OK so i am doing some engine work on a CAT 330L and we moved it into the shop. Owner came in to say "HI" and asked what might be causing this dripping mess around table. He asked if it might be over greasing but all I see when I look at it is a mix of what appears to be hydraulic oil and water (possibly mixed with some grease due to the viscosity). My question is, is there some type of shaft seal on the swing motor that could leak hyd oil down onto table? I dont know as MOST of what I do is engine related issues and am only beginning to get into the equipment side of things.:beatsme
There is a gear train under the swing motor that has its own oil sump. There is a dipstick used to check the oil level. At the bottom of this gear train there is a big shaft and gear that engages the ring gear attached to the carbody. The oil in the swing machinery is held in by a seal around that big shaft. When the swing machinery is low on oil and you see oil coming out of the slewing or Rotec bearing that the house rides on, that is a big indication the swing pinion shaft seal is worn out and leaking. In my experience with Cat excavators the gear is part of the shaft and has to be removed from the swing machinery in order to change the seal in most models. The fix means removing the swing machinery and completely disassembling it for the repair. Some of the smaller models may have a seal retainer and the seal is bigger than the pinion gear and can be removed without tearing down the box. On some machines the pinion gear is bolted to the shaft and it can be removed for access to the seal. In my experience the project takes about a day and a half with the parts on hand and a large press to dismantle the box if need be. If you don't have to dismantle the monster I've done the job in six to eight hours of hard labor. Good Luck! Good Luck!
wow sounds like a challenge! Always down for something new, thats why I'm getting away from trucks and more into equipment.Trucks are OK - just getting burned out I guess. :guns Either way thank you for info!:usa
Hi absolutediesel, You might want to get underneath the machine and look up in the center area. You should find a small plate under the house base. You can remove that plate and drain off any water and oil that has collected inside the slew ring housing. Be sure and check the oil level in the swing gearbox as John C has suggested. On some swing gearbox units, you have a dipstick pipe to check swing gearbox oil level and another pipe with a cap on it for a fill pipe. Don't know if yours has the fill pipe or not. If your swing gearbox is up to level, you may have a problem elsewhere. Also, check the rubber boot seal at the center hyd swivel unit in the center of the machine. If that seal boot gets cracked or damaged, it will let water get into the slew ring housing.
Thanks ATCO ! Yes this machine has dipstick and yes down on fluid. Definately thank you again for additional info though! man I love this site.