Hydraulic Fill location Bobcat 630 (not S630)

[bobbycat630]

Greetings everyone… I am brand new to the forum. I’ve owned a several steers, of those a few Bobcats all older models. I’m by far no heavy equipment mechanic, but I can usually figure things out if I go slow. With that said this question is going to sound pretty rookieish. My current machine is an older Bobcat 630 (not the S630). It has the Wisconsin VH4D. I’m changing out hydraulic fluids and have it drained completely. I’m wondering if the only fluid fill location is the one behind the seat and debris cage opposite from the fuel fill side? Will that upper fill location feed all the way down to the lower reservoir underneath? I’ve filled it full with at least 2 gallons to the point of overflowing out of the fill spout. I had the engine and drives running as I added fluid, but so far no fluid seems to be flowing to the pumps or through the system. I know the total capacity is about 9.5 gal. I decided to just shut down the operation until I get some feed back from a pro. Thanks in advance for any help, Bobbycat630

 

[flyerdan]

Probably the best resource for these older machines is the Melroe facebook group. It sounds like there is some kind of obstruction in the fill pipe, maybe a kinked rubber hose from the filler to the tanks?
Since it's a hydrostatic drive, you really shouldn't run the tandem pumps without oil; try filling with it shut down and let it settle. There should be a screen in the filler neck that might act as a restriction, if so keep adding and watching the level indicators.

 

[bobbycat630]

Probably the best resource for these older machines is the =AZWZewRO3CSpCul8j1FZqvihF55zoDD9Nn1edDRttk8H6RE-fMunAk5EDeqMoyXD5p5CJfwkfGTisIn97OaT0fGRgKbcTk4k-6041ynM4dz8Bj-82XEkE9dId3bsHju88PvOebCFvtyyMIy6k1csXB8oR1B9R7ubS6e1NpsRpLBUOSFF2_kUdjWhoe9i8M45jHU&__tn__=-UC%2CP-R'] Melroe facebook group. It sounds like there is some kind of obstruction in the fill pipe, maybe a kinked rubber hose from the filler to the tanks?
Since it's a hydrostatic drive, you really shouldn't run the tandem pumps without oil; try filling with it shut down and let it settle. There should be a screen in the filler neck that might act as a restriction, if so keep adding and watching the level indicators.

Thanks Mucho for the the reply. no 630 manuals but I looked a 743, which is a very close set up. I will look at the manual and see what we get. Thanks again!

 

[flyerdan]

Thanks Mucho for the the reply. no 630 manuals but I looked a 743, which is a very close set up. I will look at the manual and see what we get. Thanks again!

There is a 520/530/533 manual in the facebook group file section; those are hydrostats as well and would probably be closer to what you have than the 743.

 

[bobbycat630]

There is a 520/530/533 manual in the facebook group file section; those are hydrostats as well and would probably be closer to what you have than the 743.

Actually after digging in a bit, I believe the 643 is closer in spec than the 530, but from the manual thread you sent, the 743 fluid flow schematic looks to be pretty close as well. Anyway, the fluid is still just sitting in the upper reservoir and no (or very little) trickle down into the pumps or lower reservoir. Also for the record (agreeing with your concern), I only ran the engine / pumps long enough (20 - 30 seconds) to discern if it would help to get the fluid circulating through the system. There is apprx 2" hex nut on top of the pump assembly that looked like a possible fill location. When I opened it up new fluid gushed out so I know some fluid is getting down there. I do wish I could find a maintenance manual specific to the 630 so everything isn't a guess. Thanks again bobbycat630

 

[bobbycat630]

Actually after digging in a bit, I believe the 643 is closer in spec than the 530, but from the manual thread you sent, the 743 fluid flow schematic looks to be pretty close as well. Anyway, the fluid is still just sitting in the upper reservoir and no (or very little) trickle down into the pumps or lower reservoir. Also for the record (agreeing with your concern), I only ran the engine / pumps long enough (20 - 30 seconds) to discern if it would help to get the fluid circulating through the system. There is apprx 2" hex nut on top of the pump assembly that looked like a possible fill location. When I opened it up new fluid gushed out so I know some fluid is getting down there. I do wish I could find a maintenance manual specific to the 630 so everything isn't a guess. Thanks again bobbycat630

So I bit the embarrassment bullet, went to the local Bobcat store, and the now the mystery is solved making me feel very "rookie". I just haven't messed with these to know enough of what goes where, but now I realize the chain case is separate from the hydro motor system. I've known that to be the case on some machines, but also thought some machines had one fill for both. I thought if there wasn't an obvious fill location for the chain reservoir, then everything must flow from the main hydro fill location. The 630 definitely has 2 separate fill spots. What I thought was the drain actually is also the chain case fill. So now I know. Thanks again to all!