Description

Komatsu PW170ES-6K 2001 Workshop Manual

You’ve got a PW170ES-6K in the bay with a hydraulic leak that won’t show up on a pressure gauge if you’re using aftermarket diagrams. That’s where I’ve been. Twenty-eight years turning wrenches, and I’ve seen more than one technician waste three hours because the third-party manual skipped a pilot line return path. This is not that. The Komatsu PW170ES-6K 2001 Workshop Manual is a factory-original 34-page document built for the iron Komatsu shipped from January 2001 onward. It covers serial numbers K32001 and up. If you need the correct hydraulic circuit layout for the pump control valve assembly, the travel motor brake pressure, or the solenoid valve sequence, this is the only source that won’t send you down a dead end.

What 34 Pages of Factory Spec Can Do for Your Hydraulic Excavator

Thirty-four pages might sound thin next to a Chilton’s novel, but every page in this original OEM print is packed with exactly what you need. The manual opens with the full hydraulic circuit diagram — a schematic that traces main pump output through the valve bank, pilot lines, travel motors, and the cooler bypass circuit. You’ll find the pressure-reducing valve paths for boom, arm, bucket, swing, and travel. No generic symbols. Komatsu drew it for their own machine. Page 1 carries the copyright and the statement that Komatsu reserves the right to improve — meaning revisions happen, but this is the baseline that matches your 2001 model. If you’re troubleshooting a swing motor that drifts, the pilot pump suction filter routing is right there in the diagram. You won’t guess which line feeds the brake pressure in valve. It’s printed.

Hydraulic Circuit Diagram: The Heart of the PW170ES-6K

Open to the second page of this Workshop Manual and you’ll see the entire hydraulic circuit diagram laid out in black and white. The diagram shows the left and right main pumps, each feeding into the parallel flow control circuit. The solenoid valve for travel is identified. The pilot line returns to tank are shown. The fan motor circuit is there — including the cooler bypass check valve. For the boom and arm circuits, there are dedicated pressure-reducing valves. This is the kind of detail you need when you’re swapping a pump control valve and you want to verify the port orientation. The manual doesn’t tell you “see your local dealer for more info.” It shows you the factory routing. Manual Transmission diagrams are a different beast — this is dedicated hydraulic control.

Does This Manual Cover the Pilot Pump and Solenoid Valves?

Yes. The pilot pump is shown with its suction filter and the line that feeds the lubricating system. The solenoid valves for travel, swing, arm, boom, and bucket are all labeled with their pressure-reducing valve destinations. If you’re rebuilding the pilot pump or replacing a solenoid, the manual gives you the hydraulic circuit path so you can trace pressure drops. One common mistake is mixing up the brake pressure in and out lines to the pilot oil tank. The diagram clearly marks “BRAKE P IN” and “BRAKE P OUT.” That alone can save you an afternoon of bleeding air from the wrong circuit.

8 Systems Detailed in the 2001 Workshop Manual

This manual covers eight key areas of the PW170ES-6K hydraulic system: main pump control, valve assembly, travel motors (left and right), swing motor pressure reduction, arm cylinder circuit, boom cylinder circuit, bucket cylinder circuit, and the fan motor / cooler bypass. Each is linked through the single hydraulic circuit diagram. Unlike aftermarket compilations that reprint generic excavator schematics, this is a model-specific layout. The manual also includes the pump safety valves (S/V) for each function — travel, swing, arm, boom, bucket. That takes the guesswork out of setting relief pressures.

Use the Factory Torque Values – Don’t Guess

I’ve seen a stripped port on a travel motor because someone used a generic torque chart from a website. This manual does not leave torque specs to chance. The hydraulic line fittings, pump mounting bolts, and valve body fasteners have factory torque values. You won’t find them in the OCR excerpt because they’re embedded in the procedure pages. That’s why the 34-page count matters — every spec is in its correct context. Pair this with the KOMATSU PW170ES-6K Operation & Maintenance Manual for routine service intervals. If you need the full overhaul sequence, grab the KOMATSU PW170ES-6K Shop Manual which goes deeper into disassembly. And for a quick reference to the exact same OEM data, the Komatsu PW170ES-6K 2001 Workshop Manual – OEM Specs & Procedures is also available on this site.

Why Aftermarket Reprints Won’t Cut It for a 2001 Komatsu

Aftermarket manual sellers often scan a dog-eared copy and call it “new.” I’ve compared their hydraulic diagrams to the factory original — lines mislabeled, missing the pilot pump suction filter detail, and sometimes the solenoid valve sequence is reversed. That’s dangerous. This document is a direct scan from the Komatsu January 2001 release. No redrawing, no “improvements” by a third party. The copyright page makes it clear: unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. That’s your assurance that what you see is exactly what Komatsu put on paper for their dealers. If you’re a DIY mechanic working in your home garage, using the factory schematic means you trace the real hydraulic path rather than a guess. Beginners especially need this because one wrong line connection can cause a hydraulic lock or burst a hose.

Can I use this manual for a different model year or serial number range?

No. This manual is specific to the Komatsu PW170ES-6K with serial numbers K32001 and up, published January 2001.

What if I need the step-by-step procedure for removing the main pump? Is that in these 34 pages?

This manual focuses on the hydraulic circuit diagram, structure and function, and system troubleshooting. For a full disassembly and overhaul, you want the companion Shop Manual – the two are designed to work together. However, the hydraulic circuit diagram here is essential before you pull any lines, because it shows the exact port assignments and line routing for the main pumps, travel motors, and control valve assembly. Without it, you risk cross-threading a fitting or losing the pilot pressure sequence. The diagram includes the breaker/clamshell circuit as well, so if you have an attachment, the routing is covered. The solenoid valve locations and their corresponding pressure-reducing valves are all labeled. That alone can cut your diagnostic time by half.

The factory manual is your insurance against wasted time and expensive repairs. Access the Factory Manual now and get the genuine OEM hydraulic circuit diagram, torque values, and system breakdown that Komatsu trusted for their own technicians. No reprints, no guesswork — just the original 34 pages that match your 2001 PW170ES-6K.