Hello

[st0ck1ng]

Originally, probably a group 26.

Personally, I would measure the battery compartment and get the biggest battery that will fit AND allow tie down to work or build tie downs.

 

[MX727]

Yes, I was thinking of doing that just wondering how to hook up and not damage the rubber tracks on the bobcat as I believe it weighs somewhere in the ballpark of 10 to 12000 pounds. I also thought to dig under and wedge in some logs for it to grab , I think it only needs to move about a foot to gain traction. He has a big 4x4 tractor but I dont like pulling stuff like that as Ive seen some bad things happen with tractors, and I know a wrecker wont drive through a wooded forest to get it ( all trees and mud ) which he thinks they will but in my experience they only stay on paved and sometimes gravel roads... Ill be better prepared next time since Ive seen what Im dealing with and not going in blind again.
Also Permethrin is your friend ! I treated all my clothes ( pants, shirts, underwear and socks ) and sprayed off deep woods on any exposed skin, I didnt get any ticks while down there trudging through the tall overgrown brush in tick country.... last night my back was itching between my shoulder blades. had 1 tick, not sure where it came from as I was clean when cheacked the first night? 1 out of a full day out in the fields isnt bad.

I have threaded the soft shackles through the sprocket holes in the track. I generally go in on hole, skip the next one and come out the third to hook it up. It shouldn't really take a lot of force on the track as the machine ends up wrapping the chain and getting traction on it. Just go slow and use the bucket to help push yourself along if you can come out backwards.

Alternatively, you can run a strap all the way across the inside of the track and have the teeth that go around the idlers hold the strap.

People that haven't tried this will say it won't work or you will break something, but in a pinch, you can recover a machine before it sinks further and gets water damage or before you manage to dig a bottomless pit trying to spin your way out.

 

[Bonez]

I have threaded the soft shackles through the sprocket holes in the track. I generally go in on hole, skip the next one and come out the third to hook it up. It shouldn't really take a lot of force on the track as the machine ends up wrapping the chain and getting traction on it. Just go slow and use the bucket to help push yourself along if you can come out backwards.

Alternatively, you can run a strap all the way across the inside of the track and have the teeth that go around the idlers hold the strap.

People that haven't tried this will say it won't work or you will break something, but in a pinch, you can recover a machine before it sinks further and gets water damage or before you manage to dig a bottomless pit trying to spin your way out.

Yes, Ive also thought to use some old rachet straps with short blocks of 2x4s to add traction to the tracks as well? not sure if they will hold up to the force but even to pull the pieces under the tracks may help. I debated digging a bit to get some small logs started for the tracks to grip , its basically one side sunk to the belly on the back side as he tried to go up the bank on the far side, if he can get traction to back it up about a foot or 2 he should be good to drive it out backwards as its just a gradual slope out, no clue why he tried to climb such a steep embankment on the other side, he has 25 acres to go around LOL

 

[Bonez]

Flying Solo to drag this thing out, Been looking for extra hands as the more the merrier ... Taking extra gear now that Ive seen what Im dealing with and hopefully drag it out.

Taking a genny to run the air compressor to air up the tires since they have no power at the property, at least hopefully itll roll and I was wondering if the belly drags on flats especially up the ramps since theres only supposedly 10" of clearance???? Either way its gonna get muscled up with the winch, what a Sheeze Show getting this thing. Once it gets home its all good from there.

 

[Bonez]

*

 

[Bonez]

Well today started slow, Battery for winch was dead, bought a new battery. Then the Winch relay/contactor was fried... removed wiring and did a direct connect manually to operate it. Lost a ramp for the trailer on the way but found it in the driveway ( WHEW ) got the steer pulled out and lined up the trailer, hooked up the winch ana as soon as it tightened....TWANG !!!!! bolts pulled through and winch was done. So as a last resort today I tried to start it and hope to drive it onto the trailer, I did not want to go home empty again, well thats what happened. I did get it to crank and had a couple small hits but never fired up... stuck float or bad points???? Anyways going to get a wrecker to pick it up, im done trying out in the wild. On a good note I got the mower home.... Video attached

 

[st0ck1ng]

Well today started slow, Battery for winch was dead, bought a new battery. Then the Winch relay/contactor was fried... removed wiring and did a direct connect manually to operate it. Lost a ramp for the trailer on the way but found it in the driveway ( WHEW ) got the steer pulled out and lined up the trailer, hooked up the winch ana as soon as it tightened....TWANG !!!!! bolts pulled through and winch was done. So as a last resort today I tried to start it and hope to drive it onto the trailer, I did not want to go home empty again, well thats what happened. I did get it to crank and had a couple small hits but never fired up... stuck float or bad points???? Anyways going to get a wrecker to pick it up, im done trying out in the wild. On a good note I got the mower home.... Video attached

Before calling the wrecker, could you FIL try using a shot of ether?

Doubt it works, but could be some old gas/sludge between the the carb and engine.

Might be worth a shot, but, also understand the frustration

Good luck.

 

[Bonez]

Tried

Before calling the wrecker, could you FIL try using a shot of ether?

