SERV1852

February 2008

GLOBAL SERVICE LEARNING

TECHNICAL PRESENTATION

300D SERIES HYDRAULIC

EXCAVATORS - TIER III ENGINES
MAIN CONTROL VALVE GROUP AND RETURN
SYSTEM
(Includes 320D, 321D, 323D, 324D, 325D,
328D, and 330D)

Service Training Meeting Guide

(STMG)
300D SERIES HYDRAULIC
EXCAVATORS - TIER III ENGINES
MAIN CONTROL VALVE GROUP AND RETURN
SYSTEM
AUDIENCE
Level II - Service personnel who understand the principles of machine systems operation,
diagnostic equipment, and procedures for testing and adjusting.

CONTENT
This presentation provides an introduction and describes the components and systems operation
of the 300D Series main control valve group and return system. Additional presentations will
cover the machine walkaround, engines, pilot system, pumps and controls, swing system, travel
system, and tool control systems in more detail. This presentation may be used for self-paced
and self-directed training.

OBJECTIVES
After learning the information in this presentation, the technician will be able to:
1. identify the components and explain the operation of the 300D Series hydraulic
excavators main control valve group and return system, and
2. diagnose problems in the main control valve group and return system.

REFERENCES
320D Hydraulic Excavator Specalog AEHQ5856
323D L and 323D LN Hydraulic Excavators HEHH3327
324D Hydraulic Excavator Specalog AEHQ5663
325D Hydraulic Excavator Specalog AEHQ5665
328D Hydraulic Excavator Specalog AEHQ5706
330D Hydraulic Excavator Specalog AEHQ5667
NPI "325D Hydraulic Excavator - Introduction" SERV7105-12
NPI "330D Hydraulic Excavator - Introduction" SERV7106-02
Machine Monitoring System - Systems Operation RENR8068
Self-study "300D Series Hydraulic Excavators, 345C Hydraulic Excavator,
and 365C & 385C Large Hydraulic Excavators SERV7032
iTIM " '300C' Series Hydraulic Excavators-Electronic Control Systems" SERV2693
iTIM "325C Hydraulic Excavators-Hydraulic Systems" SERV2701
325D Hydraulic Schematic KENR6157

Estimated Time: 1 Hour

Illustrations: 22
Form: SERV1852
Date: February 2008
© 2008 Caterpillar Inc.
SERV1852 -3- Text Reference
02/08

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................5
Main Control Valve Group .....................................................................................................6
Additional Components ......................................................................................................14
Return Hydraulic System......................................................................................................24

CONCLUSION ..........................................................................................................................29
SERV1852 -4- Text Reference
02/08

PREREQUISITES
"Fundamentals of Mobile Hydraulics Self Study Course" TEMV3002
"Fundamentals of Power Train Self Study Course" TEMV3003
"Fundamentals of Electrical Systems Self Study Course" TEMV3004
"Fundamentals of Engines Self Study Course" TEMV3001

NOTES
SERV1852 -5- Text Reference
02/08

MAIN CONTROL VALVE GROUP AND RETURN SYSTEM

Stick Cylinder
Bucket Cylinder Boom Cylinders

Swing Motor Travel Motors

Main Control Valve Group

Pilot
Control
Valves

Priority
Pilot Manifold Valves
Main
Pilot M
Hydraulic
Pump
Pumps
Fan
Fan Pump
Motor
Tank

The Fan Motor and Pump are only used on the 330D

INTRODUCTION

The main hydraulic system is a Negative Flow Controlled system that supplies hydraulic power
at high pressures and high flow rates to perform work. Two main hydraulic pumps supply oil to
the main control valve group. The individual hydraulic circuits are controlled by valves in the
the main control valve group.

The main hydraulic system supplies the following circuits:

- swing
- stick
- left and right travel
- bucket
- auxiliary
- boom

Oil returning from these circuits flows back to through the return system to the hydraulic tank.
SERV1852 -6- Text Reference
02/08

4 9
7 10
2 3 5 11
6
13

12

1 8

Main Control Valve Group

The main control valve group is located in the center of the upper structure of the machine.
The main control valve group receives pilot oil signals from the operator controls in the cab.
Each pilot signal then causes the appropriate control valve to shift in the correct direction.

