Bobcat S590 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Bobcat S590 skid steer loader driveline system components: a 158.7 cu.in (2.6L) Kubota V2607 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 66 hp (49.2 kW), and single-speed or two-speed transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated capacity of 17.1 gal/min (64.7 l/min). The system relief pressure is 3550 psi (245 bar). The Bobcat S590 is equipped with a vertical-lift loader boom, 80 HSOC roller chains, and 10x16.5 or 31-12x16.5 tires. The skid steer has a max lift height of 119" (3025 mm) to hinge pin and dump height of 91.3" (2320 mm). The rated operating capacity is 2100 lbs (952 kg), and tipping load is 4200 lbs (1905 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Diesel engine hard to start or doesn't start

Air in the fuel system - Air bleeding.
Fuel filter plugging - Change filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Dirt or water in fuel system - Drain water or flush dirt from the system.
Incorrect valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump is faulty - Install a new pump or rebuild.

Diesel starts and then shuts off

Air filter is dirty - Replace or clean air filter element.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Replace filter element.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Defective or clogged fuel injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Rebuild or replace pump.

Engine shuts off while running

Engine is cold - Warm up the engine.
Fuel filter element clogging - Change the filter element.
Air in the fuel system - Air bleeding.
Defective injection nozzle - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Improper fuel injection timing - Adjust as recommended.

Engine stalls when idling

Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Test and adjust.
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning - Repair or install a new fuel pump.
Dirty or defective injectors - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Valve clearance is wrong - Adjust valve clearance.

Engine power is too low

Air filter is clogged - Change or service air filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles fault - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Insufficient fuel injection pressure - Adjust to correct pressure.
Valve out of adjustment - Adjust to proper valve clearance.
Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Correct the settings.
Clogged fuel hoses or lines - Clean fuel hoses and lines.
Worn cylinder head gasket - Install new cylinder head gasket.
Piston rings are defective or leaking - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheated

Engine coolant is insufficient - The cooling system needs to be refilled and checked for faults.
Engine oil level is insufficient - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Clogged radiator core or leaking radiator cap - Replace cap or clean radiator.
Fan belt is worn or faulty - Change as required.
Engine overload - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Oil level is low - Fill the crankcase with oil.
Oil filter clogged - Clean or replace engine oil filter element.
Improper type of engine oil - Use correct viscosity oil.
Crankshaft bearing oil clearance is excessive - Replace bearings.
Oil pump is defective - Remove and inspect oil pump.

Abnormal engine knocking or noise

Engine oil level low - Fill up the engine oil.
Engine is cold - Warm up the engine to required temperature.
Incorrect adjustment of fuel injection pump timing - Set up as recommended.
Low idle speed set incorrectly - Adjust the low idle speed.
Dirty or defective injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Faulty or misaligned connecting rod - Need to change or align the connecting rod.
Pistons are worn or broken - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

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

Hydraulic oil level is low - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Worn drive chain - Inspect drive chain and replace defective parts.
Input drive shaft malfunction - Drive shaft need to be replaced or repair.
Relief valve is not working correctly - Repair or change.
Plugged suction line or hydraulic filter - Service suction line or change hydraulic filter.
Hand or foot controls malfunction - Change or repair.
Damaged drive pump or motor - Change or repair faulty component.

Reduced power

Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Change or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is defective or open - Replace or close relief valve.
Transmission components are worn or defective - Inspect and change faulty parts.
Worn input drive shaft - Repair or replace faulty drive shaft.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.

Drive system overheats

Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Add fluid as required.
Clogged hydraulic fluid filter - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is stuck - Rebuild or install a new relief valve.
Damaged drive pump or hydraulic motor - Check and repair if required.
Clogged hydraulic oil cooler - Cooling fins should be cleaned.
Drive system overloaded continuously - Reduce the load.

Drive system makes excessive noise

Oil viscosity is too heavy - Use the specified type of oil.
Hydraulic system is leaking air - Bleed hydraulic system.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Change or repair faulty component.
Mechanical components of drive system are worn or damaged - Inspect the parts for defect or damage and repair as required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system is overheated

Hydraulic pressure is not adjusted correctly - Correct adjustment is required.
Defective or misadjusted main relief valve - Adjust or replace the relief valve.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Not enough hydraulic oil in the system - Check oil level and add hydraulic oil as required.
Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Replace or repair pump if necessary.

Lift arm can't drop or lift

Lift controls are defective - Replace or repair.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic cylinder is faulty - Replace or repair boom cylinder.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Add fluid as required.

Bucket tilt does not work

Faulty bucket tilt controls - Change or repair.
Hydraulic pump not working - Repair or replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve failure - Repair or replace the valve.
Damaged bucket cylinder - Repair or change cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.

Bucket or lift arm functions slowly

Worn hydraulic oil pump - Check the pump capacity and replace pump if required.
Hydraulic cylinder oil leakage - Replace cylinder piston seals.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty or out of adjustment - Set properly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Correct adjustment is required.

Bucket or boom jerks when working

Hydraulic system is leaking air - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic oil filter element clogging - Replace or clean the filter.
Contaminated hydraulic oil - Change hydraulic oil.
Scored cylinder tube or rod - Change worn component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Hydraulic system leaking or not enough oil - Refill hydraulic oil or repair leaks in system.
Dirty hydraulic filter - Service or replace hydraulic filter.
Suction line is dirty - Service the suction line.
Air in hydraulic pump - Need to bleed air.
Pump parts are worn out - Install new hydraulic pump or rebuild it.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery does not charge

Loose or corroded electrical wiring connections - Clean or tighten connections.
Defective battery terminal clamps - Replace terminal clamps.
Battery faulty cell - Replace the battery.
Belt is loose or defective - Adjust belt tension or change the belt.

Starter cranks slowly

Battery voltage is low - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Battery discharges quickly - Service or replace the battery.
Bad terminals or disconnected battery cables - Check battery wires and service or replace terminals.

Starter motor won't turn

Battery is drained or worn - Battery needs to be recharged or replaced.
Battery wiring is disconnected or improperly connected - Inspect wiring and connect as required.
Low battery output - Recharge the battery.
Faulty starter motor - Starter needs to be changed.