The bolt-on base on the J350 loader nose
A 966 or a 972G loader lip is usually built with weld-on pockets — they are cheaper per casting and most buckets leave the factory with them. The ones that come back to be rebuilt are often converted to bolt-on bases instead, and 3G-3357 is the casting that does it on the J350 nose. It is printed for the 960, 966, 970, 973, 977 and 972G line, weighs 16.9 kg, and fastens with bolt 5P-8361 and nut 5P-8362.
That is the practical difference between this base and the weld-on castings on the same machines: a bolt-on base can be changed by two men with a wrench, while a weld-on base needs the bucket stripped, the old pocket cut off and a new one welded in. Both approaches still use the same teeth, pins and retainers.
The full J350 tooth family it carries
| Profile | Number | Weight | A × B × C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard long | 1U-3352 | 6.1 kg | 245 × 102 × 85 mm |
| Short | 1U-3351 | 5.5 kg | 210 × 99 × 88 mm |
| Heavy duty long | 9N-4352 | 8.9 kg | 253 × 104.5 × 88 mm |
| Abrasion | 4T-2353 | 7.1 kg | 278 × 110 × 118 mm |
| Heavy duty abrasion | 9N-4353-A | 10.5 kg | 260 × 107 × 127 mm |
| Rock penetration HD | 144-1358 | 12.7 kg | 290 × 110 × 35 mm |
Every profile above takes pin 8E-6358 (also sold as 114-0358) with retainer 8E-6359 (114-0359) — the pin is the J350 pin, and it does not fit J250, J300 or J400 bases. The retainers themselves are shared across rungs more often than the pins, which is why a mixed order is packed by pin number and checked twice.
Bolt-on 3G-3357 against the weld-on bases on the same machines
| Base | Mounting | Weight | A × B × C | Printed machines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3G-3357 | Bolt-on | 16.9 kg | 418 × 150 × 38 mm | 960 / 966 / 970 / 973 / 977 / 972G |
| 135-9354 / 135-9355 / 135-9356 | Weld-on, heavy duty | 14.4 – 14.5 kg | 380 × 140 × 42 mm | 966 / 970 / 980 |
| 125-8404 / 125-8405 / 125-8406 | Weld-on, heavy duty | 18.7 / 19.7 / 19.7 kg | 415 × 124 × 48 mm | 966 / 970 / 980 |
| 1U-1354 | Flush weld-on | 13.2 kg | 422 × 96 × 32 mm | 966 / 970 / 980 |
| 1U-1350 / 1U-1351 / 1U-1352 | Bottom strap weld-on | 9.5 / 10.2 / 10.2 kg | 390 × 76 × 32 mm | 966 / 970 / 980 |
The published gap between the bolt-on base and the common weld-on casting on the same machines is 2.5 kg per base:
| Order | 3G-3357 (bolt-on) | 135-9354 (weld-on) | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 base | 16.9 kg | 14.4 kg | +2.5 kg |
| 24 bases (a 966 lip) | 405.6 kg | 345.6 kg | +60 kg |
| 40 bases | 676 kg | 576 kg | +100 kg |
On 40 bases that is 100 kg — about 15% of the piece weight and roughly a carton per pallet, which is paid for once, at the factory gate, rather than every time the base is changed. Whether that is worth it depends on your yard: if a welder and a gas set are always on site, weld-on pockets are the cheaper route and we will supply them; if the bucket is repaired at a site 400 km from the workshop, bolt-on is the base to order.
What to send with the enquiry
- Base number — 3G-3357, or a photograph and the bolt-hole centres (418 mm overall length is the quickest check on the bench).
- Machine — 960, 966, 970, 973, 977 or 972G, with the series letter if you have it.
- Bolt centres and bolt size — 5P-8361 / 5P-8362 if you want the fasteners in the same box; tell us if the lip was repaired and re-drilled.
- Teeth — which J350 profile and how many points, including how many are corner points.
- Pin and retainer — 8E-6358 / 8E-6359 unless the bucket is running a different pin, which happens on rebuilt lips.
FAQ
Q: Which loaders take the 3G-3357?
A: Cat 960, 966, 970, 973, 977 and 972G — as printed in the adapter table.
Q: What teeth fit it?
A: The J350 family: 1U-3352, 1U-3351, 9N-4352, 4T-2353, 9N-4353-A and 144-1358, on pin 8E-6358 and retainer 8E-6359.
Q: Bolt-on or weld-on — which should I order?
A: The bolt-on base is 2.5 kg heavier per piece (100 kg on 40 bases) and needs no welder; the weld-on bases 135-9354 / 135-9355 / 135-9356 are the cheaper route if a welder is on site. Both take the same teeth.
Q: What bolts and nuts does it use?
A: Bolt 5P-8361 with nut 5P-8362. The 4T-4307 and 1U-0257 bases on the smaller loader lines use 8J-2928 and 8J-2933 instead, so order the hardware with the base number.
Sources
Adapter, tooth, pin and retainer numbers, published weights, printed A × B × C dimensions and machine lines: COHIDREX TRASTEEL TSJ catalogue, loader adapter and loader teeth tables (metric). TRASTEEL, the J-series and the part numbers are third-party aftermarket systems: Caterpillar and the part numbers referenced are the property of their respective owners and are used here to cross-reference fitment only. We are not affiliated with, and do not sell, genuine Caterpillar parts.