Happy New Year to all! First let me apologize for not wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I checked the forum's HTML option and it wouldn't allow me to post messages until I removed it. I look forward to 2008 and wish to you all a Healthy and Prosperous New Year! As you can tell I am a "Bobcat 743 Skidsteer Owner" and still have LOTS to learn. I just replaced the thermostat on my 1986 743 for a preventative maintenance. I bought it a few years ago it has run a little warm around the L on the Temp gauge. I have learned from the forum that overheating on the 743's is one of the major gotchas. This afternoon I used it to move a few logs "outside temperature low 50's Fahrenheit". The temp gauge still hovered at the "L" in Normal almost constantly with the new thermostat. I would feel much better if it ran a little cooler than this but I want to know if this is something that I should really be concerned about? Outside of getting some type of an external temperature gauge and checking the actual engine temperature does anyone a feel if I have a problem or not? Also if I need to check it with another gauge can I get some advice of what kind of device I need to find to guarantee the engine temperature before something bad happens. The machine over the past summer seemed to run about the same temperature as it does now with the old thermostat. When I shut it down today I put my hand on the radiator hose and it is hot but I was able to grab it without it burning my hand too much. Sorry for all of the questions but this forum is my lifeline for keeping my machine healthy.
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Asking questions is what this site is all about!
As for your temperature, i don't know exactly what your gauge looks like but the needle should basically sit vertical, its more or less the middle of hot and cold. If you are really concerned you can change the sender and the gauge then you know the temp is spot on. I have had senders go bad and they read very low but i had one that read rite into the hot and i freaked out!!! but it was just a bad sender.
If you can borrow one of those non-contact inferred temperatures gauges you can use that to see how hot the head is running. It should be around 180F depending on what thermostat you installed.
As for the top hose, it should be quite warm but depending on how hard you ran the machine and the outside temperature it should be hot but not always un-touchable.
As for your temperature, i don't know exactly what your gauge looks like but the needle should basically sit vertical, its more or less the middle of hot and cold. If you are really concerned you can change the sender and the gauge then you know the temp is spot on. I have had senders go bad and they read very low but i had one that read rite into the hot and i freaked out!!! but it was just a bad sender.
If you can borrow one of those non-contact inferred temperatures gauges you can use that to see how hot the head is running. It should be around 180F depending on what thermostat you installed.
As for the top hose, it should be quite warm but depending on how hard you ran the machine and the outside temperature it should be hot but not always un-touchable.
Thanks. I will take a picture of the gauge later today to show you what I am talking about. The thermostat I installed was Bobcat #18236414 THERMO IRB-3918235. Do you have any idea what the temp of this one is?Asking questions is what this site is all about!
As for your temperature, i don't know exactly what your gauge looks like but the needle should basically sit vertical, its more or less the middle of hot and cold. If you are really concerned you can change the sender and the gauge then you know the temp is spot on. I have had senders go bad and they read very low but i had one that read rite into the hot and i freaked out!!! but it was just a bad sender.
If you can borrow one of those non-contact inferred temperatures gauges you can use that to see how hot the head is running. It should be around 180F depending on what thermostat you installed.
As for the top hose, it should be quite warm but depending on how hard you ran the machine and the outside temperature it should be hot but not always un-touchable.
I don't know what temp they are, the ones i use have 180 stamped on the bottom on the thermostat so i know what temp they are. Either way, yours should be very close to the same temperature. Especially if its genuine it will be the correct temperature.Thanks. I will take a picture of the gauge later today to show you what I am talking about. The thermostat I installed was Bobcat #18236414 THERMO IRB-3918235. Do you have any idea what the temp of this one is?
Pondfisfr, you got to be ok as being a fisherman myself I have meet very few fishermen that were not , I would look and see how clean the fins of your radiator are , the 743 was kinda bad able getting clogged up with dirt , there are some covers that can be removed over the valve cover and you can see the bootom of the radiator , pressure washing this area seems a common negelected maintance item , Happy 2008 to allI don't know what temp they are, the ones i use have 180 stamped on the bottom on the thermostat so i know what temp they are. Either way, yours should be very close to the same temperature. Especially if its genuine it will be the correct temperature.
