Shop Talk Blog

The Official Blog for Texas Final Drive

Hurricane Harvey

by Thomas Eastham | Sep 01, 2017 |

Hurricane Harvey

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Hurricane Harvey has ravaged the Gulf Coast, leaving massive destruction and flooding in its wake. Very little separated those who were flooded and those who were not.

In some areas, the recovery has already begun -- though many areas are still under water and may continue to be for weeks to come. Our own offices came within 8" of getting flooded. It was a gut wrenching experience, and one we will not soon forget. Thankfully, our final drives are safe, and we remain open for business. We count ourselves among the fortunate ones, and our hearts go out to the others who suffered in this event.

How to Flush Your Hydraulic System

 
There is a big difference between replacing hydraulic fluid and flushing the system. Replacing hydraulic fluid only involves draining old fluid and adding new fluid; flushing the entire system is much more thorough, and aids in eliminating both contaminants and old fluid . In an ideal world, fluid would only ever need to be replaced . However, there are situations in which the hydraulic system really needs to be flushed . In this Shop Talk Blog post, we will discuss the why and how of flushing the hydraulic system on your construction equipment .

How to Troubleshoot a Noisy/Vibrating Final Drive Motor

Have you or one of your operators noticed that your final drive motor is vibrating excessively or has become a little too noisy for it to be normal? In this Shop Talk Bog post, you'll learn step by step how to troubleshoot a noisy or vibrating hydraulic motor and what steps you need to take to keep your equipment running.

Final Drives Spinning Backwards

One of the common questions we get asked is this: why is my final drive spinning backwards? In this Shop Talk Blog post, we'll talk about why final drives spin the wrong direction and some different approaches on how to fix the problem. This information holds regardless of whether it's on an excavator, skid steer loader, or compact track loader.

Hydraulic Fluid Injection - Do You Understand the Dangers?

Hydraulic fluid may seem relatively harmless to work with -- until it is pressurized. In this Shop Talk Blog post, we are going to take a look at why hydraulic fluid under pressure is so dangerous, what happens when you come into contact with it, and what you can do to minimize those dangers when you're on the job.

Note: If you're working with pressurized hydraulic fluid and feel a prick (like electricity) on your skin, please seek medical attention right away.

How To Fix a Final Drive Brake Assembly

If you have a Bobcat T180, Bobcat T190, or Bobcat T140 compact track loader, you may eventually need to replace the brake pack. In this Shop Talk Blog post, we are going to talk about what the brake pack is, how it works, signs of wear, and what to expect when it comes time to replace it ... complete with a video from Dr Drive himself!

How to Troubleshoot an Overheating Gear Box on Your Final Drive

Is your final drive gear box overheating? Is it hot to the touch, or does it steam when water comes into contact with it? That could be the sign of some serious problems that you need to investigate. In this Shop Talk Blog post, you'll learn step by step how to properly troubleshoot problems with an overheating gear box on your final drive motor.

Gear Oil Part 2: How to Check and Change the Gear Oil in a Final Drive Motor

Why Gear Oil Is Important

Did you know that a general rule of thumb is that the life of your final drive gearbox is directly proportional to how frequently the gear oil is changed?  That’s why one of the important maintenance tasks for a final drive is to regularly check the oil on the planetary side.  Ideally, you should check the oil level about once every 100 hours of operation, and change the oil out at least once a year.  In this article, we are going to talk about how to check the gear oil level in your final drive, and how to change it out when the time comes.

 

Gear Oil Part 1: How to Troubleshoot Gear Oil Problems with Your Final Drive

In this Shop Talk Blog post, you will learn how to troubleshoot problems with the gear oil in your final drive, focusing on leaks as well as having too much fluid in the planetary hub. We typically recommend checking the gear oil about once every 100 hours of operation and changing the oil at least once a year.

Identifying the Hydraulic Ports on a Final Drive Motor

There can be up to five hydraulic connections to your final drive motor or travel motor, and this is true whether you have a mini-excavator, skid steer loader, or compact track loader. In this Shop Talk Blog post we will discuss each hydraulic port, including how to identify them and what their purposes are.

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