Excavators are the backbone of modern construction projects. They handle everything from excavation and trenching to demolition and material handling, helping crews work faster and more efficiently. Whether preparing a jobsite, installing utilities, or moving large amounts of earth, excavators provide the power and versatility needed to keep projects moving forward.
Select the equipment problem you're experiencing below to view common causes, inspection tips, and professional repair recommendations.
Possible Causes
While these are among the most common causes, proper diagnosis is important because several different problems can produce the same symptoms.
What to Check First
Before replacing parts, inspect the battery terminals for corrosion, verify the battery is fully charged, confirm the emergency shutoff is disengaged, check all fuses, and ensure fuel is reaching the engine.
🔧 Ready Go Technician Tip
One of the first questions our technicians ask is, "Does the engine crank?" If the engine won't crank, the problem is often electrical. If it cranks normally but won't start, the problem is more likely related to the fuel system, engine controls, or another mechanical issue. Answering that one question can significantly speed up the diagnostic process.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
If the engine cranks slowly, repeatedly blows fuses, loses fuel pressure, or still won't start after the basic checks, professional diagnostics can quickly identify the underlying problem.
Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment Can Help
If these inspections don't identify the problem, our experienced technicians can diagnose hydraulic, electrical, engine, and drivetrain issues on most excavator makes and models.
Possible Causes
While these are among the most common causes in excavators, proper diagnosis is important because several different problems can produce the same overheating symptoms.
What to Check First
Before replacing parts, inspect the radiator, hydraulic oil cooler, and air conditioning condenser for dirt or debris that may restrict airflow. Verify the coolant level, inspect the fan belt for wear or looseness, and check for coolant leaks around hoses, the radiator, and the water pump. If the machine has hydraulic overheating warnings, inspect the hydraulic oil level and look for signs of contaminated or discolored hydraulic fluid.
🔧 Ready Go Technician Tip
One of the most common causes of excavator overheating is debris packed between the radiator, hydraulic oil cooler, and A/C condenser. Even if the front of the radiator looks clean, hidden dirt between the cooling cores can severely restrict airflow. Cleaning between each cooling core is often the first step before replacing expensive components.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
If your excavator continues to overheat after cleaning the cooling package and verifying coolant levels, professional diagnostics are recommended. Persistent overheating may indicate a failing water pump, restricted radiator, internal engine problem, hydraulic system failure, or other issues requiring specialized testing and repair.
Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment Can Help
Our experienced mobile technicians diagnose and repair engine cooling systems, hydraulic cooling systems, radiators, water pumps, thermostats, hydraulic components, and related overheating issues on most excavator makes and models—right at your jobsite.
Possible Causes
While these are among the most common causes, proper diagnosis is important because several different hydraulic components can produce the same boom drift symptoms.
What to Check First
Safely inspect the boom cylinders, hydraulic hoses, and fittings for signs of external oil leaks. Observe whether the boom drifts only when carrying a load or even when the bucket is empty. Listen for unusual hydraulic noises while operating the controls, and verify that the hydraulic oil level is correct and the fluid appears clean. These observations can help narrow down the source of the problem before more advanced diagnostics are performed.
🔧 Ready Go Technician Tip
A boom that slowly drifts down isn't always caused by a bad hydraulic cylinder. Internal leakage in the control valve can produce the exact same symptom. Proper hydraulic testing helps identify the failed component before unnecessary parts are replaced.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
If the boom continues to drift after basic inspections or drops noticeably while the controls are in the neutral position, professional diagnostics are recommended. Specialized testing can determine whether the problem is caused by leaking cylinder seals, a faulty control valve, a defective load-holding valve, or another hydraulic component requiring repair or replacement.
Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment Can Help
Our experienced mobile technicians diagnose and repair hydraulic cylinders, control valves, load-holding valves, hydraulic hoses, pumps, and related hydraulic system problems on most excavator makes and models—right at your jobsite. We'll get your equipment back to work!
Possible Causes
While these are among the most common causes, proper diagnosis is important because several hydraulic components can produce the same bucket curl symptoms.
What to Check First
Inspect the hydraulic hoses, fittings, and bucket cylinders for visible leaks or damage. Verify the hydraulic oil level and look for signs of contaminated hydraulic fluid. Observe whether the bucket moves slowly, lacks power, or fails to move at all, and listen for unusual hydraulic noises while operating the controls. These observations can help narrow down the source of the problem before more advanced diagnostics are performed.
🔧 Ready Go Technician Tip
Don't assume the bucket cylinder is the problem just because the bucket won't curl. A worn control valve, low hydraulic pressure, or a failing hydraulic pump can produce the same symptoms. Proper hydraulic pressure testing helps identify the failed component before unnecessary parts are replaced.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
If the bucket continues to move slowly, lacks lifting power, or fails to curl after basic inspections, professional diagnostics are recommended. Specialized hydraulic testing can determine whether the problem is caused by the hydraulic pump, control valve, bucket cylinder, hoses, or another hydraulic system component requiring repair or replacement.
Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment Can Help
If you're unable to identify the cause, contact Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment. Our experienced mobile technicians diagnose and repair hydraulic cylinders, pumps, control valves, hydraulic hoses, and related hydraulic system problems on most excavator makes and models—right at your jobsite. We'll get your equipment back to work!
Possible Causes
While these are among the most common causes, proper diagnosis is important because hydraulic power loss can result from one failing component or several smaller issues working together.
What to Check First
Check the hydraulic oil level and inspect the oil for contamination or discoloration. Look for external leaks around hydraulic hoses, fittings, cylinders, and pumps. Observe whether all hydraulic functions are slow or if only one function is affected. Listen for unusual whining, cavitation, or knocking noises from the hydraulic pump while operating the controls. These observations can help identify whether the problem is system-wide or isolated to a specific hydraulic circuit.
🔧 Ready Go Technician Tip
If every hydraulic function feels weak, the problem is often with the hydraulic pump, relief valve, or low hydraulic oil level. If only one function is affected—such as the boom, bucket, or swing—the problem is more likely isolated to that hydraulic circuit. Identifying whether the issue affects one function or the entire machine is one of the first steps our technicians use during diagnosis.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
If your excavator continues to lose hydraulic power after checking the hydraulic oil level and inspecting for visible leaks, professional diagnostics are recommended. Specialized hydraulic pressure and flow testing can determine whether the problem is caused by the hydraulic pump, relief valve, control valve, hydraulic cylinders, or another component requiring repair or replacement.
Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment Can Help
If you're unable to identify the cause, contact Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment. Our experienced mobile technicians diagnose and repair hydraulic pumps, control valves, hydraulic cylinders, relief valves, hydraulic hoses, and complete hydraulic systems on most excavator makes and models—right at your jobsite. We'll get your equipment back to work!
Possible Causes
While these are among the most common causes, proper diagnosis is important because several hydraulic and mechanical components can produce the same swing problems.
What to Check First
Inspect the hydraulic oil level and look for visible leaks around the swing motor, hydraulic hoses, and fittings. Observe whether the excavator swings slowly in both directions or only one direction. Listen for unusual grinding, whining, or knocking noises while operating the swing controls, and note whether other hydraulic functions are operating normally. These observations can help determine whether the problem is isolated to the swing circuit or affects the entire hydraulic system.
🔧 Ready Go Technician Tip
If every hydraulic function is operating slowly, the problem is usually not the swing motor itself. However, if only the swing function is affected while the boom, bucket, and travel motors operate normally, the issue is often isolated to the swing motor, swing brake, or swing control valve. Determining whether the problem affects one function or the entire machine is one of the first steps in professional hydraulic diagnosis.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
If your excavator still won't swing after checking the hydraulic oil level and inspecting for visible leaks, professional diagnostics are recommended. Specialized hydraulic pressure testing can determine whether the problem is caused by the swing motor, swing brake, control valve, hydraulic pump, or another component requiring repair or replacement.
Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment Can Help
If you're unable to identify the cause, contact Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment. Our experienced mobile technicians diagnose and repair swing motors, hydraulic pumps, control valves, swing brakes, hydraulic hoses, and complete hydraulic systems on most excavator makes and models—right at your jobsite. We'll get your equipment back to work!
Possible Causes
While these are among the most common causes, proper diagnosis is important because the source of a hydraulic leak is not always obvious. Hydraulic oil can travel along hoses, cylinders, or machine components before becoming visible.
What to Check First
Inspect the ground beneath the excavator for fresh hydraulic oil and determine the general area where the leak appears to originate. Examine hydraulic hoses, fittings, cylinders, pumps, valves, and steel lines for wet or oily surfaces. Pay close attention to hydraulic cylinder rod seals and hose connections, which are common leak points. Check the hydraulic oil level and avoid operating the excavator if the leak is severe or the hydraulic reservoir is low.
🔧 Ready Go Technician Tip
The location where hydraulic oil drips isn't always where the leak started. Oil often runs along hoses, cylinders, or the machine's frame before dripping to the ground. Cleaning the affected area and operating the machine briefly can help pinpoint the true source of the leak before replacing parts unnecessarily.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
If you're unable to locate the source of the leak, if hydraulic oil is spraying under pressure, or if the excavator is losing hydraulic performance, professional diagnostics are recommended. Continuing to operate the machine with a significant hydraulic leak can lead to additional component damage, reduced system performance, and costly repairs.
Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment Can Help
If you're unable to identify the cause, contact Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment. Our experienced mobile technicians diagnose and repair leaking hydraulic hoses, cylinders, pumps, valves, steel lines, and hydraulic fittings on most excavator makes and models—right at your jobsite. We'll get your equipment back to work!
Possible Causes
While these are among the most common causes, proper diagnosis is important because both hydraulic and mechanical problems can produce similar tracking symptoms.
What to Check First
Inspect both tracks for proper tension and remove any mud, rocks, or debris packed into the undercarriage. Look for damaged rollers, worn sprockets, leaking travel motors, or hydraulic hose leaks. Observe whether the excavator pulls to one side only under load or during all travel conditions, and determine if the problem is consistent in both forward and reverse travel. These observations can help identify whether the issue is mechanical or hydraulic.
🔧 Ready Go Technician Tip
Before assuming there's a hydraulic problem, compare the condition and tension of both tracks. Uneven track tension, a seized roller, or debris packed into one side of the undercarriage can make an excavator pull to one side even when the hydraulic system is operating normally.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
If adjusting the track tension and clearing debris doesn't correct the problem, professional diagnostics are recommended. Hydraulic pressure testing and drivetrain inspections can determine whether the issue is caused by the travel motor, control valve, hydraulic pump, undercarriage components, or another system requiring repair.
Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment Can Help
If you're unable to identify the cause, contact Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment. Our experienced mobile technicians diagnose and repair travel motors, hydraulic pumps, control valves, undercarriage components, and hydraulic systems on most excavator makes and models—right at your jobsite. We'll get your equipment back to work!
Possible Causes
While these are among the most common causes, proper diagnosis is important because several drivetrain components can produce similar noises. Identifying the source early can often prevent more extensive and costly repairs.
What to Check First
Inspect the final drive for external oil leaks, damaged seals, or loose mounting hardware. Check the final drive gear oil level and look for signs of contamination if the manufacturer's maintenance procedure allows. Examine the sprocket, track, and surrounding undercarriage components for excessive wear, loose hardware, or debris. Pay attention to when the noise occurs—only while traveling, only under load, while turning, or all the time—as these details can help identify the source of the problem.
🔧 Ready Go Technician Tip
Not every noise near the final drive means the final drive has failed. We've seen worn sprockets, loose sprocket bolts, damaged track components, and even travel motors produce noises that sound very similar. Pinpointing exactly when the noise occurs is one of the quickest ways to narrow down the cause before replacing expensive components.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
If the noise becomes louder, is accompanied by vibration, oil leaks, reduced travel power, or metal particles in the gear oil, professional diagnostics are recommended immediately. Continuing to operate an excavator with a failing final drive can result in extensive internal damage and significantly increase repair costs.
Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment Can Help
If you're unable to identify the cause, contact Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment. Our experienced mobile technicians diagnose and repair final drives, travel motors, hydraulic systems, undercarriage components, and related drivetrain problems on most excavator makes and models—right at your jobsite. We'll get your equipment back to work!
Possible Causes
While these are among the most common causes, proper diagnosis is important because hydraulic, drivetrain, and undercarriage problems can all produce similar travel performance issues.
What to Check First
Check the hydraulic oil level and inspect the machine for hydraulic leaks around the travel motors, hoses, and fittings. Examine both tracks for proper tension and look for excessive wear on the rollers, idlers, sprockets, and track chains. Observe whether both tracks feel equally weak or if only one side lacks power. Also note whether the loss of travel power occurs only under load, while climbing hills, or during all operating conditions.
🔧 Ready Go Technician Tip
Pay attention to whether one travel motor is weak or both. If both tracks have lost power, the problem is often related to the hydraulic pump or low system pressure. If only one track is weak, the issue is more likely isolated to that travel motor, its control valve, or that hydraulic circuit. This simple observation can save valuable diagnostic time.
When It's Time to Call a Professional
If your excavator continues to experience weak travel performance after checking the hydraulic oil level, track tension, and undercarriage condition, professional diagnostics are recommended. Hydraulic pressure and flow testing can determine whether the problem is caused by the hydraulic pump, travel motors, control valves, or another component requiring repair or replacement.
Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment Can Help
If you're unable to identify the cause, contact Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment. Our experienced mobile technicians diagnose and repair travel motors, hydraulic pumps, control valves, undercarriage components, and complete hydraulic systems on most excavator makes and models—right at your jobsite. We'll get your equipment back to work!
If you're unable to identify the cause, contact Ready Go Hydraulics & Heavy Equipment. Our experienced mobile technicians can diagnose and repair hydraulic, engine, electrical, drivetrain, and undercarriage problems on most excavator makes and models—right at your jobsite. We'll get your equipment back to work!
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