Finally bought my first Bobcat 743... Upgrade Questions

[calypso428]

Well I finally found a good deal on my first skid -steer. Its a 1991 Bobcat 743 with 2,850 hrs. Its been used pretty hard but the engine sounds great and runs like a new one. The steering is nice and tight, no creep to speak of and the lifts seem to be up to par... it just looks like it been through hell and back again! I am working on several things actually.
First, ive got a new seat from ebay and cant get the old one out at all , I don't understand how its supposed to come out ive fooled with it for 2 hours and figure theres something simple im missing, and before you say it, yes I have a manual on the way for in the future... So how do I get the seat and tracks out ?? Does that entire metal plate underneath its mounted to come out or what???
Second, but simple, the control arms two little rubber grips are absolutely worn out, can I just order some bicycle grips or motorcycle grips I like? I cant find any stock grips anywhere...
Third, the engine access door handle is stretched where it hooks into the frame when you close the door and twist the handle. Theres about a 2 inch gap (between the door and the frame) and the door stays shut but it clunks and clanks around as im working ... Where can I buy a new latch or what can I do about it ?
Fourth, I want to buy a grapple bucket , I found a used one on craigslist for $800 its a 60" in good shape, what all do I need to consider ? My BC has auxillary connections but they look like they have never been used ... it seems like when I move the right control left to right it makes a sound like they should work ...
Fifth, a couple of fluid leaks, but not bad, its leaking Hydro fluid from around the seal on the view window on the hydro fluid tank on the left side, not bad but annoying... the second leak is in the engine compartment on the left hand side cant tell which one of the several lines it could be coming from , again not a show stopper but I just want to clean this BC up nice and neat !
Sorry for the long post, ive been reading on here for 3 weeks and been saving up my questions for you guys , thanks !! Tee O. -

 

[OldMachinist]

To get to the bolts that hold the seat in you need to raise the cab. To raise the cab, there is a nut in the each front corner of the cab. Remove the nuts/washers and raise the cab. Be careful some of the older machines had wiring harnesses that needed to be unplugged first so watch for that. Also it may take more than one person to lift if it doesn't have the struts that help.
You can order rubber grips from McMaster Carr. Just measure the tubes and order whatever style you like. http://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber-grips/=mdm875
A new latch will likely need to come from a Bobcat dealer. They do sell parts for the old machines.
You can replace one of the aux. couplers with a gauge to verify they're working correctly. This will also let you see what kind of pressure you're getting from the pump. It should be 2200-2400 PSI at full throttle.
For the leaks just clean everthing up and then try to find them.
As a side note I edited your post to make it easier to read. To make your posts have paragraghs go to your forum profile and check the box that says "Use HTML Editor".

 

[Tazza]

To get to the bolts that hold the seat in you need to raise the cab. To raise the cab, there is a nut in the each front corner of the cab. Remove the nuts/washers and raise the cab. Be careful some of the older machines had wiring harnesses that needed to be unplugged first so watch for that. Also it may take more than one person to lift if it doesn't have the struts that help.
You can order rubber grips from McMaster Carr. Just measure the tubes and order whatever style you like. http://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber-grips/=mdm875
A new latch will likely need to come from a Bobcat dealer. They do sell parts for the old machines.
You can replace one of the aux. couplers with a gauge to verify they're working correctly. This will also let you see what kind of pressure you're getting from the pump. It should be 2200-2400 PSI at full throttle.
For the leaks just clean everthing up and then try to find them.
As a side note I edited your post to make it easier to read. To make your posts have paragraghs go to your forum profile and check the box that says "Use HTML Editor".

Excellent advise from OM
Over time the seats rot out, i generally just get the trusty angle grinder and grind the nuts off if they are rusted solid.
The door latch some times can be repaired, but mostly they are rusted solid. They are adjustable, but use a small allen head screw to lock it in place. This screw rusts up and you simply can't get it out. If you have a lathe, you can make a new one using the old rusted one as a guide.
I also added foam tape to my door to give a nise fit, no rattling.

