Cat 325BL: Educate me on a drifting swing system

[LCA078]

Never really noticed I had a problem with the swing until I was on a slope and saw the hoe would drift, or really free-swing, down hill when I was off the controls. On level ground it seems fine and appears to brake or slow down correctly during a full speed swing...but I'm not an experienced operator so maybe my 'fine' isn't really fine.

I thought there was a swing brake or equivalent to prevent down-hill free-swing but have no idea where to start looking to troubleshoot. I assume it could be as simple as a bad electrical connection or some really expensive hydraulic issue.

What ya'll recommend?

 

[DEMLONE70]

Serial number ?

 

[John C.]

A lot of those machines had a soft swing function installed from the factory. Check all the rocker switches on the right side console. A serial number will allow some people here to look up what your machine originally had from the factory. As far as the swing brake goes, it is actually a swing parking brake. It is spring applied and hydraulic released and only applies about seven seconds after you stop operating everything.

 

[LCA078]

serial number in my signature but i'll add here too:
Caterpillar 325BL Serial *2JR01724*

John- Are you referring to the Fine Swing Control Rocker?

I assume you're suggesting I keep this rocker off (pushed to the left)? I guess this is also where I get confused because I see swing brake and assume this is an immediate acting swing brake instead of the 7-second parking brake.

 

[Jam]

You can check the swing brake by dropping the deadman while its on a slope starting to creep on its own and see does it stop abruptly. I had a b series years ago that two of the swing motor pistons poped off their slipper feet which cased it to free swing on a slope. New pistons and a cam plate sorted it out

 

[uffex]

Good day
You may find the attached a useful starting point.
Kind regards
Uffex