Caterpillar 262B Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Cat 262B skid steer loader is powered by 201.2 cubic inches (3.3L) Caterpillar 3044C DIT 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 78 hp (58 kW) at 2500 rpm. The Cat 262B is equipped with a single-speed or two-speed hydrostatic transmission, wet multi disc brakes, 100HS roller chains, and 12x16.5 tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 21.9 gpm (83.0 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3335 psi (230 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 2700 lbs (1225 kg) and tipping load of 5615 lbs (2545 kg). The boom lifting force is 5230 lbs (2372 kg), and bucket breakout force is 5508 lbs (2498 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or will not start

Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Clogged fuel filter - Clean or replace the filter.
Damaged or dirty injection nozzles - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Dirt or water in fuel system - Drain water or flush dirt from the system.
Valve clearance is not correct - Adjustment procedure required.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Repair or install a new fuel pump.

Diesel starts and stalls immediately

Air cleaner is dirty - Clean or change cleaner.
Dirty fuel filter - Replace the filter element.
Problems with fuel injection pump tightness - Inspect fuel injection pump for leaks.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Replace fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump malfunction - Rebuild or change fuel pump.

Engine stops running suddenly

Engine is not warmed up to the required temperature - Warm up engine as required.
Fuel filter element clogging - Clean or change the filter.
There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Faulty fuel injection nozzles - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust according to specifications.

Engine stalls when idling

Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Adjust low idling as recommended.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Rebuild or replace pump.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Replace fuel injectors.
Valve clearance is not correct - Check and adjust as required.

Loss of engine power

Air filter is plugged - Clean or change filter.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Adjust to correct pressure.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Adjustment procedure required.
Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Need to adjust idle speed.
Dirty fuel lines or hoses - Fuel hoses and lines must be clean.
Damaged cylinder-head gasket - Cylinder-head gasket replacement required.
Piston rings are defective or leaking - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheating

Low engine coolant - Fill the cooling system and check components for leaks or other faults.
Not enough engine oil - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Defective radiator cap or clogged radiator core - Clean radiator or change cap.
Fan belt is broken or worn - Install new fan belt.
Engine is overloaded - Reduce engine load.

Insufficient oil pressure

Insufficient engine oil - Add oil as required.
Oil filter is dirty - Change or service engine oil filter.
Incorrect engine oil Use correct viscosity oil.
Excessive oil clearance of crankshaft bearing - Change bearings.
Oil pump malfunction - Install a new pump.

Abnormal engine knocking or noise

Engine oil level is insufficient - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Engine is cold - Warm up engine as required.
Fuel injection pump timing is not adjusted - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Wrong adjustment of low idle speed - Correct low idle adjustment.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Faulty or misaligned connecting rod - Align or replace connecting rod.
Pistons are scored or worn - Replace the pistons as required.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine will not move in either direction or one direction

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Add fluid as required.
Drive chain failure - Inspect drive chain and replace defective components.
Damaged input drive shaft - Replace or service the drive shaft.
Stuck relief valve - Repair or change.
Plugged hydraulic filter or suction line - Check, clean, or change if necessary.
Hand or foot controls malfunction - Change or repair.
Drive motor or pump is defective - Check and repair if required.

Low power

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Change hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is defective or opened - Close or replace relief valve.
Transmission components are damaged or faulty - Inspect and change faulty parts.
Input drive shaft is defective - Repair or replace faulty drive shaft.
Hydraulic system is leaking air - Air bleeding is required.

Drive system overheats

Hydraulic oil level is low - Need to add oil.
Hydraulic fluid filter is dirty - Change or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is defective - Repair or install a new relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is worn - Repair or change faulty component.
Plugged hydraulic oil cooler - Cooling fins should be cleaned.
Transmission overloading - Reduce drive system load.

Excessive noise

Wrong oil viscosity - Use the specified type of oil.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Change or repair faulty component.
Defective or worn mechanical components of drive system - Inspect drive system and replace faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system is overheated

Hydraulic pressure incorrectly adjusted - Adjust pressure as required.
Main relief valve failure or improper setting - Adjust or replace the relief valve.
Hydraulic fluid contamination - The fluid must be changed.
Not enough hydraulic oil in the system - Add oil to the hydraulic system.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or change pump if required.

Boom won't lower or raise

Damaged lift controls - Change or repair.
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Replace or repair pump if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve malfunction - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Defective hydraulic cylinder - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Need to add oil.

Bucket does not tilt

Bucket tilt controls are damaged - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic pump not working - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or change the valve.
Faulty hydraulic bucket cylinder - Replace or repair cylinder.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Add fluid as required.

Boom or bucket is moving slowly

Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Flow-rate pump and change pump if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Cylinder seals need to be replaced.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Faulty or incorrect setting hydraulic control valve - Repair or adjust properly.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Set pressure correctly.

Bucket or boom is jerky

Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Clean or replace the filter.
Dirty hydraulic fluid - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Cylinder tube or rod is scored - Change defective component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Low oil level or hydraulic leaks - Top up hydraulic oil or remedy leakage in system.
Plugged hydraulic filter - Clean or change the filter.
Suction line is clogged - Service the suction line.
Pump sucks air - Air bleeding is required.
Pump components are damaged - Change or rebuild pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery will not charge

Loose or corroded cable connections - Tighten or clean connections.
Battery terminal clamps are faulty - Install new terminal clamps.
Battery bad cell - Replace the battery.
Loose or defective belt - Adjust belt tension or replace belt.

Starter turns slowly

Low battery voltage - Battery needs to be recharged.
Battery does not hold charge - Service battery or replace it.
Terminals are faulty or battery cables are disconnected - Check cable connections and replace or service terminals.

Starter motor won't turn

Battery is low or faulty - Need to charge or replace the battery.
Disconnected or improperly connected wiring harness - Inspect battery wiring harness and connect as required.
Low battery capacity - Battery is drained, charge it.
Starter motor is defective - Repair or install a new starter.