Hey Everyone. Been reading over the posts over the past couple weeks in anticipation of receiving my 743. So much good info. Hope to contribute myself soon. So here I'm now in the garage going through her in detail. I've got the parts manual and service manual to go with it. However, this being my first Bobcat ever I've got a few questions. I bought this thing from an auction. Hrs read 800 hrs but by looking at it its a lot more. It starts and seems to funtions fine. There's a few nicks, rust spots and scratches and a few things that need attention. What I'm wondering about is the following. 1. How do I know if the Kubota 1702 is tired or not? How do I verify I'm getting close to its peak, like new opearating performance? What test can I perform? 2. How do I verify this thing can lift the 1300lbs its rated at? Can it lift more. Seems at though when I bury the 60'' smooth bucket in the wet gavel pile she has a hard time lifting? Is there a way to test the hydraulic pressures at the lift and tilt? 3. There doesn't appear to be an easy way to drain 30 + liters from the drive box/chaincase. Any ideas? 4.Does anybody have the 1990 orange paint color code? The dealer told me the can they now offer is a little brighter. I would really like to restore it to its original colours. ( I'll post pictures soon) 5. Has anybody tried the all rubber OTT tracks on a 743? What are your thoughts? Is it worth speding 3K? Would it not change the bucket hight to ground space? Thanks, Ray
Just became the Owner of a 1990 743 DS
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OldMachinist
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1. How do I know if the Kubota 1702 is tired or not? What test can I perform?
Do a cylinder compression test at the glow plug holes and compare the readings to spec.
2. How do I verify this thing can lift the 1300lbs its rated at? Can it lift more. Seems at though when I bury the 60'' smooth bucket in the wet gavel pile she has a hard time lifting?
You would have to have something that you know weights 1300 lbs and try to lift it. A full 60“ bucket of wet gravel may be near the limit.
Is there a way to test the hydraulic pressures at the lift and tilt?
Hook a pressure gage to one of the aux outlets and engage the aux.
3. There doesn't appear to be an easy way to drain 30 + liters from the drive box/chaincase. Any ideas?
The oil needs to be sucked out thru the fill plug or you can take the cover off the top of the chaincase.
4.Does anybody have the 1990 orange paint color code? The dealer told me the can they now offer is a little brighter. I would really like to restore it to its original colours. ( I'll post pictures soon)
Maybe someone can answer you about the paint
5. Has anybody tried the all rubber OTT tracks on a 743? What are your thoughts? Is it worth speding 3K? Would it not change the bucket hight to ground space?
Yes OTT tracks change the bucket height and you may need to install a stop to keep the tracks from rubbing the lift arms which raises the height more.
Do a cylinder compression test at the glow plug holes and compare the readings to spec.
2. How do I verify this thing can lift the 1300lbs its rated at? Can it lift more. Seems at though when I bury the 60'' smooth bucket in the wet gavel pile she has a hard time lifting?
You would have to have something that you know weights 1300 lbs and try to lift it. A full 60“ bucket of wet gravel may be near the limit.
Is there a way to test the hydraulic pressures at the lift and tilt?
Hook a pressure gage to one of the aux outlets and engage the aux.
3. There doesn't appear to be an easy way to drain 30 + liters from the drive box/chaincase. Any ideas?
The oil needs to be sucked out thru the fill plug or you can take the cover off the top of the chaincase.
4.Does anybody have the 1990 orange paint color code? The dealer told me the can they now offer is a little brighter. I would really like to restore it to its original colours. ( I'll post pictures soon)
Maybe someone can answer you about the paint
5. Has anybody tried the all rubber OTT tracks on a 743? What are your thoughts? Is it worth speding 3K? Would it not change the bucket hight to ground space?
Yes OTT tracks change the bucket height and you may need to install a stop to keep the tracks from rubbing the lift arms which raises the height more.
Thanks OldMachinist for the tips and answers. I'll post my result after giving things a go. Anyone else have tracks for their 743? What are your pros and cons. Also, does anyone have a picture of a restored DS model? I can't seem to find anywhere a picture of the rear window for a DS model. I ask because it appears as though there's suppose to be a protective screen or something that goes over the plexi glass. Cheers
