Bobcat 553

[Bmr]

Hi guys I have recently purchased a 553 skid steer I am totally new to this sort of equipment, it came up cheap and I thought that it would be a good project to undertake.. Basically All i know is how to start the engine and move it! My question is I believe there is lots of safety switches on this machine & I don't believe the ones on my 553 are working correctly. I can jump in it start the engine pull on the levers and away it moves, is this normal? I don't need to pull down the safety bar, for this to happen. I cannot seem to get the arm to go up or down. I would like to know what the traction override switch does located on the left side of the cab, also when the machine is running it creeps forwards is this normal? Is there a brake. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Where would I find manuals for this machine? Cheers

 

[flyerdan]

Moving with the bar up isn't unusual, but some of the older models had pedal lockouts that the lap bar had to actuate, if there are a couple of teflon blocks off to the side of the control sticks that appear to be spring loaded, they are the lockouts, and the bar has tabs that press them down.
The creeping is probably an adjustment, which should be covered in the manual, which can be sourced here.

 

[Hotrod1830]

Moving with the bar up isn't unusual, but some of the older models had pedal lockouts that the lap bar had to actuate, if there are a couple of teflon blocks off to the side of the control sticks that appear to be spring loaded, they are the lockouts, and the bar has tabs that press them down.
The creeping is probably an adjustment, which should be covered in the manual, which can be sourced here.

Flyerdan is correct about the lap bar. The lap bar must be down to allow the pedals to move, via two lockout blocks located just above the pedals, and the lap bar pushes down on them when down. The traction override is normally pressed to allow the traction lock and hydro lock to disengage. The button on my 553 did nothing, probably bypassed. You should hear a loud click/clunk when you press the button with the lap bar down and engine running. There should be a BCIS box located to the side of the seat. It should have lights on it that light up when the corresponding safety switch is engaged. when they all light up, you should be able to move the machine and operate the hydro's. If one of them doesnt light up, check that switch.

 

[Bmr]

Flyerdan is correct about the lap bar. The lap bar must be down to allow the pedals to move, via two lockout blocks located just above the pedals, and the lap bar pushes down on them when down. The traction override is normally pressed to allow the traction lock and hydro lock to disengage. The button on my 553 did nothing, probably bypassed. You should hear a loud click/clunk when you press the button with the lap bar down and engine running. There should be a BCIS box located to the side of the seat. It should have lights on it that light up when the corresponding safety switch is engaged. when they all light up, you should be able to move the machine and operate the hydro's. If one of them doesnt light up, check that switch.

Thanks for the reply's, and the manual starting to understand this machine much more now. Another question!...... the left hand side control/steering leaver has 2 red wires running up the hollow tube to what once looks like a switch , what would this be for?

 

[flyerdan]

Thanks for the reply's, and the manual starting to understand this machine much more now. Another question!...... the left hand side control/steering leaver has 2 red wires running up the hollow tube to what once looks like a switch , what would this be for?

That would be the left hand "Deluxe Multi-Switch Control Handle (Opt.)"
If you look at pdf pages 172 and 173 it illustrates it in the wiring diagram. Just need to trace the wiring and see what they can be used for.