CAT 299D3 XE

LostBoulder said:

Just thought I'd drop and update in. Put about 14hrs on the 299D3 w/ the "1U-9891" additive and chattering issue still persists. <sigh>

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A thought. Can you make a short video of the machine while it's making the noise and then upload it to Youtube.? You could then link it here and everyone else can hear/see the same things that you can standing next to the machine.

The Youtube idea is a good one. Is there a possibility that the chattering issue isn't hyd. related? Could something else be loose?

Good idea yes can def work on getting a video up for all to see. I too have wondered if there could be a possibility the issue is beyond the hydraulics. Given the amount of electronics these newer machines have, could there be an issue with one of the "brains" controlling the hydraulics. I've had other odd issues like the time falling 20mins back and also my "Job Clock" showing me running the machine into the millions of hours with exceptionally good fuel usage ... In reality this should be reading around 26hrs. I just assumed there was a bug that glitched the job clock but at this point anything seems possible. The machine only has 141.3hrs.

Maybe this is not the place to ask... but out of curiosity, what's everyones opinion on the strongest competitor/alternative to the CAT 299D3 XE? What would be the best replacement?

For what it’s worth I’m at 203 hours and now mines making a funky hydraulic noise but it’s more of a groan/chattering with an occasional moan. Sounds like a donkey trying to breed a chicken on prom night after drinking Mad Dog. Oh yea my screens acting ignorant as well, guess the donkey n chicken had offspring and it’s living in the display. I’m totally at a loss on this thing, my other CAT’s have never had these types of issues one right after another. I’ve passed the point of pissedness and back to calm which is kinda scarey.

I’m scared to death to get to far away from the truck now in fear of it crapping out. Everyone Ive talk to is having tons of problems so I’m betting thr will be another class action suite in CAT’s future. I know it’s currently being discussed,

Sounds like something is amiss at the plant that builds them.

Reuben Frazier said:

For what it’s worth I’m at 203 hours and now mines making a funky hydraulic noise but it’s more of a groan/chattering with an occasional moan. Sounds like a donkey trying to breed a chicken on prom night after drinking Mad Dog. Oh yea my screens acting ignorant as well, guess the donkey n chicken had offspring and it’s living in the display. I’m totally at a loss on this thing, my other CAT’s have never had these types of issues one right after another. I’ve passed the point of pissedness and back to calm which is kinda scarey.

I’m scared to death to get to far away from the truck now in fear of it crapping out. Everyone Ive talk to is having tons of problems so I’m betting thr will be another class action suite in CAT’s future. I know it’s currently being discussed,

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LOL - Love the colorful analogy! I've had similar moaning when loading 4x5 round bales, (arms about 1/2 to 2/3rds) raised the hydraulics sound like someone is letting out a death moan. I will say the additive did quiet the hydraulics some during normal driving operation and that's nice but no reason an additive should be needed in a new machine to have it sound closer to normal. If you haven't yet gotten them to add the additive Reuben, I would request your dealer to provide it for no cost. It has at least softened the pain a bit for me.

Totally agree with Welder Dave, the factory clearly has issues... CAT needs major overhaul there. I personally won't be buying another CTL/MTL from CAT (again) anytime soon.

CAT dealer contacted me and they want to take the machine and have their specialists "work on it", very open ended with no real specifics on what will be done or how many more hours will be added to the machine. They did offer me an equivalent loaner. I now have to decide, do I let the dealer who couldn't get the pre-delivery right and had techs working on the wrong machines take our 299D3 for an indefinite period of time or just live with the chatter like Reuben is and try to meditate a lot? I too have hit a point of, "well I got screwed"... just going to take my money elsewhere next time.

Will work on getting the video to share.

Take them up on their offer! If the noise would have completely disappeared with the additive you'd be happy. Sounds like the dealer and/or Cat is trying to make it right. Now's not the time to get pizzy with them. Give them a chance, their giving you a loaner. If they can't fix it and you like the loaner maybe...

I’ve found beer helps lol. Good luck but I’m under warranty as are you and with any luck whatever’s causing the problem will literally fall off and I’ll address the issue then. It’s a 2 hour round trip for me to go to the shop and I’m not doing that until it won’t go any farther. Time, fuel, and the frustration= NOPE IM OUT...

An hour away is not too bad. Now if you had a large excavator that needed special trailers and permits to move it could be a major PIA. A CTL not so much.

I would take the loaner and leave yours with them in a second. Run their machine any chance you get, if they can't resolve your issue, I would fight for a new unit....plus you'll have have their machine to keep you going...if it has no issues like yours does it only makes your case stronger.

