New Holland L170 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The New Holland L170 skid steer loader is powered by 121.7 cubic inches (2 L) Shibaura N844T four-cylinder indirect injection turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 52 hp (38.8 kW) at 2900 rpm. The New Holland L170 is equipped with a single-speed hydrostatic transmission, 80 HD roller chains, and 10x16.5 standard tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 17.2 gpm (65.2 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 2500 psi (172 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 1765 lbs (800 kg) and tipping load of 3530 lbs (1600 kg). The boom lifting force is 2825 lbs (1285 kg), and bucket breakout force is 3712 lbs (1685 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine hard to start or won't start

Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Clogged fuel filter - Service or replace the filter.
Clogged or burnt injection nozzle - If necessary, replace with a new nozzle.
Dirt or water in fuel system - Drain water or flush dirt from the system.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Adjust to proper valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Replacement or repair required.

Diesel starts but then stops

Plugged air filter - Service or replace the air filter.
Fuel filter element clogging - Clean or replace the filter.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Repair or install new pump.

Engine stops suddenly during operation

Engine is not preheated - Warm up the engine.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Clean or replace the filter.
Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Faulty fuel injection nozzles - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Timing of fuel injection pump is incorrect - Set up as recommended.

Engine stalls while idle

Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Adjustment required.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Rebuild or replace pump.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Excessive valve clearance - Need to adjust valve clearance.

Lack of engine power

Air filter is plugged - Replace or clean air filter element.
Defective injection nozzle - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pressure is incorrect - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Adjustment procedure required.
Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Correct low idle adjustment.
Fuel hoses or lines are clogged - Service fuel hoses and lines.
Damaged cylinder-head gasket - Change cylinder head gasket.
Piston rings are worn or damaged - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheating

Insufficient coolant fluid - Fill the cooling system and check components for leaks or other faults.
Engine oil level is low - Check oil level and add oil as required.
Dirty radiator fins or defective radiator cap - Clean radiator or install new cap.
Damaged or worn fan belt - The fan belt needs to be replaced.
Engine overload - Load reducing required.

Oil pressure too low

Insufficient engine oil - Add oil as required.
Oil filter is clogged - Replace or clean engine oil filter element.
Incorrect oil viscosity - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing has excessive oil clearance - Bearing replacement required.
Oil pump is worn or damaged - Check and replace if necessary.

Engine knocks or noises

Insufficient engine oil - Fill up the oil to required level.
Engine is not fully warmed up - Warm up engine as required.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust according to specifications.
Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Adjust low idling as recommended.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Replace fuel injectors.
Misaligned or defective connecting rod - Connecting rod needs to be aligned or changed.
Worn or broken pistons - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system will not operate in either direction

Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Damaged drive chain - Check drive chain and change defective parts.
Input drive shaft is faulty - Service or change drive shaft.
Defective relief valve - Rebuild or install a new relief valve.
Suction line or hydraulic filter is clogged - Check, clean, or change if necessary.
Hand or foot controls malfunction - Repair or replace.
Defective drive pump or motor - Repair or replace faulty component.

Lack of power

Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Replace hydraulic filter.
Worn or open relief valve - Replace or close relief valve.
Transmission components are worn or defective - Check and change faulty components.
Stuck input drive shaft - Replace drive shaft.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.

Drive system overheating

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Dirty hydraulic fluid filter - Replace or clean hydraulic filter.
Relief valve malfunction - Repair or replace.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Replace or repair faulty component.
Clogged hydraulic oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Transmission overloading - Load should be reduced.

Drive system is noisy

Oil viscosity is too heavy - Drain and refill with proper oil.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is worn - Repair or change faulty component.
Defective or worn mechanical components of drive system - Check drive system and change faulty parts.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheated

Hydraulic pressure is not adjusted correctly - Correct setting is required.
Defective or misadjusted main relief valve - Adjust the valve or replace if necessary.
Dirty hydraulic oil - Hydraulic oil change required.
Lack of hydraulic oil - Fill up the hydraulic oil.
Hydraulic pump is worn - Replace or repair pump if necessary.

Lift arm fails to drop or lift

Lift controls are defective - Check and repair as required.
Hydraulic pump not working - Replace or repair pump if necessary.
Defective hydraulic control valve - Replace or repair the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder is faulty - Replace or repair boom cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Bucket fails to tilt

Damaged bucket controls - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump failure - Replace or repair pump if necessary.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace hydraulic valve.
Defective bucket cylinder - Change or repair cylinder.
Low hydraulic oil level - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Boom or bucket moves slowly

Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Check pump capacity and change if necessary.
Oil leaks from hydraulic cylinder - Correct leakage by changing the seals.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve is unadjusted or worn - Set properly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure loss - Correct adjustment is required.

Lift arm or bucket is working jerkily

Air in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Change or clean oil filter.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Cylinder tube or rod is scored - Change defective component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Not enough oil or hydraulic system leaking - Correct hydraulic leaks or top up oil as needed.
Plugged hydraulic filter - Change or clean oil filter.
Dirty suction line - Suction line needs to be cleaned.
Pump is sucking air - Air bleeding is required.
Damaged pump parts - Rebuild or change hydraulic pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery won’t charge

Loose or corroded cable connections - Clean or tighten connections.
Defective battery terminal connectors - Replace terminal connectors.
Battery bad cell - Install a new battery.
Belt is defective or loose - Need to adjust belt tension or replace belt.

Starter cranks slowly

Battery voltage is low - Battery is drained, charge it.
Battery is draining quickly - Service battery or change it.
Bad terminals or disconnected battery cables - Connect wires correctly or change terminals.

Starter motor won't turn

Battery is drained or defective - Recharge or change battery.
Battery wiring is disconnected or improperly connected - Inspect wiring and connect as required.
Battery power is low - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Starter motor failing - Repair or change starter.