How to lower arms with dead engine on 257B

[HollyAR75]

We have had this skid steer for a number of years and never thought of this, but today, the battery cable came loose while someone was in it with the bucket up. Skidder died and he couldn't exit. Luckily I was there to tighten up cables and it cranked again. I did some googling and found a red pull piece mentioned but that's not in ours. Any insight as to how to lower the arms in the case of a dead engine so the operator can get out?

 

[brdgbldr]

We have had this skid steer for a number of years and never thought of this, but today, the battery cable came loose while someone was in it with the bucket up. Skidder died and he couldn't exit. Luckily I was there to tighten up cables and it cranked again. I did some googling and found a red pull piece mentioned but that's not in ours. Any insight as to how to lower the arms in the case of a dead engine so the operator can get out?

I took a look on the old inter-web and found this:

D-Series and D2-Series Compact Track Loaders (CTL), Multi-Terrain Loaders (MTL), and Skid Steer Loaders (SSL) Equipment Lowering with Engine Stopped Caterpillar

www.truck-expert.net

Tell us if this works or not.

 

[HollyAR75]

I took a look on the old inter-web and found this:

D-Series and D2-Series Compact Track Loaders (CTL), Multi-Terrain Loaders (MTL), and Skid Steer Loaders (SSL) Equipment Lowering with Engine Stopped Caterpillar

www.truck-expert.net

Tell us if this works or not.

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately none of those apply to this unit. I will have to take a picture of the buttons inside the cab. There HAS to be a way to lower the arms without power.

I can't remember the exact year, but I believe it's a 2012 257B.

 

[mrbb]

from what little I know, NOT all skid steers have built in ways to lower booms, which is why I gather most have rear windows that are made to pop put to allow a operator to get out of a machine that has boom in way and or rolled over some how

many newer machines have release valves to lower boom safely, but I do not know what yr this started to be the deal on them

the older machines
might require the boom to be held up/supported its weight with something else, like a another machine, crane/lift or??
and then a hose broken loose to allow things to drain to allow the boom cylinders to compress and thus lower boom

not maybe what you want to hear, but this might be the only way to lower your boom on older skid steers that cannot do so under there own power!

 

[HollyAR75]

Thanks for the help. These are two buttons I'm not sure what they do. If this has nothing to do with lowering arms without power, then the back port window is the only way out, which doesn't seem easy to climb out of but possible. Can anyone explain these two switches on the inside of the cab?

 

[tommy__]

First photo is the hydraulic lockout and override switch. Lockout button "locks out" the hydraulics. Manual says to use this when roading the machine to prevent accidental movements. Override lets you use aux hydraulics with armrest raised. You need the continuous flow button enabled for it to work.

The switch with the red button is aux hydraulics circuit pressure release.
I find it handy to make the quick connects easier to come off when changing attachments, when I have just been using them.

If the machine was running, turn key off, then on, park brake OFF, arm rest LOWERED, hold for 4 seconds. Should hear a couple clicks behind the beeping. Someone must be in seat with armrest down for it to work.

I'm surprised you cant find a hydraulic release handle in your 2012. My 2007 has a red handle pretty much, vertically inline with my right elbow, bottom right corner just below seat. Send some pics of that general area and where the latch for engine access door is. Above battery and to the right of the alternator. This is the valve that lowers the loader arms and there should be a release cable coming from inside of cab
Hope this helps.

 

[foton]

a friend of mine bought a used bobcat s 185 and the red button was broken off the metal and bent stud for the release. had to replace valve assm. maybe you are in the same boat? yeah below the seat off to the side on it.