ELEMENT 5362421 - Caterpillar

Sprocket Speed Difference
Note: This check should be done primarily after machine repair or machine rebuilding.
Move the machine to a clear area that is level. Lower the implements to the ground. Stop the engine.
Separate the tracks. Remove the tracks from the sprockets on the final drives.Reference: Disassembly and Assembly, RENR3657, "Track - Separate"
Before you do the checks, make sure that the steering linkage is correctly adjusted. Mark the sprockets of both final drives in order to count the revolutions during the checks.
Start the engine. Run the engine at high idle.
Release the parking brake. Move the tiller handle to the end of the travel in the STEER RIGHT position. Keep the transmission to the NEUTRAL position.
This step checks the oil flow through the steering system. Use a stopwatch to accurately count the number of revolutions per minute of each sprocket. Add the rpm of the right sprocket to the rpm of the left sprocket. The sum of the rpm of the left sprocket and the right sprocket should be 22.5 1.1 rpm.
Table 10
A Check of the Sprocket Speeds for Steering Oil Flow    
Rpm of left sprocket         12.5 rpm    
Add rpm of right sprocket.     +     10.5 rpm    
Sum of the rpm of the sprockets     =     23.0 rpm    
This step checks the balance of the mechanical drag between the left and the right sprockets. Subtract the rpm of the left sprocket from the rpm of the right sprocket. The sum should be between 3.5 rpm.
Table 11
A Check of the Mechanical Drag    
Rpm of left sprocket         12.5 rpm    
Subtract rpm of right sprocket.     -     10.5 rpm    
Difference in the rpm of the sprockets     =     2.0 rpm    
Move the tiller handle to the full STEER LEFT POSITION. Do Steps 5, 6 and 7 again. The speed difference between the left sprocket and the right sprocket should be 22.5 1.1 rpm.
If the sprocket speeds are not within the tolerances, check the component operation: hydraulic pump, steering motor, control valve and counterbalance valve. If Step 6 is low, check these causes: engine speed, leaks in the signal circuit and the priority flow control valve in the steering control valve. If Step 6 is high, check the adjustments of the priority flow control valve and the pressure and flow compensator valve. If Step 7 is out of tolerance, check the mechanical drag in the differential steering and the final drives.
If a problem is indicated by the checks, use the Testing and Adjusting, "Steering Hydraulic Circuit - Test" in order to determine the specific problem.
When the checks, the tests and any needed adjustments are completed, stop the engine. Remove all test equipment. Connect the track.
Table 12
Technician's Check and Data Sheet     Machine Serial Number     ______________    
Record of Troubleshooting     Date     ______________    
Implement and Steering Hydraulic System     Service Meter Hours     ______________    
[_] Oil Levels