Bobcat 743

[Rdb1020]

Hi guys newbie to this page but I’m looking at purchasing a 743 skid steer from an auction. It has 3,227 hours on it and in the description it says “We were using during auction setup and now it's not running. Replaced starter, turns over, but still not running. Kubota diesel engine.- As Is”. Any recommendations on how to approach this? And what would it be worth as I know very little about these. The auction closes this Wednesday
Thanks in advance

 

[brdgbldr]

Hi guys newbie to this page but I’m looking at purchasing a 743 skid steer from an auction. It has 3,227 hours on it and in the description it says “We were using during auction setup and now it's not running. Replaced starter, turns over, but still not running. Kubota diesel engine.- As Is”. Any recommendations on how to approach this? And what would it be worth as I know very little about these. The auction closes this Wednesday
Thanks in advance

Could be a number of different things…..fuel pump, fuel pickup tube broken, clogged or cracked etc.

The last time I bid bought a non working machine I looked at how much I could either part it out for or scrap it for and then set my bid limit based on that. I got lucky and it was an easy fix and was able to drive it onto the trailer at the auction lot.

The other thing you need to think about is how you would get it off the auction lot if you can’t get it running. A flatbed wrecker could easily do it for a price or a really good wench on a smooth bed trailer. Auction lots do not normally give you more than a week or so to remove items.

 

[Rdb1020]

Could be a number of different things…..fuel pump, fuel pickup tube broken, clogged or cracked etc.

The last time I bid bought a non working machine I looked at how much I could either part it out for or scrap it for and then set my bid limit based on that. I got lucky and it was an easy fix and was able to drive it onto the trailer at the auction lot.

The other thing you need to think about is how you would get it off the auction lot if you can’t get it running. A flatbed wrecker could easily do it for a price or a really good wench on a smooth bed trailer. Auction lots do not normally give you more than a week or so to remove items.

They do have a skid loader on site to load larger items. What would a fair part out price be? Like I said I don’t have much knowledge on skid loaders. My top end as of now is roughly $2,500-$3,000. But idk if that’s to high for what it’s worth

 

[brdgbldr]

They do have a skid loader on site to load larger items. What would a fair part out price be? Like I said I don’t have much knowledge on skid loaders. My top end as of now is roughly $2,500-$3,000. But idk if that’s to high for what it’s worth

That looks like a pretty clean machine with original paint. I would probably keep it around $2500 if Imwere bidding on it. The machine I bought not running was a 742B for $2400 and after using it for several years I was able to sell it for $8000.

The Bobcat 743 was a very popular machine. I would not want to guess on parting out prices. You’ll have to try to do some research. Someone may but it just for a parts machine. As for scrapping it you should be able to call a scrap yard and ask how much they are paying per pound for a machine like that.

If you can, get the serial number from the machine since there are several different versions over the years for the 743. It’s hard to tell from the photo but that looks like an older one piece axle machine which is a real bear to replace axle seals on. Things like that also make a difference.

Here is a link to the parts catalog so you can figure out what machine it is from the serial number:
https://partscatalog.bobcat.com/

You can also find part numbers if you want to see if you can find used parts for sale online to see what you may be able to get for them.

 

[sunnyboy]

Hi guys newbie to this page but I’m looking at purchasing a 743 skid steer from an auction. It has 3,227 hours on it and in the description it says “We were using during auction setup and now it's not running. Replaced starter, turns over, but still not running. Kubota diesel engine.- As Is”. Any recommendations on how to approach this? And what would it be worth as I know very little about these. The auction closes this Wednesday
Thanks in advance

I'll betcha it turns out to be the fuel pickup. Given it was running and then quit and won't restart (though it turns over), occam's razor (simplest explanation) suggests fuel pickup tube broke off. I bet if they filled the tank to the top it would start and run. (that's the way I ran mine for a while until it warmed up enough to replace the pickup tube).

 

[Rdb1020]

I'll betcha it turns out to be the fuel pickup. Given it was running and then quit and won't restart (though it turns over), occam's razor (simplest explanation) suggests fuel pickup tube broke off. I bet if they filled the tank to the top it would start and run. (that's the way I ran mine for a while until it warmed up enough to replace the pickup tube).

That’s what I’ve been hearing. I plan to go and take a look at it with a jump pack and a can of starter fluid to see if I can get it to run off that and go from there.

 

[haymaker]

That’s what I’ve been hearing. I plan to go and take a look at it with a jump pack and a can of starter fluid to see if I can get it to run off that and go from there.

Fact is, the 1st thing I would do is crack the lines one at a time at the injectors to see if fuel is pumping to there.
Starting fluid not a great idea. Use it at your own risk. JMHO. Not good for the motor.
I would take a aux fuel tank of some sort to use to get it started. You can pull the fuel line and allow it to siphon to the engine if the pickup line is bad and fuel won't draw from the tank.

 

[skidsteerforum]

Fact is, the 1st thing I would do is crack the lines one at a time at the injectors to see if fuel is pumping to there.
Starting fluid not a great idea. Use it at your own risk. JMHO. Not good for the motor.
I would take a aux fuel tank of some sort to use to get it started. You can pull the fuel line and allow it to siphon to the engine if the pickup line is bad and fuel won't draw from the tank.

considering it's a diesel, I agree with this and I think it would probably end up being something benign. Did you get a chance to look at it?

 

[Logdog57]

Could be a number of different things…..fuel pump, fuel pickup tube broken, clogged or cracked etc.

The last time I bid bought a non working machine I looked at how much I could either part it out for or scrap it for and then set my bid limit based on that. I got lucky and it was an easy fix and was able to drive it onto the trailer at the auction lot.

The other thing you need to think about is how you would get it off the auction lot if you can’t get it running. A flatbed wrecker could easily do it for a price or a really good wench on a smooth bed trailer. Auction lots do not normally give you more than a week or so to remove items.

I'll betcha it turns out to be the fuel pickup. Given it was running and then quit and won't restart (though it turns over), occam's razor (simplest explanation) suggests fuel pickup tube broke off. I bet if they filled the tank to the top it would start and run. (that's the way I ran mine for a while until it warmed up enough to replace the pickup tube).

I had that happen to my 773
its easy to access, lift the cab but the trick is to get the new pickup tube with grommet into the fuel tank
i made a c shaped washer welded to a piece of allthread to place on top of the tube assembly (lubed up) to be able to drive it into the tank . Hope that is what is is there is nothing more useless than a dead Bobcat