Excavator Not Tracking Straight, TOUGH Hydraulic Repair.

My excavator hasn't tracked straight since I bought it. I finally dive in and try to repair it, and wow, it turns out to be a tough job.
MERCH!:
www.farmcraft101.com
Patreon:
/ farmcraft101
Amazon Affiliate Storefront:
www.amazon.com/shop/farmcraft101
Buy me a coffee:
www.buymeacoffee.com/farmcraf...
Facebook:
/ farmcraft101
Evolution power tools affiliate link: (promo code: Farmcraft)
aspireiq.go2cloud.org/aff_c?of...
Save 5% for yourself and also help out the channel. Thanks!
#farmlife #farmcraft101 #farming #farmer #excavator #hydraulic #trackmachine

[@arcrad]

One things ive learned watching your repair videos is just how valuable a lathe is as a tool for making repairs.

[@psynurse]

Agree!! The tools he makes.... So cool

[@jaredking3361]

Ave said when the you know what hits the fan you are either going to want a lathe or know someone who does because of how useful they are for repairs

[@PlatypusVomit]

As an industrial maintenance/repair man, I have a lathe but rarely use it. When you need a lathe you need a lathe. But for what he used it for in this video, I wouldn't've bothered. I'd've threaded the plug into a cap, to be able to grab it in a vise, hand drilled the hole, and tapped it by hand. The lathe would result in better threading, but to make a test adapter, doing it by hand is sufficient and much faster than setting up a lathe.

[@frankvangalen9104]

😂❤😅

[@markedis5902]

As several other people have said, the most cost effective solution will be to ‘trim’ the faster motor so it runs at the same speed as the slower one. There must be an adjustable valve available for not too much money, and despite the fact that you haven’t fixed the cause of the problem, you will have alleviated the symptoms of the problem.

[@timbuck2505]

My thoughts exactly!

[@rearspeaker6364]

a restrictor valve , tied into the input and output of the faster motor.

[@64novacaine]

A simple flow control valve would solve your problem.

[@alphonsotate2982]

You feather the levers to stay strait if one side is faster you slow down the fast side to stay strait it is cheaper than a valve or other parts

[@Sugarkryptonite]

@@alphonsotate2982 Exactly. I've even seen some machines with limit bolts on the sticks that are adjustable. This is a pretty common occurance. Machine will just be a bit slower...but they're already pretty slow as it is.

[@carsonwashburn1]

I think we all appreciate how much time and attention you put into editing your videos with adding text and graphics. Your videos are so informative.

[@grahamking2276]

Hi, Try fitting an in Series Adjustable Valve to the Main Drive Feed Line of the 2 that's feeding your fastest (L/R) Travel Motor, and back it off until she hopefully tracks straight. It should not effect anything else re your Digging Controls obviously. Worth a try, and if you want to get really technical, then you can also toss in isolating Solenoid's to isolate this adjustment .. if required.

[@chrislett5093]

Heavy Diesel Tech here. Without a flow meter adjusting GPM at the pumps like that will also alter Dead Head Pressure. There is an equilibrium for every hydraulic system built. Certain pumps can only produce a specific amount of GPM and PSI. Sometimes if you take GPM you will Gain PSI and vice versa. I probably would have started swapping lines at the valves instead of the motors but everyone has their own way and place to start when it comes to diagnosing things. I have learned from messing with hydraulics over the past 10 years that you always approach these issues with the basics first. Ensure there is plenty of fluid, ensure there are no restrictions on the suction side like your, particle filter, tank strainers, and even pumps can have strainers, and that there are no bubbles in the oil, no foam, and 100% no leaks throughout my lines, valves, etc. I always do this before I go trying to diagnose a single thing with hydraulics. Pulling Air into a control valve or a flow divider can and will definitely affect how a hydraulic system functions. On your travel motor, you can try doing a case drain test. Instead of returning the fluid back to the tank, you can send it to a large measuring device. ORRR if you had a high dollar flow meter lol, you could add the meter to your case drain line for your travel motor and see what your flow rate is back to the tank. Depending on the GPM of your flow meter in this location can tell you if you have a bad travel motor or if your problem is further up the circuit. Lastly, I think you underestimate your skill sets. If you can machine things you can rebuild those pumps or motors on a budget. Tear down a motor and go over each o-ring with calipers and verify part numbers in your parts manual to make finding your o-rings online easier. Once you have done so go to Ebay and order bulk quantities for each o-ring you will need. Much cheaper than buying a repair kit. You might spend a few hundred dollars on seals and o-rings versus thousands and still have leftovers to repair other things... The downside of doing things this way is your machine will be down until all o-rings, seals, and orifices come in the mail. Best of Luck.

