Excavator or skid steer hydraulics slow, weak or not working
Describe exactly which machine function is weak or unavailable: travel, lift, tilt or an attachment. Stop affected work if control is unsafe. The symptom alone cannot identify a pump, valve, hose or cylinder repair.
Application & limits
Commercial trucks and equipment. Match the installed engine or machine, year and serial number before testing.
What the symptom or code tells you
Cat technical-analysis guidance uses machine-specific hydraulic tests and a Cat 323 example. Its specifications are not generic limits for another excavator or a skid steer.
A problem with one attachment function is useful to distinguish from a change across all functions. Tell us whether the concern was first noticed cold, after warm-up or after an attachment change, without running more tests to reproduce it.
Information to send
Use details already available from the normal operator position or your records. Do not run a test or approach a hazard to collect them.
- Machine make/model/serial and the attachment identity.
- Exactly which functions were affected and which remained normal.
- Hot/cold pattern, existing display codes and any visible leak seen safely.
- Recent hose, filter, fluid or attachment work and jobsite access.
What the mechanic assesses
The mechanic reviews the machine information and chooses the appropriate hydraulic or control-system assessment. Supply, control and cylinder concerns require different tests and sometimes different facilities. No pressure-setting or cylinder-drift procedure is provided for an unidentified machine.
Prepare a repair request
Text the machine or vehicle, exact symptom and location. We confirm scope, safe access, parts needs, pricing and availability before a visit.
Serving Langley, Port Kells and the Lower Mainland service area. Readers elsewhere can use the source references and contact a qualified local service provider.
Related service & guides
Sources & applicability
Editorial update: . Public manufacturer and authority references checked on this date. Current vehicle-specific procedures and superseding information must be matched to the actual application before diagnosis or repair.
- Cat hydraulic-system technical analysis
Undated Cat guidance using a Cat 323 example. Cylinder drift, cycle-time and testing specifications are machine-specific. No generic test procedure is reproduced.
- Cat hydraulic repair guidance
Undated manufacturer guidance. A technical assessment can include cylinder drift, cycle time and pressure; use the exact machine manual.