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How To Make Hydraulic Connections to a Two Speed Travel Motor
Making incorrect hydraulic drive motor connections can at worst destroy the excavator travel motor
This post will help identify the hydraulic connections relevant to a two speed final drive. There may be up to 5 hydraulic connections to a two speed hydraulic travel motor and gearbox:
- Two hydraulic lines to power the motor. These are the flow and return lines connected to the A & B ports (see images)
- A case drain / leak-off. It is very important to connect this to the correct C port — See below
- A two speed line to control the travel motor speed via the D port
- A brake line. If fitted it is usually connected to the gearbox rather than the travel motor
Below are some examples of two speed motors with their ports identified.
3T Mini Excavator
Integrated two speed travel motor showing 5 front entry ports. The case drain ports are interconnected and either can be used.
13T Excavator
Integrated single speed travel motor showing 5 front entry ports. The C ports are interconnected and either can be used.
3.5T Mini Excavator
Integrated two speed travel motor with the two speed port to the side.
3.5T Mini Excavator
Motor showing 4 front entry ports. Either of the C ports can be used.
12T Excavator
Case drain port is between A/B ports
12T Excavator
The two speed port is at the rear
20T Excavator
Case drain ports are either side of A/B ports
20T Excavator
The two speed port is at the rear
36T Excavator
‘Plug in’ 2 speed travel motor and gearbox.
36T Excavator
Alternative C port out of view.
A & B Ports (flow and return)
These are the main inlet/outlet ports and are usually the largest ports on the travel motor. Where there are four or more ports they will nearly always be located in the centre of the manifold.
C1 & C2 Ports (case drain)
Most modern final drives will have two case drain ports, one on either side of the A/B ports. The position of the drain port can be changed by placing a plug in either C1 or C2.
It is important to always attach the case drain hose to the uppermost port and leave the bottom port plugged. Some drives have a single case drain port between the A/B ports.
In smaller drives the twin speed hose/port and case drain hose/port are the same size so it is critical that the case drain hose is correctly identified.
All conventional axial piston hydraulic motors must have a controlled leakage from the rotating group (motor) into the casing. This oil lubricates all moving parts within the rotating group and it MUST be able to drain back to the hydraulic tank relatively unrestricted via the swivel joint and return line filter.
The case drain oil also lubricates both motor shaft bearings. It is important that the case drain hose is connected to the uppermost case drain port (where there is an option) so the motor case is constantly full of oil.
D Port (Two Speed)
The two speed port tends to be the smallest on the travel motor and can be found in different positions depending on the model and manufacturer.
It can be found on the front of the manifold centred between the A/B ports or located on the side or rear of the manifold.
Brake Port
With the exception of tracked dumpers and other faster moving tracked machines it is unusual to find a brake port in an integrated gearbox and travel motor as the brake is usually controlled automatically.
Where a separate “plug-in” motor is used the brake port is usually found on the gearbox. If equipped the port location will be clearly shown in the installation instructions.