[@chrislett5093]

Also, before committing this issue to be 100% hydraulic double-check uneven wear on the steering handles and the undercarriage could have uneven wear. But again I think your issue is with your pumps, so do a case drain test to check for uneven flow rate and pressure. And get more accurate pressure gauges :D.

[@rpetty]

You are a phenomenal teacher in addition to being a jack of all trades. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@brian_2040]

I 1000% agree, this man missed his calling in life to be a instructor or have his own school.

[@dennisglenn1546]

Thank you enjoy your teaching. Well done.

[@TuuSaR-so4ez]

It's all about good video editing, that makes the difference.

[@johnoriel4241]

Been thinking all along that probably John is also a professor at a nearby university.

[@joelsundgren4982]

I love your videos, I’m a professional heavy equipment technician living in Sweden. I don’t see any of your test or troubleshooting paths to be wrong. But i would have started with a easy bucket test. Just lift the track and put the house drain from each motor to a bucket and run for any set amount of time and see any variations. If okey I would look in to see if there is any delta P adjustment to the pump. I guess that you will have separate. Electrical or mechanical throttle control of the pump outputs. The ls pressure (load sensing) pressure will set the angle of the pump the horsepower control on the out side should not be messed with. I might have done it 😂 I’m no expert on Yanmar but if you want any in put we could do a teams meeting or similar 😊 best regards from Joel

[@user-fi7sb1me1t]

Ls pressure is nothing to do in thus case - Here is one one body pump,one rotor, one swash plate . Just on valve plate on pump has 2 channels for oil flow, these channels are quite close, they divide the diameter of the piston in the rotor into 2 parts and so from one rotor 2 flows are achieved. Even a slight scratch between these channels causes a leak between p1 and p2.

[@EdBrumley]

You may feel defeated, but you’re miles ahead of me. I’m always impressed with your ability to analyze the situation and think of alternative solutions to correct the issue. You are amazing dude! I throughly enjoy your videos.

[@billforrest4205]

Given the age of the machine (and depending on how hard it was worked) you obviously have wear in components, however... before exchanging expensive components: 1) bypass the accumulator (remove it and run direct to the port) and check the tracking 2) check hoses for replacements ( especially their Internal diameter) 3) If you can, slip the tracks off and mark the drive sprockets and check rotation speed with a tachometer (Ie without load) and see if they still differ 4) whilst tracks dismounted check all Idlers/track rollers are free rotating. Sometimes the simplest overlooked problem causes the biggest headaches John 😉 Tracking issues have plagued caterpillar machines since the were invented! 😒

[@alwayssomething3259]

I jumped on to say something similar always tach your unloaded sprockets and most tracking issues are result of resistance in the track system not the hydraulic side. You can test this by attaching a gauge to each drive hose and see if while tracking they have the same pressure. It seems you kind of eliminated this when you got it to track right but maybe the wear vs resistance is just enough to revert to “normal” on the one side when you switched them

[@bobbygetsbanned6049]

@@alwayssomething3259 If that was the cause, why would it track wrong depending on which side the pump is connect to? If it was resistance, it would always track right or left, not switch sides with the pump.

[@alwayssomething3259]

@@bobbygetsbanned6049 As I acknowledged that he had eliminated it as a potential by getting it to track the other way. It was more of a general statement that most people overlook and in most the machines I’ve had come in for tracking issues there’s a bad idler bearing or something not hydraulic related

[@andrewdwight5296]

Hi John, a 90 degree pipe fitting will restrict the oil flow compared to a straight fitting. The pipe for the left control valve has a 90 degree fitting so might be the cause of the problem. Keep up with the excellent videos.

