Bobcat M371 help

[Leftcoast Carl]

Hi Everybody! My name is Carl and this is my second post. New to your forum,but usually hanging around Chevy Nova forums like Steve's Nova site. I live near Fort Langley,BC and have a small hobby farm. I've purchased a 71-ish Bobcat M371 and have Ten Thousand questions for anyone that cares to offer a little (or a lot..) of knowledge to the Newbie. I'm currently trying to solve some axle leaks and have some procedural queries. When i posted for the first time this morning i was unable to locate my service and parts manuals. I've since reviewed them both and have a slightly better idea on this procedure,but wonder if anyone here has tackled this(axle re & re on all four axles) before? Thanks in advance! Leftcoast Carl.

 

[SkidRoe]

Hey Carl,
Congrats on your purchase. We had an M371 about 25 years ago. They are a pretty robust and simple machine. You will no doubt be into the chaincases to pull the axles to resolve your seal issues. Thankfully, we never had to get that deep into ours, but they are pretty straight foward to work on.
How is your motor? I have seen a number of these machines on the forum recieving repowers, so you have options there as well.
Good luck, and post some pictures of you machine, especially the trouble spots.

 

[Hotrod1830]

Hey Carl,
Congrats on your purchase. We had an M371 about 25 years ago. They are a pretty robust and simple machine. You will no doubt be into the chaincases to pull the axles to resolve your seal issues. Thankfully, we never had to get that deep into ours, but they are pretty straight foward to work on.
How is your motor? I have seen a number of these machines on the forum recieving repowers, so you have options there as well.
Good luck, and post some pictures of you machine, especially the trouble spots.

I have never worked on a 371, but I am guessing it is simular to my 310. My 310 didnt have master links on the chains. You will need to cut the chain and add a master link. Chains are standard sizes, available at Tractor supply, ect.... Inspect the chain case where the axles Tubes weld on. Two of mine where cracked and had to be welded. If the clutches are worn, now will be the time to replace them. If you need any O-rings, get them from Bobcat. They apparently arent standard sizes, and I have another leak as a result. Lesson learned . The Outer bearing will more than likely need to be pressed on/off. After you have installed the new seal, and pressed the outer bearing on, use a 1/2"x6"x6" block of wood, Use a hole saw and cut a hole in the middle the size of the seal surface, and then cut in in half. When your installing the axle and seal, put the wood between the axle flange and seal and you can drive the seal in square without damaging it. Use sealant on the outer seal to tube surface.

 

[Leftcoast Carl]

I have never worked on a 371, but I am guessing it is simular to my 310. My 310 didnt have master links on the chains. You will need to cut the chain and add a master link. Chains are standard sizes, available at Tractor supply, ect.... Inspect the chain case where the axles Tubes weld on. Two of mine where cracked and had to be welded. If the clutches are worn, now will be the time to replace them. If you need any O-rings, get them from Bobcat. They apparently arent standard sizes, and I have another leak as a result. Lesson learned . The Outer bearing will more than likely need to be pressed on/off. After you have installed the new seal, and pressed the outer bearing on, use a 1/2"x6"x6" block of wood, Use a hole saw and cut a hole in the middle the size of the seal surface, and then cut in in half. When your installing the axle and seal, put the wood between the axle flange and seal and you can drive the seal in square without damaging it. Use sealant on the outer seal to tube surface.

Thank you,Skidroe and HotRod for your replies! It can feel awfully lonely out here when you're in "uncharted territory"(into the guts of a machine you've never had apart before...). Hotrod, I'm specifically concerned about access/removal of the rear axle assemblies. The chain re & re looks straight forward enough,but the 3/8" bolts that retain the chain gears to the axles look like they can't be removed with the large gears that sit slightly inboard of them. I'm envisioning that i will have to undo the outer axle flange bolts,shimmy the assemblies slightly outward and then access the 3/8" retainer bolts to remove the drive gears. Ultimately, I'll have to reverse the process for reassembly. Is this sound reasoning? any hints ? Thanks again Gentlemen! Leftcoast Carl.

 

[Hotrod1830]

Thank you,Skidroe and HotRod for your replies! It can feel awfully lonely out here when you're in "uncharted territory"(into the guts of a machine you've never had apart before...). Hotrod, I'm specifically concerned about access/removal of the rear axle assemblies. The chain re & re looks straight forward enough,but the 3/8" bolts that retain the chain gears to the axles look like they can't be removed with the large gears that sit slightly inboard of them. I'm envisioning that i will have to undo the outer axle flange bolts,shimmy the assemblies slightly outward and then access the 3/8" retainer bolts to remove the drive gears. Ultimately, I'll have to reverse the process for reassembly. Is this sound reasoning? any hints ? Thanks again Gentlemen! Leftcoast Carl.

If your hubs unbolt, then it is different than my 310. Sounds like your on the right path though. Just keep removing things untill you can get to it. BTW, those sprockets can be sharp, wear gloves if you can.

 

[bob371]

I need to put axle seals in my M371 also. My jackshaft bearings sound bad. So let us know how its going I'am going to do this in the spring when the snow is gone. What are you going to put back in for fluid. Mind has trans. fluid in it . I put in a 25 HP kohler it is nice. I also extended the back and put batt. in back, lot easier to get to.