Hi, I've bought an old Bobcat 610, hoping that it'll serve me to move some considerable amount of dirt to finally make a garden out of the mess that we've had for the past 12 years. It runs fine, leaks a tiny bit, but has a problem: It doesn't drive very strong. I've already done the obvious clutch adjustment (not easy to find the right-size tools here in Germany!), but driving it up hill makes you fear that a snail will overtake you (if it makes it up the hill at all). Reading further in the service manual, I found that I should check the drive belt tension. It's totally loose, and grabbing into it reveals that it's full of grease - which makes it kinda obvious where the slip comes from. The engine is a Diesel, runs fine, though very loud (note to self: Find those ear protectors..). Hydraulics are strong; I can lift the arm all the way up and it has sufficient power to tilt the whole body back on to the rear wheels. I have no operator's manual for the thing, and couldn't find any online, apart from adverts (even on github) and member-only downloads. So I had to guess what all the handles are for: Sitting in it, there's a small handle on the right that controls the engine speed. The two drive levers are obvious, but there's another handle on the left that appears to be controlling some hydraulic thing, but I have a feeling that nothing happens when I move it. It *may* make a difference on the variable speed thing under the circular cover (rear-left), as the belt tension changed a little bit when I tried moving it while the engine was running. With the brake not working, I don't dare to let the engine idle and watch what happens if I move the left lever. The brake does nothing - at least nothing that I would notice. I guess it's just totally worn out after more than 40 years. I did find in the service manual that you can twist the top of the left brake handle to set the tension of the "fixed brake", but that will let it drive just as if the brake isn't engaged. Same of course for the foot pedal - that's logical, as they are mechanically coupled. To sum it up, I'd appreciate: 1) a pointer to an operator's manual 2) some comments on belt tension and possibilities to clean the drive belt without removing it 3) a source for parts that ships to Europe and accepts PayPal Thanks!
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flyerdan
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- Mar 7, 2009
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Any kind of formatting requires that you physically enter the html codes, just like you were building a web page in notepad. I use HTML Cheatsheet to copy and paste so I don't get errors. Always use the preview, as there is no going back for edits.
If you have facebook, there is a pretty active Melroe group that specializes in the older clutch drive models; most of the problems revolve around the variable speed belt drive system.
Thanks - html still does not work, although I'm pretty sure I know the tags (the cheat sheet is nice, but it just displays the tags, doesn't interpret/execute them).
No Facebook here - as unbelieveable as it may sound. I don't like sharing too much personal data. A pointer to an owner's manual would still be appreciated.
I have a m610, the lever on the left is the speed control, when you push it forward, the drive speed increases, the belt should climb to the top of the engine drive clutch. You should hear a change in engine rpm. There should be a spec in the repair manual for how wide the belt is. Mine leaks oil on the belt also, i clean it with mineral spirits and blow it off with my pressure washer. Most 610's do not have brakes, so i chick the wheels to watch the belt. You can try getting a belt from the v belt guys, on the internet, There about $50.00 us. We have had ours for about 25 years, and don't work it much anymore, its more of s family member. All the manuals are on ebay.
