5 Common Problems with Caterpillar Excavator Hydraulic Motor Failure
Failed Floating Face Seal When a Caterpillar excavator chain drive motor (such as a Caterpillar 303CR) comes to the shop for repair or overhaul, the problem is usually due to a leak on the back of the sprocket and hydraulic motor. This particular leak is caused by the failure of a mechanical seal (also known as a double cone or face seal). This special seal keeps the transmission oil on the planetary side of the transmission. When the front seal fails, two things happen: (1) gear oil starts to leak, and (2) dirt starts to get into the hub. Gear oil leak Gear oil flows between the gears and the final drive. If a leak occurs, the transmission fluid usually needs to be topped up. It's a temporary fix, but you can't make it permanent. If the seals continue to wear, the leak will get worse and you may be running the final drive without gear oil. The loss caused by downtime is far greater than the loss caused by replacing the mechanical seal. C ontaminated g...