Have a problem with a Bobcat hopping or lunging.

I have had skid steers and compact loaders for nearly 35 years. I've had most brands but the primary units I have owned has been Bobcat. I'm retired from my landscape company now but I bought a T250 Bobcat to piddle around with. I'm having a problem that when I drop the bucket and start to dig or scrape, I get a hop or a chatter and it gets more violent the faster I push. I have had a small amount of this problem with other units but not enough to be a major problem. If I start scraping or digging very slow with a low idle, and continue very slow I can eliminate the hop. I also have a T200 that I have no problem with. Has anyone any idea what causes this or how to remedy the hop? I know this is the skid steer forum instead of compact loaders but about 30 years ago I had this same problem with a 752 and have had minor hopping with some or our other wheel loaders.

I'm not real familiar with track machines but the first thing that comes to mind is a broken lug in the track. What I mean is the center lugs that the drive gear catches on. It could still be there but became separated from the track on one side or is missing altogether. That might be a place to start.

bobcatguy said:

I'm not real familiar with track machines but the first thing that comes to mind is a broken lug in the track. What I mean is the center lugs that the drive gear catches on. It could still be there but became separated from the track on one side or is missing altogether. That might be a place to start.

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Possibly loose steering linkage. Loose pintal levers can make a machine jumpy.

Bobcatdan said:

Possibly loose steering linkage. Loose pintal levers can make a machine jumpy.

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Roll the cab up and look back at the hydrostat on the top. There are two aluminum levers on top. With the machine off, move your handles forward and back and see if the lever wiggles on the spool. The lever mounts to a square peg with a slot that for the bolt to hold the lever onto the spool. That bolt could be loose or you could have a cracked lever and the bolt no longer keeps the lever tight on the spool. Normally when the lever is loose there are other problems where the machine will lunge left or right and it will be extremely hard to keep the machine traveling in a straight line. It's worth a look at the lever.

bobcatguy said:

Roll the cab up and look back at the hydrostat on the top. There are two aluminum levers on top. With the machine off, move your handles forward and back and see if the lever wiggles on the spool. The lever mounts to a square peg with a slot that for the bolt to hold the lever onto the spool. That bolt could be loose or you could have a cracked lever and the bolt no longer keeps the lever tight on the spool. Normally when the lever is loose there are other problems where the machine will lunge left or right and it will be extremely hard to keep the machine traveling in a straight line. It's worth a look at the lever.

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Thanks to both of you last two. That sounds like a more likely reason than some I have prevously thought of. Thanks Ron H.

bobcatguy said:

Roll the cab up and look back at the hydrostat on the top. There are two aluminum levers on top. With the machine off, move your handles forward and back and see if the lever wiggles on the spool. The lever mounts to a square peg with a slot that for the bolt to hold the lever onto the spool. That bolt could be loose or you could have a cracked lever and the bolt no longer keeps the lever tight on the spool. Normally when the lever is loose there are other problems where the machine will lunge left or right and it will be extremely hard to keep the machine traveling in a straight line. It's worth a look at the lever.

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I was hoping that was it but my linkage is tight. No play.

rhittle said:

I was hoping that was it but my linkage is tight. No play.

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From what I have read is the hub oil needs to be replaced often if not done major damage

rhittle said:

I was hoping that was it but my linkage is tight. No play.

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Have you checked your drive sprockets and the bars on the tracks. It still sounds like a track problem more than a drive problem to me. Is it just lunging forward? not jumping left or right randomly? Might be worth checking the steering damper shocks on the linkage. If one has lost charge it can make that side more sensitive to minor movements in the control handles.

Hi. I have recently purchased a 2007 T250 and am having the same problem. I have it at the dealer and they can not diagnose the problem??? They have checked or replaced all control linkages - tracks and tension - motor mounts etc?? They are telling me it "May be normal" but it jerks and hops so violently sometimes that it can't be operated smoothly by anyone. I have owned and operated many other skid steer's and track loaders and never seen anything like this!!! If you or anyone out there are able to find a solution or get any results please share. Thanks

visuall inspect hydrsat pump mount bolt and eng mounts