Doubt it works, but could be some old gas/sludge between the the carb and engine.

Might be worth a shot, but, also understand the frustration

Good luck.

Tried it already. I disconnected the fuel line and ran a line direct from a fresh fuel can to the carb as I didnt want to chance any bad gas but the tank and carb were both dry.... still I just hooked up a new fuel line from a can strapped up top , tried a few squirts of starting fluid but nothing still. I think twice it hit and made a puff but that was it after 5 minutes of cranking off and on, I was really hoping it would fire up just enough to get it on the trailer but it refused to fire up. So I believe the points are bad or a stuck float? It is a 2 cylinder motor as I got a better look at it. ALSO a little good news is, it is not the lift cylinders leaking it is the hoses as apparently squirrels are chewing the hydraulic lines at the fittings, every house has the same chewed uo area about 10" along the top curve off the cylinders, so Im hoping hoses are easy to find.
I also think it will be an easy fix, hopefully just carb cleaning and points or whatever to get spark.

Cleaned up the rider today, bad solenoid so got one on the way.

 

[st0ck1ng]

Tried

Tried it already. I disconnected the fuel line and ran a line direct from a fresh fuel can to the carb as I didnt want to chance any bad gas but the tank and carb were both dry.... still I just hooked up a new fuel line from a can strapped up top , tried a few squirts of starting fluid but nothing still. I think twice it hit and made a puff but that was it after 5 minutes of cranking off and on, I was really hoping it would fire up just enough to get it on the trailer but it refused to fire up. So I believe the points are bad or a stuck float? It is a 2 cylinder motor as I got a better look at it. ALSO a little good news is, it is not the lift cylinders leaking it is the hoses as apparently squirrels are chewing the hydraulic lines at the fittings, every house has the same chewed uo area about 10" along the top curve off the cylinders, so Im hoping hoses are easy to find.
I also think it will be an easy fix, hopefully just carb cleaning and points or whatever to get spark.

Cleaned up the rider today, bad solenoid so got one on the way.

For your consideration. I once had a Puckett Brothers Grader that came with a ford 172 gas engine in it (no not original, but what some folks will do to save a dollar). Anyway, was always fighting with the points, UNTIL, my mechanic convinced me to try a PerTronix Ignition Kit. Difference was night/day. I kept the points, as a back up, but never needed them. Just a thought.

 

[Bonez]

For your consideration. I once had a Puckett Brothers Grader that came with a ford 172 gas engine in it (no not original, but what some folks will do to save a dollar). Anyway, was always fighting with the points, UNTIL, my mechanic convinced me to try a PerTronix Ignition Kit. Difference was night/day. I kept the points, as a back up, but never needed them. Just a thought.

Ive seen some electronic conversions in the past, I just need to get this machine home so I can work on it... Talking to some Locals on hauling it as well as looking for a trailer to borrow with a winch to go snag it myself... it will fit on a 5x10 tandem trailer that will handle 2900# (seen one hauling a jeep coming home)

Thinking back I should have stayed the night and drilled holes in the railing to mount the winch and add a weld along the edge then go back to snag on the way home.... eh, I might if I go down again as I was THAT close to dragging it home.... very Disappointed yesterday, disappointed enough I would have used a come a long to get it on the trailer LOL ( would have been a long slow process tho )
Anyways, Im brainstorming still of different scenarios like waste $250 for a wrecker to snatch and load on the trailer, Have the local guy pick it up and haul it back for $200 (124 miles round trip) and this thing will fit in my truck but how would I get it out later without hiring another wrecker? and Uhaul dont have winches on their trailers nor will they let you or give you the options to haul it. I really do need to buy my own trailer ! Its just sitting there waiting to come home.

 

[MX727]

The wrecker and hauling fees are really reasonable. Less than a $1/mile round-trip. You really can't do it yourself for less if you factor in fuel and vehicle expenses.

Getting the wrecker for $250 is far less than the time and effort you've spent, so I'd happily cut my loses at this point and get it home so you can start the next chapter.

 

[Bonez]

The wrecker and hauling fees are really reasonable. Less than a $1/mile round-trip. You really can't do it yourself for less if you factor in fuel and vehicle expenses.

Getting the wrecker for $250 is far less than the time and effort you've spent, so I'd happily cut my loses at this point and get it home so you can start the next chapter.

The wrecker for $250 was just to pick it up and offload it onto my trailer at the location ( and the wreckers office is only about 5 miles from there ) If I wanted it hauled home it would be $450+

 

[Bonez]

Attempt #3 tomorrow morning... should have it home. I made a bracket to remount the small winch but instead of wasting time in the heat I found this gadget to mount the big120000 winch and use instead ( I will still remount his small 5000 winch here at home before returning the trailer ) its going to be a long drive 2 hours each way plus however long to get the toy loaded up.

