Caterpillar 287 need help with hydraulics- machine moves very slow

[Vetech63]

So was I right? Hell, I've seen way to much equipment since that job. I seem to remember the pump outlet line going straight to the fan motor. The return line from the fan motor to the return filter mounted at the top left of the engine compartment. I might be thinking of another machine...…...it sucks losing brain power as you get older.

 

[jreese7290]

If you want to flush the system with it, no reason not to buy from the auto parts store. Fluids of that origin are known as "Joe Blow's Gas & Groceries" products on HEF - not well thought of in the professional fraternity.
You should be using an SAE10 viscosity (ISO32) anti-wear hydraulic oil. If you are planning on draining the old oil and refilling the system with new oil I suggest you buy something with a major oil company brand label on it. Something like Shell, Mobil, Conoco, etc.

However please go back and to my post #14 above. I strongly suspect that you have a contaminated system. Changing the oil is not going to fix it.

I ended up paying for a Caterpillar technician to come out. He concluded it was either the joystick ($1300) or total pump failure ($6000). I replaced the joystick 1st with an oem Caterpillar unit and that did nor change the issue. Now im looking at replacing the pump. Can anyone send me the repair steps for the pump. I am curious to know how extensive the piston pump replacement will be and if its something i can do myself without pulling the entire engine.

 

[Mobiltech]

That’s some good troubleshooting it’s either the joystick or the pump. Wow.
Pump replacement is done without pulling the engine. BUT. I would sure want to do some more testing before I threw a pump at it. If the pump failed what about motors?
I would be calling the cat dealer you dealt with and tell him to send out someone who knows how to troubleshoot a hydrostatic system.

 

[Nige]

Wot he said.......... double.

 

[jreese7290]

Wot he said.......... double.

We tested the charge pressure and it was extremely low. The reason the technician said it may be in the joystick is because when you move left or right the hydraulic gauge still reads 0. It seems like there is no pressure when you turn the joystick left or right. The machine will move forward and backwards just not at full power. Also there is a very noticeable whining noise when you have throttle on high coming from the hydraulic almost sounds like air is passing through internally.

 

[92U 3406]

Low charge pressure I'd be looking at the charge circuit first. Charge pressure will directly effect hydraulic performance.

 

[Vetech63]

I’m getting confused. Is the charge pressure low or zero regardless? Or just low when you try to steer? Something isn’t making sense to me.

 

[Mobiltech]

Proper testing by a qualified mechanic should narrow it down to a charge pump problem, an internal leak in the pumps or motors or a leak at a charge relief valve.

 

[ianjoub]

Find a competent tech to troubleshoot. There are very few issues that require part replacement as part of the diagnostic procedure.

 

[Nige]

It could be this, this, or this. I know, let's replace the cheapest one. Then if that doesn't work replace the next expensive one on the list, etc, etc. Continue the process until something is replaced and the problem goes away.
It's called fault finding by substitution.

 

[Vetech63]

It could be this, this, or this. I know, let's replace the cheapest one. Then if that doesn't work replace the next expensive one on the list, etc, etc. Continue the process until something is replaced and the problem goes away.
It's called fault finding by substitution.

That rich people fixing.

 

[jreese7290]

Can anyone send me the install guide for a caterpillar 287

 

[TVA]

Is charge pre

If I did the test correctly I don’t think pilot pressure is correct and in need to proceed to Testing and Adjusting, "HydrostaticSystem - Test and Adjust". The pressure did not stay steady when you try to drive forward the charge pressure fluctuates goes up then back to 0. I also cut the filter open. I have no metal shavings what so ever in the filter. At most the filter had some grime and dirt...

OK Cat guys! What else is on the charge circuit? Is fan on charge or implement circuit?

 

[TVA]

That is usually a leak in the high pressure side of the system that causes the charge pressure to drop. The design of those pumps is funky to me. I had a 299 that lost a swash plate slipper in the second hydro pump, and because the design was to have a common suction port with the pilot (gear) pump, the gear pump sucked in the brass and trashed the fan drive motor and all the evidence was in the return filter.

For charge pressure to go to 0 that hydrostatic pump would have to pretty much dead! Not slow!

 

[TVA]

That’s some good troubleshooting it’s either the joystick or the pump. Wow.
Pump replacement is done without pulling the engine. BUT. I would sure want to do some more testing before I threw a pump at it. If the pump failed what about motors?
I would be calling the cat dealer you dealt with and tell him to send out someone who knows how to troubleshoot a hydrostatic system.

In event of low pilot pressure it could be internally bypassing joystick or internally bypassing servo piston inside the pump!
So looks like (indirectly) Cat man detected low PILOT pressure!

Here’s very important question: are we talking pilot pressure going to 0, or we are talking charge pressure going to 0?!?!

 

[TVA]

Looks like hydrostatics are Rexroth A22VG series 10.

 

[TVA]

Very first post talked about high pitch noise like air in the system - first thing in this case to inspect suction strainer and suction pipes. Cavitation can kill your pumps really fast!

 

[TVA]

Another thing that can dump your main pressure

Can anyone send me the install guide for a caterpillar 287

whst do you mean by “install guide”?

 

[Williamsmith]

What is the easiest way to flush the hydraulic system of contaminants
287b

 

[Nige]

Depending on how badly it was contaminated, anything up to complete disassembly. What broke in your case.?