308 Mini Hydraulic Excavators Caterpillar


Operator Controls

Usage:

308 GK8
Note: Your machine may not be equipped with all the controls that are described in this topic.


Illustration 1g06277191
(1) Monitoring System
(2) Joystick Controls
(3) Dozer Blade Lever (if equipped)
(4) Jog Dial
(5) Engine Speed Dial
(6) Right Side Switch Panel
(7) Power Outlet (12V)
(8) Engine Start Switch
(9) USB Port (if equipped)
(10) Operator Seat
(11) Diagnostic Port
(12) Function Switch
(13) Monitor wake-up button
(14) Hydraulic Lockout Control
(15) Travel Lever Controls (if equipped)
(16) Auxiliary Control Pedal (if equipped)

Monitoring System (1)

The machine has a composite monitoring system including service hours, joystick pattern change, alert indicators, radio (if equipped), air conditioning system (if equipped), and so forth.

Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Monitoring System" for more information.

Joystick Controls (2)

The joystick controls are used to control the functions of the work tools. For more information on the individual functions of the joysticks, refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Joystick Controls".

Dozer Blade Lever (3) (If Equipped)

Float - Push the lever fully forward. The blade will lower to the ground. The blade will float with the contour of the ground. The lever will return to the HOLD position.

Lower - Push lever (3) forward to lower the blade. The lever will return to the HOLD position when you release the lever. The blade will remain in the selected position.

Hold - Lever (3) will return to the HOLD position when the lever is released from the RAISED or LOWERED position.

Raise - Pull lever (3) backward to raise the blade. The lever will return to the HOLD position when you release the lever. The blade will remain in the selected position.

Travel Speed Control (3A) (If Equipped)



Illustration 2g06277194

The high-speed travel switch is on the blade control lever. Use the switch to change the travel speed.

Push the switch to the high-speed position to make the machine travel in high speed. The indicator light on the instrument panel is active when the machine is in the high-speed mode.

Push the switch to the low speed position to return to low speed.

Always travel at slow speeds on slopes and rough ground.

Jog Dial (4)

Turn dial (4) to choose the desired item in the monitor and depress the dial to activate the selection.

Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Monitoring System" for more information.

Engine Speed Dial (5)



Illustration 3g06345901

Turn the engine speed dial to control the engine speed (engine rpm). Select the desired position from the seven available positions. Turn the engine speed dial counterclockwise to decrease the engine speed (engine rpm). Turn the engine speed dial clockwise to increase the engine speed (engine rpm).

Low Engine Idle (A) - The engine operates in the low rpm range.

High Engine Idle (B) - The engine operates in the high rpm range.

Pressing the center of the engine speed dial can change the engine operation mode from “Power On Demand” mode to “Standard” mode (if equipped). A green illuminator on the center of the throttle dial indicates if the Power On Demand mode is active.

In addition to the green illuminator on the dial, a “SMART” Mode indicator, which is the indicator for Power On Demand, will illuminate on the monitor. When the machine is in “Standard” Mode, the “Power On Demand” Mode indicator will not be illuminated on the monitor.

Note: Some machines may prohibit toggling of the Power On Demand mode.

Right Switch Panel (6)



Illustration 4g06285454

HVAC Control Shortcut (6A)

Pressing this button will navigate the monitor to display the relevant screen for HVAC controls.

The air conditioner provides comfort for the operator that is working under various temperature conditions. When the LED is lit, the HVAC is ON.

Display Menu Shortcut (6B)

Pressing this button to navigate to the display menu in the monitor.

Work Light Switch (6C)

Lights - Push the switch to turn ON the work lights (LED will illuminate). Push the switch again to turn OFF the work lights.

Window Washer (6D)

Window Washer - Push the button to activate the window washer. The LED will illuminate while the button is pressed. Two wiper cycles will be completed after releasing the button.


NOTICE

If the wiper does not operate with the switch in the ON position, turn the switch off immediately. Check the cause. If the switch remains on, motor failure can result.



NOTICE

If the washer is used continuously for more than 20 seconds or used when no washer solution comes out, motor failure can result.


Travel Alarm Cancel (6E)

Travel Alarm Cancel - LED will illuminate while the travel alarm is canceled. Button must be pressed every time travel command is initiated to mute the travel alarm.

Note: The travel alarm will sound when the travel levers or the travel pedals are activated.

Radio Control Shortcut (6F)

Pressing this button will navigate the monitor to display the relevant screen for radio controls.

Home Screen Shortcut (6G)

Press the button to return back to the home menu on the monitor.

Overload Warning Cancel Switch (6H) (If Equipped)

Overload Warning Device - In lifting applications, the overload warning device activates a buzzer when there is an unstable load condition. When this occurs, the bucket load should be reduced or the stick should be moved inward. Press button to cycle overload warning between ON and OFF.

ON - When the LED is lit, the overload warning is active.

OFF - When the LED is not lit, the overload warning is disabled.

Window Wiper Control (6J)

Window Wiper - Push the switch to activate the window wiper.

No LEDs - Wipers are OFF

1 LED - 6 second intermittent delay

2 LEDs - 3 second intermittent delay

3 LEDs - Full ON

Radio Mute Switch (6K)

Radio Mute Switch - Press the switch to mute the radio. The indicator lamp will turn ON while the radio is muted.