When a control valve shifts, oil flows from the main hydraulic pumps to the appropriate
hydraulic cylinder or hydraulic motor to perform work. The medium 300D series main control
valve is similar to the medium 300C series valve. The components shown above include:
- right side NFC relief valve (1) - main relief valve (8)
- stick 2 (2) - left travel (9)
- boom 1 (3) - swing (10)
- bucket (4) - stick 1 (11)
- attachment (5) - boom 2 (12)
- right travel (6) - auxiliary valve for tool control (13)
- straight travel valve (7)
SERV1852 -7- Text Reference
02/08

MAIN CONTROL VALVE

NEUTRAL

Parallel
Boom Stick Left Feeder Right Boom Stick
2 1 Swing Travel Passage Travel Attach Bucket 1 2

NFC Signal Right Pump NFC Signal

Pressure for Inlet Port Pressure for
Idler Pump Drive Pump

Return Left Pump

Port Center Inlet Port
NFC Orifice Return Bypass Center Return NFC Orifice
Passage Passage Bypass Passage
Straight Travel Passage
Valve

The above illustration show a cross-sectional view of the main control valve group as viewed
from the rear of the machine, facing forward.

The main control valve group is constructed of two valve blocks that are connected together.
The drive pump provides oil flow for the right side of the main control valve group. The idle
pump provides oil flow for the left side of the main control valve group.

The pilot-operated, open-center control valves are of parallel feeder design. Because the main
control valve group uses the open-center portion of the control valve to generate a NFC signal
for the pumps, the oil must have another path to deliver oil to the work ports. This is
accomplished through a parallel feeder path. A parallel feeder path runs parallel to the
open-center path and supplies oil to the work port of each implement valve.

When all of the joysticks and pedals are in the NEUTRAL position, drive pump oil flows
through the right pump inlet port to the right half of the main control valve group. In the right
half of the main control valve group the oil flows two directions; to the center bypass passages,
and to the parallel feeder passages.
SERV1852 -8- Text Reference
02/08

The oil in the center bypass passages flows in series through the center bypass passage of the
travel, the attachment, the bucket, the boom 1, and the stick 2 valves to the NFC control orifice.
The NFC control orifice allows the oil to return to tank with a restriction.

This restriction is the NFC signal that is sent to the drive pump to maintain the drive pump at
minimum angle. The NFC circuit and its components will be covered in greater detail later in
this presentation.

The oil in the parallel feeder passage flows in parallel to the attachment, the bucket, the boom
1, and the stick 2 valves. Because all of the valves are in NEUTRAL, the oil in the parallel
feeder is blocked by the valve spools, and all oil must flow through the center bypass to the
tank.

The oil from the idler pump flows similarly through the left half of the control valve when all
valves are in NEUTRAL.
SERV1852 -9- Text Reference
02/08

Port A Port B CONTROL VALVE

NEUTRAL
Load
Check
Valve Line Relief
and Makeup
Valve

Pilot Pilot
Valve Valve

Control
Spool
Parallel Center
Feeder Bypass
Passage Passage

Control valve operation is similar for all of the valves in the main control valve group. The
following explanation is for the basic operation of all of the valves in the main control valve
group. The variations in each individual valve will be discussed later in more detail.

The control valve above is shown in NEUTRAL.

Spring force centers the valve spool to NEUTRAL when there is no pilot oil pressure directed
to shift the spool. In the NEUTRAL position, the spool blocks the oil in Port A and Port B.

Oil flows from the pump to the parallel feeder passage. The load check valve is seated because
of the pressure differential and spring force present on the load check valve.

In NEUTRAL, the valve spool allows oil to flow unrestricted through the center bypass
passage, which directs a high NFC pressure signal to the pump control valve. The high NFC
pressure causes the pump to destroke to a standby condition.
SERV1852 - 10 - Text Reference
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CONTROL VALVE
INITIAL MOVEMENT

Load Check Port A Port B

Valve

Parallel Feeder
Passage

Pilot Pilot
Valve Valve

Center Bypass
Passage
Control
Spool

When the operator begins to move the joystick to shift the control valve, metered pilot pressure
causes the control valve to shift slightly.

With the spool initially shifted, the center bypass passage is partially closed. This movement
causes NFC pressure to decrease, which signals the pump to begin to upstroke.

The movement of the spool partially opens a passage allowing the oil from Port B to work with
the load check valve spring to keep the load check valve seated.

The load check valve prevents unexpected implement movements when a joystick is initially
activated at a low pump delivery pressure. The load check valve also prevents oil loss from a
high pressure circuit to a lower pressure circuit.

