Caterpillar Rotary Joint

[bindian]

Two weeks ago I bought a Caterpillar E70B. It's my first excavator.
Besides changing a couple of lines and loose linkages on the bucket, I don't have much to do, except TLC and changing fluids and filters.

Today I found out why the two lines to the rotary (swivel) joint wore out early. The angle bracket that holds the joint in place has two sheared bolts, allowing the joint to pivot backwards and forwards. My question, can I pull the rotary joint out as a unit, or will I have to disassemble it to get the housing out to remove the sheared bolts?
hugs, Brandi

 

[Mysfyt]

Any chance of getting a picture? Nice and clean looking set up you got there! Get ready to have some fun!

 

[bindian]

Any chance of getting a picture? Nice and clean looking set up you got there! Get ready to have some fun!

Mysfyt,
Here is a cell photo of it I took 2 weeks ago. I'll get better digital camera shots of it today. The area I need to remove the broken bolts is just below both pair of angle fittings. This is the only access to work through, unless I remove hard lines that go back behind the cab about 5 feet............to the valve spool.
hygs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Guess not many folks here have dealt with a E70B's rotary joint. I decided I had to remove it to get a drill on it, as I only had 4-5 inches of space after removing the 4 hoses to the joint. I removed the hoses and 90 degree fittings and standoffs. I then had enough space to see it had oil and dirt over the holes. I shoved a small pick in the holes to see how deep the broken bolt threads were. In both holes I went in about an inch. I then cleaned out the holes with alcohol and cotton swabs and started trying mm and fractional bolts. I had to run to the auto parts store for some 7mm bolts. The 7mm bolts0 screwed in tight. So..........I don't have to remove the joint.........and that's a good feeling.
hugs, Brandi

 

[crashz]

Guess not many folks here have dealt with a E70B's rotary joint. I decided I had to remove it to get a drill on it, as I only had 4-5 inches of space after removing the 4 hoses to the joint. I removed the hoses and 90 degree fittings and standoffs. I then had enough space to see it had oil and dirt over the holes. I shoved a small pick in the holes to see how deep the broken bolt threads were. In both holes I went in about an inch. I then cleaned out the holes with alcohol and cotton swabs and started trying mm and fractional bolts. I had to run to the auto parts store for some 7mm bolts. The 7mm bolts0 screwed in tight. So..........I don't have to remove the joint.........and that's a good feeling.
hugs, Brandi

Sorry - not too familiar with the rotary joint. Glad you got it fixed though.

How does the machine dig? Seems like a nice size. Might have to tighten up the tracks soon, the left one has a little slack in it. I've peeled the tracks off of my father PC 150 and it was not fun getting them back on.

 

[bindian]

Well, the M7 bolts had me fooled. One tightened up and one spun and spun. So I went to Lowes and bought a cheap 90 degree drill attachment, then an M8-1.25 tap at Northern Tool. My letter H drill bit walked right into the hole while I held the 90 degree attachment and my son, up on the engine deck, triggered the Makita drill. I then fed the tap in with a 1/4 ratchet and the tap went in and just cleaned out the threads on both holes. They were M8 after all. It blows me a way the dirt and oil could hold a M7 bolt tight in an M8 threaded hole.
Anyway, it's all back together now. Later today I'll change the fluid and filters.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Sorry - not too familiar with the rotary joint. Glad you got it fixed though.

How does the machine dig? Seems like a nice size. Might have to tighten up the tracks soon, the left one has a little slack in it. I've peeled the tracks off of my father PC 150 and it was not fun getting them back on.

Crashz,
I haven't dug with it yet. I changed two lines that were leaking and saw the bracket missing the bolts, so I put it in the barn cause we got a lot of rain. Next weekend I'll change the hyd. fluid, fuel filters, and antifreeze. Then grease everything and change the gear oil at the drive motors.

Then...........I will feel comfortable about digging. I think it is the right size for me. I measured the track slack like the manual said and they were good. They look slack to me also. I will check them again after greasing and gear oil change.
hugs, Brandi