My Dads 743

[mlsteele]

My Dad left me his 743 Bobcat when he passed. I have some questions about it. The location of the radiator is like no other I have seen and I was wondering why. (Will have to look at my album, mlsteele, to see it) The radiator is shot and I need to replace it but not sure if it is standard. The warning light lenses are broke and I dont know what they are? Is there away to add a engine temp sensor to the machine? Thanks

 

[Bobcatdan]

i don't know the exact reason they put it there, but they are still built that way today. The main selling point is the radiator is in a protected place that it can't be punctured by backing into something. Also if you look at the machine general design, it would have to be at least a foot longer to have the radiator in the "noraml" place. Those have a temp snesor and a temp gauge.

 

[Tazza]

i don't know the exact reason they put it there, but they are still built that way today. The main selling point is the radiator is in a protected place that it can't be punctured by backing into something. Also if you look at the machine general design, it would have to be at least a foot longer to have the radiator in the "noraml" place. Those have a temp snesor and a temp gauge.

Removing the radiator is a bit of a pig, but can be done.
There should indeed be a temperature gauge on the dash, unless someone replaced it with something else. There is a temperature sender in the thermostat housing that connects to it.
The dash lights, one will be hydraulic oil temperature/pressure. The other is engine oil pressure. At startup, both should be on, but when it starts they should be off. If you are not sure what is what, remove the one at the engine oil pressure sender, the light should be off, touch it to ground and the light on the dash should come on. Then you know what is the hydraulic one.
Good luck with the machine, they are very handy and well built.

 

[mlsteele]

Removing the radiator is a bit of a pig, but can be done.
There should indeed be a temperature gauge on the dash, unless someone replaced it with something else. There is a temperature sender in the thermostat housing that connects to it.
The dash lights, one will be hydraulic oil temperature/pressure. The other is engine oil pressure. At startup, both should be on, but when it starts they should be off. If you are not sure what is what, remove the one at the engine oil pressure sender, the light should be off, touch it to ground and the light on the dash should come on. Then you know what is the hydraulic one.
Good luck with the machine, they are very handy and well built.

I have ordered a new radiator. How/what is the best way to change them out and what is the proceedure? Thanks for all of your input.

 

[Tazza]

I have ordered a new radiator. How/what is the best way to change them out and what is the proceedure? Thanks for all of your input.

You see that the radiator is in sort of a cradle? this entire part needs to come out. You need to remove the oil cooler mounting bracket or even just the oil cooler mounts. It can stay in place, but needs disconnecting from the carrier. Disconnect the muffler hose at the muffler and radiator hoses. There are 2 or 3 nuts holding the carrier to the back of the frame, i know there is one per side right at the back past the oil filter on the right and behind the radiator hose on the Left. You then lift the front and slide it out, the hardest part is that is is heavy and the pivot pin bosses for the lift arms are in the way. It will come out though, it just takes time and skin that you will no doubt loose from your kunckles.