Power Outlet (7)

A 12V power receptacle is located next to the rear side of the seat. The power receptacle can be used for powering automotive electrical equipment or accessories. Raise the cap to use.

Engine Start Switch (8)


NOTICE

The engine start switch must be in the ON position and the engine must be running in order to maintain electrical functions and hydraulic functions. This procedure must be followed in order to prevent serious machine damage.


Note: Always place the hydraulic lockout lever in the RAISED position when you are starting the engine. The engine start switch will not function if the left hydraulic control is in the LOWERED position.

Key Switch (If Equipped)



Illustration 5g06285464

OFF - Insert the engine start switch key only while the start switch is in the OFF position. Remove the engine start switch key only while the engine start switch is in the OFF position. Turn the engine start switch to the OFF position before you attempt to restart the engine. Turn the engine start switch to the OFF position to stop the engine.

ON - To activate the electrical circuits in the cab, turn the key clockwise to the ON position.

START - To start the tractor engine, turn the key clockwise to the START position. After the engine starts, release the key. The key will return to the ON position.

Note: If the engine fails to start, return the engine start switch key to the OFF position. Return the key to the start position before you attempt to start the engine again.

See this Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Engine Starting" for additional information.

Start Button (If Equipped)



Illustration 6g06180554
(A) Off
(B) On
(1) Engine start ring
(2) Start button

Note: The Bluetooth key must be inside the cab to active the electrical circuits.

OFF - Turn the engine start ring (1) to the OFF position (A) to stop the engine.

ON - To activate the electrical circuits in the cab and enable engine starting, turn the engine start ring (1) clockwise to the ON position (B).

START - To start the engine, enter the code on the monitor. Press start button (2). After the engine starts, release the button.

Note: Pressing the start button with the engine on will also turn off the engine.

USB Port (9) (If Equipped)

The USB port allows the operator to have extra media equipment connected to the machine.

Operators Seat (10)

The operators seat has various adjustments to meet a wide range of operators. For more information, refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Seat".

Diagnostic Port - Electronic Technician (11)

Electronic Technician (ET) - This service port allows service personnel to connect a laptop computer to the machine electronics using the Cat® Electronic Technician (Cat ET) Service Tool. This connection will allow service personnel to interrogate the machine systems and engine systems.

Function Switch (12)

If equipped, switch (12) determines which function lever (3) controls.

Note: Before operating the dozer blade lever, refer to "Dozer Blade Lever (3) (If Equipped)".

When switch (12) is pushed to the bottom position, lever (3) will control the adjustable undercarriage functions.

When switch (12) is pushed to the top position, lever (3) will control the dozer blade functions.

Monitor Wake-up Button (13)

This feature will function even while the machine is not in operation.

Pressing monitor wake-up button (13) will display the service hours of the machine and actual fuel level on the monitor display for two minutes.

Note: This feature can also be activated by pressing any button on the monitor (or touching the screen on touch-screen monitors).

Hydraulic Lockout Control (14)

------ WARNING! ------

Deactivation of the hydraulic controls does not prevent the blade, boom swing, or auxiliary circuit functions from moving under gravity or other external forces. Gravity or other external forces can move the blade, boom swing, or auxiliary circuit functions suddenly if a hydraulic control lever is moved.

Personal injury or death may occur from sudden machine movement.


Locked - Place the hydraulic lockout control in the RAISED position to deactivate the hydraulic controls.

Make sure that the hydraulic lockout control is in the RAISED position before you exit the machine.

Note: Always put the left hydraulic lockout control in the RAISED position before starting the engine. The engine start switch will not function if the left hydraulic control is in the LOWERED position.

Unlocked - Place the hydraulic lockout control in the LOWERED position. When the hydraulic lockout control is in the LOWERED position, the hydraulic controls are operable.

Note: The hydraulic controls will only function if the joystick levers are centered when the implements are UNLOCKED. If the joystick levers are not centered when the hydraulic controls are switched from LOCKED to UNLOCKED, the hydraulic circuit associated with the lever out of center will be disabled until the joystick lever is centered.

Travel Lever Controls (If Equipped) (15)



Illustration 7g06285448
Position for normal travel
(A) Rear of machine
(B) Final drive
(C) Idler

When you travel, make sure that final drive sprockets (B) are under the rear of the machine.

Stop - Release the travel levers/pedals to stop the machine. When you release the travel levers/pedals from any position, the travel levers/pedals will return to the CENTER position. The travel brakes will be applied.

Move both of the travel levers or both of the travel pedals equally in the same direction to travel straight.



Illustration 8g06338693
FORWARD travel


Illustration 9g06338696
REVERSE travel


Illustration 10g06338702
Pivot left turn (FORWARD)


Illustration 11g06338705
Pivot Left Turn (REVERSE)


Illustration 12g06338709
Counterrotate turn (LEFT)


Illustration 13g06338713
Pivot right turn (FORWARD)


Illustration 14g06338716
Pivot right turn (REVERSE)


Illustration 15g06338735
Counterrotate turn (RIGHT)

Auxiliary Control Pedal (16) (If Equipped)



Illustration 16g06394134
Primary Aux
(16A) 1 way flow
(16B) 2 way flow

The auxiliary control pedal is used to control the work tools. For more information on the auxiliary controls, refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual , Work Tool Control.

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