Kubota U50-5 User manual

GB
COMPACT EXCAVATOR
MODEL
U50-5
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
W9272-8135-1 - Original - 05/2020

W9272-8135-1
05/2020
Dear valued customer,
please fill in the form below. Your information will help us to help you.
These operating instructions only apply to the KUBOTA excavator U50-5, which comply with the following
EC declaration of conformity (page 9).
In addition, the machine’s product identification number must correspond to the following scope of appli-
cation.
U50-5 - Valid as of product identification number KBCDZ47BEL3C10001
Please contact your KUBOTA dealer for any additional information or troubleshooting procedures not mentioned
in these operating instructions.
We also point out that the contents of these operating instructions are not part of an earlier existing agreement,
promise or legal relationship or amend this. All responsibilities arise of the respective sales contract containing the
complete and exclusively valid contractual warranty, refer to the "Duties, liability and warranty" section (page 13).
This documentation neither extends nor restricts the contractual warranty.
KUBOTA Baumaschinen GmbH reserves the right to change the information contained in this document with re-
spect to future technical development without altering the basic characteristics of the machines described herein
and without amending this document.
Distribution and reproduction of this documentation and disclosure of its content are not allowed unless expressly
approved by the manufacturer. Violators of the above terms are liable for compensation for damages.
Type:
Year of construction:
Product identification number:
Shipment date:

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CONTENTS
Abbreviations............................................................................................................................................. 6
General symbols ....................................................................................................................................... 7
General information ........................................................................................................................ 9
Foreword ................................................................................................................................................... 9
EC Declaration of Conformity.................................................................................................................... 9
Date of issue of the operating instructions .............................................................................................. 11
Operating personnel................................................................................................................................ 11
Location of the operating instructions...................................................................................................... 12
Spare parts.............................................................................................................................................. 12
Safety rules .................................................................................................................................... 13
Basic safety instructions.......................................................................................................................... 13
Duties, liability and warranty.................................................................................................................... 13
Safety symbols ........................................................................................................................................ 15
Approved use .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Unapproved use ...................................................................................................................................... 16
Special duties of the owner ..................................................................................................................... 17
Noise emission and vibration .................................................................................................................. 18
Noise emission................................................................................................................................... 18
Vibrations ........................................................................................................................................... 18
Safety labels on the machine .................................................................................................................. 19
Safety devices ......................................................................................................................................... 30
Locking the controls ........................................................................................................................... 30
Engine emergency stop ..................................................................................................................... 30
Protective structure cab ..................................................................................................................... 31
Emergency hammer ........................................................................................................................... 31
Pipe safety valve ................................................................................................................................ 32
Overload warning system................................................................................................................... 33
Hazards coming from the hydraulic system ............................................................................................ 34
Fire protection ......................................................................................................................................... 34
Recovery, loading and transport ................................................................................................. 37
Safety rules for recovery ......................................................................................................................... 37
Safety rules while loading with a crane ................................................................................................... 37
Safety rules for transport ......................................................................................................................... 38
Recovery ................................................................................................................................................ 39
Hoisting the machine with a crane .......................................................................................................... 39
Transport on a flat bed trailer .................................................................................................................. 41
Description of the machine .......................................................................................................... 43
Model overview ....................................................................................................................................... 43
Model U50-5....................................................................................................................................... 43
Dimensions.............................................................................................................................................. 44
Dimensions U50-5.............................................................................................................................. 44
Specifications .......................................................................................................................................... 46
Identification of the machine.................................................................................................................... 50
Product identification number............................................................................................................. 50
Engine number................................................................................................................................... 51
Standard equipment ................................................................................................................................ 51
Assembly and functions............................................................................................................... 53
Component overview............................................................................................................................... 53
Operator’s place ...................................................................................................................................... 54
Left control console ............................................................................................................................ 54
Description of the components of the left control console ............................................................... 55

