Caterpillar 268B Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Cat 268B skid steer loader driveline system components: a 201.2 cu.in (3.3L) Caterpillar 3044C DIT 4-cylinder turbocharged water-cooled diesel engine with a rated power of 76 hp (57 kW), and 1-speed or 2-speed transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated capacity of 33 gal/min (125 l/min). The system relief pressure is 4060 psi (280 bar). The Cat 268B is equipped with wet disc brakes, 100HS roller chains, and 12x16.5 tires. The skid steer loader has a boom lifting force of 5193 lbs (2355 kg) and bucket breakout force of 5508 lbs (2498 kg). The rated operating capacity is 2700 lbs (1225 kg), and tipping load is 5615 lbs (2545 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine difficult to start or doesn't start

Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Fuel filter element clogging - Clean the filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Replace injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Valve clearance is wrong - Need to adjust valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump is not operating properly - Rebuild or install a new injection pump.

Diesel starts and suddenly stops

Air filter is dirty - Replace or clean air filter element.
Dirty fuel filter - Replace filter element.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Replace fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump is faulty - Replace injection pump or repair it.

Engine shuts off suddenly during operation

Engine not warmed up - Engine is not warmed up to the required temperature.
Clogged fuel filter - Clean the filter or install new filter element.
Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Incorrect adjustment of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust the pump as required.

Engine stops when idle

Incorrectly adjusted low idle speed - Adjust low idle speed.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Change pump or rebuild it.
Defective fuel injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Improper valve clearance - Check and adjust.

Diesel engine is losing power

Dirty air cleaner - Service or replace air cleaner.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Test injection nozzles and change if necessary.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly.
Valve out of adjustment - Have it adjusted.
Low idle speed set incorrectly - Normalize low idle speed.
Restricted fuel hoses or lines - Clean fuel lines and hoses.
Defective cylinder head gasket - Replace cylinder head gasket.
Worn or broken piston rings - Replace piston rings.

Engine overheats

Engine coolant is insufficient - Refill to the correct level and inspect system for leaks.
Engine oil level low - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Radiator fins are dirty or radiator cap is defective - Change cap or clean radiator.
Fan belt is loose or defective - Change as required.
Engine overloaded - Reduce load on the engine.

Oil pressure too low

Low oil level - Check and refill the oil.
Clogged oil filter - Change or service engine oil filter.
Incorrect oil viscosity - Use the specified type of engine oil.
Crankshaft bearing has excessive oil clearance - Install new bearings.
Oil pump is damaged - Install a new pump.

Engine knocking sound or abnormal noise

Engine oil insufficient - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Engine is not preheated - Warm up the engine.
Fuel injection pump timing is wrong - Adjust fuel injection pump as required.
Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Need to adjust idle speed.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is defective or misaligned - Connecting rod needs to be aligned or changed.
Pistons are worn or scored - Install new pistons.

Drive System Troubleshooting

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

Insufficient hydraulic oil - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Faulty drive chain - Inspect drive chain and replace faulty components.
Input drive shaft is damaged - Rebuild or change.
Defective or worn relief valve - Repair or install a new relief valve.
Suction line or hydraulic filter is clogged - Service suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Hand or foot controls failure - Check and repair as required.
Drive motor or pump failure - Repair or change faulty component.

Lack of power

Clogged hydraulic oil filter - Change or clean hydraulic filter.
Defective or open relief valve - Close or change relief valve.
Transmission components are worn or defective - Check and replace faulty components.
Input drive shaft failure - Change or repair faulty drive shaft.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.

Drive system keeps overheating

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Dirty hydraulic fluid filter - Change hydraulic filter.
Defective or worn relief valve - Repair or change.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Replace or repair faulty component.
Oil cooler is clogged - Clean cooling fins as required.
Drive system overloaded continuously - Load should be reduced.

Drive system is excessively noisy

Incorrect oil viscosity - Use oil of proper viscosity.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Inspect and change as required.
Defective or worn mechanical parts of drive system - Check the components and change if necessary.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system has overheating

Hydraulic pressure incorrectly adjusted - Adjust pressure as required.
Main relief valve is defective or unadjusted - Adjust or change relief valve.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - The fluid must be changed.
Hydraulic fluid level is low - Need to add fluid.
Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Repair or change pump if required.

Lift arm does not lower or raise

Damaged lift controls - Repair or replace.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace the valve.
Damaged hydraulic cylinder - Repair or install a new lift cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.

Bucket can't tilt

Bucket tilt controls malfunction - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Repair or replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve malfunction - Repair or replace the valve.
Bucket cylinder failure - Repair or install a new cylinder.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.

Slow boom or bucket action

Hydraulic pump is worn - Check pump flow and install new pump if necessary.
Oil leaks from hydraulic cylinder - Install new cylinder seals.
Hydraulic oil level low - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Worn or unadjusted hydraulic control valve - Repair or set properly.
Hydraulic pressure is low - Adjust pressure correctly.

Bucket or boom is jerky

Hydraulic system is leaking air - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter element - Replace or clean the filter.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Scored cylinder tube or rod - Change failed component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Hydraulic leaks or low oil level - Add hydraulic oil or correct system leaks.
Hydraulic filter clogging - Clean or install new filter.
Clogged suction line - Need to service the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Bleed air.
Pump parts are faulty - Change or rebuild pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Loose or corroded cable connections - Service or tighten connections.
Defective battery terminal clamps - Replace terminal clamps.
Worn-out battery - Battery change required.
Worn or loose belt - Belt needs to be adjusted or changed.

Starter cranks slow

Low battery capacity - Recharge the battery.
Battery won’t hold charge - Service charging system or replace battery.
Faulty battery terminals or disconnected cables - Connect cables properly or replace terminals.

Starter is not cranking

Battery is drained or worn - Recharge or replace battery.
Wiring harness is disconnected or improperly connected - Check wiring harness and connect as required.
Low battery capacity - Battery needs to be recharged.
Faulty starter motor - Repair or replace starter.