 

[Bonez]

Started at 5am... didnt get home until 5pm and still had to get it ready to pull off in the morning, a buddy is coming over to drag it off with his truck.... what a long, hot day and a long , slow drive home

Nothing went right today, FILs "New" 12000 winch was actually a damaged return so it wouldnt work. I ended up buying a new winch so I had to drop the trailer and drive 2 hours to get one then assemble everything... so today was not a good day being it was nearly 100 degrees all day. Got it loaded, put the chains and chain binders on, drove out of the rough terrain and retightened everything ( one chain was loose ) so not bad then hit the road home... supposed to get 2 weeks of rain so hoping to get it dragged into the shop before it starts in a couple days. Tires are severely dry rotted and peeling apart but did take air so they are tubed... Going to hit up the son in law for new tires from his shop. Im deciding on the hoses as all are ate up by squirrels and leak ( cylinder seals are ok as far as I see for now. Amazon has a hose kit, you order fittings and a length of hose to make your own, the furrel screws onto the hose instead of crimping so im researching crimped as well as these screw on types for DIY as they are supposedly just as good? Not sure where to look for hoses yet?

 

[shankatank58]

Started at 5am... didnt get home until 5pm and still had to get it ready to pull off in the morning, a buddy is coming over to drag it off with his truck.... what a long, hot day and a long , slow drive home

Nothing went right today, FILs "New" 12000 winch was actually a damaged return so it wouldnt work. I ended up buying a new winch so I had to drop the trailer and drive 2 hours to get one then assemble everything... so today was not a good day being it was nearly 100 degrees all day. Got it loaded, put the chains and chain binders on, drove out of the rough terrain and retightened everything ( one chain was loose ) so not bad then hit the road home... supposed to get 2 weeks of rain so hoping to get it dragged into the shop before it starts in a couple days. Tires are severely dry rotted and peeling apart but did take air so they are tubed... Going to hit up the son in law for new tires from his shop. Im deciding on the hoses as all are ate up by squirrels and leak ( cylinder seals are ok as far as I see for now. Amazon has a hose kit, you order fittings and a length of hose to make your own, the furrel screws onto the hose instead of crimping so im researching crimped as well as these screw on types for DIY as they are supposedly just as good? Not sure where to look for hoses yet?

Glad she's finally home. More reason to celebrate this 4th!

 

[Bonez]

Glad she's finally home. More reason to celebrate this 4th!

YES ! now I can actually see and work on it in detail. It cranked when I tried it down south but never really hit, just a few occasional sputters, so going to look into the carb and check spark. If it fires up it may drive but Im not sure with the bad lift hoses? Will they blow apart if started? I can leave the strap on to keep the bucket up to get into the shop. I need to get the zero turn out first so its not blocked in and get the steer in first ( closer to heat as I assume its going to be a winter project for sure ) Im trying to find a decent window unit to get some cooling in the shop, if I can sell the pellet stove Id put another Mini Split in the shop like the attached garage, they work really well for 12K BTU. Besides it would be nice to have HVAC year round in there. Once its on the ground Ill give it a good cleaning , blow all the debris out of it and the engine fins and degrease it ( Simple Green or Awesome works great ) at getting the grime and oils off and sitting in the sun will dry it besides using a backpack blower. Also going to get a tarp in case I cant get it in the shop soon , My buddy is supposed to bring a hammer drill so I can put an anchor in the shop floor to use to winch it in not sure if it can be pushed in with my truck?
Yesterday was crazy but I wasnt leaving a 4th time without it, I was determined to bring it home !

 

[Bonez]

Photo Dump as I cleaned it today... had an unexpected downpour before I got back so it was wet ( I wanted to blow everything out, Vac then wash ) well took longer and messier but its cleaned. Bought a Tarp to cover it for the next 2 weeks of storms.... Depends on how hot and dry it gets, I want to try and start it....

 

[Bonez]

What is the white thing on the firewall and the terminal block under fuel filter.... I couldnt believe the oily mess in the battery compartment, still has some hidden behind the console thats hard to get to, used backpack blower, compressed air gun, hose.... I need a power washer !!! Scrubbed the whole thing with a brush... no fun and still couldnt get everything.

 

[brdgbldr]

What is the white thing on the firewall and the terminal block under fuel filter.... I couldnt believe the oily mess in the battery compartment, still has some hidden behind the console thats hard to get to, used backpack blower, compressed air gun, hose.... I need a power washer !!! Scrubbed the whole thing with a brush... no fun and still couldnt get everything.

That white thing looks like a diode. I had one on my Bobcat 742. It went to the distributor on my machine. Since I’m not familiar with your machine, and the photo is not the best, it could be something else.

Once I updated my distributor to a magnetic pickup, instead of points, it was no longer needed.

 

[Bonez]

That white thing looks like a diode. I had one on my Bobcat 742. It went to the distributor on my machine. Since I’m not familiar with your machine, and the photo is not the best, it could be something else.

Once I updated my distributor to a magnetic pickup, instead of points, it was no longer needed.

Today was just cleaning it so its not a mess to work on... I need to measure and figure out what battery it needs to fit as I want to get it running asap. if it doesnt rain tomorrow I may tinker with it a bit but this heat is brutal