We recently picked up a CAT 235 sn:32K855 to help us build a regenerative village in Vermont on 430 acres where you could come recharge, but I just discovered that it is leaking periodically out of a relief valve on top of the right final drive (8K2635) and that is DEFINITELY not very ecofriendly. In fact, it seems to even leak sometimes when the machine is off. Also, that side is missing one of the upper track carrier rollers, but it doesn't seem to really be binding, but could that be causing it? I just got another top roller but I have to figure out some way to drill out the sheared off stanchion bolts. Also, one of the tracks seemed weak and it didn't quite track straight... I think it was the same side but will confirm next trip up. When I pulled up the relief valve on the other final drive, there was actually a vacuum inside, probably from being transported up from RI.
I'm brand new to excavator maintenance but have the service and parts manuals and caps and gauges and was able to shim up the pressures today fairly well and don't think I went too high (3300 to 3600-3700,... and 4000-4100 for the tracks).
I found this thread which seems applicable... https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/cat-235b-final-drive-issue.93236/
and this one: https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=crawlers&th=75618
and was wondering if it might be the brake assembly leaking and I just happen to have a set of Cat 235B brakes that were fully serviced,... but they have an extra plate in them and I'm not sure if they're compatible. Think they'd work?
Should I do this... "It can be one of 2 things,either the track motor is leaking more than the case drain line can carry away,or the brake is leaking.When you operate the travel pedal,it releases the brake then engages the drive. Maybe just unbolt the motor with the lines still attached and slide it away from the final,and have someone try the travel on that side while you watch. If it is the motor,it will leak around the shaft seal,if the oil is coming out of the final housing the brake needs to be resealed.You also may want to check the oil in the final and make sure it hasn't been overfilled by the leak."
...and how exactly do I do that?
So what are my odds? Brake problem? Drive Problem? Both? Something else?
P.S. (those aren't pics of the actual final drive but it looks similar... I'm missing one of the bolts on the relief valve cover (on both drives) and it seems like it was sheared off), I was half wondering if I could just plug that relief valve for now or press something down on it).
I'm brand new to excavator maintenance but have the service and parts manuals and caps and gauges and was able to shim up the pressures today fairly well and don't think I went too high (3300 to 3600-3700,... and 4000-4100 for the tracks).
I found this thread which seems applicable... https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/cat-235b-final-drive-issue.93236/
and this one: https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=crawlers&th=75618
and was wondering if it might be the brake assembly leaking and I just happen to have a set of Cat 235B brakes that were fully serviced,... but they have an extra plate in them and I'm not sure if they're compatible. Think they'd work?
Should I do this... "It can be one of 2 things,either the track motor is leaking more than the case drain line can carry away,or the brake is leaking.When you operate the travel pedal,it releases the brake then engages the drive. Maybe just unbolt the motor with the lines still attached and slide it away from the final,and have someone try the travel on that side while you watch. If it is the motor,it will leak around the shaft seal,if the oil is coming out of the final housing the brake needs to be resealed.You also may want to check the oil in the final and make sure it hasn't been overfilled by the leak."
...and how exactly do I do that?
So what are my odds? Brake problem? Drive Problem? Both? Something else?
P.S. (those aren't pics of the actual final drive but it looks similar... I'm missing one of the bolts on the relief valve cover (on both drives) and it seems like it was sheared off), I was half wondering if I could just plug that relief valve for now or press something down on it).