You are correct I love to fish and really enjoy the water. Here at home I have a pond we built where I raise game fish as a hobby. I struck a friendship with a heavy equipment operator that was a big help in the construction. That is where my interest in skidsteers was born. I chose the name pondfishr without the e to have a user name with little chance of another duplication. For my Bobcat temp question you have a good point that a dirty radiator could be the culprit. This machine was a mess when I bought it, oily dirt and grime inches thick in the engine bay and under the cab. I have cleaned most of it out but neglected to do anything to the radiator other than check the fluid level. Visually on the top side it looks clear but with all the muck the machine had on the inside there is no telling what is on the underside of the radiator. Today here in Tennessee we had a cold front move in and as soon as it warms up I will check it out. Thanks for the tip, I wish I had the knowledge the rest of you do and help out more with posted questions. In my opinion this is one of the best sites for information sharing on the internet. It has given me the knowledge to do wonders with my machine and I am really excited about restoring it back to tip top shape. Happy New Year to All!Pondfisfr, you got to be ok as being a fisherman myself I have meet very few fishermen that were not , I would look and see how clean the fins of your radiator are , the 743 was kinda bad able getting clogged up with dirt , there are some covers that can be removed over the valve cover and you can see the bootom of the radiator , pressure washing this area seems a common negelected maintance item , Happy 2008 to all
I can picture what the under side of your radiator must look like from your discription of the condition of the machine , oil attracks dirt , if ever there was a hydraulic leak under the cab the oil mist gets swirled around by the fan and pushed thru the fins of the radiator , once wet with oil its a magnet for all the dirt , even without the presence of oil it gets almost like its carpeted , those covers should have wing headed bolts but could have been replaced over time , and once you get them off you will see the radiator ------------I am a fishaholic , my Grandfather was an oysterfisherman and I started fishing off the back his boat when docked at about 5 years old , we are blessed down here in southern Louisiana as I really don't think there is any better varity fishing in the world , I came up with fishfiles long before I had a computor as I use to keep an almanac of all my trips with information which I named The Fishfiles , Katrina washed away my files and I gave up on them , but still have the info in my head , I kept stuff like tides , winds , temps , catches and locations which helped to learn the patterns and increased your chances of a good trip next time , fishing is the ultimate past time , after a game of golf you do not eat the ballYou are correct I love to fish and really enjoy the water. Here at home I have a pond we built where I raise game fish as a hobby. I struck a friendship with a heavy equipment operator that was a big help in the construction. That is where my interest in skidsteers was born. I chose the name pondfishr without the e to have a user name with little chance of another duplication. For my Bobcat temp question you have a good point that a dirty radiator could be the culprit. This machine was a mess when I bought it, oily dirt and grime inches thick in the engine bay and under the cab. I have cleaned most of it out but neglected to do anything to the radiator other than check the fluid level. Visually on the top side it looks clear but with all the muck the machine had on the inside there is no telling what is on the underside of the radiator. Today here in Tennessee we had a cold front move in and as soon as it warms up I will check it out. Thanks for the tip, I wish I had the knowledge the rest of you do and help out more with posted questions. In my opinion this is one of the best sites for information sharing on the internet. It has given me the knowledge to do wonders with my machine and I am really excited about restoring it back to tip top shape. Happy New Year to All!
Wow was it warm here in Tennessee today. When I got in this evening I removed the covers on the radiator and oil cooler. I took the hose and blew out as much dirt as I could and removed a mouse nest from the oil cooler. I ran the machine moving logs 3/4 throttle and the temperature jumped back up again to the L in Normal. Do you think I should flush the radiator? I just added new coolant when I replaced the thermostat a few days ago.I can picture what the under side of your radiator must look like from your discription of the condition of the machine , oil attracks dirt , if ever there was a hydraulic leak under the cab the oil mist gets swirled around by the fan and pushed thru the fins of the radiator , once wet with oil its a magnet for all the dirt , even without the presence of oil it gets almost like its carpeted , those covers should have wing headed bolts but could have been replaced over time , and once you get them off you will see the radiator ------------I am a fishaholic , my Grandfather was an oysterfisherman and I started fishing off the back his boat when docked at about 5 years old , we are blessed down here in southern Louisiana as I really don't think there is any better varity fishing in the world , I came up with fishfiles long before I had a computor as I use to keep an almanac of all my trips with information which I named The Fishfiles , Katrina washed away my files and I gave up on them , but still have the info in my head , I kept stuff like tides , winds , temps , catches and locations which helped to learn the patterns and increased your chances of a good trip next time , fishing is the ultimate past time , after a game of golf you do not eat the ball
A good radiator flush is never a bad thing!Wow was it warm here in Tennessee today. When I got in this evening I removed the covers on the radiator and oil cooler. I took the hose and blew out as much dirt as I could and removed a mouse nest from the oil cooler. I ran the machine moving logs 3/4 throttle and the temperature jumped back up again to the L in Normal. Do you think I should flush the radiator? I just added new coolant when I replaced the thermostat a few days ago.
Drop your bottom hose and collect as much coolant in a bucket you can. I just threw mine back in after i cleaned it (it was new coolant).
Just where does the needle sit? is it within the limits of "normal" if so, i really do believe its running within spec, mine runs about mid scale of the normal bit. If you are really worried, go buy a new temp gauge and sender. Then you will know for sure how it is running. They aren't THAT expensive to replace.
