New Holland LS170 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The New Holland LS170 skid steer loader is powered by 121.7 cu.in (2L) Shibaura N844T four-cylinder indirect injection turbocharged liquid-cooled diesel engine with a rated power of 52 hp (38.8 kW) at 2900 rpm. The New Holland LS170 is equipped with a single-speed transmission, 80 HD roller chains, and 10x16.5 standard tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 17.7 gpm (67.1 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 2600 psi (177 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 difficult to start or doesn't start

Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Dirty fuel filter - Replace the filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Adjust to proper valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Install a new pump or rebuild.

Engine starts and stops suddenly

Air cleaner is clogged - Install new air cleaner element.
Fuel filter plugged - Clean the filter or install new filter element.
Poor fuel injection pump tightness - Look for any leaks of fuel pump, tighten it fast.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Rebuild or install a new injection pump.

Engine shuts off suddenly while running

Engine is cold - Warm up the engine.
Fuel filter is plugged - Change filter element.
Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Clogged or burnt injection nozzle - Inspect nozzles and replace if necessary.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust as recommended.

Engine stops when idling

Low idle speed set incorrectly - Test and adjust.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Replace or rebuild injection pump.
Defective fuel injectors - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Incorrect valve clearance - Adjustment procedure required.

Lack of engine power

Clogged air filter - Clean or replace element.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Insufficient fuel injection pressure - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly.
Valve clearance is not correct - Adjust valve clearance.
Low idle speed set incorrectly - Correct the settings.
Fuel hoses or lines clogging - Clean fuel hoses and lines.
Leaking cylinder head gasket - Install a new gasket.
Piston rings are worn or defective - Replace piston rings.

Engine overheats

Lack of coolant in cooling system - Fill radiator to proper level and check components for faults.
Engine oil insufficient - Need to add engine oil.
Radiator core is dirty or radiator cap is damaged - Clean radiator or change cap.
Fan belt is worn or faulty - If necessary, replace the belt.
Diesel engine overloaded - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure too low

Oil level is low - Check oil level and add oil as required.
Oil filter is clogged - Change or clean engine oil filter element.
Incorrect oil viscosity - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing oil clearance is incorrect - Bearing replacement required.
Oil pump malfunction - Remove and inspect oil pump.

Engine knocking sound or abnormal noise

Lack of engine oil - Need to add engine oil.
Engine is not fully warmed up - Warm up to required temperature.
Improper fuel injection timing - Use the correct fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Too low idle RPM - Adjust low idle speed.
Dirty or defective injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is worn or not aligned - Align or change connecting rod.
Worn or broken pistons - Pistons replacement required.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system doesn't work in either direction

Low hydraulic fluid level - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Worn drive chain - Inspect drive chain and replace defective parts.
Faulty input drive shaft - Service or change drive shaft.
Faulty relief valve - Change or repair defective relief valve.
Plugged hydraulic filter or suction line - Service suction line or change hydraulic filter.
Foot or hand controls are defective - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Worn drive motor or pump - Inspect and change as required.

Lack of power

Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Replace or clean hydraulic filter.
Faulty or opened relief valve - Change or close relief valve.
Transmission components are damaged or faulty - Inspect and replace defective parts.
Input drive shaft is damaged - Repair or replace drive shaft.
Hydraulic system is leaking air - Bleed hydraulic system.

Drive system keeps overheating

Low hydraulic oil level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Hydraulic fluid filter is clogged - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is stuck - Service or change relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Change or repair faulty component.
Oil cooler is clogged - Cooling fins need to be cleaned.
Drive system is overloaded - Reduce drive system load.

Drive system is excessively noisy

Improper oil viscosity - Use oil of proper viscosity.
Air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Inspect and replace as necessary.
Worn or defective mechanical parts of drive system - Inspect the components and repair as needed.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system has overheating

Hydraulic pressure is not correct - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.
Main relief valve malfunction or improper adjustment - Adjust or replace the relief valve.
Hydraulic oil is contaminated - Fill up with fresh hydraulic oil.
Not enough hydraulic fluid in the system - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic pump is defective - Install new pump or repair it.

Lift arm cannot be raised or lowered

Lift controls malfunction - Change or repair.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or replace pump if necessary.
Defective hydraulic control valve - Install a new valve or repair it.
Hydraulic cylinder not working - Repair or replace hydraulic cylinder.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.

Bucket does not tilt

Bucket controls failure - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or change pump if required.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace the valve.
Hydraulic bucket cylinder not working - Replace or repair cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Boom or bucket is working slowly

Hydraulic pump is faulty - Test pump flow rate and replace pump if required.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Change cylinder piston seals.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty or out of adjustment - Set correctly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure loss - Adjust it correctly.

Bucket or boom is moving jerkily

Air in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter element - Service or replace the hydraulic filter.
Hydraulic fluid is dirty - Hydraulic fluid change required.
Cylinder rod or tube is scratched - Change defective component.

Hydraulic pump is noisy

Hydraulic leaks or lack of oil - Repair hydraulic leaks or add oil as required.
Hydraulic filter is dirty - Replace or clean the filter.
Suction line clogging - Need to service the suction line.
Air trapped in hydraulic pump - Bleed air from hydraulics.
Pump parts are damaged - Change or rebuild pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Electrical cable connections are corroded or loose - Clean or tighten connections.
Battery terminal clamps are faulty - Install new terminal clamps.
Battery faulty cell - Replace the battery.
Belt is loose or defective - Change belt or adjust belt tension.

Starter turns slowly

Low battery voltage - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Battery won’t hold charge - Service battery or replace it.
Corroded battery terminals or disconnected wires - Connect wiring properly or install new terminals.

Starter will not work

Battery is drained or worn - Charge or change the battery.
Battery wiring is disconnected or improperly connected - Inspect wiring and connect as required.
Battery power is low - Battery needs to be recharged.
Starter motor failure - Starter should be replaced.