Field Case: An EC290B Pulling to One Side — a Seal Kit Fixed It Before Anyone Bought a Travel Motor

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Case in one line: An EC290B pulled to one side; the local plan was a new travel motor. The customer came to us for the assembly — we first gave him a free 20-minute test: swap the left/right travel hoses at the swivel joint. The pull followed the hoses — swivel internal leakage, not the motor. One seal kit fixed it; the motor budget stayed untouched.

How it went

Day	What happened
Day 1	Customer inquired about a travel motor assembly. Before quoting, we gave the swap test: cross the left/right travel high-pressure lines at the swivel
Day 2	Result: the pull switched direction with the hoses. Verdict: internal leakage in the swivel joint — the motor is fine
Day 2	Swivel seal kit matched by serial, quoted, ordered
Day 6	Kit fitted; pull gone, tracks straight

Why run the swap test first

Test result	Conclusion	What to replace
Pull follows the hoses	Swivel joint internal leakage	Swivel seal kit (a fraction of a motor's price)
Pull stays on the same side	Travel motor / gearbox itself	Then quote the assembly by the motor's nameplate number

20 minutes saves a wrong purchase worth tens of thousands — we'd rather sell one less part than let a customer buy blind;
Swivel leakage usually traces to aged seals plus overdue hydraulic oil — check the hydraulic filter while you're in there;
If the motor truly needs replacing, the nameplate number (cast on the housing) is the surest way to quote.

Appendix: 4 ways to get the exact part right the first time

Method	What you provide	Result
1. Part number (fastest)	The part number / VOE number / CAT number — nothing else needed	Stock and price confirmed within minutes; 100% precise
2. Model + serial number + year	e.g. EC210B + machine serial + year 2015	The same model can have several versions — the serial number pins it down
3. Photo of nameplate / old part	A clear photo of the machine nameplate, or the printed/stamped number on the old part	We verify fitment from the photo — our responsibility, not yours
4. Fault description + replacement history	Briefly describe the symptom and whether/when this part was replaced before	We help judge what to replace — and whether a root cause is still hiding

Send any one of the four to our online chat to lock in the right part. The more you share, the faster and more accurate the quote.

Parts used in this case

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Frequently asked questions

Can we do the swap test ourselves?

Yes — two wrenches, engine off, pressure relieved, photograph before and after. Unsure? We'll guide you remotely.

How often do swivel seals need replacing?

No fixed interval — overdue hydraulic oil and heavy-duty cycles accelerate aging. At the first hint of pull, check; don't wait until it won't track straight.

What brand are the seals?

Matched by part number — genuine or quality alternative, both oil-resistant and warrantied, priced for your choice.

Got a part number or a photo?

Send it to our online chat — in-stock parts quoted the same day.

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