I just purchased an old Clark Bobcat 610 in what appears to be good condition with no cracks or broken welds, etc. Motor was running smooth and quiet with no odd noises, and all the controls worked with the rams going smoothly through their range of motion. Didn't see any leaks but I guess that could have been cleaned up for my benefit before I arrived. (With my luck that may all change as soon as I get it off the trailer this weekend...) Anyway, I know absolutely nothing about tractors or skid steers aside from what I have read online the past few days, so please forgive all my stupid questions. I try to search and find the answer online or in the forums before I start slinging questions that have already been asked a thousand times. We own a place in N. GA with about 35 acres and needed something mostly to help maintain a steep gravel driveway. Also could use some grading clean-up around the cabin and use to push some dirt around for a firing range and make a few trails. I know this wasn't my best option but was trying to find something to get the job done in the $3K range and this seemed to fit the bill. I do all my own vehicle maintenance and restoration and this doesn't look to be too complex. Now my stupid questions: This one does not have the optional roll cage. Anyone recommend the best local sources to find old parts for the outdated models? Are there heavy equipment salvage yards like there are for autos, or should I plan on just welding up my own? This one had no parking brake that I noticed. Is the standard procedure to just push the bucket down to hold on a hill? Is there some sort of hand-brake retrofit option? My main question is related to attachments. I'm having a real hard time finding any photos to compare how these old models connected to the attachments, how that compared to the "Bob-Tach", or how the various other attachment plates connect and function. Mine seemed to have the arms connect direct to the bucket with pins/bushings. (I'll be able to study this more when I get it this weekend.) Can someone point me in the right direction to get more info on how all this works and what the best option is for a universal mount or plate so that I could use other attachments like a box blade or Roadrunner style plane? I've seen lots of potential tools online and on Craigslist but don't know how or if it would fit mine... Mine only had two control pedals. If a third pedal was needed to control the hydraulics on some future attachment is that something that is added later or am I just out of luck? Thanks for any help. I'm sure I'll be making heavy use of this site as a resource.
Help Support SkidSteer Forum:
You should be able to find a ROPS (roll over protection structure) in your area. Call a bobcat dealer and talk to the mechanics, they always know more then the guy with the collared shirt that answers the phones, lol. If they don't have one or know where one is, they should be able to help you find a salvage yard that might have one. It might be out dated but there are still a lot of parts around for these things. Same for the "bobtach". there are bobtach's made for these machines, but they might be a bit harder to find as people tend to scoop them up when there is one for sale, but they are out there. Another option for that may be to make one out of one for another machine by relocating the pin mounts to where they will work on your 610. That requires cutting and welding and a bit of ingenuity but if you or your friends can handle iron work it can be done. Some 600/610 had parking brakes, seems most didn't. Be careful,they will roll on a hill, always put the bucket on the ground and if possible park perpendicular to the hill so as not to roll. I'm not sure about retrofitting a parking brake but I'm sure if you find the parts on a donor machine it can be done. As for the 3'rd pedal, auxiliary hydraulics, if you don't have the pedal I would guess you don't have the valve for it. It could be added, but like the park brake if you find a donor machine would help to get the parts. These 600/610 machines can still be good working machines. Many people advised me not to buy my 600 saying it was too old, slow and small but I stuck some time and a bit of money in it and I use it a lot, for personal use. I probley average about 5-10 hours a week on it. It does break down at times, but more often then not it's something simple. Just don't try to work it like a brand new $30,000 machine and you will have it a long time if taken care of. And when it does let you down (it will, they all do at times) just remember what you paid in total for the machine some people that is only 2-3 months payments on their new one. One more thing. under the seat there is a shaft with a big pulley that the drive belt runs on. There is a big coil spring around that shaft by the pulley (they call it the "driven sheave) in that coil spring there is a grease fitting. that grease fitting is probley the most important grease fitting on the machine, KEEP IT GREASED. Easy to do but will cost you $600+ if the bushings/shaft wear from not being greased. I hope this helps a little bit. The guys here are a great resource and very knowledgeable and generous with advise. Welcome
Thanks for all the advice and insight. I planned on taking the slide panels off this weekend to have a look at the clutches, etc. Now I know to check and watch the sheave grease fitting. I figured I could fab up and weld together adapters or connectors if there wasn't a good and economical commercial product that would work. I've even thought the same about just building my own grading/land plane style attachment. At this point I just haven't even found any good photos showing how the stock mounting works and what the mounts or attachments look like to fit that and the modern attachments or mounting plates I would get for it. I'm sure they are out there, just haven't looked for those pics or diagrams in the right place yet. Don't seem to have a Bobcat dealer nearby but will keep looking. Thanks again.
SkidRoe
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The 610 uses the standard Bobtach, although the locking pins are a little closer together than the standard 33" spacing that the newer machines use.
My neighbor has a 610 that I borrow from time to time to lift heavier things that my 440b won't. I have put attachments on it that are normally mounted on our 773.
HTH - SR
Thanks. I need to get somewhere that has some attachments so I can understand how these all hookup. Looking forward to playing with it this weekend to see how well I can smooth some ruts using the bucket. Does it have a sort of "free float" mode where if I lower the bucket to the ground that it will just allow me to drag backwards using the weight of the bucket where it will follow the ground contour? Or will the rams/arms hold it tight to whatever position I move it to so it lifts off the ground or digs in depending on the position as I move?
6brnorma
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MAK…..none of my machines have brakes and I've never had a need for them. It would be a major job and very expensive to put brakes on a machine that did not come original with them. If you don't have the third pedal on your machine…..it likely does not have the valve and would likewise be a major task to install that option…..unfortunate as that is a very beneficial one to have. Mark gave you good advice to keep that zert well greased. Last of all…..you do not have a location listed in your profile……if you are close by, I can help with the ROPS.
Hmmm, filled out all the location and profile info when registering but it apparently didn't populate in my settings. I'm in North Georgia so would be quite a drive from Arizona, but thanks anyway for the offer of help with the roll cage.
barryjyoung
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Thank you for the advice on the driven sheave Mark. I bought a very tired M610 late last year for $2000. I have put a little money into it, namely replaced the exhaust manifold and I will need to replace the steering clutches. I am having trouble finding axle seals, anybody know what I can do? please text 425-512-1714 or email [email protected] if you know which seals to use.
Thanks
Thanks
cdmccul
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Barry, go to https://www.bobcatpartsonline.com/#/catalogBrowser
And search by model or serial number. Then search for seals and the number you need will be there...
barryjyoung
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Thank you! That is going to be a terrific resource!
barryjyoung
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I looked for a Melroe Bobcat forum, could not find one here, Do you mean the one on Tractor Forum?
cdmccul
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You might get the number from there, and then try to cross reference that at your local parts house. I'm sure MelroebBobcat used off the shelf seals, especially back then, if Bobcat no longer stocks them in their packaging.
barryjyoung
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I just placed my first order with Bobcat for the right rear axle seal. They overcharged on shipping, but I know I will have the right part
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They ship free on orders over $99 so I always end up ordering extra filters or fluids to get the free shipping.
cdmccul
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Sweet! I'm glad they had what you needed!
barryjyoung
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brdgbldr: That is a great idea for next time. Thank you, I will do the same thing.
cdmccul: Me too!
cdmccul: Me too!
Hercules hydraulic seals Florida has all seals packing orings parts hoses by size.
save money time don't go to Stealership..
Bobcat now Doosan don't care about old machines .
Ps the history of Bobcat Keller brothers story on you tube excellent
save money time don't go to Stealership..
Bobcat now Doosan don't care about old machines .
Ps the history of Bobcat Keller brothers story on you tube excellent
