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Bobcat X231 lost multiple functions I am at a loss

Branstor

Active Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2025
Messages
28
Location
Oregon
So you have a 3 section gear type hydraulic pump. It already has the test ports for each section. You now need to know what each section operates to make sure your pressure gauge is plumbed into the correct pump section for what function you are troubleshooting. Plumb your gauge and bottom out the faulty implement....what does the gauge read? Gear pumps can have internal leakage from housing wear or end plate orings blowout.
I posted above the pages from my service manual stating what feeds what also. Pump 2 is feeding aux, arm, and left track. Arm does not work at all and left track does not work at all. Aux does work but is controlled by 2 pumps according to the manual.
 

Vetech63

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
7,885
Location
Oklahoma
The pump 2 output line should go to a control valve. Follow that line and take a pic of that control valve. Post that pic
 

Vetech63

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
7,885
Location
Oklahoma
Find #27 . That would be the main relief for that control section. Remove it and see if there is anything stuck in it or broken.
 

Branstor

Active Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2025
Messages
28
Location
Oregon
I have pulled the main reliefs on both sides taken them apart and inspected them and both are good. No signs of any damage.
 

Vetech63

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
7,885
Location
Oklahoma
Your hydraulic legend is specing them identically. Now I'm concerned you are not looking at the right reliefs . Are you positive you are looking at both main relief valves and not port reliefs?
 

Vetech63

Senior Member
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Messages
7,885
Location
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What sucks about this is i cant be there and trace lines with my own eyes. Im depending on pictures and trying to compare them with the hydraulic schematic is proving to be difficult. Each pump section is putting out 9gpm which is pretty good flow at full engine rpms. The outlet on that part of the control valve should be putting out the same gpm. If you are getting nothing on the arm at all, I would think whatever is bypassing the fluid would have a severe flushing sound at 9 gpm. Even though the main control valve is one body, the flow through it is separate depending on which pump feed its attached to.

Have you had someone near the control valve listening while you work the faulty functions? Bypassing oil that bad should also create heat quickly. Have you checked areas with a temp gun,?
 

Branstor

Active Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2025
Messages
28
Location
Oregon
I totally get where you’re coming from and I do agree the schematics are terrible. I appreciate you taking the time to help. That’s what’s been so bizarre about this whole deal is that when you work the functions that aren’t operable you hear absolutely no change in rpms, no fluid sounds etc. the only function that you can barely hear a fluid sounds etc is when you try to operate the boom function. I’ve been told by a few local equipment mechanics that the only thing that could really be bypassing that much fluid would be the swivel joint but I have yet to find any way to perform a diagnostic on that.
 

nikthewho

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2024
Messages
152
Location
Delhi
Occupation
Hydraulic Engineer
Ok, First of all whoever made this schematic has no idea what's he has built. Return line and suction line is combined by part 7 which shouldn't be.

Now for Left Track:
You said: [I switched the lines off the left track spool and put them onto the right side spool and the track works good but then lose the right track and still don’t have arm or boom.]

I want to know from where did you switched the lines?
MCV (29) to Rotary Joint (3)
or
Rotary Joint (3) to LH Track Motor (2)

This will help us to eliminate entirely looking at MCV and focus on Rotary Joint.

Now for Arm:
Since you said, your Aux is working fine, meaning flow from P2 Pump is good because P2 support LH Track, Arm & Aux. Now let's check MCV (29) sequence wise
1. Check Inline check valve, if is it stuck
2. Now since your Arm is actuated by pilot, we have to check pilot actuation.
2a. Joystick (25) is receiving flow from Pressure Maintenance Valve (21) which is receiving flow from Pump P1 / P3 whichever gives more pressure. Since your bucket is working fine, which is getting pilot signal from joystick (26) which is receiving flow from Pressure Maintenance Valve (21) - this conclude that Pressure Maintenance Valve (21) is doing it's work.
2b. This conclude that PMV is good, so let's check Joystick (25). Since you said your swing function are working fine meaning joystick is working fine in giving pilot signal. Check pressure on port 2/4 (whichever way you actuate your swing) - note it and then check pressure on port 1/3 (whichever way you actuate your arm) - note it and then check pressure curves for joystick and verify it's sufficient. if not, your joystick is causing the issue. Note: This is rare case, joystick issues are rare.
3. Temp. Swap Aux Line to Arm and check if the issue still there
4. Does your both retraction and extension of arm is affected or just one? If both then i suspect the Arm spool. Since your Arm cylinder is cushioned both side, i would compare actual vs speed mentioned in manual.

Test Flow: Swap Lines from Aux to Arm > Check Inline valve > Check Joystick > Check Spool > Check ARV Pressure > Cylinder.

Check similar way for boom too. Hope this gives you a way.

And yeah, do tell what's the displacement of your tandem pump. @Vetech63 might provide detailed analysis.
For left track: where did you swap your hoses?
 

nikthewho

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2024
Messages
152
Location
Delhi
Occupation
Hydraulic Engineer
This means your Rotary joint is fine. check your LH track spool in MCV. after swapping lines does your LH motor have sufficient rpm on full throttle?
 

Branstor

Active Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2025
Messages
28
Location
Oregon
Yes. I had the left track spool pulled and inspected 2 days ago and it was in great shape.
 

Branstor

Active Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2025
Messages
28
Location
Oregon
Still trying to solve my issue. I’ve gained some traction. So since I last posted I have resealed the swivel, went through the whole 6 spool valve again, and now I realize as soon as I start the machine it is blowing the oring/backup off the main relief for P2. Now just need to figure out why. Only things downstream from the p2 relief on the return side is the auxiliary selector valve, oil cooler, and the filter which I have replaced twice.
 
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