Jaltest Compact Equipment Diagnostics - Mini Excavators, Skid Steers, and Compact Loaders

Compact equipment has become the workhorse of residential construction, landscaping, utilities, and property maintenance. Mini excavators, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders, and compact backhoe loaders are everywhere, and they are no longer simple machines. Current-generation compact equipment runs Tier 4 Final diesel engines with DPF and SCR aftertreatment, CAN bus-controlled hydraulic systems, electronic pilot controls, and telematics modules. When these systems set fault codes or need calibration, you need diagnostic tools that match the machine's complexity.

Jaltest compact equipment diagnostics provide OEM-level access to 13+ manufacturers, giving your shop the ability to diagnose, calibrate, and service the full range of compact machines without purchasing separate factory tools for each brand.

Supported Compact Equipment Manufacturers

Bobcat

Bobcat invented the skid steer loader, and they remain the dominant brand in compact equipment. Jaltest covers Bobcat skid steers (S450, S510, S530, S550, S590, S595, S630, S650, S740, S750, S770, S850), compact track loaders (T450, T550, T590, T595, T630, T650, T740, T770, T870), mini excavators (E20, E26, E32, E35, E42, E45, E50, E55, E60, E85, E145, E165), and compact wheel loaders. Access Bobcat engine ECUs (Bobcat-branded, based on Doosan and Kubota platforms), Selectable Joystick Controls (SJC), electronic pilot controls, and aftertreatment systems. Perform DPF regenerations, injector coding, joystick calibrations, and attachment flow parameter adjustments.

Caterpillar

Jaltest provides diagnostic access to Cat compact equipment: skid steers (226D, 232D, 236D, 242D, 246D, 262D, 272D), compact track loaders (239D, 249D, 259D, 279D, 289D, 299D), mini excavators (301.7, 302, 303.5, 304, 305, 305.5, 308, 309, 310, 315), and compact wheel loaders (903D, 906M, 907M, 908M, 910, 914, 918M, 920, 926M). Access Cat engine controls, EHPC hydraulic systems, pilot control systems, and aftertreatment. Cat compact equipment uses C1.1, C1.7, C2.4, C3.3, and C3.6 engines, all supported for fault code reading, DPF regeneration, and injector coding.

Kubota

Kubota compact equipment includes the SVL Series compact track loaders (SVL65-2, SVL75-2, SVL95-2, SVL97-2), SSV Series skid steers, KX and U Series mini excavators (KX018, KX033, KX040, KX057, U17, U25S, U27, U35, U48, U55), and R Series wheel loaders. Jaltest accesses Kubota D and V series engines (D902, D1105, D1803, V2403, V2607, V3307, V3800), HST transmissions, electrohydraulic control systems, and Tier 4 Final aftertreatment. Kubota has historically locked down diagnostic access through their Diagmaster tool. Jaltest provides an independent alternative with matching diagnostic depth for supported models.

John Deere

Jaltest covers John Deere compact construction equipment: skid steers (312GR, 314G, 316GR, 318G, 320G, 330G, 332G), compact track loaders (317G, 319E, 323E, 325G, 331G, 333G), mini excavators (17G, 26G, 30G, 35G, 50G, 60G, 75G, 85G), and compact wheel loaders (204L, 244L, 304L, 324L, 344L). Access Yanmar and John Deere PowerTech engines, EH hydraulic controls, pilot joystick systems, and aftertreatment. John Deere compact equipment shares the same diagnostic interface architecture as their larger construction machines, providing consistent diagnostic workflow across the lineup.

JCB

JCB compact equipment coverage includes the 1CX and 3CX compact backhoe loaders, JCB Robot skid steers and compact track loaders, 8014-8085 mini excavators, and the TLT teletruk compact telehandler. Access JCB EcoMAX and Perkins engines, JCB Smoothride hydraulics, and LiveLink telematics. JCB compact backhoes are among the most popular machines on job sites worldwide, and Jaltest provides the diagnostic depth needed to keep them running.

