773 Bobcat won't turn left

[avainio]

I bought my 773 Turbo Bobcat about 5 years ago and it's always been a little weaker turning left when it's working hard. Last weekend I was pushing snow and it wouldn't turn left at all. I came to the forums and searched everything and much of what I saw was pointing to the left drive motor. I topped off the hydraulic fluid (it was only a little low), changed out the sintered bronze filter at the drive motor return line and the one I took out was nice and clean. I raised the cab and the left side control rod did need to be adjusted and I did that. Nothing seemed to help and there were no oil leaks anywhere. I took it for one last test run and was pretty much resigned to changing out the left drive motor or rebuilding it. I have a vinyl winter cover on the cab (Minnesota winters) and it makes it hard to see the tires. I was pushing against a snowbank and noticed the left front tire was intermittently stopping. The tire looked fine and I was standing on it at one point and it never flexed at all in the 15 degree temperature today. I checked the tire pressure and it was zero. The left front rim was spinning in the tire and the tires are so tough they stayed round and the bead looked like it was seated. Every time I got out of the cab, I set the snow pusher down and it took the weight off the front tires and they looked fine. Short story: I was getting prepared to pull the left drive motor for a rebuild/replacement and it turned out to be a nail in the tire. The head was broken off and the shank was hardly visible. I fixed my Bobcat with $12.65 can of beadseal and one of those rope seal plugs. I don't know if anyone else will get this lucky, but it's worth checking.

 

[avainio]

I should have reviewed that. It wasn't turning to the right and that would implicate the left drive motor.

 

[antfarmer2]

I should have reviewed that. It wasn't turning to the right and that would implicate the left drive motor.

Five years and never checked your air pressure might be time to check your car/ truck

 

[jerry]

Five years and never checked your air pressure might be time to check your car/ truck

I have had tires on the front go flat like that and the only tip off is you notice it is not sitting quite right on level ground. Have a lot of trouble with the Chinese tires on it right now with bead leaking. No matter how much sealer **** I put on there they leak so I have tubes in two of them now. Never had one spin on the rim but you would not notice it in the right conditions because the rear tire would still drive.

 

[avainio]

I have had tires on the front go flat like that and the only tip off is you notice it is not sitting quite right on level ground. Have a lot of trouble with the Chinese tires on it right now with bead leaking. No matter how much sealer **** I put on there they leak so I have tubes in two of them now. Never had one spin on the rim but you would not notice it in the right conditions because the rear tire would still drive.

I never said I didn't check my tire pressure in 5 years. The left sided stick needed to be adjusted and it wasn't getting full travel. That adjustment I should have done a long time ago, but it was only slightly out and for the most part wasn't an issue. The nail in the tire compounded that problem last weekend when it wouldn't turn at all when it was pushing snow and that's when the rim was spinning inside the tire. In retrospect, I would have checked the tire pressures as the very first thing and I accept that criticism. I just wanted to make sure no one else missed something this easy. Every time I got out of the cab and set the snow pusher down, the weight came off the front tires and they looked fine.

 

[avainio]

I never said I didn't check my tire pressure in 5 years. The left sided stick needed to be adjusted and it wasn't getting full travel. That adjustment I should have done a long time ago, but it was only slightly out and for the most part wasn't an issue. The nail in the tire compounded that problem last weekend when it wouldn't turn at all when it was pushing snow and that's when the rim was spinning inside the tire. In retrospect, I would have checked the tire pressures as the very first thing and I accept that criticism. I just wanted to make sure no one else missed something this easy. Every time I got out of the cab and set the snow pusher down, the weight came off the front tires and they looked fine.

Jerry- What tires are you running? I was calling around yesterday to get new tires and was offered some Chinese tires that "everyone is using and they seem to be pretty good." I don't remember the brand and I certainly don't want to buy new problems. The Bobcat brand tires I have on there now have a little less than half tread and I was looking for new ones. I found a new set of Carlisle tires that are pretty reasonable and I checked on Michelin Bibsteel All Terrain tires. At over $500.00 each locally, those are out of my league.

 

[antfarmer2]

Jerry- What tires are you running? I was calling around yesterday to get new tires and was offered some Chinese tires that "everyone is using and they seem to be pretty good." I don't remember the brand and I certainly don't want to buy new problems. The Bobcat brand tires I have on there now have a little less than half tread and I was looking for new ones. I found a new set of Carlisle tires that are pretty reasonable and I checked on Michelin Bibsteel All Terrain tires. At over $500.00 each locally, those are out of my league.

Sorry did not mean to snub you it is hard ro see if a tire is low so I check mine every time I use it had a tire roll off once cleaning my pond out was really close to being bad never again

 

[7LBSSMALLIE]

Sorry did not mean to snub you it is hard ro see if a tire is low so I check mine every time I use it had a tire roll off once cleaning my pond out was really close to being bad never again

LET THIS REMIND US ALL KISS keep it simple stupid. a few stories to remind of this. A. 743b with tracks dudes freakin out left rear tire wont drive telephone ,may just be a tire spinning on the rim. you know what it was. b. b another freak out 743 won start. telephone. take it of aux detent, hauled it 2 hundred miles bumped the stick back while still on trailer. C brake wont release. another telephone 150 mile haul. this ones classic on the phone I said to pull the golf ball out from under seat. still on trailer handed him the golf ball.. now mind that's old school stuff. NEWER IS . a did you check yore drive belt. is youre fuel half water ETC. the telephone wrenches, have been replaced by this internet thing. I kinda like it . I have been turning wrenches for close to 30 yrs. if I did not like it I would not still be doining it. you guys tryining to make a buck , tryining to save some cash I love it. glad to help. . something that's needs said if you guys aint makin money, im not either yes I know most of you are highly compenet. canfix youre own stuff. . but this is my living. consider the down time , the money on parts you did not need, time hauling. etc I guess im trying to sell you on a maintance program. the 60 grand bobcat is here . big picture bottom line is huge. work smart work hard find people. with simmaliar intresrt.