Bobcat 843, any advice to a new owner?

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ajwgator

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I have just bought a used 843, SN 5026-M-16044. Can one tell what year it is from the SN? Dealer states you can't but that doesn't make since to me. It looks good, dealer tells me it has a Perkins engine, but it has a few problems. It is hard to start, but runs fairly well once it does and hydraulics seem good too. Ether will get it started when cold. I'm sure that pedals and steering linkage could use some adjustments and/or firming up. The front crankshaft oil seal leaks while running. The fuel filter has been bypassed. Key switch does not have a position for preheat so I'm not sure if preheat is auto or someone has replaced the switch with a universal one. Breather tube has a small amount of blowby at idle but I'm not too sure what it does under a good load. Well that is enough for my first time! Any advice from users will be greatly appreciated. Thanks and I'm really glad to find a site where we can share our experiences.
 

Tazza

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Welcome to the forum.
The first thing you MUST do is re-connect and change the fuel filter! Any small particles or water that get into your injector pump will stuff it up quickly.
I am un-sure if perkins engines have glow plugs, have a look on the head, if they are there i would add a switch to turn them on manually. With a unit of this age i would doubt it would have automatic pre-heat, the *43 series were the last series before they intergrated electronics into the units so an automatic anything would be doubtfull.
Also, i would change the engine oil and filter and the hydraulic filter too. Then you know where you are at. Also check the air filter.
If you can live with the rear main seal leakage i would leave it alone, as you will need to remove the engine to do that one.....
 

StuZ

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Welcome to the forum.
The first thing you MUST do is re-connect and change the fuel filter! Any small particles or water that get into your injector pump will stuff it up quickly.
I am un-sure if perkins engines have glow plugs, have a look on the head, if they are there i would add a switch to turn them on manually. With a unit of this age i would doubt it would have automatic pre-heat, the *43 series were the last series before they intergrated electronics into the units so an automatic anything would be doubtfull.
Also, i would change the engine oil and filter and the hydraulic filter too. Then you know where you are at. Also check the air filter.
If you can live with the rear main seal leakage i would leave it alone, as you will need to remove the engine to do that one.....
There is nothing automatic on an 843 It might have a preheater in the intake manifold, to preheat the air before it gets sucked into the head. A block heater is your best bet, and 1 that goes into the freeze plug, not a tank type. Bobcat has never published anything on years for serial numbers
 

Tazza

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There is nothing automatic on an 843 It might have a preheater in the intake manifold, to preheat the air before it gets sucked into the head. A block heater is your best bet, and 1 that goes into the freeze plug, not a tank type. Bobcat has never published anything on years for serial numbers
From what i can tell, your machine is between 83-86. The later model uses an Isuzu engine.
Does the injector pump has a botton on it at all? a Deutz engine i have has one, no matter how cold it is, press the button, flick the key and it starts instantly. This button is for excessive fuel, it will blow a bit of black smoke at startup but clear in seconds and run clean.
I believe it will only have this if it has no glow plugs.
 
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ajwgator

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Welcome to the forum.
The first thing you MUST do is re-connect and change the fuel filter! Any small particles or water that get into your injector pump will stuff it up quickly.
I am un-sure if perkins engines have glow plugs, have a look on the head, if they are there i would add a switch to turn them on manually. With a unit of this age i would doubt it would have automatic pre-heat, the *43 series were the last series before they intergrated electronics into the units so an automatic anything would be doubtfull.
Also, i would change the engine oil and filter and the hydraulic filter too. Then you know where you are at. Also check the air filter.
If you can live with the rear main seal leakage i would leave it alone, as you will need to remove the engine to do that one.....
Thanks Tazza, glad to be a member and thanks for the great advice! I will do a complete service on all the filters, oil, hyd, air, and be sure and reconnect the fuel lines to the filter so it is no longer bypassed. I do see wires going to a some sort of plugs in the cylinder head so I can only assume that they are glow plugs. What I really need now is a good wiring diagram of the unit. Getting a good service manual that covers my serial number should be the next best step. Anyone out there have one? I saw one on ebay for around $80. Is that a good price or can we beat it?
 

