5 Potential Causes of a Weak Travel Motor

Lack of power is a common complaint when a final drive or travel motor is in need of service. It reveals itself when your machine can’t climb a steep grade or keeps steering to one side. There are six potential causes behind a lack of power, and not all of them are the fault of the final drive.

Reason #1: Lack of Pressure 

One major cause behind a weak final drive or travel motor is simply a lack of hydraulic pressure. This can be detected by checking the hydraulic pressure at the final drive. You can refer to your manufacturer’s guidelines for the expected pressure reading you should obtain.

Reason #2: Excessive Friction

The second potential cause behind a lack of power is high friction. When high friction is present, more power is required to overcome it. Excessive friction can be caused by issues with the track chain tension or by rollers and idlers that are in poor condition. This, in turn, can cause key components, including your final drive, to wear out prematurely.

Reason #3: High Speed Mode

Sometimes the machine steers to the side because one of the travel motors is trapped in high-speed mode. This can also cause problems with climbing steep grades. In that case, the issue most likely lies with the speed control system and not the final drive. Check the speed control system before you send in your travel motor for repairs or inspection.

Reason #4: Weak Charge Pump

If your final drive is making a screeching noise along with a lack of power, the problem is most likely the charge pump. If the charge pump isn’t providing enough pressure, the internal brake on the travel motor won’t be released and is equivalent to driving with the emergency brake on. If this goes on unresolved, your travel motor will be badly damaged.

Reason #5: Worn Out

There is another potential cause behind a lack of power: the gearbox or the final drive itself is just worn out and in need of repair or  replacement. All parts have a finite life, and will eventually wear out. You can slow down that process with regular maintenance, but wear can never be 100% prevented.

Possible Problem May Not be Final Drive

If your final drive seems weak, keep in mind that the problem may not be your final drive. Possible causes include low pressure, high friction, high-speed mode control issues, a weak charge pump, or worn out parts and components.

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