How We Accidentally Became a Kaeser Compressor Dealer

Our technician was working on the hydraulic system of a rail conveyor when the customer asked, "While you're here, could you take a look at our compressor?"

The compressor was a fairly new Kaeser Mobilair M55 PE.

The complaint was simple: it had essentially become a mosquito-repellent machine. All it did was blow smoke.

We quickly traced the issue to a failed turbocharger, which had pushed oil throughout the entire exhaust aftertreatment system. The turbo, DPF, and DOC all needed to be replaced.

Mechanically, the repair was straightforward. The real challenge came next.

Getting Into the Kubota ECU

There was no standard Kubota diagnostic connector on the machine. Instead, we found a 14-pin Doosan connector, which didn't match anything we expected on a Kaeser unit with a Kubota engine.

We identified two CAN buses at the connector, but we couldn't establish communication with the ECU.

At that point, we started working through every available resource.

The nearest Kaeser dealer was about 14 hours away and only made it into the region a few times a year. They were helpful, but they hadn't seen this exact configuration before.

We also reached out to Kaeser's U.S. corporate support.

They were just as stumped.

The machine uses a Sigma control system, so we went through every access procedure and code we could find. We even explored RFID-based access options and other service-level entry methods.

Still nothing.

After several hours of digging, we finally found the breakthrough.

Hidden inside the Sigma control menu was a setting that required no password at all.

It simply read:

ECU ON

We enabled it and pinned out the 14-pin Doosan connector.

BAM. We were connected.

From there, we were able to access the Kubota ECU, reset the DPF soot load, and perform a forced regeneration so the system could relearn its operating values.

Problem solved.

Then Kaeser Called Us

The next day, Kaeser corporate called us.

They asked if we'd be interested in becoming a Kaeser compressor dealer.

Our answer was simple:

Yes.

So, apparently, we went out to repair a rail conveyor and accidentally became a Kaeser dealer.

Compressor Repair Beyond Kaeser

Today, Mondak Equipment & Hose can diagnose, repair and service industrial compressors from major manufacturers, including:

• Kaeser
• Quincy
• Ingersoll Rand
• Atlas Copco
• And other industrial compressor brands

We work on the complete system, including diesel engines, engine controls, turbochargers, DPF and DOC systems, forced regeneration, diagnostics, electrical systems, controls and related hydraulic systems.

Our approach is simple: when the problem doesn't have an obvious answer, we keep digging until we find it.

Diagnose it. Repair it. Get it back to work.