[@andytidnits]

I just love your videos. Your logic and experiments and your detailed descriptions are just fantastic. You are a superb teacher. All in all, it makes me glad I spend the time and money to sneak onto your farm at night and make random tweaks to some of your equipment from time to time just to see how you figure out whats wrong.

[@FarmCraft101]

Bahaha! So that was you I have on camera, and the police are now hunting for? ;-)

[@2990rick]

🤔😂😂😂😂

[@glennlarson9343]

😅😅😅😅😅

[@mattschamel6550]

😂😂😂

[@anonanon7278]

You'll never catch him because he runs with the coyotes. 😉

[@andrewbowers3676]

Use your adaptor hoses to swap the lines without swapping the accumulator - my diag brain tells me that the accumulator might have something to do with it, and if the behavior changes if just the lines are swapped versus lines + accumulator, I would give that accumulator a good look.

[@michaelbrowne8068]

That accumulator seems to be on the side that runs faster and seems to be the difference when switched. Iv run skid steers, excavators on a larger scale and after ten or so years every machine starts to get quirky. When you correct it may build up and slowly add extra pressure to the left track and bleed off. But every time you correct it builds pressure and starts over again causing an imbalance. Since you quite easily removed it once already may be the strong side is the problem. Just bar stool quarterbacking I really like how you work through the problem and don’t pull the trigger on the parts cannon. Good luck.

[@davidandrewcope]

I came here to say this. I think he needs to try to isolate it, just to be sure.

[@arty1799]

My attention is drawn to the accumulator as well. Do accumulators go bad? Why is there an accumulator one one channel and not the other? Should there be two accumulators (thinking one may have gone missing due to a dodgy field repair)? My thoughts for what it's worth.

[@Lycras]

There should be two. Maybe it was a parts machine for previous owner and someone borowed it for other machine. Since it run on garbage lot the straight tracking would have not been an issue.

[@Baczywas]

@@arty1799 i think this is only on one pump because this one pump do the digging and accumulator compensate pressure in the system to make work smooth. @farmcraft try just for the test remove acumulator

[@danieladam86]

@@arty1799 I was thinking the same thing. But is there enough space to fit two of these next to each other?

[@rickbarrett]

You are such an inspiration and a great teacher. I only have 3 acres but because of your motivating videos I fixed my chain saw, moved my burn pile and got all my weed eating done today. I wish wish I had a little tractor. Anyway, A+++ thank you so much. When I cool off a bit I will be visiting your store. Keep it up please. I learn so much...

[@rickbarrett]

Bought a coffee cup. "That's not going anywhere" Thank you again for the great videos.

[@brian_2040]

I saw that accumulator, and I think it could be that. Definitely worth looking into it.

[@fritzmiller9792]

I been waiting for this one, my U35 tracks left almost as bad as that Yanmar does. Edit: after watching I am a little depressed 😂😂😂 Seriously, that was extremely interesting and very entertaining. You have now, with this Yanmar, taught me at least half of everything I know about hydraulics. You might not have got a KO this time but you are still a Champ. Thank you John.👏👏👏

[@thegringodiaries]

I'll never work on a boom lift or final drive, but I gain so much from your videos. I like learning from your troubleshooting and appreciate how you go out of your way to bring the audience along with how you came to a solution. Keep up the great stuff, look forward to you every week!

[@thekillermp0]

Really appreciate you putting on two gauges to show the audience the real time difference. The time and effort you put in some of these videos is a really good thing to witness as a viewer. Keep it up!

[@kubaczek20]

Love the way you teach on simple paper and drawing ❤

[@GaryT1952]

Fascinating Jon...love your logical problem solving skills. Thanks for all the effort you put into these projects

[@ssrattus]

Hydraulics are hard, but your John CAD drawings make them easier to understand. Great video!

[@rynoopperman5010]

I find myself as excited for your video on a Friday evening as I got waiting for MacGyver or Knight Rider in the 80’s

[@davidpattison5860]

Hi there Flow meter is the only real way to test a hydraulic system like I said on your last video , what you’ve spent on hoses would have gone towards a flow meter, if you get one try to buy one with a valve to load it up as you test the system , you might get the same flow but when you add load the flow may drop indicating and internal leak or performance issue , your spool looked dull on the bad side meaning wear in the spool/ valve , you don’t need a big leak past to create your problem , o ring seals between the spool slices can cause this also but really a flow meter is your biggest helper now and in the future, Regards and all the best , Davy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇹🇭

[@tomfeldkamp4554]

Jon, you are a really smart and fearless guy... and as others have noted, an excellent teacher!! I learn from you every time. Thank you!