Tazza

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Thanks Tazza, glad to be a member and thanks for the great advice! I will do a complete service on all the filters, oil, hyd, air, and be sure and reconnect the fuel lines to the filter so it is no longer bypassed. I do see wires going to a some sort of plugs in the cylinder head so I can only assume that they are glow plugs. What I really need now is a good wiring diagram of the unit. Getting a good service manual that covers my serial number should be the next best step. Anyone out there have one? I saw one on ebay for around $80. Is that a good price or can we beat it?
Too expensive.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BOBCAT-843-843B...ryZ48714QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I have dealt with this guy before, he is a pleasue to deal with. Give him the serial number so you get the rite manual, he knows his stuff. I would advise getting the parts manual too, VERY handy when you need to order parts off bobcat.
The wiring diagrams aren't all that flash in these manuals (these are all GOOD copies of OEM bobcat manuals). They are a little hard to follow as the wiring diagrams are not in colour.
If there are wires going to bits hanging out of the head, these are glow plugs. You may need to hook up a seperate switch to turn the plugs on. A simple push button switch on the panel with the key would work well. Run it back to the relay in the engine bay.
One thing you may try, hook up a heavy gauge wire to the glow plug rail, get some one to sit inside the bobcat ready to start it. Connect the wire to the +ve terminal, hold it there for about 30 seconds (the wire may get a little warm, this is normal), Then get the person to start it. It should fire up quite easily. If not, glow it for another 30 or so seconds. If it is still hard to start, your plugs may be bad.
 

StuZ

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Too expensive.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BOBCAT-843-843B-SKID-LOADER-STEER-SERVICE-MANUAL_W0QQitemZ7552354345QQcategoryZ48714QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I have dealt with this guy before, he is a pleasue to deal with. Give him the serial number so you get the rite manual, he knows his stuff. I would advise getting the parts manual too, VERY handy when you need to order parts off bobcat.
The wiring diagrams aren't all that flash in these manuals (these are all GOOD copies of OEM bobcat manuals). They are a little hard to follow as the wiring diagrams are not in colour.
If there are wires going to bits hanging out of the head, these are glow plugs. You may need to hook up a seperate switch to turn the plugs on. A simple push button switch on the panel with the key would work well. Run it back to the relay in the engine bay.
One thing you may try, hook up a heavy gauge wire to the glow plug rail, get some one to sit inside the bobcat ready to start it. Connect the wire to the +ve terminal, hold it there for about 30 seconds (the wire may get a little warm, this is normal), Then get the person to start it. It should fire up quite easily. If not, glow it for another 30 or so seconds. If it is still hard to start, your plugs may be bad.
Bobcat manual # 6570114 for an 843/843B from BOBCAT list is $ 65.60, and it is the lastest copy
 

StuZ

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Hey StuZ, is that the Operators manual, Maintenance & Parts manual, or all inclusive?
Not that lucky AJ Parts manual # 6566461 $ 32.00 OP Manual # 6566611 $ 16.00 Service manual # 6570114 $ 70.00 All figures rounded off, I'm sure there more or less at your local dealer
 
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ajwgator

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Not that lucky AJ Parts manual # 6566461 $ 32.00 OP Manual # 6566611 $ 16.00 Service manual # 6570114 $ 70.00 All figures rounded off, I'm sure there more or less at your local dealer
Thanks StuZ, I checked with my local dealer here in Lexington KY and they are off the charts! They are pricing just the OP Manual for $75 and must order it to boot. That is just a bit over priced for me. What do you think about the ones that are available on Ebay? Those are the ones I were referring to in my original question above. By the time I buy them all, it will run close to $100. By the way are you a Bobcat dealer or work for one? Just wondering because of the way you have the part numbers.
 

