Where can I get general troubleshooting tips?
Product: Compactors
Category: Troubleshooting
Trouble-Shooting Chart
All service or repair procedures described below should be performed by authorized, fully trained personnel. Any service or repairs that go beyond the scope of the information below should be performed by factory authorized personnel only. If you need further assistance, please contact your local Marathon distributor. Be sure to have available the compactor serial number, installation date, and electrical schematic number when contacting your distributor or Marathon Service Department. Feel free to contact Marathon's Service Department at 1-800-633-8974
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| UNIT WILL NOT START | (1) No electrical power to unit | (1A) Turn on main disconnect |
| (1B) Replace fuses or reset breakers | ||
| (2) No electrical power to control circuit | (2A) Check primary and secondary sides of transformer | |
| (2B) Check for correct voltage. Check control fuses. | ||
| (2C) Check stop button | ||
| (2D) Check start button to be sure contact closes when depressed | ||
| (3) No electrical power to motor | (3A) Check heater resets | |
| UNIT WILL NOT CONTINUE RUNNING WHEN START BUTTON IS RELEASED | (1) Motor starter is in-operative | (1A) Check motor starter coil & wiring |
| (2) Motor starter auxiliary contacts are inoperative | (2A) Check motor starter contacts and wiring | |
| (3) Secondary contact on start button is inoperative | (3A) Check contact, wired black and orange, to be sure it is operating properly | |
| (3B) Check wiring | ||
| MOTOR RUNS BUT RAM DOES NOT MOVE NORMALLY | (1) Insufficient oil in reservoir | (1A) Fill reservoir with oil |
| (2) Low relief pressure | (2A) Check relief pressure (refer to PROCEDURES-HYDRAULIC PRESSURE CHECK and PRESSURE SETTINGS for correct pressure. | |
| (2B) Clean orifice in relief valve and reset pressure. | ||
| (2C) Check 'O" rings on relief valve for damage or leakage. | ||
| (3) Oil leakage in cylinder | (3A) Check cylinder for bypassing | |
| (3B) Replace seal kit, inspect rod and cylinder tube for scoring or nicks. | ||
| (3C) Replace cylinder | ||
| (4) Defective pump | (4A) Replace pump | |
| (5) Oil leakage from hose fittings | (5A) Tighten hose fittings | |
| (6) Low voltage | (6A) Check voltage | |
| (7) Pump may be driven in the wrong direction of rotation | (7A) Stop immediately to prevent seizure. Check direction of drive rotation (proper rotation direction is indicated by arrow on motor) | |
| (8) Shaft broken, or shaft key sheared | (8A) Visually inspect motor and pump shaft and hub couplings for damage. Replace if necessary. | |
| (9) Intake pipe from reservoir blocked, or oil viscosity too heavy to prime | (9A) Drain system. Add clean fluid of proper viscosity and specifications. Filter as recommended. Check system filter for cleanliness. | |
| (10) Intake air leaks (foam in oil or sounds like gravel in pump) | (10A) Check intake connections. Tighten securely. | |
| (11) Units shift slowly | (11A) Flow control valve (restrictor) clogged, remove and clean orifice. | |
| (12) Valve response sluggish | (12A) Contaminated oil-drain and flush system. | |
| (12B) Inadequate voltage, check voltage, check coil. | ||
| (12C) Disassemble valve and clean | ||
| (13) Loose hub coupling | (13A) Tighten set screws on hub coupling halves. | |
| UNIT WILL NOT REVERSE | (1) Solenoid valve is in-operative | (1A) Check coil in solenoid valve |
| PUMP MAKES NOISE-SOUNDS LIKE GRAVEL | (1 ) Partly clogged intake strainer or restricted intake pipe | (1A) Pump must receive intake fluid freely or cavitation results. Drain system, clean intake pipe and clean or replace strainer. |
| (2) Defective bearing | (2A) Replace pump | |
| (3) Air leak at pump intake pipe joints | (3A) Tighten joints as required. | |
| PUMP SHAFT SEAL LEAKING | (1) Seal worn or damaged | (1A) Replace seals or pump. |
| EXCESSIVE HEAT | (1) Continuous running | (1A) When over 140 degrees F or hot in comparison with circuit lines, pump should be shut down immediately. Before restarting, insure that fluid cooling capacity is adequate to remove system generated heat. |
| (1B) Install oil cooler (air or water type) | ||
| (1C) Install oil temperature shut down switch | ||
| (2) Undersized hydraulic lines | (2A) Replace with larger hydraulic lines | |
| (3) High ambient temperature in relation to oil temperature. | (3A) Use lower viscosity oil | |
| (4) Excessive system leakage | (4A) Check system for bypassing or leaks. | |
| RAPID WEAR | (1) Abrasive matter in the hydraulic oil being circulated through pump | (1A) Install adequate filter or clean. |
| (1B) Replace oil more often and clean tank | ||
| (2) Viscosity of oil too low at working conditions | (2A) Replace oil with factory recommended . | |
| (3) Pressure too high | (3A) Reduce pump pressures to factory specifications. | |
| (4) Air recirculation causing pump noise | (4A) Tighten all fittings. | |
| ERRATIC OPERATION | (1) Valve sticking or binding | (1A) Disassemble & clean as necessary |
| (2) Viscosity of oil too high | (2A) Change oil to factory recommended viscosity. | |
| (3) Air in system | (3A) Check for leaks, tighten fittings | |
| (4) Low oil | (4A) Fill reservoir with oil | |
| (5) Low voltage | (5A) Check primary & secondary sides of transformer for correct voltage. | |
| OVERLOADS TRIP FREQUENTLY | (1A) Check for correct voltage (incoming power). | |
| (1B) Check fuses or breakers at disconnect | ||
| (1C) Check heater elements to be sure they are tight. | ||
| (1D) Check wiring from starter to motor to make sure all connections are tight | ||
| (1E) Check motor leads to be sure all connections are tight surges or voltage | ||
| NOTE: Excessive overload tripping and/or motor or coil failures may occur if voltage surges or voltage drops are frequent in your area. This circumstance can be remedied by the installation of phase protectors which drop power to the motor if surges are |