The combined force of the work port pressure from Port B and the force of the spring above the
load check is greater than the pump supply pressure, causing the load check valve to remain
closed.
SERV1852 - 11 - Text Reference
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CONTROL VALVE
FULL SHIFT

Load Check Port A Port B

Valve

Parallel Feeder
Passage

Pilot Pilot
Valve Valve

Center Bypass
Passage
Control
Spool

As the operator moves the joystick farther, the pilot pressure on the end of the spool increases.
The increased pilot pressure causes the spool to fully shift.

The center bypass passage is now closed, which blocks the oil flow to the NFC signal port to a
pump control valve. When the NFC signal is reduced, the pump upstrokes and flow is
increased. The increased flow can no longer return to tank through the center bypass passage.
All oil now flows through the parallel feeder path.

The increased oil flow to the parallel feeder passage causes pressure to rise in the parallel
feeder passage. The increased oil pressure overcomes the force of the load check spring and
the workport pressure in Port B, which causes the load check valve to unseat. Oil flows out to
Port B.

The oil returning from Port A flows past the spool and returns to tank.

NOTE: The load check valve is a loose fit in the load check seat to allow leakage past
the check valve from the spring chamber. A separate spring chamber vent passage is
not required with this load check design.
SERV1852 - 12 - Text Reference
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MAIN CONTROL VALVE GROUP

NEGATIVE FLOW CONTROL OPERATION

Drift
Reduction
Valve
Stick Regen Straight Travel
Valve Solenoid
Boom 2 Attachment Bucket
Valve Valve

Right
Travel
NFC Stick 2
Relief Boom 1
Valve Straight
Travel

Stick 1 Swing Left

NFC Travel
Orifice Main
Relief

Swing Variable Swing

PRV Line Relief Boom Regen NFC
Stick Unloading NFC Signal Priority Valve and Makeup Valve Relief
Valve Line (Idler Pump) Valve Valve
NFC Signal
Line (Drive Pump)
Idler Pump

M
Pilot Oil
Heavy Lift Drive Pump Pilot Pump
Solenoid

This illustration shows the operation of the main control valve when only the bucket spool has
been shifted.

All of the control valves in the left side are in the NEUTRAL position, and the center bypass
passage is open. All of the flow from the idler pump flows through the center bypass passage
to the NFC orifice. Because all of the oil flow from the idler pump is restricted by the NFC
orifice, the NFC pressure is at maximum pressure. The NFC pressure flows through the control
line to the idler pump control valve. The NFC pressure present at the pump control valve
causes the swashplate to move to the minimum angle position. The output of the idler pump is
decreased to STANDBY due to the increased NFC pressure.

The bucket control spool is fully shifted by pilot oil when the joystick is fully moved to the
position. Flow from the drive pump flows into the right side of the main control valve and into
the center bypass passage to the bucket control valve. Because the bucket control spool is fully
shifted, all of the oil flow from the drive pump flows to the bucket cylinder. No oil flows to the
NFC control orifice and no NFC signal pressure is generated. Because no NFC signal pressure
flows to the pump control valve, the pump control valve moves the pump toward maximum
angle. The drive pump output increases.

The individual circuits of the main control valve group will be covered in more detail later.
SERV1852 - 13 - Text Reference
02/08

CONTROL VALVE
FINE CONTROL

Load Check Port A Port B

Valve

Parallel Feeder
Passage

Pilot Pilot
Valve Valve

Center Bypass
Passage Control
Spool

When the joystick is partially moved from the NEUTRAL position to perform a fine control
operation, reduced pilot pressure shifts the control spool slightly to the left. The movement of
the control spool partially opens a passage to Port B.

The movement of the control spool also partially blocks the center bypass passage, which
divides the flow from the one drive into two flow paths. A portion of the pump output flows
through the center bypass passage to the NFC orifice at a reduced pressure. The remainder of
the drive pump output flows through the parallel feeder passage and internal passages to Port B.

Because the oil flow from the center passage to the NFC orifice decreases, the pressure to the
drive pump control valve decreases. The reduced NFC pressure causes the drive pump to move
toward maximum angle. The drive pump output increases proportional to the reduction in NFC
pressure.
SERV1852 - 14 - Text Reference
02/08

Additional Components

The main relief valve (1) is located in the left half of the main control valve group. The main
relief valve limits the maximum operating pressure of the the travel and implement hydraulic
circuits. For the NACD market the 300D Series main relief valve has two settings. One
setting is for the standard maximum pressure and the other setting is for Heavy Lift. In all
other countries Heavy Lift is optional.

