It's the worst feeling in the world when you have a job to do and your equipment does not work. It can be frustrating, costly, and dangerous.
You don't want to take any chances that could result in injury or damage to property.
If you have been experiencing issues with your excavator not starting, it is important that this issue is addressed as soon as possible so it does not get worse and cost more in the future.
This is a common problem that can be caused by several different things.
In this blog post we will go over some of the most common reasons why an excavator would not start up and what you should do about in troubleshooting.
Different Reasons Why an Excavator Will Not Start
Mercury drops during cold months
The cold winter weather can cause the engine oil in an excavator to thicken and clog up the moving parts. The result is a machine that doesn't function properly or start at all and will need regular maintenance or replacement of expensive parts. You can prevent this by adding high-quality synthetic oil to your excavator's engine. This type of oil won't go through changes due to temperature fluctuations, which means it will maintain its viscosity at all times. It also has added corrosion inhibitors so your machine won't be subject to rusting from sitting outside for long periods of time while waiting on jobs during colder months.
The starter has an issue and is failing
If you are still unable to start your excavator, there may be a problem with the starter. The following steps will help you determine if that is the case: First check and make sure the battery connections are tight on both ends of the battery cable. Next, turn off all electrical loads like lights or other machinery before trying to start your machine. Inspect the starter solenoid switch for damage (if equipped)
If these measures do not work then please contact your maintenance technician to pinpoint the problem.
The excavator's battery is dead or disconnected
A common reason for an excavator not starting is a bad battery. If the battery voltage reading on the charger does not show a charge, this may be your problem. A good way to check if you need new batteries would be to start with checking the water level and make sure it's above the minimum level. Once you have done that, try turning on the power switch and see if anything happens. If it still doesn't work, then it might be time for a replacement of the batteries.
Make sure that you have a charged spare battery on hand just in case your main one dies or runs out of juice during operation without warning
Fuel lines are clogged with dirt or debris
It sucks when your excavator won't start. The best thing to do is get a pilot light, fuel pump and carburetor checked out first. If you have gotten that taken care of and your excavator still won't start, check the starter for power and make sure it's not jammed or sparking before calling a professional to diagnose the problem with you live on site.
The engine has a mechanical problem, such as low oil pressure
When operating an excavator, it is important to be aware of the warning signs that signal low oil pressure. These signs include a decrease in engine power and high-pitched noise coming from the engine when it's idle and even not starting at all. Other signs such as engine running hot or experiencing other symptoms like rough idle or stalling out can be signals for low oil pressure. If you notice these symptoms while operating your excavator, stop immediately and contact your supervisor for assistance. Taking preventative measures will help ensure a safe working environment and minimize costly repairs down the road.
Electrical problems, such as faulty wiring
Operators unfamiliar with the excavator are often confused by what is causing the machine to not start. The most common cause of this problem is faulty wiring, which can be easily diagnosed by checking for power at the starter switch and testing the battery voltage while cranking.
Faulty wiring in excavators is a common issue that causes the equipment not to start. If you are an operator, it's important to recognize the signs of faulty wiring before continuing operation.
If none of these steps work, contact your service technician as soon as possible for more help.
How Do I Know If It is a Mechanical Problem or Electrical Problem
There are two common problems that can arise in excavators - mechanical and electrical. It is important to explore the difference between these issues to identify each one by looking at different warning signs when operating or inspecting your machine.
The first thing an operator should do is check for any obvious physical problems with the equipment. Mechanical issues, loose bolts on hydraulic hoses or cables, missing parts of the armature such as blades or teeth (on a gearbox). Is the issue is mechanical, in many cases, it is due to old or faulty fuel filters or worn-out spark plugs. If these parts break down, the machine cannot turn on which means that you won't be able to start it at all.
Another tell-tale sign that it is a mechanical problem is when the engine cranks but doesn’t start so it can be concluded that the battery is not an issue.
Electrical failures might be more difficult to spot because they happen inside of the machine's circuitry but there are some tell-tale signs like erratic behavior from lights/sensors on the dashboard and sparks coming out of wire connections
When something goes wrong with it, you're not sure if it's mechanical or electrical, you should call out a mechanic or is there someone who can come to help.
What to Do When Excavator Equipment Often Fail to Start
Consult Operator’s Manual
The operator's manual for your excavator is a valuable resource. It contains important information on how to maintain and operate the machine, but it can also be of great help in diagnosing what might be wrong with the machine if it won't start. The manual will guide you through troubleshooting steps that may lead to a quick resolution or at least point you in the right direction. For example, some possible causes are: loose wire connections, faulty starter solenoid, fuel valve not operating properly, faulty fuel pump, air cleaner dirty/clogged and malfunctioning spark plugs.
Consult with the Service Technician
You may need to consult a service technician for repairs on your excavator. If an issue with the equipment is not addressed promptly, it could lead to reduced performance and safety hazards.
It’s important to consult with the service technician if you need any repairs done on your machine.
You can hire an on-call technician to come to your site when the equipment breaks down.
Different Brands in the Market Today
- Hitachi
- Yanmar
- Caterpillar
- Komatsu
- Volvo
- Doosan
- JCB
- Liebherr
- John Deere
- Hyundai
- Case
- Terex
- Kobelco
- Terex
- Takeuchi
To Make a Conclusion
The problem of excavator will start is a common one in the world of construction. If you are looking for some more information about how to troubleshoot an excavator or other heavy machinery problems, consult a professional technician to accurately diagnose the problem.
