bobcat

[Dillon]

I looking at a bobcat to buy. The owner says its a 631 but it has a Wisconsin engine so it must be a 630. It makes a noise when it steers right. There is a video on you tube. I have not seen the machine yet I’ am looking for some insight on what the noise could be. I’ am guessing something with the chain or a wheel bearing. He said one of the rear wheels locks up sometimes. Here is a link to the video if it works. If not if you type in bobcat 631 on you tube it comes up. Also what is this machine worth in this condition? Thanks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq_YSKWB62Q

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Fixed link, needs one space at the end.
I'd say the drive chain is loose and or sprockets are worn out and the noise heard is the chain jumping teeth on the sprocket.
The chain may be loose as the result of a worn out wheel bearing or just stretched from high hours of use or lack of oil/ water contamination in the chain case.
I'd pull the top covers off the chain case and see how bad things look in there. Also lift each wheel and see if there is any sideways movement in the bearing or up and down slop. Sideways play should be @ .010”
Also check the pins at the back of the buckets for slop, especially the tilt cylinder one,
I would not be offering much on this one duo to age. The chain case is usually pretty rugged if maintained with oil. But that popping noise on the video is vary abusive (I cringe just watch 2 mins of it, can't believe he goes on for 7 mins in a attempt to sell it) and if it has been going on for awhile new bearings, sprockets and chains may be in order
Ken

 

[Dillon]

Fixed link, needs one space at the end.
I'd say the drive chain is loose and or sprockets are worn out and the noise heard is the chain jumping teeth on the sprocket.
The chain may be loose as the result of a worn out wheel bearing or just stretched from high hours of use or lack of oil/ water contamination in the chain case.
I'd pull the top covers off the chain case and see how bad things look in there. Also lift each wheel and see if there is any sideways movement in the bearing or up and down slop. Sideways play should be @ .010”
Also check the pins at the back of the buckets for slop, especially the tilt cylinder one,
I would not be offering much on this one duo to age. The chain case is usually pretty rugged if maintained with oil. But that popping noise on the video is vary abusive (I cringe just watch 2 mins of it, can't believe he goes on for 7 mins in a attempt to sell it) and if it has been going on for awhile new bearings, sprockets and chains may be in order
Ken

Thanks for the reply. I’ am not sure what to do the machine is about five hours away. I have been looking for a machine that I could buy reasonable and fix up. But maybe this one is to far gone and he wants $2400 for it. There is not a lot of machines around here priced reasonable. I did find a 743 5 miles from my house. The owner is never around. I talked to his wife and she said they used it to plow the drive way. I looked it over and it has not been used in probably 4 or 5 years. I will probably just keep trying to buy this one. Thanks again.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Thanks for the reply. I’ am not sure what to do the machine is about five hours away. I have been looking for a machine that I could buy reasonable and fix up. But maybe this one is to far gone and he wants $2400 for it. There is not a lot of machines around here priced reasonable. I did find a 743 5 miles from my house. The owner is never around. I talked to his wife and she said they used it to plow the drive way. I looked it over and it has not been used in probably 4 or 5 years. I will probably just keep trying to buy this one. Thanks again.

I think that is enough for it, pretty easy to spend 2k on it and 5 is about what its worth, in the long run saving you nothing. If its not worth a 5 hr drive to you, its likely noth worth the trouble to fix. See if he will pull the top cover and send you some pics maybe, but in these cases you kind of have to see for yourself.
Ken