[@johnblake3863]

It is really wonderful to watch you think thru these issues. Your mind is going to keep working on this.

[@JesusThineBeTheGlory]

I love the digger repair videos, John! Keep them coming 😊😊

[@chipdayton1625]

I always learn something watching your videos. Today I learned that I don't know much about hydraulics.

[@larsk3254]

So glad you learned the vacuum thingy, would have been great on the swivel repair. I used to have an invertor and a small shop vac for just such an occasion. Great videos!!!

[@wburdick61]

You're honesty and attention to details are great. I couldn't stop watching and understanding your frustrations. Using equipment for a living you want it to perform how it should. Thanks

[@merlepatterson]

Maybe you could install a simple controllable stop (gate/ball) valve on the strong pump line side and then tune it down to match the flow to the weak side? Yes, it will slightly slow the travel speed overall, but you might be able to tune it to track straight (at least at full speed)? (A fixed restrictor plate insert might work too, but you'd have to find the right orifice size and then it's permanent and non-adjustable)

[@cesargallo7424]

I just posteda comment with a similar idea. My thought is also to manually tune the output after the valves to match the motors by restricting the stronger side.

[@user-vr7yo4mk1f]

My idea is very similar except I would install a pressure relief value on the line leading to the strong side's control value to induce a leak back to the hydraulic tank. You would then adjust the relief value to release enough pressure to weaken the strong side to match the weak side.

[@kiesh.]

You can just stack a flow control valve under the spool valve, they're designed to stack the controls you want, adding prvs wouldn't be completely reliable and would limit the power instead of flow (speed)

[@rod8884]

i had a problem with brakes on my truck, rears locked up way faster than the fronts so i put an adjustable proportioning valve in the line to the rear then adjusted the flow restriction till they matched, you could do the same thing in the forward direction hydraulic feed to the faster motor and adjust it till they speed match

[@brianargo4595]

​​@@cesargallo7424 can almost guarantee there is already a tracking adjustment, either with a manual flow control valve to speed up or slow down one side (this machine), or a solenoid voltage adjustment in software, if a newer piece of equipment. I'd still be testing the travel motors considering the state of care they've received so far. Edited to add: worked on a track loader with the same issue, customer paid for troubleshooting but no repairs as it was almost 30 years old. Adjusted to as close as possible, and sent it. Figured he'd use it for a few more years to make the money to buy a whole new machine

[@denniswray5894]

You are a very talented man and a great teacher I love watching your videos you explain everything so well without technical language it is a great pleasure to watch your videos.

[@dougholsted348]

Hi John, You could install a throttle valve on the supply line to the right motor. Might slow the whole rig down, but could be adjusted to make it track straight. Love your stuff. Doug

[@frankmarson2425]

I agree

[@woodlandwrench]

That's right. Restrict the flow of the faster final drive to match the slower one. Edit: I just also note that a flow restrictor valve does increase the temperature of the fluid going through it, and the temperature increases rapidly the more your restrict it. I am not a hydraulics mechanic, just something I thought to mention.

[@toeknee5464]

the thing I'm learning from your videos is you don't let the thing beat you, if its not one thing it has to be the next one, that's great

[@markbrown6236]

Love the hydraulic videos, I have just worked on auto brakes, but this is far beyond that. These are great to watch. Can't win them all and your honesty is to be commended. I'm thinking you will revisit this in the future, as you don't give up easily.

[@davidguess1184]

Long time ago on the Gardener Denver Hydratrac drill, we had a hose collapse internally just enough to drive you nuts on trying to steer it. Probably way out there as a solution but I remembered it from the 1980’s so I’m not totally forgetting things yet.

[@Goalsplus]

Good on you, Jon. What I really enjoy is your ability to look. You could call it analysing. You look until you find something that makes sense which is admirable. It's actually a very high level skill which is proved when someone doesn't do it and spends $$$ to get no result.

