Description

Komatsu PW170ES-6K Operators Manual – 282 Pages of Factory Operation & Maintenance

You bought a Komatsu PW170ES-6K hydraulic excavator. Now you need to run it without grenading the hydraulics or overheating the engine. That means following the factory procedures, not some aftermarket summary written by someone who never turned a wrench on this machine. The Komatsu PW170ES-6K Operators Manual is a 282-page bound set of specifications, safety rules, and operational steps that Komatsu stamped as correct. I’ve seen too many guys ruin a final drive because they skipped the warm-up check on page 45 of the Operation section. Don’t be that guy.

Safety Information: Factory Warnings That Save Your Back

Before you even pull the starter knob, this manual drills into your head the SAFETY INFORMATION starting on page 4. It covers noise limits, vibration exposure, and the emergency steering procedure if the main pump loses pressure. The SAFETY chapter itself runs from page 17 with sections on GENERAL PRECAUTIONS, PRECAUTION DURING OPERATION, and PRECAUTIONS FOR MAINTENANCE. Each subsection calls out the exact hazard – like what happens when you try to tow with the wrong hitch (battery explosion risk, page 20). Komatsu doesn’t mess around with vague warnings. They tell you the torque on the wheel nuts, the correct lifting points, and why you never stand under a suspended bucket with hook or bucket link.

Does This Manual Cover the Engine?

Yes. The ENGINE serial number plate position is documented on page 14, and the troubleshooting section at the back includes a dedicated engine subsection under OTHER TROUBLE. The manual lists phenomena that are not failures – like normal steam from the exhaust on a cold start – so you don’t tear down the injectors for no reason. For actual engine service work you need the Komatsu PW170ES-6K Workshop Manual – 651 Pages OEM Factory Service, which goes into overhaul specs. But for daily operation, this Operators Manual gives you the coolant type, oil viscosity, and fuel specs you need to keep the engine alive.

Read the Operation Section Before You Touch the Controls

The OPERATION chapter is the meat of this manual. It starts with a GENERAL VIEW of the machine and the controls – you’ll find the fuse box location, the fusible link, the heater and air conditioner control panels. The MACHINE MONITOR subsection walks through each indicator: basic check items (A), caution items (B), emergency stop items (C), and the meter display (D). There’s a full breakdown of every switch and pedal. I’ve had apprentices try to start a PW170ES‑6K with the swing lock still engaged – the manual’s procedure on page 81 (CHECK BEFORE STARTING ENGINE) would have stopped them. It covers walk-around checks, seat adjustment, and the cold-start routine with the automatic warming-up feature.

3 Maintenance Chapters That Prevent Hydraulic Failure

Skip the scheduled maintenance on the hydraulic system and you’ll replace pumps. This manual’s MAINTENANCE section (page numbers vary by edition) gives you the OUTLINES OF SERVICE for oil, fuel, coolant, and grease. It tells you which Komatsu genuine oil to use and the capacity in quarts. The GUIDES TO MAINTENANCE include a chart for daily, 250-hour, 500-hour, and 1000-hour intervals. If you lose steering pressure, the troubleshooting page for ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM lists the controller codes. For a deeper dive into the hydraulic circuit and valve clearances, grab the Komatsu PW170ES-6K 2001 Workshop Manual – OEM Specs – that one has the pump specs and pressure settings.

Source Authenticity: OEM Print vs. Aftermarket Copies

Aftermarket reprints of this manual leave out the EC directive compliance notes, the serial number plate positions for Germany and Italy, and the specific precautions for the accumulator handling. I’ve tested them side-by-side. The aftermarket version skipped the EMERGENCY STEERING section entirely. This AutoRepairManuals copy is a direct scan of the Komatsu factory document – same layout, same warnings, same fold-out drawings. You get the TABLE TO ENTER SERIAL NO. AND DISTRIBUTOR on page 15, so you can record your machine and engine numbers for parts ordering. If you’re restoring a PW170ES‑6K that came from Europe, you need the Italian serial plate page. Only the OEM file has that.

FAQ

Can I use this manual to rebuild the transmission?

No. This is an Operators Manual, not a service manual. It covers daily checks, start-up, shutdown, and basic troubleshooting. For internal transmission work you need the workshop manual – see the Komatsu PW170ES-6K 2001 Workshop Manual – OEM Specs & Procedures.

What if I lose the manual or get it greasy?

Keep a digital copy on your phone or tablet – the PDF version from AutoRepairManuals is searchable. The factory instructions say to request a replacement from Komatsu or your distributor if the paper copy becomes unreadable. That can take weeks. Having the digital file in your toolbox means you never guess the warm-up procedure or the jump-start polarity. The warning about booster cable connections is in the IF BATTERY IS DISCHARGED subsection – page 84 in the original pagination. Don’t cross the terminals. I’ve seen a 12V system arc weld a wrench to the frame. This manual shows you exactly which lug to clamp first. For general knowledge on how manual transmissions work across different equipment, you can reference Manual Transmission theory, but for this specific machine, stick with the Komatsu document. The towing section also references the transmission neutral position; if you need a primer on Manual Transmission fundamentals, that external source can fill gaps, but the manual’s METHOD OF TOWING MACHINE is the only procedure you should follow on this excavator.

Look, I don’t care if you’re a hobbyist digging a pond or a fleet manager with ten machines. Every hour you spend working from the wrong specs costs you parts and labor. This 282-page factory document is the difference between a machine that runs for 10,000 hours and a paperweight. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and keep it in the cab where the warning label tells you to.