When energized the heavy lift solenoid (not shown) sends a pilot signal through the line (2) at
the top of the relief valve to increase the pressure setting of the main relief valve.

When heavy lift is selected, the Machine ECM limits engine speed to speed dial 6 and activates
the heavy lift solenoid The heavy lift solenoid directs pilot oil to the main relief valve to
increase the relief valve setting. At the same time the Machine ECM increases the power shift
pressure to decrease the pump output flow. Decreasing the pump output flow provides
increased controlability and hydraulic smoothness during a heavy lift operation.

The Heavy Lift Mode limits the pumps to a maximum of approximately 60% of the normal
hydraulic horsepower. Heavy Lift Specs:
- Engine rpm for Heavy Lift is the engine speed dial 6 setting.
- Hydraulic horsepower is limited to 60% of full power during Heavy Lift.
- Main relief maximum pressure during Heavy Lift is 36000 kPa ± 490 kPa
(5225 ± 70 psi).
SERV1852 - 15 - Text Reference
02/08

1
10

11

Heavy lift is activated by pressing the heavy lift switch (1) on the soft switch panel (2) in the
operators station. The heavy lift switch is an input to the Machine and Tool Control ECM.

The heavy lift solenoid (3) is located near the hydraulic tank and below the main control valve
group.
SERV1852 - 16 - Text Reference
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STRAIGHT TRAVEL CONTROL VALVE

Heavy Lift
AND MAIN RELIEF VALVE Solenoid

Pilot Oil
Main
Control Valve

Straight
Travel Solenoid Straight Travel
Main Solenoid
Parallel
Relief
Feeder Travel Valve
Left Control
Valve Center
Bypass Right
Straight Travel
Center
Control Valve
Bypass Right Parallel
Feeder Right

Center
Bypass Main Check Drive
Left Relief Valves Pump
Valve
Center
Parallel Bypass Left
Feeder Right
Idler
Idler Pump
Pump
E
Drive
Parallel
Pump
Feeder Left
Straight Travel
Control Valve

Pilot Oil
Heavy Lift
Solenoid

12

The drive pump oil flow enters the main control valve group through the upper delivery line.
The idler pump oil flow enters the main control valve group through the lower delivery line.
The drive pump oil and idler pump oil pressures work against the two check valves.

The oil from both of the pumps is directed to the appropriate passages by the straight travel
valve.

The check valves ensure that only the higher pressure from the idler or the drive pump flows to
the main relief valve. The check valves also ensure that flow from the highest pressure circuit
does not enter the other if the pressure is lower.

For example, if the bucket was being closed at a high pressure and no other function was active,
the lower check valve would close. The check valve would prevent the drive pump oil from
flowing through the center bypass in the left circuit. This ensures that relief pressure occurs in
a stalled condition.
SERV1852 - 17 - Text Reference
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MAIN RELIEF VALVE

Heavy Lift Heavy Lift

HEAVY LIFT OFF Solenoid HEAVY LIFT ON Solenoid

Pilot Oil Pilot Oil

Adjustment Adjustment
Nut Nut

Lock Nut Lock Nut

Lock Nut Lock Nut

Piston Spindle Piston

Spindle

Dump Dump
Poppet Poppet
Spool Spool

Orifice Orifice

Pump Pump
Supply Supply

13

The above illustration shows the pilot operated main relief valve in the closed state and with the
heavy lift solenoid energized state.

At lower system pressures the poppet is held against the the seat by the force of the spring.
System pressure in the passage flows through the orifice into the spring chamber above the
dump spool. When the force applied by system pressure is less than the value of the upper
spring, the poppet remains seated, causing the oil pressure in the lower spring cavity to equal
system pressure. The combined force of the lower spring and system pressure holds the dump
spool down.

As the system pressure nears the main relief valve pressure setting, the force of the system
pressure in the lower spring chamber overcomes the force of the upper spring. This causes the
poppet to unseat, allowing system oil to flow around the poppet to the return passage. As the
oil in the lower spring chamber flows around the poppet, additional system pressure oil flows
through the orifice into the lower spring chamber at a reduced pressure.

System pressure overcomes the force of the oil pressure in the lower spring chamber and the
spring, causing the dump spool to move upward. As the dump spool moves upward, system
pressure oil is allowed to flow to the return passage.
SERV1852 - 18 - Text Reference
02/08

The amount of spring force acting on the poppet determines the main relief valve pressure
setting. Adjustments to the main relief valve pressure setting are made by changing the spring
force of the upper spring.

