What does this do?

melli · Nov 27, 2012

My Pa, having been a race car driver, mechanic, and farmer, was pretty good at fixing things...I, on the other hand, was good at taking things apart, and not putting them back together...or if I did, I had a few extra parts.... At any rate, I've managed to cut down on the 'extra' part syndrome, but when I stare at the hydraulic manifold on my baby (Bobby), I just shrug and move on...I've stared at the manual schematics many times, and nothing sticks. I've looked around, but I cannot see any youtube vid or WHY on how that manifold works.... I'd like to know 'something' before that something breaks, and I start a fishing expedition. It is the only black hole on my machine...everything else makes sense, for the most part... Any links to a site that educates without stupifying me would be appreciated. http://www.flickr.com/photos/90546471@N04/8223636523/in/photostream

Tazza · Nov 27, 2012

That just looks like your control block, it makes the rams move. I assume they have linkages to hand and foot controls?

Tazza · Nov 27, 2012

Tazza said:
That just looks like your control block, it makes the rams move. I assume they have linkages to hand and foot controls?

That is one ridy looking machine! usually there is grud around the engine and control block, i hope you keep it nice and clean

melli · Nov 27, 2012

Tazza said:
That just looks like your control block, it makes the rams move. I assume they have linkages to hand and foot controls?

Well, I sort of figured out they are valves, controlled by cab controls at a lower pressure. I guess I was wondering how it all works. There is a another block that has diagnostic thimajigs...and it does something else...no idea what... I keep Bobby as pristine as I can...can see if there any leaks and whatnot. Should have seen the cover plate on the undercarriage...likely never removed for it's whole life. It was caked in so much grease, it weighed at least a 100pds.

mahans7 · Nov 27, 2012

melli said:
Well, I sort of figured out they are valves, controlled by cab controls at a lower pressure. I guess I was wondering how it all works. There is a another block that has diagnostic thimajigs...and it does something else...no idea what... I keep Bobby as pristine as I can...can see if there any leaks and whatnot. Should have seen the cover plate on the undercarriage...likely never removed for it's whole life. It was caked in so much grease, it weighed at least a 100pds.

Wow Melli, that is a superclean machine. I too am learning about how the hydraulics works also but that is an amazing number of hoses and valves on the 331. Hopefully you'll be getting more info to come from here as I can't wait to learn more also.

melli · Dec 4, 2012

mahans7 said:
Wow Melli, that is a superclean machine. I too am learning about how the hydraulics works also but that is an amazing number of hoses and valves on the 331. Hopefully you'll be getting more info to come from here as I can't wait to learn more also.

Thanks, I love my baby...lol (I have attachment issues with small cute machines). Got the toothbrush and solvent out this summer. Knock on wood, this machine has cleared my 5 acre lot without too much fuss...not to mention all the neighbourly requests. I like old school machines. The simpler, the better, and this one is a tank. If I could just understand the hydraulics... http://www.flickr.com/photos/90546471@N04/8246451340/in/photostream/lightbox/ I can only marvel at how folks cleared land in the past...it would have taken me years with horse/ox and axe. A 20 ton machine would have done the above in a week or two, while it took me months (very part time). However, land clearing is a component of the job, and when it comes to landscaping, irrigation, fencing, tree planting, then Bobby will really show his worth. It has paid for itself already, I am sure. Only once, I almost got 'stumped' with a 5 headed beast (stump)...root pan was almost 20ft across. But I had lots of logs lying about, and I used one for leverage (pry bar)... and presto, out it came. Had a tough time dragging it to the burn pile...lol

mahans7 · Dec 4, 2012

melli said:
Thanks, I love my baby...lol (I have attachment issues with small cute machines). Got the toothbrush and solvent out this summer. Knock on wood, this machine has cleared my 5 acre lot without too much fuss...not to mention all the neighbourly requests. I like old school machines. The simpler, the better, and this one is a tank. If I could just understand the hydraulics... http://www.flickr.com/photos/90546471@N04/8246451340/in/photostream/lightbox/ I can only marvel at how folks cleared land in the past...it would have taken me years with horse/ox and axe. A 20 ton machine would have done the above in a week or two, while it took me months (very part time). However, land clearing is a component of the job, and when it comes to landscaping, irrigation, fencing, tree planting, then Bobby will really show his worth. It has paid for itself already, I am sure. Only once, I almost got 'stumped' with a 5 headed beast (stump)...root pan was almost 20ft across. But I had lots of logs lying about, and I used one for leverage (pry bar)... and presto, out it came. Had a tough time dragging it to the burn pile...lol

Well around here the BC dealer charges $1200 per weekend so that adds up pretty quick. My sons' GF called our 743 a "cute little thing" and kind of riled my 2 sons, but oh well.

melli · Dec 4, 2012

mahans7 said:
Well around here the BC dealer charges $1200 per weekend so that adds up pretty quick. My sons' GF called our 743 a "cute little thing" and kind of riled my 2 sons, but oh well.

