Gehl RT250 Track Loader Troubleshooting

The Gehl RT250 compact track loader is powered by 221 cu.in (3.6L) Deutz TD3.6 L4 vertical inline four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 74.3 hp (55.4 kW) at 2300 rpm. The Gehl RT250 is equipped with a two-speed transmission, radial-lift loader boom, 17-tooth drive sprockets, and undercarriage with 17.7" (450 mm) rubber tracks. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 24.9 gpm (94.3 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3000 psi (207 bar). The track loader has a rated operating capacity of 2500 lbs (1135 kg) and tipping load of 7140 lbs (3240 kg). The lift height is 128" (3250 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 91.7" (2330 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine hard to start or doesn't start

Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Dirty fuel filter - Clean or change the filter.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - Replace injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Adjustment procedure required.
Fuel injection pump is damaged - Install a new fuel pump or repair.

Diesel starts and then shuts off

Air filter is plugged - Clean or change filter.
Fuel filter element clogging - Replace filter element.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Dirty or defective injectors - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump malfunction - Rebuild or change fuel pump.

Engine shuts off suddenly during operation

Coolant temperature is low - Warm up engine as required.
Clogged fuel filter - Clean or replace the filter.
Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Dirty or faulty injection nozzles - Replace injection nozzles.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Use the correct fuel injection pump timing adjustment.

Engine stalls when idle

Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Normalize low idle speed.
Defective fuel injection pump - Repair or change injection pump.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Improper valve clearance - Need to adjust valve clearance.

Diesel engine loses power

Plugged air filter - Change or service air filter element.
Clogged or burnt injection nozzle - Replace injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pressure is incorrect - Adjust to correct pressure.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Have it adjusted.
Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Adjust low idling as recommended.
Fuel hoses or lines are clogged - Fuel hoses and lines must be clean.
Cylinder head gasket is worn - Replace cylinder head gasket.
Piston rings are worn or defective - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheating

Not enough coolant - Add coolant fluid and inspect the cooling system for leaks.
Lack of engine oil - Fill the crankcase with engine oil.
Defective radiator cap or clogged radiator fins - Change cap or clean radiator.
Loose or damaged fan belt - Belt replacement is recommended.
Diesel engine is overloaded - Reduce load on the engine.

Low oil pressure

Low oil level - Fill crankcase to proper oil level.
Oil filter clogging - Service or replace engine oil filter.
Improper type of engine oil - Use correct viscosity oil.
Incorrect crankshaft bearing oil clearance - Change bearings.
Oil pump failure - Remove and inspect oil pump.

Engine noise or knocking

Low engine oil level - Fill up the engine oil.
Low coolant temperature - Warm up the engine.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Incorrectly set low idle speed - Test and adjust.
Defective fuel injectors - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is not aligned or worn - Need to replace or align the connecting rod.
Broken or worn pistons - Install new pistons.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine will not move in either direction or one direction

Hydraulic fluid level low - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.
Track mechanism is defective or jammed - Repair or fix jamming.
Relief valve is worn or damaged - Change or repair relief valve.
Plugged hydraulic filter or suction line - Service suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Worn or defective hand or foot controls - Repair or replace.
Drive motor or pump is worn - Repair or replace faulty component.

Machine will not move straight or moves jerkily

Jammed or damaged undercarriage tracks - Repair or fix jamming.
Tracks are faulty or sagging - Repair tracks or correct track sag with tension.
Undercarriage track frame is plugged with dirt, debris, or foreign objects - Remove debris or foreign objects and clean track frame.

Loss of power

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Faulty or opened relief valve - Close or change relief valve.
Worn or defective transmission parts - Inspect and replace defective parts.
Input drive shaft failure - Replace drive shaft.
Air in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.

Drive system is overheated

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Add fluid as required.
Hydraulic fluid filter is plugged - Change hydraulic filter.
Relief valver is broken - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Inspect and change as required.
Plugged hydraulic oil cooler - Cooling fins need to be cleaned.
Drive system is overloaded - Reduce drive system load.

Drive system makes excessive noise

Incorrect oil viscosity - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is worn - Inspect and change as required.
Worn or defective mechanical parts of drive system - Inspect the parts for defect or damage and repair as required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheats

Incorrect hydraulic pressure setting - Set pressure correctly.
Defective or misadjusted main relief valve - Set up or change the relief valve.
Hydraulic fluid contamination - Hydraulic fluid change required.
Lack of hydraulic fluid - Fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Hydraulic pump is defective - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.

Boom cannot be lowered or raised

Lift controls failure - Replace or repair.
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Install new pump or repair it.
Hydraulic control valve failure - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic cylinder is defective - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Add fluid as required.

Bucket is not working

Damaged bucket controls - Change or repair.
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Install new pump or repair it.
Hydraulic control valve malfunction - Repair or change the valve.
Bucket cylinder malfunction - Install a new cylinder or repair it.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.

Boom or bucket moves slowly

Hydraulic pump is defective - Flow-rate pump and change pump if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic control valve is unadjusted or worn - Repair or adjust correctly.
Low hydraulic pressure - Correct setting is required.

Bucket or boom is working jerkily

Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Hydraulic oil filter element is dirty - Change or clean oil filter.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - Change hydraulic fluid.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Replace worn component.

Hydraulic pump is excessively noisy

Lack of oil or hydraulic leakage - Add hydraulic oil or correct system leaks.
Hydraulic filter clogging - Clean or change the filter.
Suction line is clogged - Suction line needs to be cleaned.
Pump sucks air - Remove air from hydraulics.
Faulty pump components - Rebuild or install new pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery does not charge

Electrical wire connections are corroded or loose - Tighten or service cable connections.
Faulty electrical terminal connectors - Change terminal connectors.
Battery faulty cell - Battery replacement required.
Belt is loose or defective - Change belt or adjust belt tension.

Starter motor cranks slow

Low battery power - Battery needs to be recharged.
Battery discharges quickly - Service or replace the battery.
Battery terminals are corroded or wires are disconnected - Check cable connections and replace or service terminals.

Starter is not working

Battery is low or faulty - Need to charge or replace the battery.
Disconnected or incorrectly connected wires - Inspect battery wires and connect correctly.
Low battery output - Battery needs to be recharged.
Starter motor is defective - Repair or install a new starter.