Can't Turn M500

[mpoore]

I bought an M500 6 months ago that I am trying to undo numerous terrible repairs. I finally got the engine running. It will go forward and backward using one or both levers. When I try to turn, the engine stalls. I suspect the carb could be adjusted better, but I am wondering if there is another issue besides lack of power such as clutches out of adjustment?

There is also a bucket tilt cylinder leaking. The rod is 1". The bore is 2". Online parts guides list a seal kit for those dimensions. It seems like the M500 is not listed. They list a 444 and 500, but not an M500. Maybe I am wrong, but Bobcat appears to have used the 500 model name for a more recent unit. It is a little confusing as sometimes parts will show up, but are obviously for a newer model. Is this true? Is an M500 and 500 the same?

 

[Centexequipment]

Bobcat Parts Catalog - Find Diagrams for Your Equipment - Bobcat Company

Locate all parts and component information about your Bobcat equipment with detailed visual diagrams and illustrations with parts numbers and add to your list.

partscatalog.bobcat.com

Go here and enter your serial number

 

[mpoore]

I cannot read the serial number off the plate. I have tried their website using the model number and I see stuff that I know won't fit.

 

[Centexequipment]

You are in a bad place then. Bobcat was good about stamping the serial number on the frame so I would spend some time to try to find it. Also with a machine that old there is going to be a lot of obsolete parts so you will be fight that to unfortunately

 

[mpoore]

Do you know where they might have stamped it 50 years ago? The metal tag is still on the frame under the seat, but it is so worn that it is illegible.

Does anyone know if there was another model called a "500" vs mine, which has a big OEM sticker on it that reads "M500"? It seems like there was. If not, perhaps there was a running change

OEM parts may not be plentiful, but I see a lot of aftermarket stuff out there. Mainly, I am looking for seals and soft parts that are hard to make at home. My hope is that those types of parts are universal enough that I can find them if I know what I am looking for.

 

[mpoore]

For posterity, the correct part number for the tilt cylinder seal kit is 7137771 on an M500 with 1" rod and 2" bore cylinders. Aftermarket options are available online for around $25.

 

[mpoore]

Thank you for the lead. I successfully got the tilt cylinder rebuilt and leak-free, so now I can move on to the next problem of it not turning without stalling the engine. I think it is a poorly tuned engine and not a drive system issue. I am sure more parts will be needed as I move along, but it is getting close to doing some work.

I could use some hoses. Are they standard AN fittings on the older Bobcats?

 

[mpoore]

Would you happen to have the OEM number?

For the hoses? No. The hoses do not leak yet, but look pretty bad. I could take one off and go to a guy that makes them custom, but he would charge more than if I could get a stock hose. The trick is knowing the ends I need. They look like AN to me.

 

[mpoore]

It is an M500. I can get photos of the machine this evening.

 

[Centexequipment]

Hose are easy take them off and have them made at a hydraulic shop or some napas make hoses as well the seals for cylinder and suck can be sourced at a hydraulic shop. In Austin tx I use a place called the hydraulic house but look up people the rebuild cylinder and take the piston and head gland and they should be able to fix you up

 

[mpoore]

Quick update. The engine had a stuck valve. I pulled the head, reamed the guide, ground and lapped the valves, and put it back together. Now the compression is 130 psi. That was why it could not turn without stalling. Now it turns fine.

The hose ends are AN fittings as I suspected, but I am going to get some work out of it first before any more repairs. Thanks for the replies.

 

[mpoore]

Do the older chain drive Bobcats have a brake? I tried moving some stone today and needed to park it on a hill, but it kept rolling back. I know I can lower the bucket to hold it in place, but in this instance I needed the bucket off the ground.

 

[brdgbldr]

Do the older chain drive Bobcats have a brake? I tried moving some stone today and needed to park it on a hill, but it kept rolling back. I know I can lower the bucket to hold it in place, but in this instance I needed the bucket off the ground.

Here is a link to the parts catalog:

Bobcat Parts Catalog - Find Diagrams for Your Equipment - Bobcat Company

Locate all parts and component information about your Bobcat equipment with detailed visual diagrams and illustrations with parts numbers and add to your list.

partscatalog.bobcat.com

It looks like the brakes on a 500 were an accessory / option.

You may be able to figure out if your machine has brakes by looking at the parts schematics.

In my experience with older machines, the brakes were normally worn out because the operator would forget to unlock them or just completely neglected and out of adjustment.

 

[mpoore]

The manual I have does not even mention them. Perhaps there was a separate manual that came with the option? I do not see any unknown levers or pedals.

I see 4 hooks on the front of the machine that I assume were for attachments, but nothing in my downloaded manual mentions them or attachments that can be used. Does anyone know if the mounting points are universal so that attachments will fit multiple models?

 

[brdgbldr]

The manual I have does not even mention them. Perhaps there was a separate manual that came with the option? I do not see any unknown levers or pedals.

I see 4 hooks on the front of the machine that I assume were for attachments, but nothing in my downloaded manual mentions them or attachments that can be used. Does anyone know if the mounting points are universal so that attachments will fit multiple models?

The parts catalog shows a pedal and a lever that came with the brake kit.

 

[mpoore]

Thanks for the image. Are parts diagrams available on Bobcat's website? I did not see them if they are.

Either way, I definitely do not have a brake or remnants thereof. I wonder if air in the tires was an option. Not including brakes would surely lead to a class-action today.

 

[brdgbldr]

Thanks for the image. Are parts diagrams available on Bobcat's website? I did not see them if they are.

Either way, I definitely do not have a brake or remnants thereof. I wonder if air in the tires was an option. Not including brakes would surely lead to a class-action today.

On the link I left above you can either enter your model number or serial number of the sanctification machine and the entire parts catalog will pop up.

 

[mpoore]

Thanks! I thought the link was the same place I had already tried, but it is different. Those images will help a lot.