New To Me 2020 T650 Maintenance

[TechA]

Hello All,

Just bought my first bobcat. Its a 2020 T650 with 2370 hours on the clock. Machine is nice and dry in the engine bay and operates smoothly. I was looking for some advise on what maintenance should be other than engine oil and filter and gear oil change. The tracks are also quite loose, i measured a 2” gap from the middle roller when the track is off the ground and my research says 1/2” gap is whats correct so thats on the list also. One thing i did not notice when I was first buying it is that when tracking along, the left side track makes a popping noise but I can see that the left rear idler is sprocket style and I can visible see that its slipping there causing the popping but the right track has a smooth rear idler and makes no popping noises. Any ideas on why this is? I feel like once the tracks are tensioned the popping will go away but not sure why the rear idlers are different. Will get some pictures later today. Thanks in advance.

 

[ZekeSkyree]

Congrats on the new purchase...

For routine maintenance, I would get a copy of the owners manual and service manual. Best investment I've ever made. Anyway, there you will find Bobcat's maintenance recommendations. I suggest starting there.

 

[fortworth-cowboy]

Hello All,

Just bought my first bobcat. Its a 2020 T650 with 2370 hours on the clock. Machine is nice and dry in the engine bay and operates smoothly. I was looking for some advise on what maintenance should be other than engine oil and filter and gear oil change. The tracks are also quite loose, i measured a 2" gap from the middle roller when the track is off the ground and my research says 1/2" gap is whats correct so thats on the list also. One thing i did not notice when I was first buying it is that when tracking along, the left side track makes a popping noise but I can see that the left rear idler is sprocket style and I can visible see that its slipping there causing the popping but the right track has a smooth rear idler and makes no popping noises. Any ideas on why this is? I feel like once the tracks are tensioned the popping will go away but not sure why the rear idlers are different. Will get some pictures later today. Thanks in advance.

So you are right with the 0.5 inch gap, but you have the machine complete of the ground for that.
Popping noise usually is a sign of that the track is to tight.
If your rear idlers turn into sprockets , your tracks are way to tight!
And you would have to replace them asap.

Maintenance wise:

every 250 hrs: Engine Oil and Filter, Fuel Filter and if needed Engine Air Filters ( replace both not just the outer one)
every 500 hrs: same as above plus Hydraulic Fan Filter, Drive Motor Oil (Very important)
every 1000 hrs: same as 250 plus 500 hour service plus main hydraulic filter

A/C Filters and Engine Air Filters should be checked every 25 hours, depending on the environment they might need to be changed more often, do not blow them out, blowing air filters out will destroy they integrity of the filter and you will destroy your turbo.

Drive Belt should be also checked frequently, the Drive Belt should be replaced every 500 hours as well. You would have to check the tensioner for wear, the tensioner is mounted on a sleeve (installed into the belt housing) which tends to wear out and then it destroys the tensioner wheel and drive belt.

If you have more questions you can send me a message

 

[TechA]

So you are right with the 0.5 inch gap, but you have the machine complete of the ground for that.
Popping noise usually is a sign of that the track is to tight.
If your rear idlers turn into sprockets , your tracks are way to tight!
And you would have to replace them asap.

Maintenance wise:

every 250 hrs: Engine Oil and Filter, Fuel Filter and if needed Engine Air Filters ( replace both not just the outer one)
every 500 hrs: same as above plus Hydraulic Fan Filter, Drive Motor Oil (Very important)
every 1000 hrs: same as 250 plus 500 hour service plus main hydraulic filter

A/C Filters and Engine Air Filters should be checked every 25 hours, depending on the environment they might need to be changed more often, do not blow them out, blowing air filters out will destroy they integrity of the filter and you will destroy your turbo.

Drive Belt should be also checked frequently, the Drive Belt should be replaced every 500 hours as well. You would have to check the tensioner for wear, the tensioner is mounted on a sleeve (installed into the belt housing) which tends to wear out and then it destroys the tensioner wheel and drive belt.

If you have more questions you can send me a message

Thanks for the quick run down, really do appreciate it. For fluids do you recommend oem bobcat fluids? As for the idler, I would never have thought of that, i figured who ever owned it before me just replaced it with what ever was onhand. Will definitely look into getting a new idler wheel.

 

[fortworth-cowboy]

Thanks for the quick run down, really do appreciate it. For fluids do you recommend oem bobcat fluids? As for the idler, I would never have thought of that, i figured who ever owned it before me just replaced it with what ever was onhand. Will definitely look into getting a new idler wheel.

You don't have to use OEM Bobcat, for Hydraulic use AW46 NON foaming Hydraulic Oil, Engine oil depending on where you live , between 15w40 and 5w40, coolant use PG only, do not mix coolant!