I agree you probably need to let them work on it, you get a loaner so your really not out anything. Doesn't work right now, so unless they make it worse your really not out anything other than mobilizing the machines around (unless CAT will do that for you). I would only say that I would try and keep your thoughts about the machine and CAT in general out of their earshot. Once they know they have forever lost you as a future customer, they may not work as hard trying to make you happy and you really don't want that to happen. If it doesn't work out, trading out soon may be a better option until CAT gets the machine dialed in. I certainly wouldn't take another one. These issues apparently are not one off problems. CAT has some work to do and that is going to take a while before they work through it. Trade before these issues get more publicity. Much like the Kubota 95-2, dealers I know who have had customers try and trade them in wont give them any trade in value because the DEF issues are well known now in those machines.

Another update friends. First I should credit my dealer making good on providing a loaner from their rental fleet (even though it was drenched inside with I'm assuming was 2" of rain water) as well as dropping off and picking up. The 299D3 XE loaner surprisingly has the same exact stuttering issue. I let my dealer know and not sure they were surprised? They said to hold onto the loaner until they can correct the issue on my unit. From a customer service perspective I'd say this goes a long way, not sure where this path is leading though. Trying to stay positive and like Reuben, I find the beer helps at night. I will say the fluid filter change + additive did help as my machine WAS just like this loaner IS. I really hope CAT can find a solution as the machine is a good one.

I did shoot a video but it did not turn out well, will try to get another one to share.

Update: Was called and told machine was fixed last week, I've been asked to test prior to delivery... so next Monday I am going to the Dealer (1hr away) to test. Apparently it was a bad flow control valve and the dealer also raised the pressure in my system (I'll get more details on what exactly that means to share back here).

If it is in-fact corrected, would likely help be a fix for a lot of other folks 299D3's... I'd venture to guess there must have been a batch of bad flow control valves put into the machines during assembly. I can't imagine I was "lucky" enough to have the same issue on my purchase and also a loaner ... if so I'm going to purchase some lottery tickets.

@Rueben-Fraizer Thanks for starting this thread hope my findings might help you down the road too. Will let you know how I make out next week.

Thanks again folks... the support, knowledge and advice of you've shared here is H-U-G-E and kept me level-headed through this very time consuming journey.

Keep us posted, mines going in pretty soon for a plethora of things.

FYI check any and all bolts, hoses, fittings etc etc. My quick coupler bolts fell out giving me a false positive on hook up causing all kinds of screwedupness. I’ve lost a bunch of bolts after I got to looking and the clamps that hold the hoses up on the rear of the loader arms on both sides are missing. Just a heads up

Maybe I'm just OCD, but isn't looking for loose bolts, leaky hoses, etc, all part of the daily inspection and fluid level check/greasing, etc, every day before startup..?

True but I don’t crawl under it on my back, raise the cab to get inside it nor do I drop the oil pan to check the rod bolts. If it’s not readily available to get to it’s not checked and I’d suspect your the same way. My point was to go out of his way to check everything and yes I’d do all those things now knowing what I know now.
Trust me when I say im as OCD as they come about maintenance on thr equipment so I know exactly where your coming from and what you mean.

Gotcha. When you spoke about hose clamps on the lift arms and the QC connection I was thinking you were talking about stuff that was in plain sight.

Well figured I'd follow-up with everyone. Since the repairs the issues with the hydraulics chattering has not returned, I do believe the machine is jumpier now and find myself having to go into "snail" mode for better accuracy but that's to be expected (I feel) in the larger HP CTL's. Of course since the repairs the backup camera has died and A/C stopped working. I am not certain this was a result of the hydraulic repairs or just bad luck and maybe cheap parts? CAT is out for a second time trying to identify the issues and correct hopefully this is isolated to just me but figured I'd share incase anyone else has run into the issue.

With respect to the original hydraulic issue, it does seem that CAT had some bad valves and may also cross over into some of their 289D3's, according to my rep. CAT should now be aware of this faulty part and if you're running into the issue of chattering in your hydraulics, get them to fix it and add the Hydro-Fluid additive.

LostBoulder said:

....add the Hydro-Fluid additive.

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Would that be the same Anti-Chatter Additive that they use in brakes.? Can you ask for a part number.?
I suspect it will be 1U-9891.

Not so sure Cat would identify a faulty part and repair other customers machines after reading they cleared a code to get a machine delivered to a customer. The new 150 grader down thread is pretty eye opening. A CTL is more likely to be an owner/ operator machine and it being down could have devastating effects for an O/O.