MULCHER PROBLEM !!!! HELP !!!! Cat 289 with FAE mulcher flow problem.. maybe...

[pafarmer]

It's a new machine so take it with the mulcher to your dealer and them to have a look at it and tell if there is an issue and if they can resolve it for you....done deal...

 

[Nige]

Have you posted the serial number of your machine yet in this thread? With that info it should be easy to tell you what you have.

From the link to the dealer used website in post #46 on Page 4 by the OP the S/N is TAW00710 if that is indeed the machine he bought.

 

[digger doug]

R

From the link to the dealer used website in post #46 on Page 4 by the OP the S/N is TAW00710 if that is indeed the machine he bought.

If the O.P. really wants the forum's help, he should post the serial number as has been requested.

No need to waste members time playing detective.

 

[Tones]

Ok, going right back to the first post, my understanding is that you demoed a cat mulcher on the CTL ( Cat289) and it worked ok. Then you purchased a used mulcher, older but the equalivent to the hired mulcher and it won't work.
Before you end up looking like a goose check out the mulcher. Check the casedrain flow to find out it the motor has worn internals( scratched lens plate, worn rotating group are things most common). Check motor manufractures spec's. Most info is online.It should have a control box with counterbalance valve, pressure relief valve, loop flushing valve and a break valve all of which have a heap of O rings that bake hard and can leak causing oil to bipass.To test this pressure test the carrier then at the outlet of the control box. The reading from the control box should be 10% lower than the carrier,any more than that is where the problem is.
Hope this helps

 

[Pair of Hounds]

motor is new, I've been away with no internet access. Intend to get mulcher to Cat and check on one of their machines. May not help though, since none of their machines have the larger quick connects with separate piping...

 

[KSSS]

The 289D is only 75 hp. So depending on the conditions that you used the CAT mulcher in, there might not be anything wrong with either the FAE mulcher or the machine. Certainly checking the hyd motor spec on the FAE and comparing the spec against the carrier will help. A 75 hp machine running high flow is not going to give great performance mulching, marginal at best. Typically the biggest issue in the couplers is the generation of heat. Big hoses with large couplers reduces restriction which means better performance and reduced heat generation.

The number 14 is Ride Control.

 

[oarwhat]

Maybe it's just me but somethings weird about this thread. He doesn't post the serial number or pictures of the machine. And seems evasive when asked .

 

[Pair of Hounds]

Ha ha! I have nothing to hide... I will get the serial when I return home after holiday weekend. Meanwhile, will see if I can upload picture of machine. Not sure importance of serial though. According to CAT service manager, all 2016 Hi Flow 289D machines are the exact same on the hydraulic side.. Unless he is mistaken

 

[Tones]

Can you also post pic's of the plumbing inside the mulcher?

 

[Nige]

Not sure importance of serial though. According to CAT service manager, all 2016 Hi Flow 289D machines are the exact same on the hydraulic side.. Unless he is mistaken

With the Serial Number the factory build data can be accessed to see exactly what it is you have. In the case of machines like this that have a myriad of options there is always a chance that something could be different to what you think (or have been informed) that it is.

 

[Pair of Hounds]

hope this works. Here is tag on mulcher motor

 

[Pair of Hounds]

here is 289 with the cat hm315 mulcher

 

[Pair of Hounds]

this is only picture of FAE unit. Notice how hoses were rerouted. Won't fit through original hokes in center of machine

 

[f311fr1]

The holes in the center of the machine had bulkhead type fittings in them. You will want to cover up those holes and louvers as the head will fill up with debris pretty fast. I built boxes for over the louvers with perforated metal on the sides for heat escape.

 

[f311fr1]

See attached pictures of factory hose placement. The new units have solid plates on top and the hoses are on the machine hook up side.

 

[Pair of Hounds]

Just had a chance to snap some pics of plumbing.

 

[Pair of Hounds]

 

[Tones]

Does the pressure gauge on the mulcher work? If so what pressure is it showing when the mulcher nearly stalls?

 

[f311fr1]

OK it looks like you have a diverter valve that is electrically operated to work the door (second row right habd picture). When I first got mine the valve block that is bolted to the motor had an internal crack and I had to replace it. When you hook it up what does the pressure gauge on the mulcher read? If the Cat is putting out flow but you do not have pressure at the mulcher pressure gauge try to find a hot spot. That will tell you if you have an internal bypass in one of the valve blocks.

 

[Tones]

OK it looks like you have a diverter valve that is electrically operated to work the door (second row right habd picture). When I first got mine the valve block that is bolted to the motor had an internal crack and I had to replace it. When you hook it up what does the pressure gauge on the mulcher read? If the Cat is putting out flow but you do not have pressure at the mulcher pressure gauge try to find a hot spot. That will tell you if you have an internal bypass in one of the valve blocks.

Or buggered O rings in the valve cartridges.
It would be best to pressure test the Cat as it will give you a benchmark to work from. If you haven't got a seperate test gauge then jerry rig the one on the mulcher to the input hose before it goes into the control block and block
the end