Kubota ACHILLES A18 User guide

VERSION 09042022
POWER BY
A18 /A18S / A20SE
CRAWLER EXCAVATOR
OWNER’S HANDBOOK

NOTE
PAGE

LIST OF ABBREVIATION
Abbreviations
Description
API
American Petroleum Institute
ASTM
American Society forTesting and Materials, USA
CECE
Committee for European Construction Machinery
DIN
German Institute for Standards, Federal Republic of
Germany
EN
European Standard
FOPS
Falling Object Protection System
Front
“Front” means the front view towards the boom and
dozer
Hi
High speed
ISO
International Organization for Standardization
JIS
Japanese Industrial Standard
L
Volume (Liter)
Lo
Low speed
L/min
Liter per minute
MIL
Military Standards
ROPS
Roll-over Protective Structures
rpm
Revolutions Per minute
SAE
Society of Automotive Engineering
Achilles A18/A18S/A20SE
English (Australia)
AQ . B . 7 - 7 . 2 . AK

The instruments and operation elements have been marked with a series of symbols in order
to simplify the operation of your excavator. These symbols are listed below with the respective
descriptions.
3
Safety alert Symbol
T
Warning lamp “Fuel level too low”
System lamp
l
Warning lamp “Engine Oil pressure”
g
Warning lamp “Battery charge”
Warning lamp “Auto Idle (AI) Lamp”
Indicator lamp “Glow”
7
Working light switch
5
Horn
Z
Wiper/Washer switch
R
Diesel
E
Hydraulic fluid
W
Gear oil
Grease
j
Fast
k
Slow
Excavator - Overhead movement toward
the front
Excavator - Overhead movement toward
the rear
æ
Boom up
…
Boom down
≥
Arm up
o
Arm crowd
‘
Bucket crowd
“
Bucket dump
”
Boom swing (left)
’
Boom swing (Right)
Dozer raise
Dozer lower
Operation direction of control lever
Operation direction of control lever
V
Read operator’s manual
c
Engine stop control lamp
Lock
Unlock
Reducing / Increasing track width
GENERAL SYMBOLS

FOREWORD
ACHILLES MACHINERY AUSTRALIA
In this Operating Manual, the operation, repair, lubrication, maintenance,
adjustment and troubleshooting of A18 hydraulic excavator are introduced so as to
provide its operators with basic knowledge for efficient, economical and proper
operating of the excavator.
Before operating the excavator, operators must read this Manual carefully and
completely so as to guarantee correct and standardized operation. This manual will
offer you step-by-step guidance on everyday safety routines.
The Manual only provides you with basic knowledge, operators, however, have to
enhance their skills and proficiency and become familiar with the performance of
the excavator through practice and experience. It is of utmost importance that
every care is taken to ensure safety.
In this Manual, matters concerning techniques by “*”.
We are working hard to improve our products, and increase their efficiency by
continually improvement. Therefore, illustration may include optional equipment.
ACHILLES MACHINERY AUSTRALIA products and specifications are subject to
improvements and changes without notice.
Please keep this Manual within easy access in the cab for convenience of use.

3 SAFETY FIRST
This symbol, the industry’s “Safety Alert Symbol”, is used throughout
this manual and on labels on the machine itself to warn of the
possibility of personal injury. Read these instructions carefully. It is
essential that you read the instructions and safety regulations before
you attempt to assemble or use this unit.
3
DANGER : Indicates an imminently hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
3
WARNING : Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which,
if not avoided, could result in death or serious
injury.
3
CAUTION : Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which,
if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate
injury.
IMPORTANT : Indicates that equipment or property damage
could result if instructions are not followed.
NOTE : Gives helpful information.

