I'm glad that Cat found your problem quite easily. I am a secondary local distributor for the Cat dealer in this territory, so I know what you mean about Cat's quality and service. They are a first class company.
I had a trainer here from Cat for some training. They figured on a week. When he found out I am a mechanic, we were able to cut it to 2.5 days. Class was geared to a novice. In our spare time, we discussed Cat's hydraulics in depth. He told me that when Cat had to increase their working pressures, they did it by tightening up the pump clearances. This makes clean oil and filters even more critical. If I had a Cat, I would use only Cat oil and filters. After they purchase their oil, they actually use a second filtering process then package it.
Their prices are also competitive with anyones, for the same quality stuff. I am a Weatherhead hose and fitting dealer as well as dealing Cat's hose and fittings. I can build a Cat hose cheaper than a Weatherhead.
Ok guys my ol reliable 257 an 03 model with a lot of hours decided to lay down on me yesterday. There is no power to the lift or tilt. I can try to explain it better. It will lift and tilt when nothing is on the front, but put on my grapple @700-800lbs or even an empty dirt bucket @ 350lbs it will barely pick it up off the ground. I have to throttle all the way up and it will move up maby 2" and that is all. I let off the stick and do it again to get another few inches out of it. When no attachment it will lift fine. The machine moves/tracks as if no problem. I do not know if the aux hydraulics arefunctioning as I did not hook them up. I was worried that i may have a broken line but lfted the cab and found nothing obvious. I will not be able to get it to a dealer till tues or wed and would like to try to find the problem myself. Is it possible to be a relief bypassing or stuck? the machine does not bog or stall but does nothing if this info helps. I would like any and all advise. Thanks in advance.