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Drive levers and control pedals .......................................................................................................... 56
Drive levers and control pedals – description ..................................................................................56
Right control console .......................................................................................................................... 57
Description of the components of the right control console ............................................................. 58
Keypad switch .................................................................................................................................... 60
Keypad switch description ............................................................................................................... 60
Display................................................................................................................................................ 61
Description of the display................................................................................................................. 61
Other equipment to be found at the machine .......................................................................................... 62
Wiper/washer system....................................................................................................................... 62
Interior lighting ................................................................................................................................. 62
Fuse box .......................................................................................................................................... 63
Tool compartment ............................................................................................................................ 63
Main battery........................................................................................................................................ 63
Battery isolator.................................................................................................................................... 64
Main fuses .......................................................................................................................................... 64
Cup holder ....................................................................................................................................... 65
Tank filler neck and fill level monitor................................................................................................... 65
Rear view mirror ................................................................................................................................. 66
Heating and air-conditioning system (optional) ....................................................................................... 66
Engine compartment ............................................................................................................................... 69
Hydraulic system ..................................................................................................................................... 70
Return change valve for direct return flow............................................................................................... 70
Radiator and condenser .......................................................................................................................... 71
Operation ........................................................................................................................................73
Safety rules for operation ........................................................................................................................ 73
Safety for children............................................................................................................................... 74
Guiding the operator........................................................................................................................... 74
Working in the vicinity of overhead power lines.................................................................................. 75
Working in the vicinity of underground power lines ............................................................................ 75
Initial operation ........................................................................................................................................ 76
Setting the display language .............................................................................................................. 76
Setting the date/time........................................................................................................................... 78
Date and time display format.............................................................................................................. 79
Setting the display brightness............................................................................................................. 80
Setting the work light turn-off delay function....................................................................................... 81
Running-in of the machine.................................................................................................................. 83
Special maintenance instructions ....................................................................................................... 83
Operating the machine ............................................................................................................................ 83
Pre-operational services..................................................................................................................... 83
Walk-around inspection ................................................................................................................... 83
Dust valve - clean ............................................................................................................................ 84
Engine oil - check............................................................................................................................. 84
Coolant level - check........................................................................................................................ 84
Radiator and A/C condenser - check ............................................................................................... 85
Radiator - clean................................................................................................................................ 85
V-belt - check ................................................................................................................................... 85
Exhaust system leakage - check ..................................................................................................... 86
Hydraulic oil level - check ................................................................................................................ 86
Bucket bolt and linkage bolt - grease............................................................................................... 87
Water separator - check................................................................................................................... 87
Electrical instrumentation - check .................................................................................................... 88
Filter indicator - check...................................................................................................................... 88
Fuel level, coolant temperature, hydraulic oil temperature date and time - check........................... 89
Setting up the workplace .................................................................................................................... 89
Getting on the machine.................................................................................................................... 89
Adjusting the operator’s seat ........................................................................................................... 90
Seat belt........................................................................................................................................... 93

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Field of view..................................................................................................................................... 93
Adjusting the rear view mirrors ........................................................................................................ 94
Safety instructions for starting the engine ............................................................................................... 95
Starting the engine ............................................................................................................................. 96
Start the engine in Cold-Weather Conditions..................................................................................... 99
Stopping the engine ........................................................................................................................... 99
Observation of the displays after starting and during operation ....................................................... 100
Checking error messages ................................................................................................................ 102
Particle filter regeneration ................................................................................................................ 104
General notes ................................................................................................................................ 104
Automatic particle filter regeneration - Procedure ......................................................................... 105
Automatic particle filter regeneration - Overview ........................................................................... 107
Blocking and releasing the particle filter regeneration - Procedure ............................................... 108
Blocking and releasing the particle filter regeneration - Overview................................................. 110
Driving the machine ......................................................................................................................... 111
Driving............................................................................................................................................ 112
Turning .......................................................................................................................................... 113
Driving uphill and downhill ............................................................................................................. 115
Notes for rubber crawler operation ................................................................................................ 116
Operating the controls during excavation work ................................................................................ 117
Note on using wider and deeper buckets ...................................................................................... 117
Operating the dozer ....................................................................................................................... 118
Overview of control lever functions (standard setting)................................................................... 119
Operating the boom ....................................................................................................................... 119
Operating the arm.......................................................................................................................... 120
Operating the bucket ..................................................................................................................... 121
Swivelling the swivel frame............................................................................................................ 122
Swinging the boom ........................................................................................................................ 122
Operating the auxiliary ports ............................................................................................................ 123
Activating the auxiliary port function .............................................................................................. 123
AUX port 1 ..................................................................................................................................... 124
AUX port 2 (optional) ..................................................................................................................... 124
One-way hold operation................................................................................................................. 125
Return change valve for direct return flow .....................................................................................130
Activating the return change valve................................................................................................. 130
Depressurising the hydraulic system ............................................................................................. 131
Depressurising the auxiliary ports.................................................................................................. 131
Placing out of operation......................................................................................................................... 133
Operating the heating and air-conditioner system (optional)................................................................. 134
Heating the cab ................................................................................................................................ 134
Cooling the cab ................................................................................................................................ 135
De-icing or demisting the windows................................................................................................... 136
Operating the wiper/washer system ...................................................................................................... 137
Switching on the windscreen wiper .................................................................................................. 137
To turn on the washer system .......................................................................................................... 137
Operating the room light........................................................................................................................ 138
Operating the rotary beacon (optional).................................................................................................. 138
Operating the 12 V plug ........................................................................................................................ 138
Opening and closing the cab door......................................................................................................... 139
Opening the cab door from outside .................................................................................................. 139
Closing the cab door ........................................................................................................................ 139
Opening the cab door from the inside .............................................................................................. 139
Opening and closing the windows......................................................................................................... 140
Front window .................................................................................................................................... 140
Front window base ........................................................................................................................... 141
Side window ..................................................................................................................................... 143
Operating the working light.................................................................................................................... 143
Cold weather operation ......................................................................................................................... 144
Necessary preparations prior to the winter season .......................................................................... 144

