How would I go about finding a competent 200 series excavator mechanic?

Where are you located? Might help to know where to find mechanic.

Where are you located? Might help to know where to find mechanic.

[quote="kracked1" post=227139"]Where are you located? Might help to know where to find mechanic.
 [/quote]
Western New York, about 20 miles east of Niagara Falls. Real close to Canadian Border.

Yeah, Milton CAT is who I used to deal with, they moved from Niagara Falls to Batavia NY.

Yeah, they used to be in Rochester too but we have a dropbox now at Utica Peterbilt so I don't have to go far to pick up parts (although they charge 20 clams per delivery....). We also have a CaseIH dealership but the Rochester one only does excavators and the Canandaigua one only does ag tractors and they don't talk to each other : )
I'd still call them and ask them if they have the expertise specifically on the 225, or if they have access to the documentation to test the various pressures. You could pay for a set time, e.g. 1hr and at least get all the information you'd need to decide what to do next. I'd guess their labor rate is 100-120? That seems to be the most obvious way forward, unless someone magically finds a 225 retired expert looking for something to do. You'll know up front what it will cost.

That's the unicorn I'd be looking for!

I found some information online about troubleshooting the HYD system.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LTBMEcCc5DA36ZtrzfUM2DwXWy0Lz7XE/view?usp=sharing

In the documents there are tools & kits like 5S5123, 9S2000 etc. Can't seem to find info on those tools to even get a look at them.

I put an email in with Milton CAT Service, but not confident anything they can do would be financially viable on a hobby machine like mine.

Hi Team,
I have tested and adjusted these a long time ago when working for the Dealer.
I guess to be realistic these tests are somewhat complex and can be dangerous as we are dealing with high pressure and flow capability hydraulic oil in the system and you must have your wits about you.

The link below shows the 9S2000 Hyd. Load test meter that from memory only would likely be part of the 5S5123 Hydraulic Test Kit--from memory with this particular meter you need to be ultra careful as I think it was possible to completely block the pump being tested hydraulic oil output flow.

https://barringtondieselclub.co.za/caterpillar/920-930/reg00501-12/tee-test-tools-introduction1.pdf

https://ch-part.com/i.caterpillar/senr77350002/

There could be other data out there by Googling as I did to find these links--maybe you have already found them too.

I know I have not answered your query but from here is about all I can help with for now.

Regards,
Eddie B.

Do you have a local hydraulics service center? They should be able to fault find from the document you linked to. A circuit drawing would also help. They should also have all the diagnostic equipment needed to test the flow rates etc.
If your lucky it may be something simple like the piston seals on the boom lift are bypassing. Does the boom go down on its own?

Regards

Phil