Gehl RT185 Track Loader Troubleshooting

The Gehl RT185 compact track loader driveline system components: a 202.5 cu.in (3.3L) Yanmar 4TNV98C 4-cylinder direct injection diesel engine with a rated power of 69.3 hp (51.7 kW), and 2-speed hydrostatic transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated flow of 18.5 gpm (70 lpm). The system pressure is 3000 psi (207 bar). The Gehl RT185 is equipped with a radial-lift loader boom, 17-tooth drive sprockets, and undercarriage with 12.6" (320 mm) rubber tracks. The loader has a maximum lift height of 127.5" (3240 mm) to hinge pin and dump height of 98" (2490 mm). The rated operating capacity is 1850 lbs (840 kg), and tipping load is 5286 lbs (2400 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts hard or will not start

Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Fuel filter element clogging - Filter maintenance required.
Fuel injection nozzles are clogged or faulty - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Valve clearance is not correct - Adjustment procedure required.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Repair or install a new fuel pump.

Engine starts but then stalls

Plugged air cleaner - Clean or replace element.
Fuel filter plugged - Change filter element.
Problems with fuel injection pump tightness - Inspect fuel injection pump for leaks.
Defective or clogged fuel injectors - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Rebuild or install a new injection pump.

Diesel shuts off while driving

Engine is not preheated - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Clogged fuel filter - Change filter element.
Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Clogged injection nozzle - Inspect nozzles and replace if necessary.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust according to specifications.

Engine stalls while idling

Incorrect low idle setting - Test and adjust.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Rebuild or replace pump.
Dirty or defective injectors - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Excessive valve clearance - Have it adjusted.

Engine power is too low

Air cleaner is clogged - Clean or replace element.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pressure is wrong - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly.
Valve clearance is not correct - Have it adjusted.
Incorrect low idle setting - Adjust low idling as recommended.
Dirty fuel lines or hoses - Clean fuel system hoses and lines.
Cylinder-head gasket is broken - Install new cylinder head gasket.
Worn or broken piston rings - Replace the piston rings as required.

Engine is overheated

Engine coolant is insufficient - The cooling system needs to be refilled and checked for faults.
Lack of engine oil - Check oil level and add oil as required.
Radiator fins are dirty or radiator cap is defective - Clean radiator or change cap.
Fan belt is loose or defective - Fan belt must be replaced.
Engine is under excessive load - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Engine oil insufficient - Add oil as required.
Oil filter element is dirty - Replace or service engine oil filter.
Different type of engine oil - Use correct viscosity oil.
Excessive oil clearance of crankshaft bearing - Install new bearings.
Oil pump malfunction - Remove and inspect oil pump.

Abnormal engine noise or knocking

Low engine oil level - Need to add engine oil.
Engine is cold - Warm up the engine.
Fuel injection pump timing is not adjusted - Adjust the pump as required.
Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Adjust low idling as recommended.
Defective fuel injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is worn or misaligned - Replace or align connecting rod.
Worn or broken pistons - Replace the pistons as required.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system doesn't operate in one direction or either direction

Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Undercarriage tracks are defective or jammed - Fix jamming or repair tracks.
Relief valve defective or worn - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is dirty - Check, clean, or replace if required.
Defective hand or foot controls - Repair or change.
Drive pump or motor is damaged - Replace or repair faulty component.

Machine is not driving straight or driving is jerky

Undercarriage tracks are defective or jammed - Remove jamming or repair tracks.
Tracks are loose or faulty - Adjust track tension or replace tracks.
Track frame is blocked with debris, dirt, or foreign objects - Clean undercarriage track frame, remove foreign objects and debris.

Lack of power

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Faulty or opened relief valve - Replace or close relief valve.
Transmission parts are damaged or faulty - Inspect and change faulty parts.
Defective input drive shaft - Faulty drive shaft need to be replaced or repair.
Hydraulic system is leaking air - Need to bleed air.

Drive system is overheated

Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Hydraulic fluid filter is plugged - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Stuck relief valve - Repair or replace relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Inspect and change as required.
Clogged hydraulic oil cooler - Cooling fins need to be cleaned.
Overloaded drive system - Reduce drive system load.

Drive system is noisy

Oil viscosity is too heavy - Use the specified type of oil.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Repair or replace faulty component.
Worn or defective mechanical parts of drive system - Inspect the components for worn or defect and repair as required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheated

Hydraulic pressure is incorrect - Correct setting is required.
Main relief valve is defective or unadjusted - Adjust the valve or replace if necessary.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - Change hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic oil level is insufficient - Add oil to the hydraulic system.
Hydraulic pump is worn - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.

Lift arm can't drop or lift

Damaged lift controls - Change or repair.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Replace or repair pump if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Repair or replace hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic cylinder malfunction - Repair or change hydraulic cylinder.
Low hydraulic oil level - Need to add oil.

Bucket can't tilt

Faulty bucket tilt controls - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace the valve.
Bucket cylinder is faulty - Repair or install a new cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Add fluid as required.

Boom or bucket is moving slowly

Defective hydraulic pump - Test the pump flow rate and install new pump if required.
Hydraulic cylinder oil leakage - Correct leakage by changing the seals.
Hydraulic oil level low - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Faulty or incorrect setting hydraulic control valve - Repair or adjust correctly.
Hydraulic pressure is low - Correct setting is required.

Jerky operation of the bucket or boom

Hydraulic system is leaking air - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic oil filter is clogged - Clean or install new filter.
Dirty hydraulic oil - Hydraulic oil change required.
Scored cylinder tube or rod - Change defective component.

Hydraulic pump is excessively noisy

Insufficient oil level or leaking hydraulic system - Top up hydraulic oil or remedy leakage in system.
Clogged hydraulic filter - Clean or install new filter.
Suction line is clogged - Need to service the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Bleed air from hydraulics.
Damaged pump components - Rebuild or change hydraulic pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery won’t charge

Loose or corroded wire connections - Clean or tighten connections.
Battery terminal connectors are faulty - Terminal connectors should be replaced.
Battery is defective - Use a new battery.
Belt is damaged or loose - Change belt or adjust belt tension.

Starter cranks slow

Low battery voltage - Charge the battery.
Battery drains quickly - Service battery or change it.
Disconnected battery cables or bad terminals - Connect cables properly or replace terminals.

Starter motor is not working

Battery is drained or defective - Recharge or change battery.
Battery wiring is disconnected or improperly connected - Inspect wiring and connect as required.
Low battery output voltage - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Starter motor failure - Repair or install a new starter.