731 general information and help

[nshoregrappler]

have a bobcat 763 and 731 both second hand 763 up and running thanks to forum and kind members. Working on bringing back to life the 731 rewired the prior "repair" learned by error that the original switch had a left turn i realized went to a heater element or some such in the intake manifold, will have to rewire that one later. Having bobtach bushings replaced by dealer, just carried plate to dealer for work, while tilt cylinder is getting a new shaft fabricated. I can now say I have finally figured out most of the wiring and the errors I made may help someone else. that's the price i pay for not having a 731 service manual. My questions is when I purchased the used 763 I had the drive motors resealed and changed all of the seals for the drive motors. When i drive the 763 the drive sticks are smooth to operate and the cat moves and can spin in place one stick forward one reverse. On the 731 that would cause the machine to buck and jerk stopping if release the sticks or turning very slowly and only slightly move the right stick. this is the same whether i try to turn left or right. The bobcat drives fine straight ahead or reverse gradual turns at speed are ok. But to turn at speed i use the left stick to turn. the right seems to not equal to the left stick as for as movement. I am able to operate using the left to turn, skid on right and use the right stick more like the joy sticks on the new models. I believe the drive motors to be the problem, do i just pull the motors, buy a seal kit and go for it? I realize that''s the cheapest way out, if it's the problem, but I would just like to do it once! How do i tell whether this is a drive motor problem? Or is there a check list of the things that I should check before attempt the reseal, rebuild, or replacement? the down time is not a big factor, but would like to spend more time using the machine than waiting on parts or someone else to "get to it". While I'm going to now repläce, leaking stuff, and change all the filters. I can save myself the 2+ hour drive to the dealer. getting all the parts i need at one time. Any help would be appreciated. Recommendations for service manual outlet would also be good. thank you.

 

[Tazza]

The t73 is newer and has more power, that is why it turns easier.
The 731 is a lower HP machine, although it has good power, it doesn't match the 763.
The jumping, ensure they tyres are nice and hard, when they are squishy, they will flex, loose traction then stop and repeat causing bucking.
The lower power between sides could be seals in the motors, but it could be wear in the pump or motors, if you can live with it, just do so. You can pull the pump apart and rebuild it and the drive motors, but where do you stop? I had a 743 that didn't drive in a straight line due to wear, it wasn't a big curve that it drove in and only noticed on long flat runs.

 

[nshoregrappler]

The t73 is newer and has more power, that is why it turns easier.
The 731 is a lower HP machine, although it has good power, it doesn't match the 763.
The jumping, ensure they tyres are nice and hard, when they are squishy, they will flex, loose traction then stop and repeat causing bucking.
The lower power between sides could be seals in the motors, but it could be wear in the pump or motors, if you can live with it, just do so. You can pull the pump apart and rebuild it and the drive motors, but where do you stop? I had a 743 that didn't drive in a straight line due to wear, it wasn't a big curve that it drove in and only noticed on long flat runs.

thanks for the quick reply, that's exactly what i was looking to hear. I can pretty much live with anything as long as the machine is capable of doing the small projects i might need it for. I originally got the 731 to replace my 763 trying to downsize to use around the house. I would like to do small repairs before they get out of hand, and become "costly" replacements. The drive motor pulling and resealing (if that's all that is required) would seem to be a project that i could handle, but like you said where to I stop? I drive cars till they just die, or get older than 20 years. the 731 has already passed the 20 year mark, would you work the machine until the motor fails, or the pump fails before tearing into them? the drive motor seal kits seem inexpensive enough, but are the "rebuild" kits or the individual parts such that i should just pick up a rebuilt set of pumps when i get a failure? I realize that spending alot of money on a machine that is not really worth a lot of money doesnt make much sense. From your prior posts i noticed that you once had a 731 and no longer own it. When do I reach that point? I'm $3400 into machine and it seems another $3400 or so in rebuilt pump would leave me with a old 731 with more money into it then i could "find" another bobcat for. I guess we all reach that point, but I have get advice on this one. thank you.

 

[Tazza]

thanks for the quick reply, that's exactly what i was looking to hear. I can pretty much live with anything as long as the machine is capable of doing the small projects i might need it for. I originally got the 731 to replace my 763 trying to downsize to use around the house. I would like to do small repairs before they get out of hand, and become "costly" replacements. The drive motor pulling and resealing (if that's all that is required) would seem to be a project that i could handle, but like you said where to I stop? I drive cars till they just die, or get older than 20 years. the 731 has already passed the 20 year mark, would you work the machine until the motor fails, or the pump fails before tearing into them? the drive motor seal kits seem inexpensive enough, but are the "rebuild" kits or the individual parts such that i should just pick up a rebuilt set of pumps when i get a failure? I realize that spending alot of money on a machine that is not really worth a lot of money doesnt make much sense. From your prior posts i noticed that you once had a 731 and no longer own it. When do I reach that point? I'm $3400 into machine and it seems another $3400 or so in rebuilt pump would leave me with a old 731 with more money into it then i could "find" another bobcat for. I guess we all reach that point, but I have get advice on this one. thank you.

These pumps are known to do over 10,000 hours if cared for.
You could always do the drive motor seals and see how they go. Personally, I'd pull the motors and replace the Orings, I think I paid $5 for each motor, I was lucky that the backup rings were not damaged. If any plastic backup rings are broken, you need a full kit that is quite expensive for what's in it. These motors need timing when you re-assemble them.
The pump can be worked on for not a whole lot of money too. Even new parts, rotating groups I got cheap a few years back, I think 2 rotating groups and 2 wear plates cost me $500, they will be more than that now though. You can sometimes sand out the wear from the wear plates bringing the power back for no cost.