Gehl VT320 Track Loader Troubleshooting

The Gehl VT320 compact track loader driveline system components: a 221 cu.in (3.6L) Deutz TD3.6 EPA 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine with a rated power of 114 hp (85 kW), and 2-speed hydrostatic transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated flow of 27 gpm (102.2 lpm). The system pressure is 3000 psi (207 bar). The Gehl VT320 is equipped with a vertical-lift loader boom, automatic track tension system, undercarriage with 5 steel rollers and rubber tracks. The loader has a boom lift force of 7491 lbs (3398 kg) and bucket breakout force of 9901 lbs (4492 kg). The rated operating capacity is 3200 lbs (1452 kg), and tipping load is 9140 lbs (4150 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts hard or won't start

Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Service the filter.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - Service or change injection nozzles.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
Excessive valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump is faulty - Install a new fuel pump or repair.

Engine starts and stops suddenly

Air filter is clogged - Service or replace the air filter.
Fuel filter plugging - Change or clean the filter element.
Poor fuel injection pump tightness - Look for any leaks of fuel pump, tighten it fast.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning - Install a new fuel pump or repair.

Engine stops unexpectedly during operation

Engine not warmed up - Warm up the engine to required temperature.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Clean or change the filter.
Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Faulty or dirty injection nozzles - Inspect nozzles and replace if necessary.
Improper fuel injection timing - Adjust as recommended.

Engine stalls when idling

Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Adjustment required.
Fuel injection pump is faulty - Install a new fuel pump or repair.
Fuel injector fault - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Incorrect valve clearance - Have it adjusted.

Engine power loss

Air cleaner is dirty - Clean or change cleaner.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Insufficient fuel injection pressure - Adjust to correct pressure.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Adjust valve clearance.
Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Correct the settings.
Fuel lines or hoses clogging - Clean fuel hoses and lines.
Cylinder head gasket is damaged - Change cylinder head gasket.
Worn or damaged piston rings - Piston rings need to be replaced.

Engine is overheated

Insufficient coolant fluid - Add coolant fluid and inspect the cooling system for leaks.
Engine oil level low - Fill up the oil to required level.
Defective radiator cap or clogged radiator core - Clean radiator or replace cap.
Damaged or worn fan belt - Replace as required.
Engine overload - Load reducing required.

Oil pressure is low

Oil level is insufficient - Need to add oil.
Plugged engine oil filter - Replace or clean engine oil filter element.
Wrong oil viscosity - Fill up with the correct oil viscosity.
Excessive crankshaft bearing oil clearance - Bearing needs to be changed.
Defective oil pump - Replace as required.

Engine knocking or noise

Insufficient engine oil - Need to add engine oil.
Engine not warmed up - Warm up the engine.
Fuel injection pump timing is not adjusted - Set it up as required.
Incorrectly adjusted low idle speed - Correct the settings.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is worn or misaligned - Connecting rod needs to be aligned or changed.
Pistons are worn or scored - Pistons need to be replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system won't work in one direction or either direction

Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Undercarriage tracks are jammed or defective - Remove jamming or repair tracks.
Defective or worn relief valve - Repair or change.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is plugged - Check, clean, or change if necessary.
Foot or hand controls are faulty - Check and repair as required.
Defective drive pump or motor - Inspect and replace as necessary.

Machine is not driving straight or driving is jerky

Damaged or jammed undercarriage tracks - Repair or fix jamming.
Tracks are worn or loose - Adjust track tension as required or replace tracks.
Track frame is clogged with debris, dirt, or foreign objects - Clean track frame, remove debris and foreign objects.

Low power

Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Replace hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is defective or opened - Close or change relief valve.
Transmission components are worn or defective - Check and replace defective components.
Worn input drive shaft - Rebuild or change the shaft.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.

Drive system is overheated

Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic fluid filter is dirty - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is worn or damaged - Service or change relief valve.
Damaged drive pump or hydraulic motor - Repair or change faulty component.
Clogged hydraulic oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Drive system is overloaded - Reduce loading.

Drive system is excessively noisy

Incorrect oil viscosity - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Hydraulic system is leaking air - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Change or repair faulty component.
Worn or damaged mechanical parts of drive system - Check the components for worn or defect and replace if necessary.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheats

Hydraulic pressure is not adjusted correctly - Correct adjustment is required.
Main relief valve is faulty or misadjusted - Set up or change the relief valve.
Hydraulic oil is dirty - The oil must be changed.
Hydraulic oil level is insufficient - Fill up the hydraulic oil.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or replace pump if necessary.

Lift arm can't drop or lift

Faulty lift controls - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or change pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve is defective - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Defective hydraulic cylinder - Repair or replace hydraulic cylinder.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Bucket can't tilt

Bucket tilt controls malfunction - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve is defective - Repair or replace the valve.
Hydraulic bucket cylinder is broken - Repair or replace cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Need to add oil.

Bucket or lift arm runs slowly

Hydraulic pump is faulty - Check pump capacity and change if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Change cylinder piston seals.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Defective or not adjusted hydraulic control valve - Repair or adjust correctly.
Hydraulic pressure is low - Set pressure correctly.

Jerky operation of the bucket or boom

Hydraulic system is leaking air - Bleed hydraulic system.
Clogged hydraulic oil filter element - Clean or replace the filter.
Hydraulic oil is contaminated - The oil must be changed.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Replace damaged component.

Hydraulic pump is excessively noisy

Not enough oil or hydraulic system leaking - Remedy hydraulic leakage or refill oil as necessary.
Dirty hydraulic filter - Clean or install new filter.
Suction line clogging - Need to service the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Remove air from hydraulics.
Pump components are faulty - Rebuild or install new pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery won’t charge

Electrical cable connections are corroded or loose - Service or tighten connections.
Defective electrical terminal connectors - Replace terminal connectors.
Battery is worn - Change the battery.
Defective or loose belt - Adjust belt tension or install a new belt.

Starter turns slow

Low battery power - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Battery is draining quickly - Service or replace the battery.
Disconnected wires or corroded battery terminals - Connect wiring correctly or install new terminals.

Starter doesn't crank

Battery is low or faulty - Replace or charge as required.
Wiring is improperly connected or disconnected - Check wiring and connect properly.
Battery capacity is low - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Defective starter motor - Repair or install a new starter.