps, turbochargers (on T variants), and complete rebuild components are all readily available through both Case dealer and aftermarket Cummins channels.

Always confirm your 855D's engine designation by engine plate before ordering engine-specific parts. Browse the Case Dozer Parts hub for current 855D engine service kits.

Power shift transmission

The 855D uses the same power shift with torque converter transmission as the 850D. Clutchless gear changes under load, multiple forward and reverse speeds, torque converter providing smooth power transfer. Routine service items: shift solenoids and pressure switches, clutch packs, torque converter, transmission oil cooler, transmission filter.

Loader hydraulic system

The 855D loader uses hydraulic cylinders for boom lift, bucket curl/dump, and (on 4-in-1 buckets) bucket floor open/close. Standard service items at production-run age:

Boom cylinder seal kits — routine seal-replacement candidate.
Bucket cylinder seal kits — routine seal-replacement candidate.
4-in-1 bucket clam cylinder seal kits — routine on machines that use the 4-in-1 function frequently.
Cylinder rod chrome service — corrosion on rods causes premature seal wear.
Loader valve seal kits — control valve seals can develop weep at production-run age.

Variants: Standard, LGP

The 855D shipped in two primary track configurations:

Standard — standard-width track, balanced general loader work.
LGP (Low Ground Pressure) — wider grouser pads and extended track frame for soft-ground / wetlands / agricultural-soil work where flotation is the priority.

Track configuration affects undercarriage and frame parts. Confirm Standard vs. LGP by serial before ordering.

Undercarriage

The 855D undercarriage is the same as the 850D undercarriage. Sprocket bolt patterns, idler geometries, master pin dimensions, roller designs cross-fit with the 850 family of the era (850B / 850C / 850D / 850E). Confirm by part number against your serial. Track chain, roller, idler, and sprocket are all routine wear items at production-run age.

Browse the Case Dozer Parts hub for current 855D / 850D-era undercarriage availability.

Common 855D service items

Engine accessory aging

Water pump, alternator, starter, and injection pump on the Case 6-cyl (A336 or 6-590) are routinely rebuilt or replaced over the engine's service life. Cooling system service is a routine maintenance milestone on 30-plus-year-old machines.

Power shift / torque converter service

Shift solenoid failure, clutch pack wear, torque converter degradation. The transmission filter and fluid should be on a scheduled service interval.

Loader hydraulic seal failure

Boom, bucket, and 4-in-1 clam cylinder seals are routine seal-replacement candidates at production-run age. Cylinder rod chrome corrosion is also typical. Seal kit rebuilds address most weep issues; severe rod corrosion requires rod replacement.

Bucket teeth and edge wear

Bucket teeth and edge wear are the most frequent service items on a working 855D. Replacement teeth and edges are widely available aftermarket.

4-in-1 bucket hinge and seal service

The 4-in-1 bucket hinge mechanism and clam cylinder are routine service items on machines that use the 4-in-1 function regularly. Hinge pin and bushing wear can develop play in the bucket floor.

Undercarriage replacement cycles

Same undercarriage as the 850D. Track chains, rollers, idlers, and sprockets all have measurable wear lives.

Operator station and ROPS

Cab and canopy hardware, seat cushion replacement, and floorboard wear are typical aging-machine issues. ROPS structural integrity should be verified before resale.

Wiring and electrical

30-plus-year-old wiring harnesses are routinely brittle.

Parts and cross-fit components

Component area	What to look for	Notes
Sprockets & segments	Track sprocket assemblies, bolt-on segments	Cross-fits 850B / 850C / 850D / 850E family on shared bolt patterns.
Idlers & rollers	Front idler assemblies, top and bottom roller sets	Cross-fits 850-family undercarriage.
Track recoil & adjusters	Recoil spring, adjuster yoke, chrome rod	Confirm by serial — production-run changes apply.
Master pins	Track master pin and bushing	Master pins share geometry across the 850 family.
Bucket teeth & cutting edges	Standard and severe-duty bucket teeth, edges	Loader-specific — different from 850D dozer blade hardware.
Boom & bucket cylinder seal kits	Boom cylinder, bucket cylinder seal kits	Loader-specific cylinder dimensions. Confirm before ordering.
4-in-1 bucket clam cylinder kits	Clam cylinder seal kits	For 4-in-1 multi-purpose buckets only.
Bucket pins & bushings	Pivot pins and bushings	Routine wear items on the bucket pivot.
Engine accessory parts — early A336	Water pump, alternator, starter, fuel injection	Case A336 accessories share parts with other Case industrial 6-cyl applications.
Engine accessory parts — late 6-590	Cummins 6BT parts ecosystem	Enormous parts ecosystem from Cummins industrial / commercial / automotive applications.
Radiators & cooling	Radiator cores, fan belts, hose sets	Cross-fit with 850D cooling system.
Filter service kits	Engine oil, fuel, air, hydraulic filter sets	A336 vs 6-590 may require different kits.
Power shift transmission parts	Shift solenoids, clutch packs, oil cooler, torque converter	Same transmission as 850D — broad parts cross-fit.
Operator seat	Universal industrial seat with mount kit	Universal Case industrial seats fit the 855D operator station.

For 855D-era parts inventory and cross-fit confirmation, browse the Case Dozer Parts hub or contact our parts desk directly.

Working on a Case 855D?

The 855D shares chassis with the 850D dozer but uses loader-specific bucket and hydraulic hardware on the front. Our specialists can verify dozer vs. loader fitment by serial and walk you through the 850 family's cross-fit options.

Mon – Fri, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT

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Where the 855D sits in the Case crawler line

The 855D is the crawler loader sibling to the Case 850D dozer. Both share chassis, drivetrain, engine, and undercarriage — the 855D substitutes a hydraulic loader bucket on lifting arms for the 850D's dozer blade and pushframe. The 855D is positioned between the smaller crawler loaders in the Case line and the larger 1150D / 1155D-class machines. For mid-class material handling on soft ground or in environments where wheel loaders struggle, the 855D fills a specific and durable niche.

Broken Tractor Editorial Team

This spotlight was compiled from factory Case service literature for the 855D production family, CNH parts catalogs, Case A336 and Case 6-590 (Cummins 6BT-derived) engine documentation, and the verified BigCommerce catalog at brokentractor.com.