Never really noticed I had a problem with the swing until I was on a slope and saw the hoe would drift, or really free-swing, down hill when I was off the controls. On level ground it seems fine and appears to brake or slow down correctly during a full speed swing...but I'm not an experienced operator so maybe my 'fine' isn't really fine. I thought there was a swing brake or equivalent to prevent down-hill free-swing but have no idea where to start looking to troubleshoot. I assume it could be as simple as a bad electrical connection or some really expensive hydraulic issue. What ya'll recommend?
Serial number ?
A lot of those machines had a soft swing function installed from the factory. Check all the rocker switches on the right side console. A serial number will allow some people here to look up what your machine originally had from the factory. As far as the swing brake goes, it is actually a swing parking brake. It is spring applied and hydraulic released and only applies about seven seconds after you stop operating everything.
serial number in my signature but i'll add here too: Caterpillar 325BL Serial *2JR01724* John- Are you referring to the Fine Swing Control Rocker? I assume you're suggesting I keep this rocker off (pushed to the left)? I guess this is also where I get confused because I see swing brake and assume this is an immediate acting swing brake instead of the 7-second parking brake.
You can check the swing brake by dropping the deadman while its on a slope starting to creep on its own and see does it stop abruptly. I had a b series years ago that two of the swing motor pistons poped off their slipper feet which cased it to free swing on a slope. New pistons and a cam plate sorted it out
Good day You may find the attached a useful starting point. Kind regards Uffex