S160 throttle level

JoRo · Nov 5, 2012

Hi, I just recently purchased a 2004 Bobcat S160 turbo and not knowing a whole lot about skidsteers was wondering if I should use full throttle when operating even though it seems like it's revving much too high. Thank you.

Bobcatdan · Nov 5, 2012

For working in dirt or using a continous flow attachment, you will want to run full throttle. For just running around with forks, or light duty task, half is normally fine. High idle is around 2800ish, I don't remember for sure. Bobcats normally run several 100 rpms lower the other skidsteers thanks to the belt drive.

SkidRoe · Nov 5, 2012

Get used to operating it at full throttle. That was the way I was taught, regardless of the machine. The machine will not operate smoothly at part throttle. The only exceptions that I can think of to this rule are older clutch operated machines, where you do not have as much control over the speed with the levers. But then again, most of them have variable speed belt drives, to help match the ground speed to the job and allow you to run full throttle. My $0.02, FWIW.

JoRo · Nov 5, 2012

SkidRoe said:
Get used to operating it at full throttle. That was the way I was taught, regardless of the machine. The machine will not operate smoothly at part throttle. The only exceptions that I can think of to this rule are older clutch operated machines, where you do not have as much control over the speed with the levers. But then again, most of them have variable speed belt drives, to help match the ground speed to the job and allow you to run full throttle. My $0.02, FWIW.

Thanks SkidRoe for your2 cents worth.......lol I really do appreciate it.