I'm new to this site and just bought 2nd hand Kubota from private owner who denies any knowledge of past issues. There is generally low hydraulic power which gets worse when machine heats up. Have replaced all hydraulic filters and oil but no better. I have basic mechanical skills only, so appreciate any advice please
What is that low power manifests in? Why do you think it’s low on power, and why do you think that’s a hydraulic power you having problem with. Do you know what grade of hydraulic oil is in it?
Thks TVA for coming back to me. When the machine is cold all operations seem Ok although slow, but as soon as it heats up, the power to the tracks as well as boom/stick digging power drops right away. In fact it hardly crawls when hot and won't climb even a smallish mound, let alone turn away. Oil was Gulf Western recommended by local oil supplier (don't know grade)?
Well. Viscosity is important in hydraulic oil, brand is not so much. You need to find out what viscosity grade is recommended for your weather/temperature. It is summer there now, I wouldn’t imagine 32 being OK in Australia at any time of year. So look at package, and see what it says, 32, 46 or 68. Next check all your radiator looking things, check them on both sides, they should be clean, no dust no oil no combination of above. Check the fan, check the fan belt for tightness. If your engine is not overheating - it doesn’t mean much.
Another thing: fluid recombinations come from machine manufacturer, not oil supplier. Oils grades are very ambient temperature dependent.
OK thks again I'll check oil grade when at machine tomorrow but 68 sounds familiar. Will also check the cooling radiators etc and give a good clean. I don't have a shop manual but understand via utube there is also likely to be a Pilot oil filter somewhere ??
Yes. And whatever you described might just be low pilot pressure in your machine. 68 if it is - it’s great. Have you replaced that pilot filter?
No as don't know where pilot filter is ? I guess Mr google should help me though
Do you know where hydraulic reservoir sight glass is? Pilot filter will be to the left and little behind the sight glass
There will be a good idea to also check the condition of the hydraulic suction strainer, its inside the hydraulic reservoir. But I don’t think it’s your immediate problem.
How’s your boom swing ( not turret slew) and both blade functions? Are those good? Does machine have a thumb?
Curious how many hours are on this excavator?
Good morning fellows Now with the machine and can confirm the hydraulic oil used was Superdraulic HVI 46 premium zinc based oil for high uses. Apparently regularly used for skid steers and excavators in this area. Have checked and cleaned the suction seive filter but couldn't find the pilot filter as described.
I ran this machine late yesterday and had reasonable hydraulic power on start up but lost it after 15-20 mins and then struggled to barely move ?
Send a picture of the place where pilot filter should be
And yes - how many hours?
Boom swing seems OK but blade movement slows as it warms up. No thumb however just ordered one. Apparently only 1300hrs on clock but it's a Gray import so have my doubts even though engine and hydraulics all look in good nick.
Swing blade and thumb on separate gear pump in those things. But everything is controlled by pilot. How’s coolers looking?
Under there. Your machine build little bit different, for Asian market. It is good to check, but that’s not your problem. Plugged filter actually should get little better when oil warms up.
Cooler looking little beat up, but nothing drastic, if there’s nothing in between them
I pressure washed the coolers from outside and little rubbish came out although some of the cooling fins had been flattened from previous washing I guess.
Both coolers are quite close only 25-30mm apart but no rubbish between them
she might be all worn out to heck, but i still can’t get rid of a hunch about low pilot pressure
So pilot filter in the blue housing ? And would you check it
Put wrench or socket on that hex and unscrew it. Look for diagnostic quick contact somewhere on that blue block where pilot filter is
Apologies I'm no diesel mechanic so not sure what you mean here
Which Hex nut do I unscrew and what is diagnostic quick contact please
Heck! Those are solenoids. What the heck did they do to the filter? Lemmi go thro pictures
Can you trace the hose that goes from that black to hydraulic pumps? It should be somewhere in between pumps and that block. It should be tight underneath of that blue block, but it’s obviously not there
That relief was Off already. That actually might be your culprit
This is picture from operators manual for New Zealand. Yes - your machine is some weird gray market. The filter showing where it supposed to be, but the solenoids is at the bottom