$1200! That is my motive to learn how to do even basic hydraulic TS at the 'block'. I had a 463...now that was cute! LOL Just couldn't cut the mustard for clearing land...great material mover though. I'd still have it if I didn't need the dough for the 331. From my perspective the 331 is rather cute...I don't feel I am operating a massive piece of equipment, and it keeps me dry and warm in winter and cool in summer. Most importantly, unlike the 463, I am not eating diesel exhaust or much dust, and the seat is way more comfortable. I can only handle a few hours at a time though, as I do get 'shaken' a fair bit. JMHO from a tomboy who used to work with Pa on a grain farm is Sask.

SkidRoe · Dec 5, 2012

melli said:
$1200! That is my motive to learn how to do even basic hydraulic TS at the 'block'. I had a 463...now that was cute! LOL Just couldn't cut the mustard for clearing land...great material mover though. I'd still have it if I didn't need the dough for the 331. From my perspective the 331 is rather cute...I don't feel I am operating a massive piece of equipment, and it keeps me dry and warm in winter and cool in summer. Most importantly, unlike the 463, I am not eating diesel exhaust or much dust, and the seat is way more comfortable. I can only handle a few hours at a time though, as I do get 'shaken' a fair bit. JMHO from a tomboy who used to work with Pa on a grain farm is Sask.

Ahhh, Saskatchewan. Spent quite a bit of time there (where my ex is from). Hot in the summer, ccccccold in the winter, flat year round. Where abouts are you?

melli · Dec 5, 2012

SkidRoe said:
Ahhh, Saskatchewan. Spent quite a bit of time there (where my ex is from). Hot in the summer, ccccccold in the winter, flat year round. Where abouts are you?

Now, I am on the Sunshine Coast (North of Sechelt)...funny name for a rainforest. I did my growing up years in Sask., 35 miles south of Moose Jaw. It was the best and worst of living...As a 12yr old, I was paid $2/hr to rodweed/rockpick on a tractor with no cab (so old it had a spinning wheel for belts - before PTOs), and it took all 90lbs of me to press in the clutch. Needless to say, I didn't stop much... The cold got to me, but the wind drove me nuts.

mahans7 · Dec 5, 2012

melli said:
Now, I am on the Sunshine Coast (North of Sechelt)...funny name for a rainforest. I did my growing up years in Sask., 35 miles south of Moose Jaw. It was the best and worst of living...As a 12yr old, I was paid $2/hr to rodweed/rockpick on a tractor with no cab (so old it had a spinning wheel for belts - before PTOs), and it took all 90lbs of me to press in the clutch. Needless to say, I didn't stop much... The cold got to me, but the wind drove me nuts.

Mellis hydraulic hoses/I didn't know hoses could be this clean(I need the practice posting pics):

mahans7 · Dec 5, 2012

mahans7 said:
Mellis hydraulic hoses/I didn't know hoses could be this clean(I need the practice posting pics):

Now to enlarge it:

melli · Dec 5, 2012

mahans7 said:
Now to enlarge it:

I changed my settings in my profile for an HTML editor, but I cannot enter anything...had to unclick it to post anything...odd.

melli · Dec 5, 2012

melli said:
I changed my settings in my profile for an HTML editor, but I cannot enter anything...had to unclick it to post anything...odd.

Oops, it worked without the editor...haha I see a little white overspray...mea culpa....

I find it a pleasure to look at my elbow grease...lol

mahans7 · Dec 6, 2012

melli said:
Oops, it worked without the editor...haha I see a little white overspray...mea culpa.... I find it a pleasure to look at my elbow grease...lol

Sorry Melli that my reposted and blurred blowup of your picture didn't do your "like new" hoses justice. I worked as a kid with an uncle gardener for $1 an hour from 12 years of age through high school and for the summer before college I graduated to the big money at the carwash(although still working with my uncle), $2 an hour like you did! And even when I almost lost my finger from a car door shutting on it, I was sent over to the owners house and got to mow his lawn for $2 an hour. Great times really.

