Caterpillar 247B3 Track Loader Troubleshooting

The Caterpillar 247B3 multi-terrain loader driveline system components: a 134.1 cu.in (2.2L) Cat C2.2T 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 56 hp (42 kW), and 1-speed hydrostatic transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated flow of 16 gpm (61 lpm). The system pressure is 3335 psi (230 bar). The Cat 247B3 is equipped with a radial-lift loader boom, single level suspension undercarriage, and 12.6" (320 mm) durable rubber tracks. The loader has a max lift height of 112.6" (2860 mm) to hinge pin and dump height of 84" (2135 mm). The rated operating capacity is 1505 lbs (683 kg), and tipping load is 4300 lbs (1950 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or doesn't start

Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Fuel filter element clogging - Replace the filter element.
Damaged or dirty injection nozzles - Inspect nozzles and replace if necessary.
Dirt or water in fuel system - Drain water or flush dirt from the system.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Adjust to proper valve clearance.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Repair or replace injection pump.

Diesel starts and suddenly stops

Air cleaner is clogged - Clean or change.
Clogged fuel filter - Replace the filter element.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Dirty or defective injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Defective fuel injection pump - Repair or replace injection pump.

Diesel shuts off while driving

Engine has not warmed up to recommended temperature - Warm up the engine.
Dirty fuel filter - Change the filter element.
Air in the fuel system - Air bleeding.
Defective injection nozzle - If necessary, replace with a new nozzle.
Fuel injection pump timing is wrong - Adjust according to specifications.

Engine stops when idling

Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Normalize low idle speed.
Fuel injection pump is faulty - Rebuild or replace pump.
Fuel injector fault - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Improper valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance.

Diesel power loss

Plugged air cleaner - Install new air cleaner element.
Dirty or damaged injection nozzles - Check injection nozzles and replace if required.
Fuel injection pressure is incorrect - Adjust to correct pressure.
Incorrect valve clearance - Have it adjusted.
Incorrectly set low idle speed - Correct low idle adjustment.
Fuel hoses or lines are dirty - Clean fuel system lines and hoses.
Cylinder head gasket is blown - Replace cylinder head gasket.
Piston rings are damaged or leaking - Change piston rings.

Engine overheats

Lack of engine coolant - Add coolant and check the components of cooling system.
Engine oil level low - Check and refill engine oil.
Defective radiator cap or clogged radiator fins - Replace cap or clean radiator.
Fan belt is loose or defective - Belt change is required.
Engine overload - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure is low

Low oil level - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Dirty oil filter - Change or clean engine oil filter element.
Wrong oil viscosity - Use proper viscosity oil.
Excessive main bearing oil clearance - Bearing needs to be changed.
Oil pump is defective - Repair or change.

Abnormal engine knocking or noise

Engine oil insufficient - Fill the crankcase with engine oil.
Engine is not preheated - Warm up to required temperature.
Timing of fuel injection pump is incorrect - Adjust as recommended.
Low idle speed set incorrectly - Adjust as required.
Defective fuel injectors - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Faulty or misaligned connecting rod - Connecting rod needs to be aligned or changed.
Pistons are worn or scored - Replace the pistons.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system won't work in one direction or either direction

Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Blocked or defective undercarriage tracks - Repair or remedy blockage.
Faulty relief valve - Change or repair relief valve.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is plugged - Replace hydraulic filter or clean suction line.
Defective hand or foot controls - Repair or replace.
Drive pump or motor is damaged - Replace or repair faulty component.

Machine will not drive straight or drives jerky

Track mechanism is jammed or defective - Remove jamming or repair tracks.
Tracks are sagging or faulty - Replace tracks or adjust track sag with tension.
Debris, dirt, or foreign objects jammed in undercarriage track frame - Clean undercarriage track frame, remove foreign objects and debris.

Lack of power

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Opened or worn relief valve - Close or replace relief valve.
Transmission parts are defective or worn - Check and replace defective components.
Input drive shaft failure - Replace drive shaft.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.

Drive system overheating

Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Hydraulic fluid filter is clogged - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Relief valve defective or worn - Repair or change.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Inspect and change as required.
Oil cooler is clogged - Cooling fins should be cleaned.
Overloaded drive system - Reduce the load.

Excessive noise

Oil viscosity is incorrect - Use oil of proper viscosity.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Repair or change faulty component.
Mechanical parts of drive system are defective or worn - Check drive system and change faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system has overheating

Hydraulic pressure incorrectly adjusted - Set pressure correctly.
Main relief valve is faulty or misadjusted - Adjust or change relief valve.
Dirty hydraulic fluid - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Lack of hydraulic oil - Fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Defective hydraulic pump - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.

Lift arm cannot be raised or lowered

Lift controls malfunction - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump is broken - Replace or repair pump if necessary.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic cylinder is faulty - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.

Bucket won't move

Bucket tilt controls are defective - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Repair or replace the valve.
Bucket cylinder is faulty - Install a new cylinder or repair it.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Add fluid as required.

Boom or bucket is working slowly

Hydraulic pump is worn - Test pump flow rate and replace pump if required.
Oil leaks from hydraulic cylinder - Cylinder seals need to be replaced.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty or out of adjustment - Repair or set properly.
Low hydraulic pressure - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.

Bucket or boom movements are jerky

Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Clogged hydraulic oil filter element - Replace or clean the filter.
Contaminated hydraulic oil - Change hydraulic oil.
Scratched cylinder rod or tube - Change worn component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Low oil level or hydraulic leaks - Refill hydraulic oil or repair leaks in system.
Clogged hydraulic filter - Service or replace hydraulic filter.
Dirty suction line - Service the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Air bleeding is required.
Damaged pump components - Rebuild or change hydraulic pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery won’t charge

Electrical cable connections are corroded or loose - Tighten or service cable connections.
Electrical terminal connectors are defective - Terminal connectors should be replaced.
Battery is worn - Use a new battery.
Belt is defective or loose - Belt needs to be adjusted or changed.

Starter motor cranks slow

Low battery voltage - Recharge the battery.
Battery won’t hold charge - Service charging system or install new battery.
Faulty battery terminals or disconnected cables - Check wire connections and change or service terminals.

Starter motor is not working

Battery is low or faulty - Charge or replace the battery.
Disconnected or improperly connected wiring harness - Inspect battery wiring harness and connect as required.
Low battery power - Battery is drained, charge it.
Starter motor is damaged - Change or repair starter.