Checked the hydraulic fluid on your TracStar 28/250/412/618
Series 2 lately? Need help? We’ve got answers.
How often should I check hydraulic fluid levels?
Daily. If the fluid is not visible in the reservoir strainer, fill until it is visible. The hydraulic fluid reservoir is located above the engine. Don’t overfill the reservoir since the fluid expands as it heats up.
How often should I change the hydraulic fluid and filter?
Every 400 hours of operation. It should also be changed if the restriction gauge is in the red while the facer is running.
How do I drain the tank?
Remove the cowling and place the drain tube into a container and open the drain valve.
My carriage’s movements are jerky and erratic. What could this mean?
This indicates that there is air in the hydraulic system. The carriage cylinders must be bled if the system ever runs low on oil or leaks air on the inlet side of the pump. To bleed the system, follow these steps:
- Locate the bleed plugs on the two carriage cylinder glands.
- Tilt the machine so the fixed jaw end is higher than the opposite end.
- Shift the directional control and move the carriage to the fixed jaw end.
- Adjust the pressure as low as it will go before proceeding. (Warning: Escaping fluid under pressure can penetrate the skin and cause serious injury. Keep your hands and body away from pinholes which eject fluid under pressure. Use a piece of cardboard or paper to search for leaks. If any fluid is injected into the skin, it must be immediately removed by a doctor familiar with this type of injury.)
- Loosen the bleed plug on one cylinder next to the fixed jaw.
- Hold pressure on the cylinder until no air is indicated and quickly tighten the plug.
- Repeat this operation on the opposite cylinder.
- Tilt the machine so the opposite end is higher than the fixed jaw.
- Move the carriage to the end opposite the fixed jaw and repeat the above procedure on this end of the cylinders.
For more maintenance tips, go to our product pages to view or download the Operator’s Manuals.
