How do you all maintain a Bobcat

[HGDMARTN]

I just bought a 1998 763 Bobcat and do not yet have a manual. I would like to "over maintain" it like I do my truck. What are some of the things you skidsteer owners recommend I do? BTW - it has 1630 hours and appears to have been maintained by the book. However, it was a rental so the operators probably tried to tear it up. Runs very good. Has one rigid hydraulic line leaking. It is so slight it does not leak until fluid gets hot. It is in the steel plumbing to the aux hookups on the left arm. May have been pinched some time ago. Can it be soldered? It is in the middle of a steel line, not at a fitting. How about something like JB weld? Any ideas welcomed.

What hydrostatic oil do you all like? How much do I need to buy to change the whole system?

I plan to put DELO 15-40 in Kubota engine. Love it in my CTD.

I pulled about 20 gallons of mud out of the bed. Axle tubes were completely buried. I won't let that happen any more.



Any more things I need to look out for?



Any advice appreciated.



Thanks,

David

 

[fbaurley]

If a hydraulic line is damaged youll probably need to replace it. soldering,&Jb weld will not with stand the pressure. You wont create any pressure untill you cycle the valve that runs the auxiliary hydraulics. It will leak a lot worse when its under load. I would say the first step is to buy an operators manual, and maybe a service manual. I was always told that it is best to run them wide open when working them. from my experince (a 753) it is sometimes hard to do , because the hydraulics on the bucket seemed to fast for my skill and that particular machine. the 763 should have a longer wheelbase than a 753 and be more stable. That was in my opinoin the down fall of the 753 was that you were always on two wheels, and about to tip forward. A set of tracks make the machine go a lot better , for moving dirty, or heavier work. Have fun A bobcat is a very versatile tool in the hands of a good operator.

 

[Rosco]

My advice would be to contact Bobcat and get a owners manual because I am sure it will tell you what to service, when to service it, and what you need to service it with and from there you can set up your own schedule.



Also, even though I would guess it use's 15w40 oil make sure before you change it.

 

[WadePatton]

We have a 642B (or 643). It has the Mitsubishi engine and I did a complete tune up on it 4-5 years ago. There were some parts missing from the carburetor. Starts right up now. Also, I filled it up once and the didn't use the fuel shutoff. Apparently the fuel pump stayed in a position that would let fuel pass. It filled the crankcase with gasoline!



Now we use the shutoff and all is well.



Once you find and fix all the abuse the renters hashed out on it, it should last you for a long time.



Oh, and if I find it anytime soon, I'll post a photo of me doing a "bucket stand"!

 

[BFC]

Fresh meat, lot's of water and trim is claws about once a month!



(Sorry I couldn't resist, the title cought my eye! )



Glenn

 

[daveshoe]

Replace Hydro Fluid

Replace the hydraulic fluid-- especially on a unit that has been rented. Bobcat hydraulic fluid has stuff in it that can hold more moisture than standard fluid. By the way ''emergency '' hydraulic fluid you use when Bobcat fluid is not available is 10 w 30 oil.

The problems you can encounter when using rented machines is that you have no control over people who use their own attachments and hook them up to the aux. hydraulic system. Also ,some guys rent Bobcat attachments ,use them on their own machines, and bring them back contaminated with standard or dirty hydraulic fluid. Once ,on a rented machine, an attachment developed a leak. The counter guy at the rental place gave me standard 20 weight hydraulic fluid to keep it running. This was at a hardware store -- not a Bobcat dealer.

All these things lead to a condition I call Bobcat AIDS. Sharing attachments is like these machines giving each other blood as far as hydraulics go. What you should do is drain the system, change out the fluid for Bobcat hydraulic fluid , run all the functions , change it again , and use new filters Use Bobcat filters. If the Bobcat fluid is wicked expensive, you could consider 10 w 30 for the first change.

Not affliated --- just a proud owner

 

[HGDMARTN]

Thanks for all of the great replies. I am going to have the steel hydraulic line mig welded today. It is only a slit about 1/2" long and the tube is thick enough that I would stick weld it if I had to. But, I have a mig at work so I'll make it easy. I have just got a new pack of NAPA gold filters and plan to change all fluids before I use it any.

How do I change the hydraulic fluid? I assume the hydraulic and hydrostatic fluid is all the same. Can I drain it at the pump and rely on gravity to empty all of the cylinders and reservoirs? Any special tricks here? I have spoken with the local Mobil dealer and he says his product (Mobil 424) is a superior hydrostatic/hydraulic fluid that will meet the Bobcat specs. Any thoughts? I can just imagine what the Bobcat dealers think of theirs. I believe there is about 9 gallons total. ? What are your thoughts on using a Mobil product vs the Bobcat brand fluid?



Oil cap says use 10w30 oil in engine, so DELO is out. I will look at Rotella.



Any other great advice you all have would be appreciated.



Thanks again.

David

 

[daveshoe]

Call 1 800 bobcats I think that will link you to Dayton Oh , but ask for service and they will tell you what to do . A nice gesture would be to order a service manual. Prolly $80 or so but worth it.

Pretty sure that mobil makes the Bobcat fluid -- just remember that it is not the agri fluid sold in farm stores. Bobcat prices were about the same as mobil at my store. When you drain the hydro , lift the bucket and brace it -- then crack the main lift cylinder lines. Remember your machine is unstable when fully lifted. Proceedure is to jack up corners to prevent tipping

Never blow the air filters out Use the filter minder and replace the filters only when it tells you to. According to Bobcat, more motors are ruined by cleaning filters than any other cause.

I do not have time to look up where the hydro fluid drain is , but I think it is under the machine and sheilded by a plate . I will post later as machine is elsewhere. Have Fun

 

[Ncostello]

We have about 20 of the ScatTrak skidsteers and a few Case units. I'd replace that line with a new one. Pinhole leaks can develop and it could be more damaged than what you see. High pressure hyd fluid leaks can seriously injure or even kill a person. It happens.



They are super useful machines for certain jobs. Especially when you get good at it. We have an operator who can actually ride wheelies with one. Its as if it becomes part of his body when he's at the controls. I prefer the full joystick controls. We have both foot and hand control units. I also like the Case Uni-Loaders best.



PS: Always wear your seatbelt... they can be unstable at times but you'll be protected if you stay in the seat. And always shut down when exiting. The lift arms are super powerful of course and you dont want it unexpectedly moving if your climbing out and end up getting pinched. Guys here get in trouble for getting out while its still running... even with the safety lockout devices activated. Just a safety thought.

 

[Mad Bomber]

Bobcat

Originally posted by BFC

Fresh meat, lot's of water and trim is claws about once a month!



(Sorry I couldn't resist, the title cought my eye! )



Glenn

Ya that's what I thought of right away. Eric