Heavy Lift increases the maximum system pressure. When the Heavy Lift is activated, the
Heavy Lift solenoid is energized sending pilot hydraulic oil to the top end of the main relief
valve.

The pilot hydraulic oil pushes the piston down compressing the poppet spring to increase the
maximum system pressure.

To adjust the maximum system pressure turn the adjustment nut in or out.

To adjust the Heavy Lift pressure setting, the spindle must be turned in or out. The Heavy Lift
pressure setting should be adjusted first before adjusting the normal relief pressure.
SERV1852 - 19 - Text Reference
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LINE RELIEF VALVE

CLOSED OPEN

Poppet
Poppet
Spring
Chamber

Spring

Inner
Spool

Outer
Outer
Spool
Spool Piston

14

The above illustration shows a line relief valve in the closed and in the open positions. The line
relief valve is a combination single-stage relief valve, and a makeup valve.

At lower system pressures, the poppet is held against a seat by the force of the upper spring.
The circuit pressure in the passage flows through a cross-drilled orifice in the piston to the
spring chamber above the inner spool. When the force applied by system pressure is less than
the value of the upper spring, the poppet remains seated, causing the oil pressure in the lower
spring cavity to equal system pressure. The combined force of the lower spring and system
pressure keep the inner spool seated.

As the system pressure nears the line relief valve pressure setting. The force of the system
pressure in the lower spring chamber overcomes the force of the upper spring. This causes the
poppet to unseat, allowing system oil to flow around the poppet to the return passage. As the
oil in the lower spring chamber flows around the poppet, additional system pressure oil flows
through the orifice in the piston from the lower spring chamber at a reduced pressure.

System pressure overcomes the force of the oil pressure in the lower spring chamber and the
spring, causing the inner spool to move upward. As the inner spool moves upward, system
pressure oil is allowed to flow to the return passage.
SERV1852 - 20 - Text Reference
02/08

The amount of spring force acting on the poppet determines the line relief valve pressure
setting. Adjustments to the line relief valve pressure setting are made by changing the spring
force of the upper spring. The position of the adjustment screw determines the spring force of
the upper spring.
SERV1852 - 21 - Text Reference
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LINE RELIEF VALVE

MAKEUP
CLOSED MAKEUP

Poppet
Poppet
Spring
Chamber

Spring
Step

Inner
Spool

Outer
Outer
Spool
Spool Piston

15

The above illustration shows a line relief valve in the closed and in the makeup positions. The
makeup function of the line relief valve prevents cavitation and voiding in the various circuits
of the hydraulic system.

Under normal operating conditions, the outer spool of the line relief valve is seated. The valve
is held in the seated position by spring force and the hydraulic pressure in the spring chamber
above the inner spool.

If hydraulic circuit pressure becomes lower than the tank pressure, the pressure in the spring
chamber is reduced. Tank pressure surrounds the outer spool, and creates a force on the step of
the outer spool. This force unseats the outer spool and oil flows from the return system to the
lower pressure hydraulic circuit.
SERV1852 - 22 - Text Reference
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NEGATIVE FLOW CONTROL (NFC)

RELIEF VALVE
NFC Signal

NFC Orifices

NFC
Relief Valve

From Center
Bypass Passage

16

A NFC relief valve and orifice is located in the housing located at each end of the main control
valve. The NFC relief valve on the right half of the main control valve group controls the NFC
signal to the right pump. The NFC relief valve on the left half of the main control valve group
controls the NFC signal to the left pump. The two reliefs work similarly.

Oil enters the NFC orifice from the center bypass passage. The returning oil flows through the
NFC orifices to the return passage when the system is in STANDBY. The orifices restrict the
flow back to tank, which causes an increase in pressure through the center bypass passages.
This signal is sent to the pump control valve of the main hydraulic pump.

When a hydraulic function is activated in the main control valve group, the center bypass
passage is blocked. The NFC pressure at the pump control valve bleeds off through the NFC
orifices to tank.

The NFC relief valve is normally closed by spring force. The NFC relief valve is not
adjustable.

NOTE: The left and right NFC relief valves can NOT be swapped from one end of the
main control valve group to the other for diagnostic testing purposes.
SERV1852 - 23 - Text Reference
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The NFC relief valve only opens under sudden pressure spikes in the return system, which
would occur if the pump was fully upstroked and the control valve returned suddenly to
NEUTRAL.

