Volvo 3 Ton digger-No hydraulics

[Red Fred]

My Volvo Ec30 stopped working mid-cycle while ditching yesterday. The entire hydraulic system has stopped dead although it starts and runs fine. It is full of oil, there are no obvious leaks and neither the arm nor the tracks give the slightest judder when I move the controls. I have to conclude that either the pump has failed or the drive to the pump has gone, but I wondered if anyone had any experience of these and know how it is set up as it is all hidden away down below out of sight. Any ideas would be gratefully received

 

[Vincent]

Check the lock out switch it will probably be in the L/H arm rest joystick arm. Is it locking down properly to activate the switch.

 

[jd6820]

My Volvo Ec30 stopped working mid-cycle while ditching yesterday. The entire hydraulic system has stopped dead although it starts and runs fine. It is full of oil, there are no obvious leaks and neither the arm nor the tracks give the slightest judder when I move the controls. I have to conclude that either the pump has failed or the drive to the pump has gone, but I wondered if anyone had any experience of these and know how it is set up as it is all hidden away down below out of sight. Any ideas would be gratefully received

You're on the money I reckon! Pump drive plate is a common failure point on these machines.... It's plastic and the splines wear, it usually fails completely and you lose all hydraulics. But double check the isolator switch first, although unlikely to fail mid operation.

 

[Red Fred]

Thanks for the comments, I had a look at the switch as suggested but it seems OK, and it doesn't lock out the track drive in normal use, whereas I've lost everything with this problem. Will have to get the spanners out!

 

[y2kf]

Had that happen too one I was driving,plastic part broke too as I was slewing around, could feel a slight click when it went.

 

[Red Fred]

I was wondering if the plastic part is replaceable or is it a replacement pump job?

 

[jd6820]

I was wondering if the plastic part is replaceable or is it a replacement pump job?

Yeah just a drive coupling, pump will be absolutely fine.

 

[Red Fred]

I just got round to taking this apart and sure enough, it was the plastic drive disc that had failed, and lost all its teeth. In case anyone else has the same trouble, the pump has to come off and then a round cover so you can get at the flywheel and unbolt the disc. A bit fiddly but not too bad. Now to find a new disc. Thanks again for everyones' help