Case 440 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Case 440 Series 3 skid steer loader is powered by 274 cu.in (4.5L) Case 445T/M3 4-cylinder direct injection turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 90 hp (67 kW) at 2300 rpm. The Case 440 is equipped with a two-speed hydro transmission, axial piston drive pumps, 100HV continuous roller chains, and 12x16.5 or 33-15.5x16.5 tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 21.9 gpm (83 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3050 psi (210 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 2200 lbs (998 kg) and tipping load of 4400 lbs (2724 kg). The lift height is 121.6" (3090 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 96" (2440 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or will not start

Air in the fuel system - Air bleeding.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Service or replace the filter.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - If necessary, replace with a new nozzle.
Dirt or water in fuel system - Drain water or flush dirt from the system.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Adjust valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump damage - Replace or repair injection pump.

Diesel starts but immediately stops

Dirty air cleaner - Clean or change.
Fuel filter plugging - Replace filter element.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Defective or clogged fuel injectors - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Install a new fuel pump or repair.

Engine stops suddenly during operation

Low coolant temperature - Warm up the engine.
Dirty fuel filter - Clean or change the filter.
Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Clogged or defective injection nozzles - If necessary, replace with a new nozzle.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Set the fuel pump timing correctly.

Engine stalls while idling

Too low idle RPM - Adjust as required.
Defective fuel injection pump - Install a new fuel pump or repair.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Valve clearance is wrong - Adjust valve clearance.

Loss of engine power

Clogged air cleaner - Install new air cleaner element.
Faulty fuel injection nozzles - Service or change injection nozzles.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Adjust to proper pressure.
Valve out of adjustment - Adjustment procedure required.
Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Correct low idle settings.
Clogged fuel hoses or lines - Clean fuel system lines and hoses.
Leaking cylinder head gasket - Install a new gasket.
Damaged or leaking piston rings - Piston rings need to be replaced.

Engine overheating

Insufficient coolant fluid - Refill to the correct level and inspect system for leaks.
Engine oil level is insufficient - Check and refill engine oil.
Radiator core is clogged or radiator cap is leaking - Change cap or clean radiator.
Fan belt slipping or worn - Replace the fan belt.
Engine is overloaded - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Engine oil insufficient - Check and refill the oil.
Clogged oil filter - Change or clean engine oil filter element.
Oil grade or viscosity is incorrect - Fill up with the correct oil viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing has incorrect oil clearance - Bearings need to be reinstalled.
Worn oil pump - Inspect and change as required.

Engine knocking or noise

Engine oil level is low - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Coolant temperature is low - Warm up the engine.
Improper fuel injection timing - Set it up as required.
Incorrect low idle setting - Adjust low idling as recommended.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Misaligned or defective connecting rod - Connecting rod needs to be replaced or aligned.
Worn or scored pistons - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine will not move forward or backward

Low hydraulic oil level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Drive chain is worn - Check drive chain and change defective components.
Input drive shaft is faulty - Repair or replace.
Defective relief valve - Repair or change.
Suction line or hydraulic filter is dirty - Replace hydraulic filter or clean suction line.
Faulty foot or hand controls - Replace or repair.
Drive motor or pump failure - Inspect and change as required.

Reduced power

Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Defective or open relief valve - Replace or close relief valve.
Faulty or damaged transmission components - Inspect and replace defective parts.
Input drive shaft is worn - Repair or replace faulty drive shaft.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.

Drive system overheats

Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Hydraulic fluid filter is plugged - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Relief valver is broken - Repair or install a new relief valve.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Check and repair if required.
Oil cooler is clogged - Cooling fins need to be cleaned.
Overloaded drive system - Reduce the load.

Drive system makes excessive noise

Incorrect oil viscosity - Drain and refill with proper oil.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Defective drive pump or hydraulic motor - Replace or repair faulty component.
Worn or defective mechanical components of drive system - Inspect the components for defect or damage and repair as needed.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheating

Hydraulic pressure incorrectly adjusted - Adjust pressure as required.
Main relief valve is faulty or misadjusted - Adjust or replace the relief valve.
Hydraulic oil contamination - Change hydraulic oil.
Hydraulic oil level is low - Add oil to the hydraulic system.
Hydraulic pump is defective - Repair or change pump if required.

Boom won't lower or raise

Lift controls malfunction - Check and repair as required.
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Replace or repair the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder not working - Replace or repair boom cylinder.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Bucket can't tilt

Bucket tilt controls are defective - Repair or change.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or change pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve failure - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Faulty hydraulic bucket cylinder - Install a new cylinder or repair it.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.

Boom or bucket is working slowly

Hydraulic pump is faulty - Test the pump flow rate and install new pump if required.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Correct leakage by changing the seals.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Defective or not adjusted hydraulic control valve - Repair or set properly.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Correct setting is required.

Bucket or boom is jerky

There is air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Hydraulic oil filter element is clogged - Service or replace the hydraulic filter.
Hydraulic fluid contamination - The fluid must be changed.
Cylinder rod or tube is scratched - Change worn component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Low oil level or hydraulic leaks - Repair hydraulic leaks or add oil as required.
Hydraulic filter is clogged - Service or change hydraulic filter.
Suction line is clogged - Suction line must be serviced.
Air trapped in hydraulic pump - Bleed air.
Pump components are worn out - Install new hydraulic pump or rebuild it.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery does not charge

Electrical cable connections are corroded or loose - Tighten or service cable connections.
Defective electrical terminal connectors - Terminal connectors should be replaced.
Battery faulty cell - Battery change required.
Belt is loose or defective - Need to adjust belt tension or replace belt.

Starter turns slow

Low battery voltage - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Battery will not hold charge - Service charging system or change battery.
Terminals are faulty or battery cables are disconnected - Check wiring and clean or replace terminals.

Starter motor won't turn

Battery is drained or worn - Recharge or change battery.
Battery cables are disconnected or incorrectly connected - Check cables and connect as needed.
Low battery voltage - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Damaged starter motor - Starter needs to be replaced.