 

[calypso428]

Excellent advise from OM
Over time the seats rot out, i generally just get the trusty angle grinder and grind the nuts off if they are rusted solid.
The door latch some times can be repaired, but mostly they are rusted solid. They are adjustable, but use a small allen head screw to lock it in place. This screw rusts up and you simply can't get it out. If you have a lathe, you can make a new one using the old rusted one as a guide.
I also added foam tape to my door to give a nise fit, no rattling.

Thanks for the advice and information!! I cant wait to get home and get to work on it... Where can I find one of those gauges your talking about to measure the pressure on the auxiliary lines ? Oh, and the protective bar that comes down , the foam is falling apart , is it just best to wrap it with tape or something ? Also the bar comes down onto two plastic pieces, one on each side, and the metal has warn a slot shaped hole into each one , is there somewhere I can order two new plastic pieces ??

Thanks!

Tee -

 

[Tazza]

Thanks for the advice and information!! I cant wait to get home and get to work on it... Where can I find one of those gauges your talking about to measure the pressure on the auxiliary lines ? Oh, and the protective bar that comes down , the foam is falling apart , is it just best to wrap it with tape or something ? Also the bar comes down onto two plastic pieces, one on each side, and the metal has warn a slot shaped hole into each one , is there somewhere I can order two new plastic pieces ??

Thanks!

Tee -

Just tape it up, a new one isn't cheap
The plastic blocks are available from the dealer, they aren't too expensive.

 

[Mikefromcny]

Just tape it up, a new one isn't cheap
The plastic blocks are available from the dealer, they aren't too expensive.

Congrats on the 743. Probably one of the best skids ever made. I wished I could of afforded to keep mine. Heres mine after I painted it. http://www.skidsteerforum.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=54&frmView=ShowPost&PostID=59608

 

[calypso428]

Congrats on the 743. Probably one of the best skids ever made. I wished I could of afforded to keep mine. Heres mine after I painted it. http://www.skidsteerforum.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=54&frmView=ShowPost&PostID=59608

Wow mike that looks amazing!! Looks like vintage photos of a new one from back in the day !
Finally borrowed a friends trailer and got my BC moved to my house so I could start working on it... my friends trailer didn't have ramps so I had to load it from the side of a bank onto the back of the trailer which was a little iffy but I just took it slow !
I lifted up the cab and this thing is absolutely full of dirt and debris so I am in the process of vaccuming it out and getting ready to pressure wash it... Is it ok to use a pressure washer all over? even in the engine compartment? or should I just stick with a hose?
Also took out the old seat and tried to install my new one I ordered but it didn't come with the hardware (nuts bolts washers) so there goes another trip to home depot ... and ordered some new control lever grips, even though the smallest order was for 6 of them, guess I have afew extras !
Ill keep you posted on my progress and any troubles I encounter !
thanks,
Tee

 

[Tazza]

Wow mike that looks amazing!! Looks like vintage photos of a new one from back in the day !
Finally borrowed a friends trailer and got my BC moved to my house so I could start working on it... my friends trailer didn't have ramps so I had to load it from the side of a bank onto the back of the trailer which was a little iffy but I just took it slow !
I lifted up the cab and this thing is absolutely full of dirt and debris so I am in the process of vaccuming it out and getting ready to pressure wash it... Is it ok to use a pressure washer all over? even in the engine compartment? or should I just stick with a hose?
Also took out the old seat and tried to install my new one I ordered but it didn't come with the hardware (nuts bolts washers) so there goes another trip to home depot ... and ordered some new control lever grips, even though the smallest order was for 6 of them, guess I have afew extras !
Ill keep you posted on my progress and any troubles I encounter !
thanks,
Tee

A pressure washer will be fine, a hot or steam one is even better.
They made you take 6? I have never heard of that, they would sell you one, i have never had that before. I have bought some ball bearings, total spend was $1.50 You possibly should look for another better dealer for any future parts.