[@BrandonDrew87]

You are a very patient man. I have dealt with this problem before and went through many of the same steps you have. The tension of the springs within the relief valves can be a variable. Also 8/10 mini excavators I've ever dealt with wouldn't track straight.

[@markgibbins2805]

I really enjoy watching your videos. You are an excellent teacher with about 10x more patience that I. It really doesn't matter what your subject is the teaching is the star of your channel. I really think you can fix anything. I hope NASA has your number, ya know, just incase.

[@tracywagoner4907]

I am fighting this with the mono block valve in my TLB right now. Obviously different but have tracked it down to a crack in between the crowd and curl casting sections of the mono block after the 4th time having it out of the machine. Hang in there. You got this

[@MegaMusicaurbana]

Hi I'm no expert but I caught a glimpse from a distance from the rear of your excavator and noticed, it looks like the left track is different from the right, it looks narrower then the right or maybe worn more then the right. Just fyi.

[@emmetmyers]

You are the only person other than me I've seen use the vacuum trick!! I use this when changing coolant components on large equipment. Even repair radiator without draining the system. Sweet

[@goodvibes0101]

Thanks for another video full of trials and tribulations The vacuum leak prevention is great glad it has saved you plenty of time and mess 👍

[@billzech4337]

You are a great teacher and very smart dude.Thank you

[@pablostott7609]

Have you checked the mechanical linkages from levers to shuttles? Perhaps not fully opening due to wear in linkages

[@FarmCraft101]

I did check that in a previous video. Forgot to mention that in this one as I should have.

[@elliejackson6907]

Tracking right? ... don't push so hard on the left stick!!! Seriously though, a great video Jon. Excellent explanation, not only of how the system works, but also your thought processes in diagnosing the problem(s). The really amazing thing is that you are prepared to give it a go, albeit with a generous amount of prior research. Although, sometimes it must make your head hurt, especially when things don't happen as you expect them to. Love watching. EJ

[@jaredking3361]

I love how you draw out your trouble shooting on paper really helps make great videos! I do the same thing… must be because we are engineers!

[@mackfisher4487]

Purchasing your hydraulic testing kit might have tempted Murphy, thus increasing the amount of hydraulic breakdowns you’re experiencing. Hope you and yours have a great Memorial Day weekend. Thinking of those who lost their lives in defense of our country, while enjoying that barbecue.

[@mschmitz57]

how about swapping the spools? Might be something microscopic you're missing.

[@kwkildal]

Hey man, i had a 8 ton excavator last year that I changed the travel motor on, the new one traveled faster than the old one and it was annoying i'll tell ya.. i ended up with the idea to constrict the travel on the lever for the faster motor, it did the trick for me . Keep up the good videos!

[@oneida80100]

Again excellent troubleshooting and workmanship. I always love your videos.

[@ozarkarky]

You swapped the hoses a couple of times. Why didn't you swap the spools?

[@michaelrania1985]

I found your channel when you were doing the Cannon project and have been subscribed ever since. Love your content!

[@Mitalayeka]

You're a hard working guy, the knowledge u have on various projects u work on is immerse.

[@goodboyringo9716]

Keep researching this problem , I have tons of faith in you and you'll learn more and more.

[@corywillbanks6348]

Had some similar issues with my bobcat, the more I thought about it the more I scared myself into taking both pumps and motors to a rebuild shop. Since the motor is directly downstream of the pump (more or less) without a filter between them, if the pump starts to degrade and send particles into the motor now you have two ruined components instead of two rebuildable components. It was about $4k to have all of them rebuilt but the peace of mind is sure worth it. Side note I spy a Caterpillar in the background that we haven’t been introduced to what’s up with that?😁

[@mwnciboo]

Checkout your Hawkeyes :)

[@dannyscott1159]

at 32:11 in the video is that cat dozer on a trailer ?

[@corywillbanks6348]

@@mmm365 correct they have a variable displacement pump and no control valve but they are similar in that that pump outlet goes directly to the motor.

[@corywillbanks6348]

@@dannyscott1159 looks to be a d3 from the 80’s I would guess

[@brianargo4595]

​@@corywillbanks6348close. '70s. D3C changed that right rear fender to a straight panel instead of an angled panel

[@M18_CRYMORE]

Usually it's hard to watch long videos like this. But yours are interesting and entertaining all the way through

[@LeeFox1337]

Hats off to you. You put far more time and effort into this then me or the person I know.