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Operation during the winter season.................................................................................................. 144
Jump-starting the machine .................................................................................................................... 145
Operating in emergency situations ........................................................................................................ 146
Engine emergency stop.................................................................................................................... 146
Manual lowering of the front attachments......................................................................................... 146
Filling up the washer system ................................................................................................................. 147
Refuelling the machine .......................................................................................................................... 147
Refuelling the machine ..................................................................................................................... 148
Fill level monitor when refuelling ...................................................................................................... 148
Bleeding the fuel system ....................................................................................................................... 149
Replacing the fuses ............................................................................................................................... 150
Fuse layout of the fuse box .............................................................................................................. 151
Main fuses ........................................................................................................................................ 152
ECU fuse .......................................................................................................................................... 152
Operating the battery isolator ................................................................................................................ 153
Opening and closing the engine compartment cover ............................................................................ 154
Opening/closing the right side cover ..................................................................................................... 155
Opening/closing the front service cover ................................................................................................ 156
Opening/closing the left service cover................................................................................................... 156
Opening/closing the heating and air conditioner unit service cover ...................................................... 157
Replacing the bucket ............................................................................................................................. 157
Anti-theft system.................................................................................................................................... 158
Black (individual) key........................................................................................................................ 158
Red key (for registering) ................................................................................................................... 158
The key system ................................................................................................................................ 159
Registering a black key for the machine........................................................................................... 160
Troubleshooting...........................................................................................................................163
Safety rules for troubleshooting............................................................................................................. 163
Troubleshooting: Before operation ........................................................................................................ 163
Troubleshooting: Operation ................................................................................................................... 164
Troubleshooting: Display indications ..................................................................................................... 166
Maintenance .................................................................................................................................171
Safety rules for maintenance................................................................................................................. 171
Personnel requirements ........................................................................................................................ 171
Repair work on the machine.................................................................................................................. 172
Maintenance intervals............................................................................................................................ 172
Maintenance interval display ............................................................................................................ 172
General maintenance chart: 50 to 500 hours of operation .................................................................... 174
General maintenance chart: 550 to 1000 hours of operation ................................................................ 175
Servicing maintenance chart: 50 to 500 hours of operation .................................................................. 176
Servicing maintenance chart: 550 to 1000 hours of operation .............................................................. 178
Operating materials ............................................................................................................................... 180
Cleaning the machine............................................................................................................................ 181
Servicing ................................................................................................................................................ 182
Coolant - refill ................................................................................................................................... 182
Radiator and condenser - clean ....................................................................................................... 183
Dusting cover.................................................................................................................................... 184
V-belts - check/adjust/change .......................................................................................................... 185
Air conditioner V-belt (optional)...................................................................................................... 185
Fan/Alternator V-belt...................................................................................................................... 185
Coolant hoses and hose clamps - check..........................................................................................186
Coolant - change .............................................................................................................................. 187
Engine oil and oil filter - change ....................................................................................................... 188
Engine oil - drain ............................................................................................................................ 188
Oil filter - change............................................................................................................................ 189
Engine oil - fill................................................................................................................................. 189
Air filter - check/clean/change .......................................................................................................... 190