I will try and get to the radiator tomorrow. Also will give IM Bobcat a call to see about the gauge and sender. Thanks Tazza!!A good radiator flush is never a bad thing!
Drop your bottom hose and collect as much coolant in a bucket you can. I just threw mine back in after i cleaned it (it was new coolant).
Just where does the needle sit? is it within the limits of "normal" if so, i really do believe its running within spec, mine runs about mid scale of the normal bit. If you are really worried, go buy a new temp gauge and sender. Then you will know for sure how it is running. They aren't THAT expensive to replace.
Ok, going from memory from the prices i got off Mark were around 26 for the gauge and 7 for the sender. Remember these are rough prices only.I will try and get to the radiator tomorrow. Also will give IM Bobcat a call to see about the gauge and sender. Thanks Tazza!!
Good luck!
Sound like it was kinda dirty in the radiator and oil coller area , do you think you really got it clean with a hose , I know I have had to remove the oil cooler on some machines to be able to get in on the correct angle with a pressure washer to get all the dirt out ,don't really have the 743 setup clear in my head right now as my homeboys ----------" LSU , WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIp LAST NIGHT ",--------------------- and I am still feeling it, the air flowing thru the fins is critical in cooling the engine , if you could get a flashlight on one side and see if the light can be seen over the whole radiator , I doubt very seriously you could have did a good job with a hose , you may have t remove the radiator and clean it , if you go that far it would be a good idea to have it boiled out internallyI will try and get to the radiator tomorrow. Also will give IM Bobcat a call to see about the gauge and sender. Thanks Tazza!!
Thanks guys. I didn't do anything with it tonight and you are right I might not have gotten it really clean. I want to do it right if I do it at all. Would it be a good idea to install new radiator hoses at the same time. I checked with IM Bobcat today and they quoted $32 per hose. Also do I take it to any radiator shop to have it boiled internally? The LSU vs Ohio State game was great. LSU has an awesome team and deserved to win. The kid Jacob Hester is a real competitor, one of the best players I have seen a long time. Congratulations to the LSU Tigers National Champs.Sound like it was kinda dirty in the radiator and oil coller area , do you think you really got it clean with a hose , I know I have had to remove the oil cooler on some machines to be able to get in on the correct angle with a pressure washer to get all the dirt out ,don't really have the 743 setup clear in my head right now as my homeboys ----------" LSU , WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIp LAST NIGHT ",--------------------- and I am still feeling it, the air flowing thru the fins is critical in cooling the engine , if you could get a flashlight on one side and see if the light can be seen over the whole radiator , I doubt very seriously you could have did a good job with a hose , you may have t remove the radiator and clean it , if you go that far it would be a good idea to have it boiled out internally
If it was me, i'd pressure wash both the radiator and oil cooler first. Then give it a good flush with the caustic stuff you buy from auto stores. Removing the radiator is not a fun job, do it as a last resort!. Changing the hoses is a good idea though.Thanks guys. I didn't do anything with it tonight and you are right I might not have gotten it really clean. I want to do it right if I do it at all. Would it be a good idea to install new radiator hoses at the same time. I checked with IM Bobcat today and they quoted $32 per hose. Also do I take it to any radiator shop to have it boiled internally? The LSU vs Ohio State game was great. LSU has an awesome team and deserved to win. The kid Jacob Hester is a real competitor, one of the best players I have seen a long time. Congratulations to the LSU Tigers National Champs.
Any radiator shop could do it , if you look into the neck of the radiator how does it look , do you see any corrosion in there , if you are stilling running hot I would take out the radiator and have it cleaned , it isn't too bad to get out if the bolts treat you right ----------------------Thanks for the kind words on LSU , you got to give it to them the only two loses they suffer where triple overtime against two of the better teams out there this year , they were very entertaining this year , I think they could have beat our New Orleans Saints this year , what happen to the Saints I don't know , too much partying in this town I'd guess , I am pulling for Jacksonville to beat the Pats this Saturday when I get home from fishing for speck and reds in Delicroix , La. , and I think the chances of eating fresh fried fish and drinking frozen marguaritas during the game is about a for sureThanks guys. I didn't do anything with it tonight and you are right I might not have gotten it really clean. I want to do it right if I do it at all. Would it be a good idea to install new radiator hoses at the same time. I checked with IM Bobcat today and they quoted $32 per hose. Also do I take it to any radiator shop to have it boiled internally? The LSU vs Ohio State game was great. LSU has an awesome team and deserved to win. The kid Jacob Hester is a real competitor, one of the best players I have seen a long time. Congratulations to the LSU Tigers National Champs.
