Caterpillar 226B Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Cat 226B skid steer loader driveline system components: a 134.1 cu.in (2.2L) Caterpillar 3024CT 4-cylinder direct injection turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 57 hp (43 kW), and 1-speed hydrostatic transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated capacity of 15.6 gal/min (60 l/min). The system pressure is 3335 psi (230 bar). The Cat 226B is equipped with wet multi disc brakes, 80HS roller chains, and 10x16.5 tires. The skid steer loader has a boom lifting force of 3340 lbs (1515 kg) and bucket breakout force of 4085 lbs (1852 kg). The rated operating capacity is 1500 lbs (680 kg), and tipping load is 3000 lbs (1360 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Diesel hard to start or doesn't start

Air in the fuel system - Air bleeding.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Install new filter element.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Check and adjust as required.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Replace or repair injection pump.

Engine starts and then shuts off

Air cleaner is dirty - Service or replace air cleaner.
Fuel filter plugging - Install new filter element.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning - Replacement or repair required.

Diesel shuts off while driving

Engine has not warmed up to the recommended temperature - Warm up the engine.
Clogged fuel filter - Change filter element.
Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust according to specifications.

Engine stalls at low idle speed

Incorrectly adjusted low idle speed - Adjustment required.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Replacement or repair required.
Defective fuel injectors - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Excessive valve clearance - Have it adjusted.

Engine loses power

Dirty air filter - Replace or clean air filter element.
Defective injection nozzle - Service or change injection nozzles.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Adjust pressure to proper level.
Improper valve clearance - Correct valve clearance needs to be set.
Too low idle RPM - Correct low idle adjustment.
Dirt in the fuel hoses or lines - Clean fuel system hoses and lines.
Cylinder head gasket defective - Install new cylinder head gasket.
Piston rings are worn or defective - Piston rings replacement required.

Engine overheats

Not enough coolant - Add coolant fluid and inspect the cooling system for leaks.
Engine oil level low - Fill the crankcase with engine oil.
Faulty radiator cap or dirty radiator fins - Clean radiator or install new cap.
Fan belt slipping or worn - Install new fan belt.
Engine overload - Reduce engine load.

Insufficient oil pressure

Not enough oil in the engine - Fill crankcase to proper oil level.
Dirty oil filter - Change or service engine oil filter.
Oil grade or viscosity is incorrect - Use correct viscosity oil.
Excessive crankshaft bearing oil clearance - Change bearings.
Oil pump is defective - Repair or change.

Engine knocking or noise

Low engine oil level - Fill up the engine oil.
Engine not warmed up - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Fuel injection pump timing is not adjusted - Adjust according to specifications.
Low idle speed setting is not correct - Adjustment required.
Defective fuel injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod failure or misalignment - Connecting rod must be aligned or replaced.
Worn or scored pistons - Pistons replacement required.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system doesn't work in either direction

Hydraulic fluid level low - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Drive chain is damaged - Check drive chain and change defective components.
Input drive shaft malfunction - Repair or install a new drive shaft.
Relief valve worn or defective - Change or repair defective relief valve.
Plugged hydraulic filter or suction line - Check, clean, or replace if required.
Foot or hand controls are damaged - Repair or change.
Worn drive motor or pump - Inspect and replace as necessary.

Lack of power

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Change hydraulic filter.
Defective or open relief valve - Close or replace relief valve.
Transmission parts are damaged or faulty - Inspect and change defective parts.
Damaged input drive shaft - Service or change faulty drive shaft.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.

Drive system is overheated

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Plugged hydraulic fluid filter - Replace hydraulic filter.
Relief valve failure - Repair or install a new relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is defective - Repair or change faulty component.
Dirty oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Drive system overloaded continuously - Load needs to be reduced.

Drive system makes excessive noise

Oil viscosity is incorrect - Use correct oil viscosity.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Defective drive pump or hydraulic motor - Change or repair faulty component.
Worn or damaged mechanical parts of drive system - Inspect the parts and repair as required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheating

Hydraulic pressure is incorrect - Correct adjustment is required.
Misadjusted or defective main relief valve - Adjust or change relief valve.
Hydraulic fluid is dirty - The fluid must be changed.
Not enough hydraulic oil in the system - Fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Defective hydraulic pump - Install new pump or repair it.

Lift arm cannot be raised or lowered

Lift controls are damaged - Repair or change.
Hydraulic pump not working - Repair or replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve is defective - Repair or replace hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic cylinder is faulty - Repair or install a new lift cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Need to add oil.

Bucket fails to tilt

Damaged bucket controls - Repair or replace.
Defective hydraulic pump - Install new pump or repair it.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace the valve.
Faulty hydraulic bucket cylinder - Replace or repair cylinder.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Need to add oil.

Slow boom or bucket operation

Defective hydraulic pump - Check pump capacity and change if necessary.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty or out of adjustment - Set properly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Correct setting is required.

Lift arm or bucket jerks when working

Air in the hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Service or change the hydraulic filter.
Hydraulic fluid contamination - Change hydraulic fluid.
Cylinder tube or rod is scored - Replace worn component.

Hydraulic pump is noisy

Hydraulic leaks or low oil level - Correct hydraulic leaks or top up oil as needed.
Dirty hydraulic filter - Change or clean oil filter.
Suction line is dirty - Need to clean the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Air bleeding is required.
Damaged pump components - Change or rebuild pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Loose or corroded wire connections - Tighten or service connections.
Faulty battery terminal connectors - Terminal connectors need to be changed.
Battery is defective - Install a new battery.
Loose or defective belt - Adjust belt tension or install a new belt.

Starter cranks slowly

Low battery capacity - Charge the battery.
Battery won’t hold charge - Battery needs to be serviced or replaced.
Corroded battery terminals or disconnected wires - Check wiring connections and replace or clean terminals.

Starter does not work

Battery is low or faulty - Battery needs to be recharged or replaced.
Battery cables are disconnected or improperly connected - Inspect cables and connect properly.
Low battery voltage - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Faulty starter motor - Repair or change starter.