Case 450 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Case 450 skid steer loader is powered by 274 cu.in (4.5L) Case 445T/M3 4-cylinder direct injection turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 90 hp (67 kW) at 2300 rpm. The Case 450 is equipped with a two-speed hydrostatic transmission, axial piston drive pumps, 100HV continuous roller chains, and 12x16.5 or 33-15.5x16.5 tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 21.9 gpm (83 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3050 psi (210 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 2450 lbs (1110 kg) and tipping load of 4900 lbs (2220 kg). The boom lifting force is 5690 lbs (2580 kg), and bucket breakout force is 7215 lbs (3270 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts hard or doesn't start

Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Fuel filter plugged - Clean or change the filter.
Burnt or clogged injection nozzle - Check injection nozzles and replace if required.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Excessive valve clearance - Need to adjust valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning - Repair or install new pump.

Engine starts and stops suddenly

Air filter is clogged - Clean or change filter.
Fuel filter plugging - Replace filter element.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Defective or clogged fuel injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Fuel injection pump is not working correctly - Repair or change injection pump.

Engine shuts off suddenly while running

Coolant temperature is low - Warm up to required temperature.
Fuel filter element clogging - Replace the filter element.
Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Faulty fuel injection nozzles - Inspect nozzles and replace if necessary.
Timing of fuel injection pump is incorrect - Set it up as required.

Engine shuts off while idling

Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Correct the settings.
Fuel injection pump is damaged - Replace injection pump or repair it.
Fuel injector fault - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Valve clearance is wrong - Adjustment procedure required.

Engine loses power

Dirty air filter - Clean or change filter.
Fuel injection nozzles are clogged or faulty - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pressure is incorrect - Correct the pressure settings.
Excessive valve clearance - Check and adjust as required.
Incorrectly set low idle speed - Test and adjust.
Fuel lines or hoses are clogged - Fuel hoses and lines must be clean.
Damaged cylinder-head gasket - Cylinder-head gasket replacement required.
Leaking or defective piston rings - Piston rings need to be replaced.

Engine overheats

Insufficient coolant fluid - Refill to the correct level and inspect system for leaks.
Insufficient engine oil - Check and refill engine oil.
Dirty radiator fins or faulty radiator cap - Clean radiator or change cap.
Fan belt is loose or defective - Change as required.
Engine is overloaded - Load reducing is recommended.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Oil level is low - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Oil filter is clogged - Replace or service engine oil filter.
Oil grade or viscosity is incorrect - Use the specified type of engine oil.
Excessive main bearing oil clearance - Bearings need to be reinstalled.
Oil pump failure - Install a new pump.

Engine noises or knocks

Engine oil level is low - Fill up the oil to required level.
Low coolant temperature - Warm up to required temperature.
Fuel injection pump timing is wrong - Adjust the pump as required.
Incorrectly set low idle speed - Test and adjust.
Defective fuel injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is worn or not aligned - Need to change or align the connecting rod.
Worn or scored pistons - Replace the pistons as required.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system doesn't operate in one direction or either direction

Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Damaged drive chain - Inspect drive chain and replace faulty components.
Defective input drive shaft - Rebuild or change.
Relief valve failure - Repair or replace relief valve.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is dirty - Service suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Defective hand or foot controls - Check and repair as required.
Drive pump or motor malfunction - Inspect and replace as necessary.

Low power

Hydraulic oil filter is clogged - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Damaged or opened relief valve - Close or change relief valve.
Worn or defective transmission parts - Check and replace faulty components.
Defective input drive shaft - Change or repair faulty drive shaft.
Hydraulic system is leaking air - Air bleeding is required.

Drive system overheats

Low hydraulic oil level - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Hydraulic fluid filter is dirty - Change or clean hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is damaged or worn - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Repair or change faulty component.
Clogged hydraulic oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Transmission overloading - Reduce drive system load.

Drive system is excessively noisy

Oil viscosity is too heavy - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Damaged drive pump or hydraulic motor - Check and repair if required.
Mechanical parts of drive system are worn or damaged - Check the parts for defect or damage and change if required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system is overheated

Hydraulic pressure is not adjusted correctly - Correct setting is required.
Defective or misadjusted main relief valve - Adjust the valve or replace if necessary.
Hydraulic oil contamination - Change hydraulic oil.
Hydraulic oil level is low - Add oil to the hydraulic system.
Hydraulic pump is defective - Install new pump or repair it.

Boom fails to lift or drop

Lift controls malfunction - Repair or change.
Hydraulic pump not working - Repair or change pump if required.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Change or repair hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic cylinder is defective - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Need to add oil.

Bucket tilt does not work

Bucket tilt controls are defective - Check and repair as required.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic control valve is defective - Install a new valve or repair it.
Hydraulic bucket cylinder is defective - Repair or replace cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Add fluid as required.

Slow boom or bucket action

Worn hydraulic oil pump - Check pump flow and change pump if necessary.
Oil leaks from hydraulic cylinder - Cylinder seals need to be replaced.
Hydraulic oil level low - Need to add oil.
Damaged or incorrect adjusted hydraulic control valve - Adjust correctly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure loss - Adjust pressure correctly.

Lift arm or bucket jerks when working

There is air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Hydraulic oil filter element is dirty - Clean or replace the filter.
Dirty hydraulic fluid - The fluid must be changed.
Cylinder rod or tube is scratched - Change worn component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Not enough oil or hydraulic system leaking - Refill hydraulic oil or repair leaks in system.
Plugged hydraulic filter - Service or change hydraulic filter.
Suction line clogging - Clean suction line as required.
Air trapped in hydraulic pump - Bleed air from hydraulics.
Pump parts are damaged - Change or rebuild pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Electrical wire connections are loose or corroded - Tighten or clean electrical wiring connections.
Defective battery terminal clamps - Terminal clamps need to be replaced.
Faulty cell in battery - Battery replacement required.
Belt is loose or defective - Adjust belt tension or change the belt.

Starter turns slowly

Low battery output voltage - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Battery will not hold charge - Service battery or change it.
Corroded battery terminals or disconnected wires - Connect cables correctly or replace terminals.

Starter will not crank

Battery is drained or worn - Battery needs to be recharged or replaced.
Disconnected or incorrectly connected wires - Inspect battery wires and connect correctly.
Low battery capacity - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Faulty starter motor - Repair or change starter.