 

[calypso428]

A pressure washer will be fine, a hot or steam one is even better.
They made you take 6? I have never heard of that, they would sell you one, i have never had that before. I have bought some ball bearings, total spend was $1.50 You possibly should look for another better dealer for any future parts.

Yes I ended up buying the grips from McMaster.com They only had the style I liked in increments of 6 but they still weren't very expensive...

Question: Funny enough one of my worst hydro leaks I have is from the "view" window on the side of the hydro reservoir ... The fluid appears to be coming from the bottom side of the little window and runs all the way down the side and makes a mess ... Is there any easy fix? Like replacing a seal or something ? Will it just screw out ? Can I just seal underneath with some kind of caulk or glue? I don't want to have to replace the entire thing ...

Thanks!

 

[Cyclone Ranger]

Yes I ended up buying the grips from McMaster.com They only had the style I liked in increments of 6 but they still weren't very expensive...

Question: Funny enough one of my worst hydro leaks I have is from the "view" window on the side of the hydro reservoir ... The fluid appears to be coming from the bottom side of the little window and runs all the way down the side and makes a mess ... Is there any easy fix? Like replacing a seal or something ? Will it just screw out ? Can I just seal underneath with some kind of caulk or glue? I don't want to have to replace the entire thing ...

Thanks!

Which grips did you end up going with? How do they look?

 

[Tazza]

Which grips did you end up going with? How do they look?

If it has a plastic tank, the viewing window is hex shaped, it will un-screw. I'd use good quality sealant on the threads, it shouldn't leak again.

 

[calypso428]

If it has a plastic tank, the viewing window is hex shaped, it will un-screw. I'd use good quality sealant on the threads, it shouldn't leak again.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber-grips/=mfv6n8
Heres the ones I ordered... Ill post some pics when I get them and the seat installed... I will try and repair the leak tomorrow, the tank is plastic!

Thanks

 

[calypso428]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber-grips/=mfv6n8
Heres the ones I ordered... Ill post some pics when I get them and the seat installed... I will try and repair the leak tomorrow, the tank is plastic!

Thanks

I have some pictures , how do I insert my pictures?

 

[OldMachinist]

I have some pictures , how do I insert my pictures?

The pictures need to be stored online somewhere like Photobucket. Then you can just copy and paste the image into your posts.

 

[calypso428]

The pictures need to be stored online somewhere like Photobucket. Then you can just copy and paste the image into your posts.

 

[calypso428]

Well that obviously didn't work right but you get the pictures! Just showing the overall condition of the machine . In one of the pictures there is a wire wrapped in wire loom that's going to the back side of the engine. Sometimes when I turn the ignition nothing happens its like the battery is disconnected and if I go around and jiggle this wire I can get it to start then... What is that wire??

 

[calypso428]

Well that obviously didn't work right but you get the pictures! Just showing the overall condition of the machine . In one of the pictures there is a wire wrapped in wire loom that's going to the back side of the engine. Sometimes when I turn the ignition nothing happens its like the battery is disconnected and if I go around and jiggle this wire I can get it to start then... What is that wire??

Oh and in another pic you can see the leaky view window on the side of the hydro tank... I tried tightening the nut and it turns very easily almost like its stripped out I don't want to keep turning it and cause a worse leak , maybe its just very loose?

 

[calypso428]

Oh and in another pic you can see the leaky view window on the side of the hydro tank... I tried tightening the nut and it turns very easily almost like its stripped out I don't want to keep turning it and cause a worse leak , maybe its just very loose?

And lastly, what size grapple should I buy ? Is a 62 " going to be too heavy ?

Thanks and sorry for all the separate posts!

 

[calypso428]

And lastly, what size grapple should I buy ? Is a 62 " going to be too heavy ?

Thanks and sorry for all the separate posts!

This wire...
View window..
I sincerely apologize Im new to message boards ive got the hang of it now !