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View Full Version : House swings with a mind of its own...


GeeVee
01-14-2008, 07:23 PM
A friend has a PC 15 Deluxe (Komatsu, Kobelco?)he bought from a rental company, and he says once it starts up, its swinging in a circle until he shuts it down. He has had to move from one side of the street to the other, and it manages to drive, parade waving while he travels. Just the house swings in one direction, I believe boom and dipper do work, or we'll say are operating properly.

I'd question how he manages to get it jumped off and not ram whatever he's jumping from, but he has a short attention span.....

Now, I reckon he hasn't maintained it one Iota, and naturally, he must think batteries should run forever too, I figgered I could post a question here and try my luck.

Could this be a case where a faulty alternator and battery are sending bad info to the solendoids? Heck I don't even know if the hydros are solenoid controlled, but I'm aware of how bad batteries suck, and what they can do to fly by wire equipment, which can make even the best trouble shooter look like a woman at Midas.

First thing I'm checking is (new) battery and alternator function. Then I guess uncover the joysticks and see if there isn't some sort of obvious corrosion or breakage. Then from there, fuses and relays, wiring.

OK, well, I'll check all of those things in some order or another. As I mentioned, he prolly hasn't put a lick of PMCS on it, but my two minute look at it said its is full of hydro fluid, motor has some fairly experienced oil in it, and dosen't have any obvious leaks at this point.

Im leaning towards trashed up hydro fluid ultimately, that might be hanging open a valve, considering the viscous quality of the motor oil. When I change it, I'll be re-using some of it to tar down some loose shingles on my woodshed.

What do you experts have to add?

Coastal
01-26-2008, 02:46 PM
My bobcat does something similar, but the tracks creep when you dont touch anything, the dealer said the diverter valve needs adjusting or something like that.

Hey are you Gene from the now infamous landscape board that was shut down years ago??

BrianHay
01-26-2008, 05:00 PM
I'm not an expert but a friend of mine had a similar problem with the stick going in or out on it's own. First thing he checked was the valve springs...not sure if thats the correct term. Anyways that's what it was, the spring was shot. He replaced the spring and it fixed it right up.

Were you at coastal? I'm in Nanaimo and make frequent trips to the main land.

Coastal
01-26-2008, 07:41 PM
Im in abbotsford. ;)

BrianHay
01-26-2008, 08:00 PM
Right on, I go there quite often. Did you make it to the construction show at the Tradex this past spring?

Coastal
01-26-2008, 08:48 PM
No i didnt, i did however check out the landscape expo at bc place last week, there was a good selection of machines in there. I shouldnt go to those things...all that shiny equipment makes my knees quiver. :D