Additional Manufacturers

Manufacturer	Equipment Types	Key Models/Series
Case CE	Skid steers, compact track loaders, mini excavators, compact wheel loaders	SR/SV Series skid steers, TR/TV compact track loaders, CX-B mini excavators
Doosan	Mini excavators, compact wheel loaders	DX17Z, DX27Z, DX35Z, DX42, DX50, DX63; DL200 compact loaders
Gehl	Skid steers, compact track loaders, mini excavators	R-Series skid steers, RT-Series track loaders, Z-Series excavators
Kobelco	Mini excavators	SK17SR, SK25SR, SK30SR, SK35SR, SK55SRX, SK75SR, SK85CS
Liebherr	Mini excavators, compact loaders	A 910 Compact, R 914 Compact, L 504/L 506/L 507/L 509 Compact
Schaffer	Compact wheel loaders	2000 Series, 3000 Series, 5000 Series compact loaders
Takeuchi	Mini excavators, skid steers, compact track loaders	TB Series excavators (TB216, TB230, TB240, TB260, TB290), TL Series loaders
Wacker Neuson	Mini excavators, skid steers, compact track loaders, wheel loaders, dumpers	EZ Series excavators, SW/ST skid steers/track loaders, WL wheel loaders

Equipment Types and Diagnostic Capabilities

Mini Excavators (1 - 10 Ton)

Mini excavators are the fastest-growing segment of the construction equipment market. Jaltest provides diagnostic access to the engine, hydraulic system, pilot controls, swing system, and aftertreatment on supported models.

• Engine diagnostics - Fault codes, live data (RPM, coolant temp, fuel pressure, boost, exhaust temps), injector coding, DPF regeneration, idle speed adjustment
• Hydraulic system - Main pump diagnostics, relief pressure verification, pilot pressure monitoring, attachment flow settings
• Aftertreatment - DPF soot load monitoring, forced regen, DEF dosing diagnostics, SCR efficiency checks. Mini excavators idle extensively, making DPF management a constant requirement.
• Telematics - Machine monitoring data, operating hours, fuel consumption, GPS location (where supported)

Skid Steer Loaders

Skid steer diagnostic coverage includes engine, hydrostatic drive, hydraulic system, operator controls, and aftertreatment.

• Drive system - Hydrostatic pump and motor diagnostics, drive speed calibrations, tracking adjustments, creep speed settings
• Operator controls - Joystick calibrations (critical for H-pattern and ISO pattern operation), foot pedal calibrations, armrest control adjustments
• Attachment interface - High-flow hydraulic settings, attachment recognition (where supported), proportional flow adjustments
• Safety systems - Seat bar interlock diagnostics, lift arm safety system verification, backup alarm testing

Compact Track Loaders

Compact track loaders (CTLs) share most systems with their skid steer counterparts but add track drive and undercarriage considerations. Jaltest provides the same diagnostic access as skid steers, plus track tension monitoring, drive motor diagnostics, and track speed balancing calibrations.

Compact Wheel Loaders

Compact wheel loaders use articulated steering, torque converter drive trains, and hydraulic systems that differ from skid steers. Jaltest covers engine diagnostics, transmission and torque converter controls, hydraulic loader functions, and aftertreatment systems. These machines are common in landscaping, snow removal, agricultural, and municipal applications.

Compact Backhoe Loaders

Compact backhoe loaders (JCB 1CX, Case 580N, John Deere 310L) combine loader and excavator functionality in a compact package. Jaltest provides diagnostic access to the engine, transmission (powershift or hydrostatic), loader hydraulics, backhoe hydraulics, outrigger/stabilizer systems, and aftertreatment.

The DPF Challenge on Compact Equipment

DPF regeneration is the single most common diagnostic task on compact equipment with Tier 4 Final engines. Here is why.

Compact equipment operates at low load and frequent idle for much of its duty cycle. A mini excavator digging footings spends significant time at idle waiting for trucks, repositioning, or while the operator plans the next cut. A skid steer may idle while the operator opens a gate, talks to a foreman, or waits for material. This low-load, high-idle operation prevents the exhaust temperature from reaching the levels needed for automatic DPF regeneration.

