Bobcat T450 Track Loader Troubleshooting

The Bobcat T450 compact track loader driveline system components: Kubota V2203 diesel engine with a rated power of 49 hp (36.4 kW) or Bobcat D24 diesel engine with a rated power of 62 hp (46.2 kW), and 1-speed or 2-speed transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated flow of 16.7 gpm (63.2 lpm). The system pressure is 3350 psi (231 bar). The Bobcat T450 is equipped with a radial-lift loader boom, solid-mounted undercarriage with 3 rollers, and rubber tracks. The loader has a boom lift force of 3450 lbs (1564 kg) and bucket breakout force of 3588 lbs (1627 kg). The rated operating capacity is 1400 lbs (635 kg), and tipping load is 4000 lbs (1814 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or will not start

Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Clogged fuel filter - Clean the filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are clogged or faulty - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Valve clearance is wrong - Adjust valve clearance.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Repair or change injection pump.

Engine starts but then stalls

Air filter is dirty - Change or service air filter element.
Dirty fuel filter - Replace the filter element.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Defective or clogged fuel injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump is defective - Change or repair the pump.

Engine stops unexpectedly during operation

Low coolant temperature - Warm up the engine.
Fuel filter element clogging - Install new filter element.
Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - Check injection nozzles and replace if required.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust the pump as required.

Engine stops while idling

Low idle speed set incorrectly - Adjust low idling as recommended.
Fuel injection pump is defective - Install a new fuel pump or repair.
Clogged or defective injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Improper valve clearance - Correct valve clearance.

Engine lacks power

Air cleaner is dirty - Clean or replace air cleaner element.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Test injection nozzles and change if necessary.
Fuel injection pressure is wrong - Adjust to correct pressure.
Valve out of adjustment - Check and adjust.
Incorrect low idle setting - Adjust low idle speed.
Fuel lines or hoses clogging - Fuel lines and hoses need to be cleaned.
Cylinder head gasket is worn - Install a new gasket.
Piston rings are damaged or leaking - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheats

Insufficient coolant fluid - Top up coolant fluid and check system for leaks.
Engine oil level is low - Fill up the oil to required level.
Radiator core is clogged or radiator cap is leaking - Clean radiator or change cap.
Fan belt is worn or faulty - Change as required.
Engine is under excessive load - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure is low

Engine oil level low - Fill the crankcase with oil.
Plugged engine oil filter - Change or clean engine oil filter element.
Improper type of engine oil - Fill up with the proper oil viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing oil clearance is incorrect - Bearings need to be reinstalled.
Defective oil pump - Repair or change.

Engine knocking or noise

Engine oil insufficient - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Low coolant temperature - Warm up the engine.
Improper fuel injection timing - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Adjust as required.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Misaligned or faulty connecting rod - Connecting rod must be aligned or replaced.
Piston wear or scoring - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine does not move forward or backward

Insufficient hydraulic oil - Need to add oil.
Track mechanism is damaged or blocked - Remedy blockage or repair tracks.
Relief valve is not working correctly - Service or change relief valve.
Plugged suction line or hydraulic filter - Check, clean, or change if necessary.
Damaged or worn hand or foot controls - Repair or change.
Drive pump or motor is damaged - Inspect and replace as necessary.

Machine is not moving straight or moving is jerky

Damaged or jammed track mechanism - Fix jamming or repair tracks.
Sagging or worn tracks - Correct track sag with tensioning or repair tracks.
Foreign objects, debris, or dirt jammed in track frame - Clean track frame, remove debris and foreign objects.

Power is too low

Hydraulic oil filter is plugged - Change or service hydraulic filter.
Worn or open relief valve - Close or replace relief valve.
Transmission components are worn or defective - Inspect and change faulty parts.
Input drive shaft is worn - Repair or install a new drive shaft.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.

Drive system keeps overheating

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic fluid filter is plugged - Replace or clean hydraulic filter.
Relief valve defective or worn - Change or repair relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is worn - Check and repair if required.
Plugged hydraulic oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Drive system overload - Load should be reduced.

Drive system is excessively noisy

Improper oil viscosity - Use correct oil viscosity.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is defective - Repair or change faulty component.
Mechanical parts of drive system are defective or worn - Check drive system and change faulty parts.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system is overheated

Hydraulic pressure is not adjusted correctly - Adjust it correctly.
Misadjusted or defective main relief valve - Adjust or change relief valve.
Dirty hydraulic oil - Change hydraulic oil.
Hydraulic fluid level is insufficient - Need to add fluid.
Worn hydraulic oil pump - Repair or change pump if required.

Lift arm cannot be raised or lowered

Lift controls are faulty - Repair or change.
Hydraulic pump is broken - Replace or repair pump if necessary.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder failure - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Bucket is not working

Defective bucket controls - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Repair or change pump if required.
Defective hydraulic control valve - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Bucket cylinder failure - Repair or install a new cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Need to add oil.

Bucket or lift arm runs slowly

Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Flow-rate pump and change pump if necessary.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Hydraulic oil level low - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Hydraulic control valve is not set properly or defective - Adjust properly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Adjust pressure as required.

Bucket or boom movements are jerky

Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter element - Service or replace the hydraulic filter.
Hydraulic oil contamination - Fill up with fresh hydraulic oil.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Change damaged component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Hydraulic leakage or lack of oil - Refill hydraulic oil or repair leaks in system.
Clogged hydraulic filter - Change or clean oil filter.
Dirty suction line - Clean suction line as required.
Air enters the pump - Remove air from hydraulics.
Worn pump parts - Replace or rebuild the pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery is not charging

Electrical cable connections are corroded or loose - Tighten or clean electrical wiring connections.
Battery terminal clamps are defective - Install new terminal clamps.
Battery failing - Replace the battery.
Worn or loose belt - Adjust belt tension or change the belt.

Starter motor cranks slow

Low battery voltage - Recharge the battery.
Battery will not hold charge - Battery needs to be serviced or replaced.
Corroded battery terminals or disconnected wires - Connect wiring correctly or install new terminals.

Starter will not work

Battery is low or faulty - Recharge or change battery.
Disconnected or improperly connected wiring harness - Inspect battery wiring harness and connect as required.
Low battery output voltage - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Starter motor is damaged - Repair or replace starter.