I am, too, faced with engine removal from the 853 due to an oil pan leak. The tech manual provides instructions on fabricating a special bracket used to pull the engine out of the bay. Is that bracket absolutely necessary, or can the engine be pulled without it? Any direction highly appreciated. Regards, Alex
The purpose of the bracket is that the center of lift to get the engine out level is just below some welded in superstructure for the frame. Since the most common methods of pulling a mill are a shop crane or a chain fall, they need to detour that lifting force around the obstruction.
If you have a forklift, you can take off one fork and get the other one (close to centered) just above the top of the engine and chain it up short, you should get just enough lift to squeak it out. Even though I have a forklift, I'd still opt for the bracket, as using a shop crane is more precise and far easier to use without damaging anythig, especially when working alone.
If you have a Bobcat dealer close by, they might be willing to lend or rent a bracket, as they're sure to have one on hand.