John Deere 320D Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The John Deere 320D skid steer loader driveline system components: a 149.1 cu.in (2.4L) JD PowerTech E 4024HT 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 63 hp (47 kW), and 1-speed hydro transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated capacity of 20 gal/min (76 l/min) or 31 gal/min (117 l/min). The system rpressure is 3100 psi (214 bar). The John Deere 320D is equipped with vertical-lift loader boom, 80 HD drive chains, and 12x16.5 tires. The skid steer has a boom lifting force of 3500 lbs (1590 kg) and bucket breakout force of 5125 lbs (2327 kg). The rated operating capacity is 2000 lbs (908 kg), and tipping load is 4000 lbs (1816 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Diesel hard to start or doesn't start

Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Fuel filter plugged - Change filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are clogged or faulty - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Improper valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump is defective - Repair or change injection pump.

Engine starts and stops suddenly

Dirty air filter - Clean or replace element.
Fuel filter element clogging - Clean or replace the filter.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Defective fuel injection pump - Repair or install new pump.

Engine shuts off suddenly while running

Engine is not preheated - Warm up the engine as required.
Clogged fuel filter - Replace filter element.
Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Fuel injection nozzles fault - Replace injection nozzles.
Improper fuel injection timing - Adjust as recommended.

Engine stops at low idle speed

Wrong adjustment of low idle speed - Adjust low idle speed.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Repair or install new pump.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Correct valve clearance.

Low engine power

Clogged air cleaner - Clean or replace element.
Fuel injection nozzles are clogged or faulty - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Improper fuel injection pressure - Check the fuel injection pressure and adjust if necessary.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Have it adjusted.
Low idle speed setting is not correct - Correct the settings.
Dirty fuel hoses or lines - Service fuel hoses and lines.
Cylinder head gasket is worn - Cylinder-head gasket replacement required.
Defective or worn piston rings - Replace the piston rings as required.

Engine overheats

Lack of coolant in cooling system - Add coolant and check the components of cooling system.
Engine oil insufficient - Fill up the oil to required level.
Clogged radiator core or leaking radiator cap - Change cap or clean radiator.
Fan belt is worn or faulty - Belt change is required.
Diesel engine overloaded - Reduce load on the engine.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Oil level is low - Add oil as required.
Plugged engine oil filter - Service or change engine oil filter element.
Oil grade or viscosity is wrong - Use oil of proper viscosity.
Excessive oil clearance of crankshaft bearing - Install new bearings.
Oil pump is defective - Remove and inspect oil pump.

Abnormal engine noise or knocking

Engine oil level is insufficient - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Engine not warmed up - Warm up the engine as required.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Adjustment required.
Clogged or defective injectors - Replace fuel injectors.
Misaligned or faulty connecting rod - Alignment procedure or replacement is required.
Worn or scored pistons - Pistons replacement required.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine will not move in either direction or one direction

Hydraulic oil level is low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Worn drive chain - Inspect drive chain and replace defective components.
Input drive shaft failure - Rebuild or change.
Relief valve is worn or damaged - Service or change relief valve.
Plugged hydraulic filter or suction line - Check, clean, or change if necessary.
Hand or foot controls failure - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Drive motor or pump is worn - Repair or change faulty component.

Loss of power

Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Change or clean hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is opened or defective - Replace or close relief valve.
Faulty or damaged transmission components - Inspect and change faulty parts.
Input drive shaft is defective - Rebuild or change the shaft.
Hydraulic system is leaking air - Bleed air from hydraulic system.

Drive system is overheated

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.
Plugged hydraulic fluid filter - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is defective - Repair or install a new relief valve.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Inspect and change as required.
Dirty oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Drive system overload - Reduce loading.

Drive system makes excessive noise

Oil viscosity is too heavy - Drain and refill with correct oil.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Inspect and change as required.
Mechanical components of drive system are worn or damaged - Inspect drive system and replace faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheating

Hydraulic pressure is incorrect - Adjust it correctly.
Main relief valve is faulty or misadjusted - Adjust relief valve or change if required.
Contaminated hydraulic oil - Hydraulic oil change required.
Hydraulic oil level is low - Fill up the hydraulic oil.
Hydraulic pump is faulty - Repair or replace pump if necessary.

Boom can't lift or drop

Defective lift controls - Replace or repair.
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Repair or change pump if required.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Hydraulic cylinder is defective - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Need to add oil.

Bucket is not working

Faulty bucket tilt controls - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic pump not working - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic control valve failure - Install a new valve or repair it.
Bucket cylinder is faulty - Change or repair cylinder.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Bucket or lift arm runs slowly

Hydraulic pump is faulty - Flow-rate hydraulic pump and replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder oil leakage - Install new cylinder seals.
Low hydraulic oil level - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Worn or unadjusted hydraulic control valve - Set correctly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Correct setting is required.

Bucket or boom movements are jerky

Hydraulic system is leaking air - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Clogged hydraulic oil filter element - Clean or change the filter.
Hydraulic oil is dirty - Fill up with fresh hydraulic oil.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Replace defective component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Lack of oil or hydraulic leakage - Top up hydraulic oil or remedy leakage in system.
Dirty hydraulic filter - Service or replace hydraulic filter.
Suction line is dirty - Suction line needs to be cleaned.
Air trapped in hydraulic pump - Air bleeding is required.
Damaged pump parts - Rebuild or replace hydraulic pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Corroded or loose electrical wire connections - Tighten or service cable connections.
Defective battery terminal connectors - Replace terminal connectors.
Dead cell in battery - Battery replacement required.
Damaged or loose belt - Adjust belt tension or replace belt.

Starter turning slow

Battery capacity is low - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Battery will not hold charge - Service charging system or replace battery.
Wires are disconnected or battery terminals are corroded - Check wiring connections and replace or clean terminals.

Starter motor is not working

Battery is low or faulty - Recharge or change battery.
Disconnected or incorrectly connected wires - Inspect battery wires and connect correctly.
Low battery output - Battery needs to be recharged.
Starter motor failure - Starter needs to be replaced.