ThreeCW
Well-Known Member
We recently bought a 2006 CAT 242B skid steer (SN - BXM03117) with 1800 hrs. Although low in hours, there was some catch up maintenance and repairs required.
I am currently in the process of repairing a minor (but messy) hydraulic oil leak in the Left Pilot Valve that controls direction and speed. I understand from a previous HEF thread (https://www.heavyequipmentforums.co...-246b-cat-any-advice.13186/page-2#post-168031) that CAT had issued a Product Support Program for a similar leak but that program expired on Dec. 31, 2008.
I removed the pilot control from the skid steer and noted the leak occurring between the lower body (shuttle valve – Part Ref. 9 on diagram) and the main body of the pilot control. Upon disassembly, I noted that the 6 “O” rings (shown in Part Ref. 8) had hardened slightly, but no cracking was evident. I decided against fully disassembling the pilot valve after viewing an excellent HEF thread on the subject: https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/repairing-a-leaking-joystick-control-valve.21529/, as I “believed that the leak was likely as a result of the hardened “O” rings.
With Cat Seal Kit 151-4965 (C$95 / US$73), I replaced the “O” rings and also replaced the 6 “O” rings on the hydraulic connectors (straight adapters) on the base of the pilot valve. I torqued the shuttle valve retaining screw to 13 ft-lbs as per HEF thread: https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/cat-delayed-steering-response.21590/#post-272356
I looked at the skid steer this morning and noted that over night, some hydraulic oil had leaked again from the same place between the lower and main body of the pilot control. It appears that the 6 “O” rings were not the problem. Note that this leak is occurring with no pressure on the system … only the hydro-static pressure from the hydraulic oil tank return line is acting on the pilot valve at this time (the skid steer was not started after the repair).
The only other place that I can determine where it “may” be leaking from is the assembly bolt (with “O” ring) that is shown in Part Ref. 7 on the diagram. If I can, I would like to only replace the small “O” ring on this assembly bolt … but may have to purchase Seal Kit 289-9560 (C$275 / US$212) ... again Part Ref. 7 on the diagram.
Does anyone have any experience with this repair or ideas on other possible leak paths?
Can anyone suggest another source of compatible “O” rings other than buying the seal kit from CAT? I like the idea of a $2 “O” ring rather than a $212 seal kit.
Regards, 3CW
I am currently in the process of repairing a minor (but messy) hydraulic oil leak in the Left Pilot Valve that controls direction and speed. I understand from a previous HEF thread (https://www.heavyequipmentforums.co...-246b-cat-any-advice.13186/page-2#post-168031) that CAT had issued a Product Support Program for a similar leak but that program expired on Dec. 31, 2008.
I removed the pilot control from the skid steer and noted the leak occurring between the lower body (shuttle valve – Part Ref. 9 on diagram) and the main body of the pilot control. Upon disassembly, I noted that the 6 “O” rings (shown in Part Ref. 8) had hardened slightly, but no cracking was evident. I decided against fully disassembling the pilot valve after viewing an excellent HEF thread on the subject: https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/repairing-a-leaking-joystick-control-valve.21529/, as I “believed that the leak was likely as a result of the hardened “O” rings.
With Cat Seal Kit 151-4965 (C$95 / US$73), I replaced the “O” rings and also replaced the 6 “O” rings on the hydraulic connectors (straight adapters) on the base of the pilot valve. I torqued the shuttle valve retaining screw to 13 ft-lbs as per HEF thread: https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/cat-delayed-steering-response.21590/#post-272356
I looked at the skid steer this morning and noted that over night, some hydraulic oil had leaked again from the same place between the lower and main body of the pilot control. It appears that the 6 “O” rings were not the problem. Note that this leak is occurring with no pressure on the system … only the hydro-static pressure from the hydraulic oil tank return line is acting on the pilot valve at this time (the skid steer was not started after the repair).
The only other place that I can determine where it “may” be leaking from is the assembly bolt (with “O” ring) that is shown in Part Ref. 7 on the diagram. If I can, I would like to only replace the small “O” ring on this assembly bolt … but may have to purchase Seal Kit 289-9560 (C$275 / US$212) ... again Part Ref. 7 on the diagram.
Does anyone have any experience with this repair or ideas on other possible leak paths?
Can anyone suggest another source of compatible “O” rings other than buying the seal kit from CAT? I like the idea of a $2 “O” ring rather than a $212 seal kit.
Regards, 3CW