A sudden pressure spike in the return system would cause high flow through the center bypass
passage. The high volume of oil could not flow quickly enough through the NFC orifice to the
return system. The high pressure generated in the center bypass passage would open the NFC
relief valve, which would relieve the sudden pressure spike. The valve would return with
spring force to the closed position once the NFC orifice would allow an adequate amount of oil
for the pressure in the return passage to decrease.
SERV1852 - 24 - Text Reference
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RETURN HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

Slow Return Bypass

Check Valve Check Valve

Return Filter
Cooler Bypass
Valve Group

Cooler
Tank

Case Drain Filter

17

Return Hydraulic System

The return hydraulic system transfers all of the hydraulic oil that has been used in the system to
do work back to the hydraulic tank.

The return hydraulic system has the following components:

- slow return check valve

- cooler bypass check valve group

- hydraulic oil cooler

- hydraulic oil filters

- hydraulic oil tank

SERV1852 - 25 - Text Reference
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18

The slow return check valve and the bypass check valve are in the cooler bypass valve group
(arrow).

The slow return check valve restricts return oil flowing from the main control valve, which
maintains a constant back pressure in the return hydraulic system. The back pressure ensures
that oil is available when needed for makeup in the various machine hydraulic circuits.

The bypass check valve regulates return oil flow through the hydraulic oil cooler.
SERV1852 - 26 - Text Reference
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SLOW RETURN CHECK VALVE AND BYPASS CHECK VALVE

Slow Return Return Passage from

Check Valve Main Control Valve Group

Inlet Line Makeup Line

to Oil Cooler To Swing Motor

Plug

Bypass
Check Valve

Return Line From Return Line to

Hydraulic Oil Cooler Return Filter

19

Return oil from the main control valve flows from the return line into the housing for the slow
return check valve as shown above. The return oil flows to the slow return check valve and to
the makeup line for the swing motor. The back pressure created by the slow return check valve
ensures that makeup oil is present at the swing motor and the various makeup valves in the
hydraulic system.

After flowing through the slow return check valve, oil flows to the cooler inlet line and the
bypass check valve. At low temperatures, the high viscosity of the oil flowing through the
hydraulic oil cooler causes the pressure to rise. The rising pressure causes the bypass check
valve to open. Most of the oil flows through the bypass check valve. Because only a small
amount of oil flows through the cooler, the oil temperature increases.

As the oil temperature increases, the bypass check valve begins to close and a greater portion of
the oil flows through the hydraulic oil cooler. The bypass check valve maintains the oil at the
optimum operating temperature.

The plug located below the makeup line to the swing motor can be removed to install a minimal
back pressure return for a hydraulic attachment, such as a hydraulic hammer.
SERV1852 - 27 - Text Reference
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20

The hydraulic oil cooler (1) is part of the cooling package (2) on the left side of the machine at
the rear.

The hydraulic oil cooler reduces the temperature of the hydraulic oil in the system.

Oil enters the hydraulic oil cooler from the slow return check valve. After passing through the
cooler, oil is delivered to the hydraulic return filter.
SERV1852 - 28 - Text Reference
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1
2
4

21

Return oil flow from the hydraulic oil cooler flows into the return filter (1), which is mounted
at the rear of the hydraulic tank on smaller machines. On larger machines, the filter is inside
the hydraulic tank. The return filter contains a bypass valve that directs the return oil to the
hydraulic tank if the filter becomes plugged.

All returning oil from the hydraulic system is filtered by the return hydraulic filter.

The tank has a vacuum breaker to limit the maximum tank pressure to 55 kPa (8 psi). The
breaker opens at 13 kPa (-2 psi) to prevent damage to the tank.

Oil in the hydraulic tank flows through the suction screen located inside the tank before being
delivered to the main hydraulic pump group.

The hydraulic tank sight gauge (3) is located to the right of the return filter.

The case drain filter (4) receives case drain oil from the swing motor, idler and drive main
hydraulic pumps, and left and right travel motors. On the 330D the filter also received case
drain oil from the fan motor.

Oil from the case drain filter flows into the hydraulic tank. The purpose of the case drain filter
is to reduce hydraulic contamination to the hydraulic system if a pump or motor fails.
SERV1852 - 29 - Text Reference
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22

CONCLUSION

This presentation has provided information for the 300D Series Caterpillar Hydraulic
Excavators.

This section of the presentation covered the main control valve group and the return hydraulic
system.

When used in conjunction with the service manual, the information in this package should
permit the technician to do a thorough job of analyzing a problem in these systems.

For service repairs, adjustments, and maintenance, always refer to the Operation and
Maintenance Manual, Service Manuals, and other related service publications.