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Fuel filter - change ........................................................................................................................... 191
Water separator - drain .................................................................................................................... 192
Water separator - clean.................................................................................................................... 193
Water separator filter - change......................................................................................................... 194
Fuel tank - drain ............................................................................................................................... 195
Fuel lines and the air intake hoses - check ...................................................................................... 196
Return filter in the hydraulic oil tank - change .................................................................................. 197
Tank breather filter - change ............................................................................................................ 198
Pilot circuit filter - change ................................................................................................................. 199
Suction filter - change ...................................................................................................................... 200
Hydraulic oil - refill/change ............................................................................................................... 202
Draining the hydraulic oil ............................................................................................................... 203
Filling the hydraulic oil ................................................................................................................... 203
Battery service ................................................................................................................................ 205
Battery - check............................................................................................................................... 205
Battery - charge ............................................................................................................................. 206
Battery - change ............................................................................................................................ 207
Lubrication........................................................................................................................................ 208
Swivel gear - grease...................................................................................................................... 208
Swivel ball bearing - grease........................................................................................................... 208
Swing bracket - grease .................................................................................................................. 209
Other greasing points .................................................................................................................... 209
Crawler tension - check/adjust ......................................................................................................... 210
Crawler tension - check ................................................................................................................. 210
Crawler tension (steel) - check ...................................................................................................... 211
Crawler tension - adjust ................................................................................................................. 211
Drive unit oil - change ...................................................................................................................... 212
Interior air filter - check/clean/change .............................................................................................. 212
Pipes and hoses of the heating and air-conditioner systems - check .............................................. 214
Coolant content (air-conditioner only) - check.................................................................................. 215
Viewing the operations log ............................................................................................................... 216
Bolted joints - check .............................................................................................................................. 217
Tightening torque for screws............................................................................................................ 217
Tightening torque for hose clamps ................................................................................................... 217
Tightening torque for hydraulic hoses .............................................................................................. 218
Tightening torque for hydraulic pipes ............................................................................................... 218
Tightening torque for hydraulic adapters.......................................................................................... 219
Tightening torque for elbow pipe joints with shim ............................................................................ 219
Safety inspection......................................................................................................................... 221
Taking out of service and storage ............................................................................................. 223
Safety rules for taking out of service and storage ................................................................................. 223
Storage conditions................................................................................................................................. 223
Measures before taking out of service .................................................................................................. 223
Measures during taking out of service................................................................................................... 223
Start-up after taking out of service ........................................................................................................ 224
Lifting capacity of the excavator ............................................................................................... 225
Constructive calculation of lifting capacity............................................................................................. 225
Lifting attachment.................................................................................................................................. 225
Load suspension device........................................................................................................................ 226
Max. lifting load during swivel operation is 360°.................................................................................... 228
Software information .................................................................................................................. 231

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Abbreviations
1/min revolutions per minute
% percent
° degrees
°C degree Celsius
A Ampere
acc. according
API American Petroleum Institute
approx. approximately
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
bar Bar
CECE Committee for European Construction
Equipment
CO2carbon dioxide
dB decibel
DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung 
(German Institute for Standards)
DPF Diesel particulate filter
e.g. for example
EMC electromagnetic compatibility
EN Europäische Norm
(European standard)
FOPS Falling-Object Protective Structure
GL Ground level
h Hour
incl. including
ISO International Organization for 
Standardization
kg kilogramme
km/h kilometre per hour
kN kilonewton
kV kilovolt
kW kilowatt
llitre
l/min litres per minute
LpA sound pressure level operator’s place
LwA sound power level
mmetre
m/s² metre per square second
m³ cubic metre
max. maximum
MIL Military Standards
mm millimetre
MPa Megapascal
NNewton
resp. respectively
RMS Root Mean Square 
(square root of mean square)
ROPS Roll-Over Protective Structure
s second
SAE Society of Automotive Engineers
tton
VVolt

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General symbols
Warning light
Fuel indicator
Engine oil pressure indicator
Charge indicator
Glow indicator
Hydraulic oil
Fast speed
Slow speed
Forward travel
Backward travel
Raise boom
Lower boom
Arm dump
Arm crowd
Bucket crowd
Bucket dump
Coolant temperature indicator
Service interval indicator
Swivel boom (left)
Swivel boom (right)
Dozer up
Dozer down
Control lever direction
Control lever direction
Beacon
Auxiliary port enable switch
Working lights
AUTO IDLE switch
AUTO IDLE indicator
Fan
Menu switch
Overload warning switch
Information
Set clock indicator
Overvoltage indicator
Anti-theft system fault indicator

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Insert key indicator
Pull out key indicator
Lower control lever lock indicator
Auxiliary port indicator
Horn
Please read the operating manual
Wiper switch
Washer switch
Diesel fuel
Lock
Unlock
Engine stop display
Particle filter regeneration
Increase engine speed
Particle filter regeneration locked
Travel alarm cancel
Dozer in floating position
Overload warning indicator
Raise control lever lock indicator
Start engine indicator
Controller Area Network indicator
Return switch
Acknowledge
Cancel
Water separator filter
Seatbelt indicator
Hydraulic oil temperature indicator
Log record
Language setup
Display brightness
Work light turn-off delay
Camera