[@balazslakatos9817]

your diagnostic skill and persistance is amazing, hat off sir!

[@2wenty0netj003]

As always, great video! Sometimes things don't work out how we want them to, but at least it still can do the job!

[@johanlende4751]

To check the motors you could block the leakhoses and see how much oil comes out of each motors leak in the course of 10-30 seconds. You would have to put the excavator up on Jack stands.

[@Baczywas]

Yep, that's a good test to see overall condition of the motor.

[@jay-in-az]

Excellent teacher and communicator

[@hhazelhoff1363]

This is why I always put up my guns before I start wrenching on anything I own. Extremely frustrating. I oils check the diameter of the hydrolc hoses, make sure something is not running on a smaller hose. Amazing how calm you stay. Wish I had your composure. Awesome thx

[@richardphelan8414]

John your trouble shooting skills are beyond reproach , These classes your teaching are awesome ,ya can't win them all John

[@qualitydirtmoving]

Your videos are so good. I get so happy every friday😂.

[@joym4955]

Thanks again for all the details . Easy for me to say but don't give up. Look at all you have accomplished etc man lift!

[@AM-dn4lk]

Wow, this was an increadibly good video tutorial. Thank you.

[@MG-nz6bx]

Well... I noticed the dig in the last video at the hydraulic mechanics (and hydraulic designers such as myself) warning you that diagnosing hydraulics strictly by pressure was a dangerous mistake. You set your limits by pressure to prevent damage to components. You diagnose poor performance by finding the problems with flow. Pressure is just the resistance to flow. No resistance, no pressure. Full resistance, full pressure (and relief). Pumps are designed to move fluid from one place to another to transfer power remotely. A system can still meet pressure requirements while not providing adequate flow if there is enough restriction. After all, those pumps may be governed to relieve at 3500psi, but they're fully capable of providing far more than that at their designed flow rates (until failure occurs). 3500psi is a cake walk to them, even when the components are worn. Measure your case drains to diagnose worn pumps and motors easily. Deadhead the component and dump the case drain into a 5 gallon bucket for an exact duration of time at the specified rpm. There will be a spec sheet when you look up the pump or motor that tells you what the case drain rate should be. If you want the easy dirty solution out of this, just install a pair of two-way (non-checked) flow control valves in-line with the fast motor and adjust manually. it'll cost you 120 bucks in valves and 60 bucks in fittings. put them right off the motor so they're easy to tweak on demand and so you don't need to buy 4 hoses to replace the 2 original hoses. it won't hurt anything. as far as the machine is concerned, it will think it's going up a half-a-degree hill all the time on that side. you could do just one, but the motor would still act with a tiny bit of bias in one direction, due to the case drain. www.amazon.com/Hydraulic-Control-Needle-Valve-Ports/dp/B07WWHH1NZ?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A1VH34FQCDTBWO that's an example. it doesn't mention if it's got a locking set screw or not. you'd preferably want one that can be locked where you like it, and rated for the right gpm rate and hose size, obviously.

[@whathasxgottodowithit3919.]

Great video John, thank you for posting. Yes be careful around hydraulic pressure, a colleague was working on a Oil Well mud Pump, Hydraulic pressure was required to change a piston rod ( 24000 psi) yes you did read that right, a line burst and he nearly lost his arm, with fluid injection injuries it is not apparent at first how serious it is, if it happens get to the Hospital ASAP.

[@Alilretard1]

Absolutely correct, people who run airless paint sprayers need to be aware of this issue too. Knew a painter who was running his hand down the line to the spray gun and got a paint injection injury when his hand hit a bad spot. He didn't work for a couple years.

[@jordanbigg34]

I ran a Kubota U55 for 3 years, put 2000 hrs on it. It always seems to pull right, not quite as bad tho. I just eventually got used to it and instead of redirecting, I would just always not push the left control as much as the right. Unfortunate but sometimes it’s not worth messing with it. Great video, really enjoy learning with you. The troubleshooting videos are really enjoyable, and it seems you have the luck like myself..you always have plenty to troubleshoot lol keep up the good work!

