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pc50 cold start

gwhammy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2013
Messages
606
Location
missouri
Last spring all at once it seemed my pc50 started picking up air in the hydraulics on cold start. Doesn't do it when temps are in the 60's or higher but terrible when cold. I'm running a good quality 15 wt. hydraulic oil and changed it this spring. Has a new hydraulic filter in it this spring which didn't seem to change anything.
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,870
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
Most excavators use 10 wt in the hydraulic systems. Have you pulled the suction strainer basket out of the tank lately?
 

gwhammy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2013
Messages
606
Location
missouri
No, what does that entail getting it out? I have changed the filter that is in the hydraulic tank.
 

DoyleX

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Messages
571
Location
Minnesota
Occupation
Lever Puller, Gear Jammer, Pipe Twister
The strainer is in the bottom of the tank. Pull the panel under the tank. Look for the 3-4" dia hose thats your suction. Pull that off after you drain the oil and start working your way up to the strainer. While you have it all apart if the suction hoses are hard pitchem. Get new constant torque clamps. Send off you old oil for sampling.

After filling to the correct level. Get all your cylinders so as much of the chrome is showing as you can get. Then put the fill cap on. Now the system will force oil to the pump cutting down on cavitation.
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,870
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
Usually with Komatsu, the fill cap is mounted on a plate that bolts to the top of the tank. If you take out the bolts holding that plate and remove the plate, you will see a rod with a spring in it. Remove the spring if it isn't attached and set it somewhere where it won't get lost. Then you can pull up on the rod and the strainer basket will be on the other end.
 

uffex

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2012
Messages
4,464
Location
Lincoln UK
Occupation
Admin
Goo day
It may be worth a check of the tank pressure full stroke the cylinders a couple of times and check that there is air pressure pushing the fluid into the pumps, see attached may help.
Kind regards
Uffex
 

Attachments

  • Tank1.pdf
    788.3 KB · Views: 3
  • GI Tank positive air pressure.pdf
    1.3 MB · Views: 2

gwhammy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2013
Messages
606
Location
missouri
Cleaned the strainer and changed oil and filter in return. I don't which one fixed it but it's fine now. I also had another blog on here about the control panel not working. Found a company in North Carolina that would rebuild it for less than half price of a new one. Works fine now. Now if I could just find a cab or trade this machine for one with a cab and heat and air. I hate setting on it in the cold weather.
 

Bls repair

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2017
Messages
1,612
Location
S E Pa
Occupation
Equipment operator,mechanic
When I have to run an open cab machine in the freezing cold ,I use a Carhartt cab .:D
 

Clguest

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2016
Messages
116
Location
USA
Cleaned the strainer and changed oil and filter in return. I don't which one fixed it but it's fine now. I also had another blog on here about the control panel not working. Found a company in North Carolina that would rebuild it for less than half price of a new one. Works fine now. Now if I could just find a cab or trade this machine for one with a cab and heat and air. I hate setting on it in the cold weather.
Gwhammy do find a machine with cab! For years I had open platforms as cabs added $10k to the price. I eventually found that the $10K adds to the productivity, comfort, and greatly extends the months of use. I enjoy the radio occasionally too when there is no one around the work area.
 

gwhammy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2013
Messages
606
Location
missouri
Looking hard right now, I set out digging tile at 30 degrees and 30 to 40 mph winds last week. Luckily had my back to the wind. Made a poor mans wind break, cling wrap around the frame behind me. I just can't decide whether to stick with the 12,000 size machine or jump up to a 18,000 pound one. Looking at both. Probably should stick at 12,000 I can haul it and the skid loader behind my one ton.
 
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