SkidRoe · Dec 6, 2012

mahans7 said:
Sorry Melli that my reposted and blurred blowup of your picture didn't do your "like new" hoses justice. I worked as a kid with an uncle gardener for $1 an hour from 12 years of age through high school and for the summer before college I graduated to the big money at the carwash(although still working with my uncle), $2 an hour like you did! And even when I almost lost my finger from a car door shutting on it, I was sent over to the owners house and got to mow his lawn for $2 an hour. Great times really.

Melli, you are a sick, sick man!! I love it!! Good on you, brother!!

melli · Dec 6, 2012

SkidRoe said:
Melli, you are a sick, sick man!! I love it!! Good on you, brother!!

LOL, thanks...not sure about the man part

, but no doubt, I am sick...took me forever to get rid of the caked on grease/oil that was sitting at the bottom of the hydraulic compartment. Hoses are not very flexible. Was like an aardvark trying to get the last ant in a log. Was disappointed when I bought the machine...the guy said it was in tip top shape...should have squeezed him when couldn't produce a working grease gun...wtf. The front end was loose like a tin can with pennies in it. I've replaced the front bushings/pins to the tune of $1000...still have to replace bushings further back, but that is for another day...another year. I was grateful that there hasn't been any major issues with it, and everything seems to be running strong. I am amazed with all the hoses and 'o' rings this machine has, that nothing has sprung a leak (knock on wood). Anybody come up with a better way to secure these machines...I used to disable it by taking certain parts home with me, but I'd like to be able to lock the engine/hyd compartments...the OEM lock setup is silly...a hard pull on the hyd comp and it pops open. A little worried as a neighbouring excavator contractor had some idiot pour sand in the hyd resevoir...At the very least, is there any locking gas caps that fit Bobcat?

melli · Dec 6, 2012

melli said:
LOL, thanks...not sure about the man part , but no doubt, I am sick...took me forever to get rid of the caked on grease/oil that was sitting at the bottom of the hydraulic compartment. Hoses are not very flexible. Was like an aardvark trying to get the last ant in a log. Was disappointed when I bought the machine...the guy said it was in tip top shape...should have squeezed him when couldn't produce a working grease gun...wtf. The front end was loose like a tin can with pennies in it. I've replaced the front bushings/pins to the tune of $1000...still have to replace bushings further back, but that is for another day...another year. I was grateful that there hasn't been any major issues with it, and everything seems to be running strong. I am amazed with all the hoses and 'o' rings this machine has, that nothing has sprung a leak (knock on wood). Anybody come up with a better way to secure these machines...I used to disable it by taking certain parts home with me, but I'd like to be able to lock the engine/hyd compartments...the OEM lock setup is silly...a hard pull on the hyd comp and it pops open. A little worried as a neighbouring excavator contractor had some idiot pour sand in the hyd resevoir...At the very least, is there any locking gas caps that fit Bobcat?

Oh yeah, looking at the engine pic, there is a vent (knob) just above the Fuel Shutoff Solenoid. One day, I noticed it was loose (open), so i tightened it. Was wondering what it does? Of course,the manual says it is a vent to be opened briefly (seconds?) when purging air out of the system. It cannot be a vent for the injectors could it? I though they are under pressure...guess I am wondering what it vents...the fuel filter has a vent on top. I am guessing I ran the machine for a 100hrs with it open...it hasn't come loose since I tightened it. No harm no foul?

mahans7 · Dec 7, 2012

melli said:
Oh yeah, looking at the engine pic, there is a vent (knob) just above the Fuel Shutoff Solenoid. One day, I noticed it was loose (open), so i tightened it. Was wondering what it does? Of course,the manual says it is a vent to be opened briefly (seconds?) when purging air out of the system. It cannot be a vent for the injectors could it? I though they are under pressure...guess I am wondering what it vents...the fuel filter has a vent on top. I am guessing I ran the machine for a 100hrs with it open...it hasn't come loose since I tightened it. No harm no foul?

Like the idea of the locking gas/hydraulic tank caps, will have to hear from others to see if its available. Hard to imagine that someone would pour sand into a tank on expensive machinery like these.

What does this do?

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