A lack of lube causes the excavator’s upperstructure to rotate at a snail’s pace or erratically.

Two grease fittings that lubricate the structure’s swing bearing are located directly under the access cover for the boom’s hydraulic hoses. Needless to say, they get overlooked!

Grab your grease gun and put some “swing” back into the swing bearing by following these steps on Page 15-1 of TM 5-3805-280-10.

* Park the excavator on level ground.

* Lower the bucket to the ground.

* Turn the idle switch off.

* Run the engine so the rpms are one third the way up the rpm gauge, without a load, for two  Lower the rpms to the slow idle position.

* Turn the key switch to OFF, then remove the key.

* Attach a Do Not Operate tag on the right control lever inside the cab.

* Pull the pilot control shut-off lever to the locked position.

* During scheduled services, give the fittings ten shots of grease each.

* Start the engine. Raise the excavator’s bucket several inches off the ground. Turn the upper-structure 45 degrees.