New Holland LX885: Problems, Durability, Repairs

The new Holland LX885 is widely praised by operators for its power, fuel efficiency, lift capacity, reliability, and durability. So far, most of them say that the skid steer loader only has a few known problems.

In this article, we will assess whether or not the New Holland LX885 truly lived up to its reputation over the years or if it was just a hype that never delivered its promise.

Durability

The New Holland LX885 was produced between 1994 to 1999. Surprisingly, a few of them can still be seen in various construction and agricultural projects, which truly speaks a lot of their durability even if they are already nearly three decades in existence.

At its best, the skid steer loader can remarkably reach 9,000 to 10,000 operational hours. This of course comes with regular maintenance like following its oil, fluids, and filters' replacement schedules. Likewise, this can be achieved by taking care of its issues at their onset before they start to become major headaches.

Most Common Problems and Repairs

To maintain the ideal operational condition of the New Holland LX885, operators should keep a lookout for the most common problems of this aging machine as well as their repairs. These include the following:

1. Display Not Turning On

At this rate, one of the most common issues that you may encounter with the New Holland LX885 is the display not turning on. This may manifest itself with a beeping sound because the display is not detected by the system of your vehicle and its indicators are not powering up. In this case, it may likely be a connection issue or a problem with the display itself due to standard wear.

To assess the issue, you must first check all the cables and connections around the display. Make sure that all of them are securely connected and not loose or broken in any way. If everything is in place, you can use a multimeter to measure the voltage on each connection to determine whether there is power being sent to the display.

An alternative would be to swap out the display for another one from either a used or new unit as a test to see if it fixes the problem.

If neither of these solutions works, then it's likely that your New Holland LX885 may need a replacement part. The most common parts that could have gone wrong are the wiring harness and/or the display itself. Since a replacement for its display is hard to look for nowadays due to the fact that it goes way back to the 90s, it is important to determine what the exact issue is before ordering any replacement.

All in all, if you encounter this issue, it's best to consult with a professional technician who can assess and diagnose your problem before attempting anything yourself.  This will ensure that you won't end up wasting time or money on unneeded parts or repairs.

If you do have to replace any part, make sure to use genuine New Holland LX885 components so that they are compatible with your vehicle's system. Making sure that the right part is used will help avoid further issues down the line.

2. Too Much Fuel Consumption

The fuel consumption of vehicles usually becomes more as they age due to regular wear and tear. The New Holland LX885 skid steer loader is no exception. The most common causes of the problem are clogged fuel injectors, vacuum leaks, faulty ignition components, and dirty air filters.

To trace the cause of the problem with this particular model, start by checking for any visible problems such as improper connections or broken hoses. Examine the spark plugs to make sure they are in good condition and that they provide an adequate spark. Follow it up by running it over a diagnostic scanner to check for stored codes that could be causing higher-than-normal fuel consumption.

Next, check the air filter for debris and dirt buildup. If it needs replacing, do so immediately. Finally, listen to noises coming from the fuel injectors. If there's any unusual sound, it could mean the injectors are clogged and need to be replaced.

To address the problem, start by replacing any broken or malfunctioning components. If the fuel injectors are clogged, clean them with a specialized solution or replace them entirely with new ones.

Check the vacuum lines for any leaks and repair them as necessary. Replace worn spark plugs, air filters, and other ignition components if needed. Once all faulty parts have been identified and exchanged for new ones, carefully ensure all connections are secure before starting up again.

Following these steps should fix the fuel consumption issue in your New Holland LX885 skid steer loader.

3. Fuel Pump Failure

Fuel pump failure is a specific problem that a number of New Holland LX885 are experiencing at around 2,000 hours. This could be hastened if you have frequently missed some of its supposed regular maintenance schedules. The symptoms may vary from weak fuel delivery, inadequate performance, and difficulty starting.

