Help with swapping hydraulic hoses to check weak track

[JimSage]

Is your machine a 40gx or 4 gx?

hi Racerboy, it's just a tiny little IHI is4gx that weighs in at 400kg Powered with a small Robin 27 diesel engine. I sometimes load it on the back of our Isuzu 4x4, it fits!

 

[Peter 315]

You get the HYD lines swapped yet ?

 

[/pine]

Delivered to your door...

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[JimSage]

Ok, did final drive oil change (it was dark but I don't see bits of metal etc). Raised non-loaded left track still moves really slow & I can stop final drive from turning using my bare hands.

Open up the back of final drive to see 3 very rusted hose & components. I can't tell which is the drain hose, but just guessing by the looks is it the top hose? And what does this hose actually do???

 

[JimSage]

You get the HYD lines swapped yet ?

Trying to do that now. Access is pretty difficult!!! Think I need some better tools in the box

 

[JimSage]

Delivered to your door...

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Thanks!

 

[JimSage]

Update: Ok, I tried swapping hoses & found out it is not as easy. The lengths are all different and some just won't reach the hydraulic ports I wanted. Looks like I either need some extra custom length hoses, or perhaps I'll wait to buy a set of hydraulic testing equipment to check pressures.

Question : Does the ability to move the left track forward & backwards fairly smoothly when lifted up without load (albeit moving rather slowly & can be slowed down with bare hands) means that the left final drive is most likely in OK condition? What are the chances that the left final drive is in good condition & problem is elsewhere? It would good to know ... any educated guesses from those of you with more experience & knowledge?

Not sure what I'll do next now until I get more tools, test equipment, spare hoses ... etc.

Ideas anyone? Thanks again for being part of such a great community!

 

[racerboy832]

If its the same setup as my old IHI. You can test the hydraulic pressure at the valve body. The three lines at the drive are forward-reverse and Case drain. If you pull the case drain off and try to move the machine back and forth only a small amount of fluid should come out. If a lot comes out then the valve plate is worn and its bypassing.

If its a two section main pump one part may be weak

If you want to play the hose swapping game. Do it at the center swivel. The hoses at the wheel side are usually pretty crunchy.

 

[racerboy832]

My hoses from the wheel motors to the center swivel are rubber. I can swap the hoses around at the swivel cause they are all next to each other.

 

[JimSage]

If its the same setup as my old IHI. You can test the hydraulic pressure at the valve body. The three lines at the drive are forward-reverse and Case drain. If you pull the case drain off and try to move the machine back and forth only a small amount of fluid should come out. If a lot comes out then the valve plate is worn and its bypassing.

If its a two section main pump one part may be weak

If you want to play the hose swapping game. Do it at the center swivel. The hoses at the wheel side are usually pretty crunchy.

Thanks racerboy, really appreciate the tips. "Crunchy" is the perfect description!

(1) Can we tell if a pump is two section just by looking at it? Mine seems to be connected somehow & have 2 part numbers on it. (found a photo here : Inventories in Stock by Oemsurplus911.com)

(2) For the 3 hoses, can I safely assume the top hose (which is thickest) is the case drain hose?

Have a great weekend!