[@martincaruana6632]

That was a real "Who's on First" video but I learned a lot and was able to follow it. Thanks.

[@smev4341]

God that was an interesting video, I do like long videos, and these are so educational and explained in layman’s terms. Love everything about it. It’s perfect.

[@CaptainChrisMoore]

I think a simpler solution would have been to put a spacer on the lever so that both work at same speed. Sorta like reduce the right just enough to match how the left is. idk lol

[@brian_2040]

Maybe the side that is slower is to slow for tramming long distances.

[@megape95]

This does work when on hard ground, but only for one speed and not in the mud

[@danjones4748]

i'm thinking adjustable stop screw in front of the faster side lever.

[@thatrealba]

Operators just learn to hold back on the faster side. Precious few excavators track evenly in my experience over the decades.

[@christianpaul5075]

as workaround okay, but you would'nt have identified the problem.

[@mdpatton2]

Great video. Very educational.

[@aeros4me]

Hi John. Great episode ;) Is it possible to move the accumulator to the other side and compare effect? Seems odd only having one of them too. Maybe one died and just got taken out as a quick fix?

[@carlnelson3893]

So frustrating! But loved the process!

[@ndirish4515]

In my Fluid Power class we used blue and red colored pencils for flow diagrams, to signify supply and return. Just a suggestion! Thanks for all the hard work.

[@knoester7714]

I enjoy watching your videos as they show working on and with different equipment

[@andymann9861]

Great video, man. We’ve missed you.

[@RemeN150]

Another potential option, as you found the control valve for the Left drive was weaker than the right hand side, is to switch the two control valves. Hopefully this would roughly equal out the weaknesses between both sides and have you tracking straighter at roughly the same speed

[@doonhamer252]

I've done that in the past to try and isolate a problem slow track motor ( drove in circles if enough space) despite pressures feed and return being the same at each motor and out of the valve chest. Reversed the control , problem disappeared.. ran it like that when tracking out several kms.. then back in shop, we tore it down, returned the hoses back to standard.. worked as should.. for a week😢 Back in 80s we had the same problem with a little used Priestman 108.. that was solved when we replaced the valve chest from a salvaged unit. We also replaced hoses to both drives..

[@louisross9691]

Best videos on KZbin. Thank you!

[@jjryansea]

Always interesting and enlightening John. Enjoy the holiday weekend.

[@markredmond8576]

Hey John. Love your videos! I have been working in the Industrial hydraulics world for a couple years now (only since 1985) and i hopefully picked up a few things along the way. I would make only one suggestion. I noticed the model number tag on the pump and it looks like its a KYB? I would attempt to contact their US Sales team to get the straight skinny on that pump from them. I am thinking there may be a null adjustment on that pump somewhere. The HP limiter is usually associated with the compensator not the max stop adj which appeared to be the adj you were tweaking.

[@MakersAcres]

Wow, that’s very frustrating to do all that work and get no where. I have a similar video about my friends JLG lift. Luckily for him I was too stubborn to give up even though it took about a year to fix. I feel like you are just as stubborn and will find a solution…. or get a different excavator! Hehe

[@Flowing23]

Great work as always, great persistence. Let us know if you find a fix. Thank you.

[@DannyCreech]

At about 30 minutes in the video when you begin to talk about flow I think I felt an aneurysm in my brain. Then I remembered I am driving rum and coke and it must have kinded in. Haha Joking Joh, You always impress me with how hard you will keep after something. Great video.

[@mwnciboo]

Can you moderate the output on the stronger one - using an additional inline variable valve? E.g make the motors as weak as the weakest one so it'll be equal/ straight?

[@DMAX-tp4pc]

Why would you do that you can still track straight if you don’t push the other lever all the way! You might need the extra power on the faster track….you could just put a piece of wood underneath the faster track pedal so it can’t engage all the way and is equal to the other one when fully engaged.

[@petercunningham3469]

Check you service manuals for the cycle times for the digger services, if you know the pressures are good then cycle times can help to evaluate pump flow performance.remember pressure is power flow is speed. Stay away from adjusting the regulator at the pump changing this just adds another variable to the mix,without a flow meter you are only guessing if the cycle times are within spec then move to the next test in the literature there is usually a section that says evaluating performance in the book.