An experienced technician can evaluate the problem visually by looking for signs of faulty parts such as a torn diaphragm, worn-out seals, broken springs, and clogged intake screens. To ensure that the cause is accurately identified, it is necessary to check other components of the system including the injection pump assembly and filters.

To correct this issue, replacing the fuel pump assembly may be required. The major components of this assembly include an inlet pipe flange with a strainer screen, a rotor/vane assembly, a housing cover, an outlet valve spring, a throttle body gasket kit, an internal retainer plate, valve bushing, and various other seals, springs and hardware.

The proper installation of all these parts as per the New Holland LX885's specifications is important for the optimal performance of the system. It would be wise to consult a factory-certified technician when performing this work to ensure that the repair job is done correctly.

Additionally, it is also recommended that you replace the fuel filter and other related parts at regular intervals for better maintenance and durability of your skid steer loader.

4. Hydraulic Leaks

Hydraulic leaks in the New Holland LX885 skid steer loader can occur due to a variety of causes. The most common cause is worn or damaged hydraulic seals, which can be caused by high pressure, excessive contamination in the system, or incorrect operation and maintenance.

Other possible causes include clogged filters, broken hoses and lines, corrosion on metal parts, faulty actuators or solenoids, defective valves, air entering the system through leaky components, or simply time-worn parts that have exceeded their service life.

To trace the source of a hydraulic leak in this machine correctly and accurately, it is important to first observe visual clues such as fluid stains around fittings and seals as well as a malfunctioning lifter mechanism.

Next, inspect all component surfaces for signs of wear or damage and check all hoses and lines. In addition, use a pressure gauge to measure system pressure at the various points to detect any pressure drops that may indicate a leak.

Repairing hydraulic leaks on this machine can involve anything from replacing components such as seals, valves, pipes and fittings, to cleaning out filters, flushing the system with clean fluid, and/or replacing corroded parts. It is also possible that air has entered the system through leaky components.

If this is the situation, then those components should be identified and replaced. In these cases, it may also be necessary to bleed off any trapped air bubbles within the system before operating the machine again.

If multiple repairs are needed then they should be carried out in the order recommended by New Holland, as this will ensure that the repairs are completed correctly and efficiently.

5. Worn Engine Mount

Lastly, many operators of this aging skid steer loader have complained about having a worn engine mount that causes the oil pan bolts to rub on the plastic fuel tank. The most common cause of the damage in the engine mount on the New Holland LX885 is due to normal wear and tear of components over time.

This problem can be exacerbated by high usage, improper maintenance, or extreme working conditions such as operating on uneven terrain.

To diagnose the issue, it is important to first perform a visual inspection of the engine mount and related components. This can help identify any potential damage or wear that may be present as well as determine if any other components are loose or need tightening. Moreover, operators should check the oil pan bolts for signs of rubbing or wear.

If it is determined that the engine mount is indeed worn, then the best solution is to replace it with a new part. It is important to note that this should only be done by an experienced and trained technician as improper replacement may lead to further damage or create other issues down the line.

Furthermore, any related components that have been affected by the issue should also be inspected and replaced if necessary such as damaged fuel pan and fuel tank.

Conclusion

Overall, the New Holland LX885 is a reliable and durable skid steer loader. However, since it is a machine that has already been subjected to the rigors of time plus many hours of use and possibly having maintenance issues, its surviving units may be prone to the issues mentioned here.

If you are experiencing any of these problems with your New Holland LX885 skid steer loader, a proper diagnosis should be performed before attempting repairs or replacements.

Armed with the knowledge of their possible causes such as worn-out parts or missed servicing schedules, you can accurately identify what needs to be changed to restore the equipment to optimal performance.

It is always best to seek help from a certified mechanic when undertaking such a job as incorrect installation of parts can have disastrous implications for your skid steer loader. With timely maintenance and proper diagnosis, you can ensure that your New Holland LX885 skid steer loader runs at its peak performance longer.