Have got hold on a cat 215B-LC for cheap. Serial 9YB01132

[SteinarN]

Hi all,
this is my very first post here.

I have got hold of an old cat that have been sitting for around 10 years for around US$ 3000
The machine has very low hours, only some 6600 hours. Looks good as far as wear concerns. No dents in panels either. But ofc the cabin is in very poor condition due to moisture, but not much of rust, mostly upholstery in bad shape, dirt and grime etc. External paint is also starting to look really bad, but again, not much rust to speak of.

It was very low on hydraulic oil, so my friend and I added some 20-25 gallons and got the engine started. Boom/stick controls functioned ok, but travel not so much. However it was embedded in the soft ground from sitting all those years so we thought that was the reason for only very little travel, maybe stuck chain links too. But after a few min we found it had dumped all the oil we had added on the ground under the machine. Turned out it was a catastrophic leak from one of the hoses to the track motors, so that needs to get replaced and filled up with oil again.

I have tried to educate my self on the hydraulic system. This specific model has two separate main piston pumps and one (pilot?) gear pump between the two main pumps.
My question is if this machine has something similar to load sense as in new(er) machines where pump output pressure is tailored to required hydraulic cylinder pressure for the actual movement, or is the main pumps regulated to max pressure all the time and the exess pressure dumped as pressure loss in the control valves?

Steinar

 

[Nige]

To be honest your best bet eventually should be to get hold of a Service Manual. It will have all the information you are looking for plus how to test/adjust, disassemble/assemble, schematics, etc, etc. The Cat Publication reference is SENR3035. Here is a copy on eBay.

Meantime here is the SysOp document for the Implement Hydraulic System to keep you going for now.

 

[SteinarN]

Thanks, Nige!

I have an offer from an e-bay seller for a large number of manuals for this machine, general shop manual, parts and all the specialized manuals etc, for US$499. I might take up on that.

But, from what I can see so far there is nothing resembling load sense on this machine. It seems to be an open center system and both pumps are regulated in parallel, ie same flow from both pumps at any given time. So, one pump supply a large flow to one function then the other pump will supply the same flow. If now the other pump have to supply a function with only a low flow but high pressure then most of the energy from the other pumps large flow have no other place to go than to be vasted in a pressure relief valve :-(

This was a bit disapointing, but I had suspected that this machine was a bit old for an efficient system. It seems like some asian machines like Komatsu got efficient load sense earlier than cat, in some machines at least.

I will study further.

 

[Nige]

I have an offer from an e-bay seller for a large number of manuals for this machine, general shop manual, parts and all the specialized manuals etc, for US$499.

Can you provide a link.? We have come across some let’s say “less than reputable” sellers on eBay who promise the earth then spectacularly fail to deliver.

FYI you can get a complete new genuine OEM service manual in pdf format on CD for $420 and a parts manual for $110.

 

[SteinarN]

It is this shop on e-bay; https://www.ebay.com/str/rightbooks

He have good feedback, 99,2%. So he seems to be very ok

 

[Universal Parts]

I have a way to purchase these books, if you need them.

 

[Nige]

It is this shop on e-bay; https://www.ebay.com/str/rightbooks

He have good feedback, 99,2%. So he seems to be very ok

I've seen that site before. The jury is still out as far as I'm concerned.

Try HERE. You would not need an Operation & Maintenance manual because it is included in the service Manual

 

[SteinarN]

Some pics

 

[SteinarN]

A couple more

 

[SteinarN]

There is quite a few rusty pilot lines that needs to be replaced. Fuel lines was rusted through so those need to be replaced. Probably some hoses too in addition to the catastrophically leaking hose.
And a LOT of cleaning ofc. And fresh paint is sorely needed. Cabin interior etc. So I guess I can spend a couple hundred hours on this to get it in shape. Hopefully there is no unknown serious fault with the machine.

Bucket is in ok shape, but teeth a bit worn.
I tried to figure out which stick lenght is on this machine. The option says 1800mm, 2200mm and 2800mm. But I dont know where to measure the lenght. Boom/stick to stick/bucket pin is 1850mm center-center. Is this the stick lenght? If so it is 50mm (2") off from the stated short stick at 1800mm?

 

[HarleyHappy]

Nice! Price was right but expect undercarriage issues

 

[SteinarN]

Nice! Price was right but expect undercarriage issues

I am not surprised if some track pins are stuck. I fear maybe rollers too. I will know sometime next week when I get the track motor hose replaced. It was also a bit strange behaviour when I tried to move the tracks the first day when we dumped 80 liters (some 20 gallons) of hydraulic oil into the ground. I couldnt figure out how the pedals was working even though I know how they are working, it wouldnt go in the right direction. So I maybe fear very leaking svivel internally. Time will tell.

 

[Nige]

I tried to figure out which stick lenght is on this machine. The option says 1800mm, 2200mm and 2800mm. But I dont know where to measure the lenght. Boom/stick to stick/bucket pin is 1850mm center-center. Is this the stick lenght? If so it is 50mm (2") off from the stated short stick at 1800mm?

Yes it is. Stick length is measured from centre of the boom-to-stick pin to the centre of the stick-to-bucket pin. Measurements quoted are always approximate so you have the "1800mm" stick, even though it measures 1850mm in real life.

 

[SteinarN]

Ok. Then it have the short stick option. I think the 2200mm stick was the standard one.

 

[SteinarN]

This machine has what looks like an ignition switch, but I dont have the correct key for the switch and therefore it is in the off position I assume. There are three terminals on the switch, one is battery voltage, another is the the starter solenoid, but what is the function of the third terminal/wire?
The red master warning light come on as soon as I turn the battery main switch on. The alternator starts charging when the engine is running even with the ignition switch in the off position.

 

[Nige]

This machine has what looks like an ignition switch, but I dont have the correct key for the switch and therefore it is in the off position I assume.

Can you post a photo of the ignition switch. There are really only two types of key and a photo should identify which one you need.

Does the machine have a main electrical disconnect switch located close to the batteries.? If the key from that switch does not fit into the ignition switch then that only leaves one possibility for an ignition key.

There are three terminals on the switch, one is battery voltage, another is the the starter solenoid, but what is the function of the third terminal/wire?

I'll send you an electrical schematic which ought to help in figuring out what the wire functions are.

 

[Nige]

If your ignition switch looks like this then you need a 5P-8500 Key (shown on the right). Plenty available on eBay or Amazon.

 

[SteinarN]

If your ignition switch looks like this then you need a 5P-8500 Key (shown on the right). Plenty available on eBay or Amazon.

View attachment 351534

I bought one of those, but it didnt fit, or the lock is completely stuck. I can put it in but not turn it.
I'll have a closer look at the lock maybe tomorrow.

 

[Nige]

I can put it in but not turn it.
I'll have a closer look at the lock maybe tomorrow.

if the lock is working correctly you should only be able to insert the 5P-8500 key one way. Turn it 180-deg and it ought not to go into the lock at all. If this is the case then maybe the lock is seized up.? If the lock is damaged and you need a replacement look for 9G-7641.

 

[SteinarN]

I can only insert the key one way, so that seems ok