743 Bobcat U-Joint Lube

[warrenoliver]

I have read on this forum and on others that it is important to lube the U-joints connecting the Kubota engine to the hydraulic pump. How would I do that? I lifted the cab and there is no way to access from above. From behind, the engine and firewall prevents me from seeing that area. From below, I didn't check but I assume it is solid frame. What is the trick? Thanks

 

[antfarmer2]

First practice your cussing skills then lift up the cab put some padding on the pump reach in on the right side and feel for the zerks turn the engin from the back I used the spline comming off the back with a pipe wrench and a rag to keep from nicking up the shaft once you have it lined up mark the pully for next time do not have someone turn it when your hand is in there get your grease gun with two or three foot of hose and cuss some more there are three zerks

 

[antfarmer2]

First practice your cussing skills then lift up the cab put some padding on the pump reach in on the right side and feel for the zerks turn the engin from the back I used the spline comming off the back with a pipe wrench and a rag to keep from nicking up the shaft once you have it lined up mark the pully for next time do not have someone turn it when your hand is in there get your grease gun with two or three foot of hose and cuss some more there are three zerks

Chain the cab back good can ruin your day

 

[antfarmer2]

Chain the cab back good can ruin your day

That would be the right side while you laying on your belly on the pump cussing

 

[jerry]

That would be the right side while you laying on your belly on the pump cussing

You can see them with a mirror and next time you see a couch cushion for free save the foam inside it for a pad to lay on the pumps.

 

[warrenoliver]

First practice your cussing skills then lift up the cab put some padding on the pump reach in on the right side and feel for the zerks turn the engin from the back I used the spline comming off the back with a pipe wrench and a rag to keep from nicking up the shaft once you have it lined up mark the pully for next time do not have someone turn it when your hand is in there get your grease gun with two or three foot of hose and cuss some more there are three zerks

Now I am confused. Are you saying the Bobcat's right side (my left if I am prone) or are you saying my right side when I am lying prone on the Bobcat pump?

 

[antfarmer2]

Now I am confused. Are you saying the Bobcat's right side (my left if I am prone) or are you saying my right side when I am lying prone on the Bobcat pump?

Lay on your belly on the pump use your right hand and give it a reach around

 

[brdgbldr]

Lay on your belly on the pump use your right hand and give it a reach around

There are actually 2 holes that you can reach the u-joints from on the right side as you are laying on the pump. Unless you have a really skinny arm reach around as far right as you can and then back to the left to the u-joint. The hardest part is getting the zerks in the proper position once you get that done you can get the grease gun extension hose on by feel. I've found that the grease gun extension hose gets so greasy that keeping pressure on it to keep it on the zerk is near impossible especially if you are trying to get tough old grease out of the u-joint. I've had to put hose clamps near the end of the extension so I have something to push against. Good luck

 

[[email protected]]

There are actually 2 holes that you can reach the u-joints from on the right side as you are laying on the pump. Unless you have a really skinny arm reach around as far right as you can and then back to the left to the u-joint. The hardest part is getting the zerks in the proper position once you get that done you can get the grease gun extension hose on by feel. I've found that the grease gun extension hose gets so greasy that keeping pressure on it to keep it on the zerk is near impossible especially if you are trying to get tough old grease out of the u-joint. I've had to put hose clamps near the end of the extension so I have something to push against. Good luck

i layed on the pump and reached around while i had my father work the grease gun. i can't imagine doing it alone.

 

[wbecker]

i layed on the pump and reached around while i had my father work the grease gun. i can't imagine doing it alone.

Tom, You might want to consider pulling the engine and looking at the U joint if you have no records of the maintenance on the machine. My 743B had 3300 hours, I had to pull the engine due to a hydraulic leak from one of the steel lines in front of the engine. The U joint would have self destructed before long, I'll try to add a link to a picture of it, hope it works. http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad52/wbecker319/Bobcat/IMG_9811Copy.jpg

 

[antfarmer2]

Tom, You might want to consider pulling the engine and looking at the U joint if you have no records of the maintenance on the machine. My 743B had 3300 hours, I had to pull the engine due to a hydraulic leak from one of the steel lines in front of the engine. The U joint would have self destructed before long, I'll try to add a link to a picture of it, hope it works. http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad52/wbecker319/Bobcat/IMG_9811Copy.jpg

Good advice a hundred bucks and a half a day if it goes out can cost more than the cat is worth

 

[wbecker]

Good advice a hundred bucks and a half a day if it goes out can cost more than the cat is worth

Antfarmer, were you able to see the picture? Ive been trying to figure out how to do that, first try so like to know if it worked. Bill B

 

[antfarmer2]

Antfarmer, were you able to see the picture? Ive been trying to figure out how to do that, first try so like to know if it worked. Bill B

Yes I did but had to copy and paste maybe someone will fix it for you looks like you have been busy good job Bill

 

[Atilathehun99]

I need to grease the u-joint on the 743B that I bought about a year ago. Reading through this and other threads on this topic I understand how to and what a PITA it will be. I'm assuming that the joint is also hard to see? With that in mind what's the guess on how many pumps to adequately grease each zerk without creating too much excess that others have said can make a mess and cause problems with other components?

 

[Dave J]

2 or 3 should do it if it all goes in. Hopefully it had been greased by the previous owner. I replaced one that went 6,000 without grease. Took the better part of 2 days, not fun, it was stuck on the spline.

 

[ZekeSkyree]

Good advice a hundred bucks and a half a day if it goes out can cost more than the cat is worth

On my 642, I pulled the motor. Gave me a chance for a full inspection and to replace some ratty hoses before they blew. Was pleasantly surprised everything was in good shape, so only a few pumps of grease and it was back online. Pulling a motor is not that bad of a job, and is actually easy with two people...

 

[foton]

I would add some grease and run it a bit and add again , reason being if it is dry that will help place grease in areas that have not seen a lube in a while. use a mirror on a shaft to inspect so overfilling is kept to a minium.

 

[oiu789]

This was a Bobcat screw up big time!! On the left side of the machine. Line up a point that matches where the zerks are and cut a access hole with a cut off wheel. Then make a cover plate. Now you can keep the u joints lubed.