The result: soot builds up in the DPF, the machine displays a warning, and eventually the machine derates or shuts down entirely. On some machines, the only recovery option once soot loading exceeds a threshold is a forced regeneration through a diagnostic tool. Without that tool, the machine goes to the dealer for a $400 to $800 service call.

Jaltest performs forced DPF regeneration on every supported compact equipment model. For a rental company with 50 compact machines, or a construction fleet with 20 mini excavators, this function alone justifies the cost of the diagnostic kit within the first season.

Common Compact Equipment Diagnostic Scenarios

Skid Steer Joystick Calibration After Replacement

After replacing a joystick assembly on a Bobcat S650 or Cat 262D, the new joystick must be calibrated to the machine controller. Jaltest guides the calibration: move the joystick to each extreme position, center it, and the controller records the voltage ranges. Without calibration, the machine may drive erratically or limit its speed range. This takes 10 minutes with Jaltest versus hauling the machine to a dealer.

Mini Excavator DPF Regeneration

A Kubota KX040 on a residential job site displays a DPF warning after three days of trench work at low load. The operator cannot perform a regen from the cab controls because the soot level has exceeded the automatic regen threshold. Connect Jaltest, navigate to the aftertreatment menu, verify soot loading percentage, and initiate a forced stationary regen. Monitor exhaust temperatures throughout the 30-45 minute process. The machine is back to work with no dealer visit.

Compact Track Loader Underperformance Diagnosis

A John Deere 333G is not making full power on one side. Connect Jaltest and check for fault codes in the engine and hydrostatic drive system. View live data to compare left and right drive motor pressures, check charge pressure, and verify engine RPM under load. The data points to a failing charge pressure relief valve, not the drive motor itself. Targeted diagnosis saves hours of guesswork and prevents an unnecessary $5,000 drive motor replacement.

Who Needs Compact Equipment Diagnostics

Rental Companies

Your yard has Bobcat skid steers, Cat mini excavators, Kubota compact track loaders, and JCB backhoes, all from different eras and different manufacturers. Equipment comes back from job sites with fault codes, DPF warnings, and intermittent issues. Jaltest lets your shop diagnose every brand without calling in a specialist for each one. Turn equipment around faster, reduce your dealer service spend, and keep your rental fleet available.

Landscape Contractors

Your fleet runs hard in short bursts: load mulch, deliver mulch, idle while spreading, repeat. This duty cycle is a DPF nightmare on Tier 4 machines. Jaltest lets you perform DPF regenerations in your shop yard instead of losing a day hauling a skid steer to the dealer.

Residential and Light Commercial Contractors

Your mini excavator and compact track loader are essential to every job. When one goes down, the whole crew waits. Jaltest gives your mechanic (or you) the ability to read codes, diagnose problems, and get the machine back to work without waiting for the dealer during their busiest season.

Municipal and Utility Crews

Your fleet includes compact equipment for street maintenance, park work, utility repair, and snow removal. These machines come from multiple manufacturers based on procurement contracts over the years. Jaltest covers them all and gives your maintenance crew diagnostic independence.

Part of the Jaltest Off-Highway Platform

Compact equipment diagnostics are included in the Jaltest Off-Highway Vehicle diagnostic platform alongside heavy equipment, stationary engines, multi-purpose vehicles, and airport equipment. One off-highway license covers all subcategories.

Get Your Compact Equipment Diagnostic Kit

Diesel Truck Diagnostic Tools carries the full range of Jaltest off-highway diagnostic packages, including packages configured specifically for shops that focus on compact equipment. Every kit ships with free ground shipping, a full manufacturer warranty, and access to our trained staff support team.

Not sure if Jaltest covers your specific machines? Call 800-217-0063 and tell us your makes and models. We will verify coverage on the spot and recommend the right package. You can also email us at support@dieseltruckdiagnostictools.com.

Diesel Truck Diagnostic Tools - authorized Jaltest/Cojali dealer since 2016.