[@timberterra]

I thoroughly enjoy your content. I had a very similar experience on my mid-90's Cat excavator (E70B). Does not track straight - although yours appears a little worse. I put in new final drives (because both were going to eat themselves) and rebuilt the rotary joint (swivel joint) because the blade would drive down very quickly. Neither had any impact on the tracking. Seeing your experience and reading some of the comments, I will likely never pursue attempting to correct that, just continue to live with it.

[@alexanderbogander2671]

i like trying to problem solve along with you. I'm glad I thought of using the ext hoses!

[@BonnieBlueProductions]

Usually the Case Drain fluid is cooling fluid. It should return through a cooler then back to the tank. Works the same way on an aircraft. Great channel as you give me lots of great ideas and motivation to figure it out myself.

[@nickcody7257]

Great video as always. On a side idea. You could mix your JLG Boomlift, the Jackery 3000 battery pack, and a set of led floodlights. It seems like a simple way to make a set of super overhead flood lights. If you did a project building frames for the lights to clip onto the basket without modifying the boom, then if you ever needed light, it would be a quick setup. Seems simple and useful.

[@TerrorTubbie666]

Then you can play God: "Let there be light." - Click - "Wooooooooww!!!"

[@savannahrei8674]

It would be KZbin gold for you to produce a video on how to evaluate a used excavator prior to purchase. You certainly know a lot about them

[@TomTalley]

Are the spindles swappable? Good work. Thanks.

[@mattfleming86]

A company named "Teslong" makes some killer bore scopes (for firearms) that are hella cheap. They would be great for the bore inspections, among other things. Especially the flex shaft one.

[@gittesilberglarsen1262]

Thanks for this facinating video!

[@troyfortune3069]

That vacuum trick is pure genius. Thanks for that life hack!

[@FarmCraft101]

Don't use it on fuel tanks!

[@thatrealba]

As a former equipment operator by trade and owner of an excavation company, I've never seen anyone put so much effort into getting an excavator track evenly. Unless it's causing damage, the operator just learns to hold back on the side that's tracking faster. It is what it is. Few excavators track straight in my experience. 🤷

[@FarmCraft101]

Ok, that's good to know. This is the only excavator I've ever run. Cheers.

[@eliast4780]

can someone help? I purchase a used bobcat 8811 backhoe attachment and I rebuild all cylinders w/new seals; attachment din't have the male and female couplings so put new ones,, [not sure if in right way] when in I try to run it,,,, the oil starts to get hot within in minutes and hot oil will shot out the couplings: check other similar models for correct connections of the lines but can't figure it out.

[@thatrealba]

@@eliast4780 Sounds like missing o-rings or couplings aren't tight enough. I'm not familiar with that attachment, so maybe you would have better luck on the equipment forum Steve mentions in the video. If all else fails, it may be worth the investment to pay for an hour or two of diagnostics at a shop.

[@eliast4780]

some one told me if when I change the seal I might have gorget to install the "O" rings in the cylinders: they say with that pressure,, if there is tight gap oil will get hot with friction. that may be my problem: didn't put the seals right.😪 .

[@xxxmikeyjock]

@@FarmCraft101 never been in one that tracked perfectly straight. my brand new one will track slightly to what ever side you put the boom, a tiny bit of weight will steer them

[@charlessoule8587]

Some how I got the feeling that you are not going to give up on this tracking issue😂

[@davethekiwibloke]

BTW...that vacuum trick! I wish I had thought of that years and many spilled litres of oil ago!!! Thank you so much for that tip :)

[@ballygarran]

Many 3tonne diggers I’ve used over the years have always had tracking issues. I’ve used many different makes. Just live with it.

[@BOXTERS32]

Great video John,While i used to work on 50ton (RB50) crawler cranes the tracking motors were a similar set up (just a whole lot bigger) you could adjust the flow rate on an adjuster on the motors to balance out the speed of each motor..do your motors have flow adjusters on them?Just a thought and might save a bunch of money if you can adjust them and sync the speed of each motor.

[@robertmccully2792]

Nothing is simple for first time,, you have a good head on your shoulders,, and the desire to fix anything.