3
SAFE OPERATION .............. 1
DEALER SERVICE................... 13
TECHNICAL DATA .................. 14
DESCRIPTION OF
MACHINE PARTS ................. 15
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND
CONTROL ELEMENTS .......... 16
BEFORE START ..................... 18
DAILY CHECKS ..................18
TILTINGTHE SEAT............... 18
OPENING AND
CLOSING OF PARTS .........18
HANDLINGTHE SAFETY
DEVICES ......................21
OPERATION OF THE ENGINE ...... 22
STARTING THE ENGINE......... 22
STARTING THE ENGINE
UNDERCOLD CONDITIONS... 27
STOPPINGTHE ENGINE ........27
STARTING WITH
AN AUXILIARY BATTERY....28
EXCAVATOR OPERATION........... 29
CONTROL OBSERVATIONS
DURING OPERATION........ 29
RUNNING-IN OF
THE NEW EXCAVATOR ..... 29
STARTING .......................29
TWO PATTERN SELECTION
SYSTEM (TPSS) .............. 31
OPERATION OFTHE BOOM .... 32
OPERATION OFTHE ARM ....... 32
OPERATION OF BUCKET........ 33
SWIVEL (UNIT SWING)
OPERATION .................. 33
BOOM SWING OPERATION .... 34
BOOM SWING PEDAL .......... 34
OPERATION OF
TRACK WIDTH CHANGE
AND DOZER.................. 35
SERVICE PORT OPERATION .... 37
DRIVING........................... 37
TURNS........................... 39
UP AND DOWNHILL
TRAVELLING .................. 41
PARKING ON A SLOPE ......... 41
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON
EXCAVATOR OPERATION .... 42
TRANSPORTING THE EXCAVATOR
ON ATRUCK ...................... 43
LIFTING OF THE EXCAVATOR...... 45
MAINTENANCE ..................... 47
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS.... 47
DAILY CHECKS .................. 49
REGULAR CHECKS AND
MAINTENANCE WORK .......... 54
EVERY 50 SERVICE HOURS .... 54
EVERY 200 SERVICE HOURS... 56
CONTENTS
Operating Instructions
Care and Maintenance

EVERY 250 SERVICE HOURS ...56
EVERY 500 SERVICE HOURS ...59
EVERY 1000 SERVICE HOURS.. 62
EVERY 1000 SERVICE HOURS OR
ONCE AYEAR ................. 63
EVERY 2000 SERVICE HOURS .. 63
ANNUAL SERVICING............64
BIENNIAL SERVICING...........64
OTHER SERVICING .............. 65
OTHER ADJUSTMENTS AND
REPLACEMENTS ................ 66
PURGING OFTHE FUEL
SYSTEM ..................... 66
ADJUSTMENT OFTRACKS .....66
EXCHANGE OF BUCKET TEETH
AND SIDE CUTTERS
[JPN BUCKET VERSION] ..... 68
FUSES ......................... 70
TROUBLESHOOTING ............... 71
OPERATION UNDER COLD
WEATHER CONDITIONS........... 75
PREPARATION FOR OPERATION
IN COLD WEATHER .......... 75
PROCEDURE AFTER
DONE WORK .................75
LONG STORAGE.................... 76
RECOMMENDED OILS ............. 78
MAIN DIMENSIONS................. 79
LIFTING CAPACITY ................. 80

1
3 SAFE OPERATION
The best insurance against accidents is to
abide by the safety regulations.
Read and understand this section carefully,
before operating the excavator.
Every user, however experienced, should
carefully read and understand this section
and those of the attachments and accessories
before taking the excavator into operation.
The owner is obliged to inform the operators
of these instruction in detail.
Keep this manual in the storage place. (See
"Keeping the Operator's Manual" in the
BEFORE START section.)
1. BEFORE OPERATION
1. Make yourself acquainted with the
excavator and be aware of its limits.
Read this operator’s manual carefully
before starting the excavator.
2. Obey the danger, warning and caution
labels on the machine.
3. For your safety, ROPS/FOPS (Roll-Over
Protective Structures, Falling Objects
Protective Structures.) with a seat belt
is installed by ACHILLES. Always use the
seat belt when the machine is equipped
with a ROPS/FOPS.
If ROPS is loosened or removed for any
reason, make certain all parts are
reinstalled correctly. Tighten mounting
bolts to proper torque. Do not use the
seat belt if there is no ROPS.
Do not modify structural members of
ROPS by welding, drilling, bending,
grinding or cutting, as this may weaken
the structure. If any component is
damaged, replace it. Do not attempt
repairs.
4. The seat belt must be inspected regularly
and replaced if frayed or damaged.
(1) Seat belt