Tazza

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Thanks StuZ, I checked with my local dealer here in Lexington KY and they are off the charts! They are pricing just the OP Manual for $75 and must order it to boot. That is just a bit over priced for me. What do you think about the ones that are available on Ebay? Those are the ones I were referring to in my original question above. By the time I buy them all, it will run close to $100. By the way are you a Bobcat dealer or work for one? Just wondering because of the way you have the part numbers.
The ones on E-Bay are copies of the originals. Some do sell poor quality ones, look for a seller called maxxwedge, that's who i got mine off and i am VERY happy with what i got.. Here is his link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOBCAT-843-843B...ryZ48714QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I do recommend getting both the parts and service manual, the operation and maintenance manual really isn't needed, it just tells you not to over load it, don't flip, don't reverse over the wife.... you get the idea.
 

owensge

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The ones on E-Bay are copies of the originals. Some do sell poor quality ones, look for a seller called maxxwedge, that's who i got mine off and i am VERY happy with what i got.. Here is his link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOBCAT-843-843B-SKID-LOADER-STEER-SERVICE-MANUAL_W0QQitemZ7555002927QQcategoryZ48714QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I do recommend getting both the parts and service manual, the operation and maintenance manual really isn't needed, it just tells you not to over load it, don't flip, don't reverse over the wife.... you get the idea.
Ditto, I purchased both from Maxxwedge and am please with the quality....
 

StuZ

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Ditto, I purchased both from Maxxwedge and am please with the quality....
Dang, you guys are ganging up on me .... If you want the orignals from Bobcat, latest volume, not copies we'll get together somehow. You better call that dealer back in Lextington. Maybe he spent to long at the tavern in Paris ??
 
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ajwgator

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Dang, you guys are ganging up on me .... If you want the orignals from Bobcat, latest volume, not copies we'll get together somehow. You better call that dealer back in Lextington. Maybe he spent to long at the tavern in Paris ??
Well StuZ, I went on and purchased the service and parts manuals from maxxwedge. Since all the other guys are satified with them, there shouldn't be any reason why I shouldn't be either. The Lexington dealer is still in the tavern, the one in Paris KY that is! They seem to feel they have the market cornered and can ask anything they like. Once I get the manuals in, I will report back on the quality. Thanks for everyone's input!
 

StuZ

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Well StuZ, I went on and purchased the service and parts manuals from maxxwedge. Since all the other guys are satified with them, there shouldn't be any reason why I shouldn't be either. The Lexington dealer is still in the tavern, the one in Paris KY that is! They seem to feel they have the market cornered and can ask anything they like. Once I get the manuals in, I will report back on the quality. Thanks for everyone's input!
Well, I tried .... I've been through Paris a couple times myself
 
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ajwgator

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Well, I tried .... I've been through Paris a couple times myself
I got my manuals today for maxxwedge and they are great. They came in sealed packages with Bobcat part number stickers on the outside. They may be copies but the quality is really good. The pages are punched for a three ring binder, the hydraulic flow schematics are in color, the wiring diagrams are very clear and very detailed. I am pleased with them and many thanks for everyone's input! StuZ, Thanks for offering to get them for me. I didn't mean to sound as if I was ignoring your input either. It is really great to have this forum to go to and I look forward to future posts for everyone. Thanks again all...
 

kent Ind

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Nov 26, 2005
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This may be to late but I had trouble starting mine and after a few batterys found it was the starter. I had it redone and now it starts fast and no more ether. Hope this helps. I also have a 843 Perkins 1983
 
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ajwgator

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This may be to late but I had trouble starting mine and after a few batterys found it was the starter. I had it redone and now it starts fast and no more ether. Hope this helps. I also have a 843 Perkins 1983
Never too late.... Glad to see another 843 owner on here kent Ind. I've been away so it has some time since I posted. Thanks for the tip. Were you having to use ether before the starter work at every startup no matter if engine was warm or not? Mine seems to startup fine after it has been at operating temp. I only have to use the ether when it is cold. I got a new starter switch from the dealer this week so I hope that once I get that in there the glow plugs will back in the system and won't have to rely on the ether anymore. I'll update once I get-r-done! Thanks again.
 

goodtech

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Never too late.... Glad to see another 843 owner on here kent Ind. I've been away so it has some time since I posted. Thanks for the tip. Were you having to use ether before the starter work at every startup no matter if engine was warm or not? Mine seems to startup fine after it has been at operating temp. I only have to use the ether when it is cold. I got a new starter switch from the dealer this week so I hope that once I get that in there the glow plugs will back in the system and won't have to rely on the ether anymore. I'll update once I get-r-done! Thanks again.
Once a ether baby, always a ether baby. Guys that is the worst thing for these little engines, it will take them out in a heartbeat. If your having a problem find the problem, don't solve it with ether, because you are going to pay.
 

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