What problems do small excavators usually encounter?
Posted: Jan 25th, '25, 21:57
1. Mechanical parts
Track problems
Tracks loose or fall off
Reason: The poor ground conditions at the work site are the main reason. For example, when working on the ground with gravel, sharp metal scraps, etc., the rubber blocks and metal chain links of the track are easily worn. Moreover, if the excavator operator does not operate properly during walking, such as sudden acceleration, sharp turns, etc., it will also aggravate the wear of the track.
Solution: Check the wear of the track regularly. Minor wear can continue to be used, but pay attention to observation. When the wear is serious and affects the walking safety and stability, the track parts need to be replaced.
Track wear
Reason: Long-term walking on rough roads, frequent turns, or improper adjustment of the track tensioning device may cause the track to loosen. For example, small excavators frequently work on the construction waste piles at the construction site, and the track is subjected to uneven force, which can easily loosen the pins connecting the track. If the track is too loose, it may fall off during walking.
Solution: The tension of the track needs to be adjusted in time. The tensioning device (usually a grease cylinder) can be used to adjust, add or release grease to achieve the appropriate tension. If the track has fallen off, move the excavator to a flat place first, reinstall the track with tools, and check and replace damaged track pins and other parts.
Bucket tooth damage
Reason: When digging hard foundations, such as rocks and frozen soil, the bucket teeth are subjected to huge impact and friction and are easily damaged. In addition, if the digging angle is incorrect, for example, the bucket teeth are not inserted vertically into the material, but inserted at an angle, the bucket teeth will also be subjected to lateral force and break.
Solution: Check the wear and damage of the bucket teeth regularly. Damaged bucket teeth should be replaced in time, and bucket teeth of good quality and suitable for the excavator model should be selected. At the same time, the operator should pay attention to the correct digging method and try to make the bucket teeth cut into the material vertically.
Slewing bearing failure
Reason: The slewing bearing bears the weight of the upper structure and rotates frequently. Long-term heavy-load operation or poor lubrication may cause problems with the slewing bearing. For example, during the excavation process, if the slewing bearing is often rotated in a large range and grease is not added regularly, the friction between the raceway and rolling element of the slewing bearing will increase, and wear, pitting and other faults will occur easily.
Solution: Add grease to the slewing bearing according to the prescribed time intervals and requirements. Once the slewing bearing is found to have abnormal noise or not rotating smoothly, it should be stopped and checked in time. If the wear is light, it can be repaired by adjusting the gap, relubricating, etc.; if the wear is serious, the slewing bearing may need to be replaced.
Leakage of hydraulic cylinder of working device
Cause: Aging and damage of the seal of the hydraulic cylinder are the main reasons. After long-term use, the seal is affected by factors such as corrosion of hydraulic oil and intrusion of dust and impurities in the working environment, and will lose its sealing performance. In addition, the impact of external force on the cylinder may also cause the cylinder body to rupture and leak.
Solution: Regularly check the appearance of the hydraulic cylinder to see if there are signs of oil leakage. If a small amount of leakage is found, you can first check the seal and replace the damaged seal. If the cylinder body is broken, you need to replace the cylinder or repair the cylinder body.
Small excavator
2. Hydraulic system
Hydraulic oil temperature is too high
Reason: First, the hydraulic system is overloaded. For example, during long-term high-load excavation operations, components such as hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors are in high-pressure working conditions for a long time, generating a lot of heat. Second, the hydraulic oil radiator is blocked. For example, when the excavator works in a dusty environment, the radiator fins are covered with dust, which affects the heat dissipation effect.
Solution: If the load is too heavy, the work intensity should be appropriately reduced to allow the excavator to have intermittent rest time. For radiator blockage, the radiator should be cleaned regularly. Compressed air or high-pressure water guns (note that the pressure should not be too high to avoid damaging the radiator) can be used to remove dust and debris.
Insufficient pressure in the hydraulic system
Reason: Hydraulic pump failure is one of the common reasons. For example, the internal parts of the hydraulic pump are worn, resulting in a reduction in the pump displacement and failure to provide sufficient pressure. It may also be that the safety valve in the hydraulic system fails, opens prematurely or cannot be closed normally, so that the system pressure cannot reach the normal working pressure.
