John Deere 320 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The John Deere 320 skid steer loader is powered by 149.1 cu.in (2.4L) JD PowerTech 4024T four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 62 hp (46.2 kW) at 2800 rpm. The John Deere 320 is equipped with a single-speed hydrostatic transmission, vertical-lift loader boom, 80 HD drive chains, integral wet disc brakes, and 12x16.5 tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 19 gpm (72 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3450 psi (238 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 1950 lbs (885 kg) and tipping load of 3900 lbs (1770 kg). The lift height is 115.3 inches (2930 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 90.2 inches (2290 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or won't start

Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Clean the filter element.
Clogged or defective injection nozzles - Check injection nozzles and replace if required.
Dirt or water in fuel system - Drain water or flush dirt from the system.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Have it adjusted.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Repair or install new pump.

Engine starts and immediately shuts off

Dirty air filter - Service or replace the air filter.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Clean or replace the filter.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Dirty or defective injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Replace or repair injection pump.

Engine stalls while running

Engine not warmed up - Warm up the engine.
Clogged fuel filter - Replace filter element.
Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Test injection nozzles and change if necessary.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.

Engine stalls at idle

Too low idle RPM - Adjust the low idle speed.
Fuel injection pump malfunction - Replace or repair injection pump.
Fuel injector fault - Replace fuel injectors.
Valve out of adjustment - Adjust valve clearance.

Engine power loss

Plugged air filter - Clean or change.
Damaged or dirty injection nozzles - Inspect nozzles and replace if necessary.
Improper fuel injection pressure - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly.
Incorrect valve clearance - Adjust to proper valve clearance.
Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Test and adjust.
Fuel lines or hoses clogging - Service fuel hoses and lines.
Worn cylinder head gasket - Replace cylinder head gasket.
Damaged or leaking piston rings - Piston rings replacement required.

Engine is overheated

Low coolant level - Top up coolant fluid and check system for leaks.
Insufficient engine oil - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Damaged radiator cap or dirty radiator core - Clean radiator or install new cap.
Fan belt is worn or faulty - Change as required.
Engine is under excessive load - Load reducing required.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Lack of oil - Check and refill the oil.
Oil filter clogged - Replace or clean engine oil filter element.
Oil grade or viscosity is wrong - Use correct viscosity oil.
Incorrect oil clearance in crankshaft bearing - Bearings need to be reinstalled.
Oil pump is damaged - Remove and inspect oil pump.

Abnormal engine noise or knocking

Lack of engine oil - Need to add engine oil.
Engine is cold - Warm up the engine as required.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust as recommended.
Incorrectly adjusted low idle speed - Correct low idle adjustment.
Fuel injector fault - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is misaligned or worn - Need to replace or align the connecting rod.
Pistons are broken or worn - Install new pistons.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system does not work in either direction

Hydraulic oil level is low - Need to add oil.
Drive chain fault - Check drive chain and change defective parts.
Input drive shaft malfunctioning - Repair or replace drive shaft.
Stuck relief valve - Repair or install a new relief valve.
Suction line or hydraulic filter is plugged - Service suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Worn or defective hand or foot controls - Check and repair as required.
Drive pump or motor is damaged - Check and repair if required.

Lack of power

Hydraulic oil filter is plugged - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Damaged or opened relief valve - Close or change relief valve.
Faulty or damaged transmission components - Inspect and change faulty parts.
Worn input drive shaft - Replace drive shaft.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.

Drive system keeps overheating

Low hydraulic fluid level - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Clogged hydraulic fluid filter - Change hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is worn or damaged - Rebuild or install a new relief valve.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Repair or replace faulty component.
Plugged hydraulic oil cooler - Cooling fins need to be cleaned.
Drive system overloaded continuously - Reduce the load.

Excessive noise

Oil viscosity is wrong - Use oil of correct viscosity.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Replace or repair faulty component.
Worn or defective mechanical parts of drive system - Inspect drive system and replace faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheated

Hydraulic pressure is incorrect - Correct adjustment is required.
Main relief valve malfunction or improper adjustment - Adjust the valve or replace if necessary.
Hydraulic fluid contamination - Change hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic oil level is low - Check oil level and add hydraulic oil as required.
Hydraulic pump is worn - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.

Boom cannot be lowered or raised

Lift controls are damaged - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Defective hydraulic pump - Replace or repair pump if necessary.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Install a new valve or repair it.
Hydraulic cylinder is defective - Repair or replace hydraulic cylinder.
Low hydraulic oil level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Bucket won't move

Faulty bucket tilt controls - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Repair or replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve failure - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Bucket cylinder is faulty - Replace or repair cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Add fluid as required.

Bucket or lift arm functions slowly

Hydraulic pump is faulty - Check the pump performance and replace it if required.
Oil leaks from hydraulic cylinder - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic control valve is unadjusted or worn - Repair or set correctly.
Low hydraulic pressure - Adjust pressure as required.

Bucket or boom is moving jerkily

Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Hydraulic oil filter is clogged - Change or clean oil filter.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - The fluid must be changed.
Scratched cylinder rod or tube - Change worn component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Not enough oil or hydraulic system leaking - Correct hydraulic leaks or top up oil as needed.
Plugged hydraulic filter - Service or change hydraulic filter.
Suction line is clogged - Suction line needs to be cleaned.
Air in hydraulic pump - Bleed air.
Worn pump components - Change or rebuild pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery will not charge

Corroded or loose electrical wire connections - Service or tighten connections.
Faulty battery terminal clamps - Terminal clamps should be changed.
Battery dead cell - Battery change required.
Worn or loose belt - Adjust belt tension or install a new belt.

Starter motor turns slow

Low battery output voltage - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Battery discharges quickly - Service or change the battery.
Battery cables are disconnected or terminals are faulty - Check wiring and clean or replace terminals.

Starter motor is not working

Battery is drained or defective - Charge or change the battery.
Wiring is incorrectly connected or disconnected - Inspect wiring and connect correctly.
Low battery power - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Damaged starter motor - Repair or replace starter.