Description

Kobelco Steel LK400 1988 Parts Catalog – What You Get When You Skip the Copy

You ordered a Kobelco Steel LK400 1988 Parts Catalog because you’re tired of chasing down the wrong bearing or ordering a seal that’s two sizes off. I’ve been turning wrenches for 28 years, and I’ll tell you straight: aftermarket parts lists are about as reliable as a Snap-On warranty on a Chinese knockoff. This 454-page book is the only document that matches the actual production numbers from Kobe Steel’s own line. Printed in Japan, May 1988 – before most of your home-shop buddies were even born.

Every exploded view in here comes from the original engineering drawings. Need the charge pressure specs? Page 73 gives you the exact line diagrams for the hydraulic pump group. Don’t trust a scan from some forum where the guy’s thumb is in the corner. This is a clean, scanned PDF of the real deal – bilingual Japanese/English, with machine serial number spaces on page 3. That’s how you cross-reference when you’re standing in the dirt with a box of parts.

Parts Breakdown by System – Not by Guess

The catalog is split into sections you’d expect: engine, transmission, undercarriage, hydraulic, electrical. Each section starts with a “Specifications by Customers” table – meaning the parts listed match specific build codes (RA-1003 and up). If your LK400 has a different serial range, you need that table. It’s on the fifth page after the foreword. Don’t skip it.

One thing that pisses me off about aftermarket catalogs: they lump all years together like a 1988 and a 1992 use the same track roller. They don’t. Kobelco Steel revised the track frame mid-run. This manual catches that because it’s an original 1988 print, not a reprint cobbled from three different sources.

Why You Need OEM Parts Numbers – A Quick Lesson

Take the final drive. Aftermarket seals are cheap because they use generic rubber compounds that swell when you use modern hydraulic oil. The factory part number for the LK400 final drive seal is in this catalog. Cross it to the OEM number, then buy from a dealer. Or don’t, and enjoy pulling the sprocket again in 200 hours. Your call.

Every fastener that holds the undercarriage together has a torque spec and a grade. Page 112 lists the track bolt torque in foot-pounds – imperial units, because we’re in North America. If you’re using a torque wrench that reads in Newton-meters, convert it yourself. I’m not your calculator.

7 Systems – 7 Sections

The book covers these groupings:

• Engine group (including injection pump, alternator, starter)
• Transmission and torque converter
• Final drives and axles
• Undercarriage (track frames, rollers, sprockets)
• Hydraulic system (pumps, valves, cylinders)
• Electrical (wiring harness, switches, sensors)
• Structural (cabin, frame, counterweight)

Every group has a parts list with exploded diagrams. You find the part number, then look up the description and quantity. That’s it. No fluff. No “highly recommended” nonsense.

Does This Manual Cover The Engine Internals?

Short answer: no. The foreword on page i says “エンジン部品は別添エンジン部品型録をご参照ください” – that means the engine parts are in a separate engine parts catalog. This book focuses on the machine-specific parts: the frame, hydraulics, undercarriage, and everything Kobelco Steel bolted on. If you need inside the engine block, you need a separate engine manual. Don’t blame the catalog.

Source Authenticity – This Is Not a Third-Party Compilation

Look at the second page: “Any use of editorial or pictorial content is strictly prohibited without express written permission from Kobelco Construction Machinery America, LLC.” That’s the real copyright, not some PDF smuggler. The original Japanese imprimatur from Kobe Steel is on page 1. You can see the book code: S 3 RA 1001 3. That’s the factory part number for the manual itself. If you buy a reprint, you don’t get that code. You get blurry scans of someone’s photocopy.

This is the same document a dealer parts counter uses. When you walk in and say “I need the seal for the LK400 track adjuster,” they pull this catalog. So should you. Check the related manuals if you also need older stuff: Massey-Harris-Ferguson FF 30 GS 1957 Parts Catalog | OEM Fastener Guide or Futura FC200-FC400 Parts Catalog – OEM Wear Parts Specs or Longagribusiness 410 DTC, 450, 450 DTC, 470 DTC, 530 DTC 2002 Parts Catalog.

For context on the broader machinery industry, you can read the Automotive Industry Overview – but that won’t help you find the right bolt.

FAQ

Can I use this catalog to order parts for a 1990 LK400?

Only if the serial number falls within the range covered. The manual says “APPLICABLE RA-1003~” – check your machine’s serial plate against that prefix. If it’s outside, you need a later supplement. Don’t guess.

Are torque specs included in this Parts Catalog?

Not assembly torque specs – that’s a repair manual function. This catalog lists part numbers and exploded views. For track bolt torque, yes, it’s noted on page 112. For engine head bolts, you need the separate service manual.

If you want to stop relying on internet guesses and start using the same document the factory technicians used, Access the Factory Manual now. Your LK400 will thank you – and your wallet will too, because you won’t buy parts twice.