Solution: Use a pressure gauge to check the pressure of the hydraulic system. If the hydraulic pump fails, the hydraulic pump needs to be repaired or replaced. For safety valve failure, check whether the valve core of the safety valve is stuck by impurities, whether the spring is invalid, etc., and clean or replace the damaged parts.
Hydraulic oil leakage
Reason: In addition to the hydraulic cylinder leakage mentioned above, loose joints and damaged seals of the hydraulic pipeline are also the causes of hydraulic oil leakage. During the operation of the excavator, due to factors such as vibration, the pipeline joints may gradually loosen, or the seals may age and wear.
Solution: Regularly check the joints and seals of the hydraulic pipeline. For loose joints, tighten them again and check the seal. Replace damaged seals. For leaking pipelines, if the damage is serious, new pipelines need to be replaced.
Small excavator
3. Electrical system
Battery failure
Reason: If the excavator is not used for a long time without maintaining the battery, the battery will discharge itself, resulting in exhaustion of power. In addition, using it in high or low temperature environments will also affect the performance of the battery. For example, in cold weather, the viscosity of the battery electrolyte increases, the chemical reaction rate slows down, and the battery capacity decreases.
Solution: If the battery is exhausted, use a dedicated charger to charge it. When the excavator is not used for a long time, charge the battery regularly. In extreme temperature environments, appropriate measures can be taken, such as adding a warming device to the battery in cold weather and paying attention to ventilation and heat dissipation in hot weather.
Electrical circuit failure
Cause: The working environment of the excavator is harsh, and the electrical circuit is easily affected by factors such as vibration, moisture, dust and oil. For example, the insulation layer of the wire is corroded by oil, which may cause a short circuit; loose line joints will prevent electrical equipment from working properly.
Solution: Check the electrical circuit regularly to see if the circuit is damaged, aged, or the joints are loose. For damaged lines, replace new wires or wrap them with insulating tape. For loose joints, re-tighten them and take waterproof and dustproof measures.
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Track problems
Tracks loose or fall off
Reason: The poor ground conditions at the work site are the main reason. For example, when working on the ground with gravel, sharp metal scraps, etc., the rubber blocks and metal chain links of the track are easily worn. Moreover, if the excavator operator does not operate properly during walking, such as sudden acceleration, sharp turns, etc., it will also aggravate the wear of the track.
Solution: Check the wear of the track regularly. Minor wear can continue to be used, but pay attention to observation. When the wear is serious and affects the walking safety and stability, the track parts need to be replaced.
Track wear
Reason: Long-term walking on rough roads, frequent turns, or improper adjustment of the track tensioning device may cause the track to loosen. For example, small excavators frequently work on the construction waste piles at the construction site, and the track is subjected to uneven force, which can easily loosen the pins connecting the track. If the track is too loose, it may fall off during walking.
Solution: The tension of the track needs to be adjusted in time. The tensioning device (usually a grease cylinder) can be used to adjust, add or release grease to achieve the appropriate tension. If the track has fallen off, move the excavator to a flat place first, reinstall the track with tools, and check and replace damaged track pins and other parts.
Bucket tooth damage
Reason: When digging hard foundations, such as rocks and frozen soil, the bucket teeth are subjected to huge impact and friction and are easily damaged. In addition, if the digging angle is incorrect, for example, the bucket teeth are not inserted vertically into the material, but inserted at an angle, the bucket teeth will also be subjected to lateral force and break.
Solution: Check the wear and damage of the bucket teeth regularly. Damaged bucket teeth should be replaced in time, and bucket teeth of good quality and suitable for the excavator model should be selected. At the same time, the operator should pay attention to the correct digging method and try to make the bucket teeth cut into the material vertically.
Slewing bearing failure
Reason: The slewing bearing bears the weight of the upper structure and rotates frequently. Long-term heavy-load operation or poor lubrication may cause problems with the slewing bearing. For example, during the excavation process, if the slewing bearing is often rotated in a large range and grease is not added regularly, the friction between the raceway and rolling element of the slewing bearing will increase, and wear, pitting and other faults will occur easily.
