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You’re on the job, deadlines are already tight, and suddenly your skid steer doesn’t sound or feel right. Every hour of downtime costs not just time but money. 

That’s why we’ve put together this Shop Talk Blog post to help you learn the early warning signs of a final drive that’s about to fail. That way, you can catch these problems before they become catastrophic-- and more expensive.

Loss of Power

If your machine suddenly feels weak, maybe struggling to climb like it used to, or is sluggish when it has to move with a load, then here are some possibilities as to what is wrong with it:

• A blocked case drain filter
• Internal wear in the final drive
• Weak charge pump
• Final drive brakes are not releasing
• Other hydraulic issues

If power loss is only on one side, or the machine tries to curve to the side, that’s a big clue it’s a final drive issue.

When you run an equipment rental company, breakdowns aren’t just inconvenient -- they’re expensive, too. Every hour a machine sits idle is lost revenue, and every disappointed customer can be a serious hit to your reputation. If your skid steer or mini excavator is down because of a failed final drive, that clock starts ticking fast.

In the world of compact equipment, even the most seemingly minor component can make or break your machine’s performance. One such part, frequently overlooked but absolutely essential, is the case drain filter. It is a low-profile workhorse hidden in your hydraulic system, and when neglected, it can lead to catastrophic damage to your final drive motor.

At Â鶹ֱ²¥ Final Drive, we’ve seen the aftermath of ignored or clogged case drain filters: cracked housings, shredded rotator groups, and thousands of dollars in repairs. Here’s what every equipment owner and operator needs to know about this vital component.

Here are a few Shop Talk blog posts you might be interested in:

• Identifying the Hydraulic Ports on a Final Drive Motor
• Bobcat Final Drive Failures and Case Drain Filters
• Preventing Case Drain Related Failure on Final Drive Motors

If your compact track loader or skid steer has started making unusual noises, don’t ignore it. Strange sounds are one of the first signs that something may be going wrong inside your final drive motor. And if you catch the problem early, you might be able to avoid costly repairs—or worse, a complete failure that brings your jobsite to a halt.

You’re halfway through a job, the sun’s beating down, and suddenly your machine grinds to a halt. The final drive gave out again. This not only disrupts your work but also leads to costly repairs and potential project delays. It is frustrating, expensive, and all too common.

Final drives are supposed to last. When they don’t, it is not just bad luck. More often than not, there is a reason behind the failure. And if you do not know what caused it, you are likely to face the same problem again. 

In this Shop Talk Blog post, we will look at the most common reasons final drives wear out sooner than they should and what you can do to prevent it from happening on your next job.

• Dr Mac's Notebook: Basics of Mechanical Stress
• Metal Hardness and Your Final Drive Motor
• 4 Horrifying Final Drive Failures

A sudden hydraulic line blowout is more than just an inconvenience—it can shut down your jobsite, delay your project, and cost you in lost time and fluid cleanup. Whether you’re an independent contractor relying on a single machine or a rental business trying to avoid customer complaints, understanding how and why blowouts occur is essential. 

This Shop Talk Blog post will not only help you recognize the risks, but also empower you to spot the warning signs early and take simple steps to prevent disaster before it strikes. Your proactive role in this process is crucial.

Here are a few more blog posts you might find helpful:

• Hydraulic Hoses and Final Drives
• 5 Things to Avoid Doing with Hydraulic Hoses
• Exploring Hydraulic Connectors

Did you know that a single leak, dripping one drop per second, can result in the loss of ? And that over 100 million gallons of fluids could be saved every year in North America if.  And a small leak in your final drive is not just a nuisance—it’s an early warning sign of bigger trouble. Leaks mean critical fluids are seeping out, and damaging contaminants can make their way inside.

In this Shop Talk Blog post, we’ll discuss the causes of leaks, the symptoms to look out for, and why it's essential to address leaks as soon as possible.

Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts to take a look at:

• Maintaining Skid Steer Final Drives for Optimal Performance and Reliability​
• How to Check and Change the Gear Oil in a Final Drive Motor
• Advancements in Hydraulic Motor Design: Clearances
  
  

A skid steer loader only takes a second to turn from a helpful tool into a deadly hazard. Compact and powerful, these machines are worksite essentials but also have serious risks. In 2024, multiple workers lost their lives in tragic skid steer accidents, each one a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.

This blog post explores eight fatal skid steer incidents reported to OSHA in 2024, including rollovers, crushing injuries, and drownings. By examining these real-world tragedies, we aim to highlight standard danger zones and offer insights into how such accidents can be prevented in the future. Whether you're an operator, supervisor, or safety manager, understanding these risks is the first step toward making your job site safer.

Here are some other blog posts you might find helpful:

• Safe Hydraulic System Maintenance Practices You Should Follow
• Skid Steer Safety and Lift Arms
• Man Killed in Bobcat Skid Steer Loader Accident
• Unusual Excavator Accidents
  

Finding a high-quality, cost-effective replacement can be challenging when one of your final drive motors fails. At Â鶹ֱ²¥ Final Drive, we get it -- you need to keep your equipment running without breaking the bank, and that’s why our reman final drive motors are the wise choice.

In this post, we’ll cover three reasons why choosing a reman final drive motor from Â鶹ֱ²¥ Final Drive is the best decision for your business: no expensive tariffs, made in America, and environmentally friendly.

Here are a few other blog posts you might find interesting:

• Rebuilding a Track Drive
• Maintaining your Excavator Final Drive
• 5 Things You Should Know About Floating Face Seals

It’s Not Just Your Equipment That Overheats

It’s not even 10 a.m. and your shirt’s already soaked through. The sun’s beating down, the air feels like soup, and there’s still eight hours to go. You’ve got work to do—but the heat isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s dangerous.

Most folks know that equipment can overheat in the summer. But what about you? Your body’s working just as hard as your machine—and if you ignore the signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke, you’re gambling with more than downtime. You’re putting your health (and maybe even your life) on the line.

Let’s talk about how the heat hits you—and how to stay safer on the job—in this Shop Talk Blog post.

Here are a few other blog posts that might be helpful:

• Heat and Hydration
• Taking Charge of Your Safety: Precautions Against Heat When Working Outdoors