Bobcat T180 Track Loader Troubleshooting

The Bobcat T180 compact track loader driveline system components: Kubota V2403 diesel engine with a rated power of 61 hp (45.5 kW) or Kubota V2607 diesel engine with a rated power of 66 hp (49.2 kW), and single-speed hydrostatic transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated flow of 16.9 gpm (64 lpm). The system pressure is 3350 psi (231 bar). The Bobcat T180 is equipped with a radial-lift loader boom, solid-mounted undercarriage, and rubber tracks. The loader has a max lift height of 114.5" (2910 mm) to hinge pin and dump height of 86.5" (2195 mm). The rated operating capacity is 1800 lbs (816 kg), and tipping load is 5331 lbs (2418 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts hard or won't start

Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Clogged fuel filter - Change the filter element.
Dirty or faulty injection nozzles - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Excessive valve clearance - Adjust to proper valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning - Repair or replace injection pump.

Diesel starts and stops

Air filter is dirty - Clean or change filter.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Clean or change the filter.
Problems with fuel injection pump tightness - Inspect fuel injection pump for leaks.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Fuel injection pump is not operating properly - Repair or install new pump.

Engine stalls after running

Engine not warmed up - Warm up the engine.
Fuel filter is plugged - Change filter element.
Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Clogged or burnt injection nozzle - Inspect nozzles and replace if necessary.
Incorrect adjustment of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust according to specifications.

Engine stops when idle

Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Need to adjust idle speed.
Fuel injection pump is defective - Repair or install new pump.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Replace fuel injectors.
Excessive valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance.

Low engine power

Air cleaner is dirty - Install new air cleaner element.
Faulty or dirty injection nozzles - Replace injection nozzles.
Uneven fuel injection pressure - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly.
Excessive valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance.
Too low idle RPM - Adjust low idle speed.
Fuel lines or hoses clogging - Clean fuel lines and hoses.
Damaged cylinder-head gasket - Gasket should be replaced.
Piston rings are leaking or defective - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheating

Insufficient coolant - Fill radiator to proper level and check components for faults.
Engine oil insufficient - Fill the crankcase with engine oil.
Radiator core is clogged or radiator cap is leaking - Change cap or clean radiator.
Fan belt is loose or defective - Replace the fan belt.
Diesel engine is overloaded - Load reducing is recommended.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Lack of oil - Fill crankcase to proper oil level.
Oil filter clogged - Change or clean engine oil filter element.
Oil grade or viscosity is wrong - Use the specified type of engine oil.
Excessive crankshaft bearing oil clearance - Change bearings.
Oil pump malfunction - Install a new pump.

Engine knocking or noise

Engine oil level is insufficient - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Low coolant temperature - Warm up the engine.
Improper fuel injection timing - Adjust as recommended.
Wrong adjustment of low idle speed - Test and adjust.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Replace fuel injectors.
Connecting rod misalignment or failure - Align or change connecting rod.
Broken or worn pistons - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine is not moving in one direction or either direction

Hydraulic oil level is low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Undercarriage tracks are jammed or defective - Repair or remove jamming.
Relief valve is damaged or worn - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Clogged hydraulic filter or suction line - Service suction line or change hydraulic filter.
Hand or foot controls failure - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Drive pump or motor is damaged - Repair or replace faulty component.

Machine is not moving straight or moving is jerky

Jammed or damaged track mechanism - Remove jamming or repair tracks.
Tracks are faulty or sagging - Adjust track sag with tensioning or replace tracks.
Debris, dirt, or foreign objects jammed in undercarriage track frame - Remove foreign objects or debris and clean undercarriage track frame.

Lack of power

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Faulty or opened relief valve - Replace or close relief valve.
Transmission components are worn or defective - Inspect and change faulty parts.
Defective input drive shaft - Change or repair faulty drive shaft.
Hydraulic system is leaking air - Bleed air from system.

Drive system overheating

Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Dirty hydraulic fluid filter - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Relief valve defective or worn - Change or repair relief valve.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Change or repair faulty component.
Hydraulic oil cooler is plugged - Clean the cooling fins.
Overloaded drive system - Load needs to be reduced.

Drive system is noisy

Wrong oil viscosity - Drain and refill with proper oil.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is defective - Inspect and replace as necessary.
Defective or worn mechanical parts of drive system - Inspect the components for defect or damage and repair as needed.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheated

Hydraulic pressure is not adjusted correctly - Set pressure correctly.
Misadjusted or defective main relief valve - Replace or set up the relief valve.
Dirty hydraulic fluid - Hydraulic fluid change required.
Hydraulic oil level is low - Add oil to the hydraulic system.
Worn hydraulic oil pump - Install new pump or repair it.

Lift arm won't raise or lower

Lift controls failure - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump not working - Install new pump or repair it.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Replace or repair the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder malfunction - Repair or change hydraulic cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Need to add oil.

Bucket fails to tilt

Bucket controls are faulty - Change or repair.
Defective hydraulic pump - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace the valve.
Damaged bucket cylinder - Repair or change cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Slow bucket or lift arm action

Hydraulic pump is worn - Check the pump capacity and replace pump if required.
Hydraulic cylinder oil leakage - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Add fluid as required.
Hydraulic control valve is defective or set improper - Repair or set properly.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.

Jerky operation of the bucket or boom

There is air in the hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic oil filter element clogging - Clean or change the filter.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Replace damaged component.

Hydraulic pump is noisy

Hydraulic leakage or low oil level - Repair hydraulic leaks or add oil as required.
Hydraulic filter clogging - Replace or clean the filter.
Suction line is dirty - Clean suction line as required.
Air in hydraulic pump - Bleed air from hydraulics.
Damaged pump components - Install new hydraulic pump or rebuild it.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery will not charge

Loose or corroded electrical wiring connections - Tighten or service cable connections.
Faulty battery terminal connectors - Terminal connectors need to be changed.
Battery dead cell - Change the battery.
Belt is loose or defective - Adjust belt tension or install a new belt.

Starter cranks slow

Low battery output voltage - Battery is drained, charge it.
Battery will not hold charge - Service or replace the battery.
Corroded battery terminals or disconnected wires - Check battery wires and service or replace terminals.

Starter is not working

Battery is drained or defective - Change or recharge battery.
Battery wires are disconnected or incorrectly connected - Check wires and connect correctly.
Low battery voltage - Charge the battery.
Defective starter motor - Starter needs to be changed.