Solution: Add grease to the slewing bearing according to the prescribed time intervals and requirements. Once the slewing bearing is found to have abnormal noise or not rotating smoothly, it should be stopped and checked in time. If the wear is light, it can be repaired by adjusting the gap, relubricating, etc.; if the wear is serious, the slewing bearing may need to be replaced.
Leakage of hydraulic cylinder of working device
Cause: Aging and damage of the seal of the hydraulic cylinder are the main reasons. After long-term use, the seal is affected by factors such as corrosion of hydraulic oil and intrusion of dust and impurities in the working environment, and will lose its sealing performance. In addition, the impact of external force on the cylinder may also cause the cylinder body to rupture and leak.
Solution: Regularly check the appearance of the hydraulic cylinder to see if there are signs of oil leakage. If a small amount of leakage is found, you can first check the seal and replace the damaged seal. If the cylinder body is broken, you need to replace the cylinder or repair the cylinder body.
Small excavator
2. Hydraulic system
Hydraulic oil temperature is too high
Reason: First, the hydraulic system is overloaded. For example, during long-term high-load excavation operations, components such as hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors are in high-pressure working conditions for a long time, generating a lot of heat. Second, the hydraulic oil radiator is blocked. For example, when the excavator works in a dusty environment, the radiator fins are covered with dust, which affects the heat dissipation effect.
Solution: If the load is too heavy, the work intensity should be appropriately reduced to allow the excavator to have intermittent rest time. For radiator blockage, the radiator should be cleaned regularly. Compressed air or high-pressure water guns (note that the pressure should not be too high to avoid damaging the radiator) can be used to remove dust and debris.
Insufficient pressure in the hydraulic system
Reason: Hydraulic pump failure is one of the common reasons. For example, the internal parts of the hydraulic pump are worn, resulting in a reduction in the pump displacement and failure to provide sufficient pressure. It may also be that the safety valve in the hydraulic system fails, opens prematurely or cannot be closed normally, so that the system pressure cannot reach the normal working pressure.
Solution: Use a pressure gauge to check the pressure of the hydraulic system. If the hydraulic pump fails, the hydraulic pump needs to be repaired or replaced. For safety valve failure, check whether the valve core of the safety valve is stuck by impurities, whether the spring is invalid, etc., and clean or replace the damaged parts.
Hydraulic oil leakage
Reason: In addition to the hydraulic cylinder leakage mentioned above, loose joints and damaged seals of the hydraulic pipeline are also the causes of hydraulic oil leakage. During the operation of the excavator, due to factors such as vibration, the pipeline joints may gradually loosen, or the seals may age and wear.
Solution: Regularly check the joints and seals of the hydraulic pipeline. For loose joints, tighten them again and check the seal. Replace damaged seals. For leaking pipelines, if the damage is serious, new pipelines need to be replaced.
Small excavator
3. Electrical system
Battery failure
Reason: If the excavator is not used for a long time without maintaining the battery, the battery will discharge itself, resulting in exhaustion of power. In addition, using it in high or low temperature environments will also affect the performance of the battery. For example, in cold weather, the viscosity of the battery electrolyte increases, the chemical reaction rate slows down, and the battery capacity decreases.
Solution: If the battery is exhausted, use a dedicated charger to charge it. When the excavator is not used for a long time, charge the battery regularly. In extreme temperature environments, appropriate measures can be taken, such as adding a warming device to the battery in cold weather and paying attention to ventilation and heat dissipation in hot weather.
Electrical circuit failure
Cause: The working environment of the excavator is harsh, and the electrical circuit is easily affected by factors such as vibration, moisture, dust and oil. For example, the insulation layer of the wire is corroded by oil, which may cause a short circuit; loose line joints will prevent electrical equipment from working properly.
Solution: Check the electrical circuit regularly to see if the circuit is damaged, aged, or the joints are loose. For damaged lines, replace new wires or wrap them with insulating tape. For loose joints, re-tighten them and take waterproof and dustproof measures.
Mini crawler excavator，Mini crawler excavator attachments，Excavator attachments，Crawler excavator，Mini excavator purchase
Choose BONOVO for high-quality, customizable brush cutters for skid steers with fast delivery. Contact us today to discover how our superior products can enhance your land management tasks!
for more info just visit our website at www.bonovogroup.com
contact # : +86 158 6218 2088
email : sales@bonovogroup.com