Need Advise Plz

[219Bobcat731]

Hey everyone im new to the bobcat/skidsteer life. i recently purchased a bobcat 731 and dont really know much about it. it runs really nice and i love it but honestly dont trust it. seems like the owner before me rigged a few things. there isnt any gauges,aftermaket cheap ignition or hour dial. basically turn the key and it starts. but i also noticed next to the igniton it has a button says up and down, was told by him it activates the glow plugs ? he also doesnt seem to know alot about the machine. can anyone help me esp what this button does. Up or down it makes a clicking noise in back sorta like a solinoid or something. well im also considering on purchasing a snowplow for it basically the whole reason i picked up this machine. its a 6ft kwikway plow. im open to any comments and please be honest with me. how or what do i have to do too make sure this thing starts up in really cold weather? if the button i was talking about before is actually what i does i shouldnt have a problem right? thanks for looking guys

 

[Fishfiles]

If you were to put a test light on one the glow plug terminal which are all connected together with a bar and have someone push and hold your "up/down switch " then you should show voltage going to the glow plugs , after a few seconds they should start getting hot to the touch at the base , 15 seconds should be enough for maximum heat

 

[1ofU]

Hello,
on you unit , if you do not know how to run down wires and test them you should buy a tester or make one or find a friend that knows how and can show you . my preheat was wired in the toggle switch that ran the cab lift as well . i have all manuals for my model and since then i have gone and removed / rewired with fuse links all of the half ass wiring jobs that the pre owners has done .
since i have had mine i have rewired , installed new lights , air horn , stereo , enclosed the cab with lexan and built a new lexan door , new key igniton switch and mech gauges
looks like you are in for the same on yours .
Jess

 

[219Bobcat731]

Hello,
on you unit , if you do not know how to run down wires and test them you should buy a tester or make one or find a friend that knows how and can show you . my preheat was wired in the toggle switch that ran the cab lift as well . i have all manuals for my model and since then i have gone and removed / rewired with fuse links all of the half ass wiring jobs that the pre owners has done .
since i have had mine i have rewired , installed new lights , air horn , stereo , enclosed the cab with lexan and built a new lexan door , new key igniton switch and mech gauges
looks like you are in for the same on yours .
Jess

So that button doesnt keep the glowplugs on ? im just making sure dont wana burn anything up. also where are the glowplugs located ? so i can do what you said?

 

[AlaskaAviator]

So that button doesnt keep the glowplugs on ? im just making sure dont wana burn anything up. also where are the glowplugs located ? so i can do what you said?

Is it a momentary switch? If so just hold it engaged for 20 or 30 seconds. With a little experience you will know how long to run the glow plugs or like my old Deutz, the manifold heater.

 

[Tazza]

Is it a momentary switch? If so just hold it engaged for 20 or 30 seconds. With a little experience you will know how long to run the glow plugs or like my old Deutz, the manifold heater.

Does it run a 2 cylinder Deutz? my 731 had one, they never came fitted with glow plugs. They did have an excess fuel button on the injector pump. You press it for cold weather starting, it fires right up.

 

[Tazza]

Does it run a 2 cylinder Deutz? my 731 had one, they never came fitted with glow plugs. They did have an excess fuel button on the injector pump. You press it for cold weather starting, it fires right up.

One thing i didn't mention, with the cab off, or at least the seat and seat mount out, you will see a square block on the hydraulic pump. 3 hoses on the left, behind the middle fitting is a hidden filter. Be sure to check/clean or even replace it. Not many people know it's there. When it gets plugged up, the pump will squeel and the machine will not want to move.

 

[219Bobcat731]

One thing i didn't mention, with the cab off, or at least the seat and seat mount out, you will see a square block on the hydraulic pump. 3 hoses on the left, behind the middle fitting is a hidden filter. Be sure to check/clean or even replace it. Not many people know it's there. When it gets plugged up, the pump will squeel and the machine will not want to move.

Thanks everyone for the responses. To be more specific about this "button" it says Up bob-Tach

 

[219Bobcat731]

Thanks everyone for the responses. To be more specific about this "button" it says Up bob-Tach

Thanks everyone for the responses. To be more specific about this "button" it says ^ UP Bob-Tach <<<<<<<<<<<<<This is what it looks like Wedges DOWN v So do i hold it up or down? Thanks

 

[Tazza]

Thanks everyone for the responses. To be more specific about this "button" it says ^ UP Bob-Tach <<<<<<<<<<<<<This is what it looks like Wedges DOWN v So do i hold it up or down? Thanks

It's not factory, i have no idea what the previous owner added it for....

 

[219Bobcat731]

It's not factory, i have no idea what the previous owner added it for....

Well i have no idea what to do. i killed the last 2 batteries. and today it took a while to start being cold. had to use a jump box. the alternator charges the batteries good when running. in the morning the voltage on both is 11.9 to 12.0 it seems like its too cold to start and kills the batteries. i dont mind jumping it but dont want to trash the alternator. this "button" has to be there for a reason i just have no idea how to use it. i followd the wires and it goes to a solinoid then off the solinoid to the top of the motor to the side of a pipe. can anyone picture what im saying? if you look thru the top of the black cage above the motor you can see the wire. it might be an intake tube? or somthing. any advise will help. Thanks guys

 

[Tazza]

Well i have no idea what to do. i killed the last 2 batteries. and today it took a while to start being cold. had to use a jump box. the alternator charges the batteries good when running. in the morning the voltage on both is 11.9 to 12.0 it seems like its too cold to start and kills the batteries. i dont mind jumping it but dont want to trash the alternator. this "button" has to be there for a reason i just have no idea how to use it. i followd the wires and it goes to a solinoid then off the solinoid to the top of the motor to the side of a pipe. can anyone picture what im saying? if you look thru the top of the black cage above the motor you can see the wire. it might be an intake tube? or somthing. any advise will help. Thanks guys

can you get a picture of it? there is a power drain there if it's flattening the battery, just need to find it

 

[219Bobcat731]

can you get a picture of it? there is a power drain there if it's flattening the battery, just need to find it

i have a pic how would i put it up here? also im betting this switch has something to do with it. something isnt right with this at all.

 

[SkidRoe]

i have a pic how would i put it up here? also im betting this switch has something to do with it. something isnt right with this at all.

Look for Eric's picture posting tutorial on the User Questions page. It should be the first post.

 

[jerry]

Look for Eric's picture posting tutorial on the User Questions page. It should be the first post.

Some alternators need a excite current momentarily to begin charging, the p.o. may have installed the switch to excite the alternator after starting the machine and if so it will drain the battery if left on when the machine isn't running. Just a guess tho .

 

[mahans7]

Some alternators need a excite current momentarily to begin charging, the p.o. may have installed the switch to excite the alternator after starting the machine and if so it will drain the battery if left on when the machine isn't running. Just a guess tho .

Hey 219, if you can't get the picture to post look up my profile and email it to me. I'll post it for you.

 

[[email protected]]

Hey 219, if you can't get the picture to post look up my profile and email it to me. I'll post it for you.

diesels dont need power to keep running like a gasoline engine, i'm guessing it's your alternator.

 

[219Bobcat731]

diesels dont need power to keep running like a gasoline engine, i'm guessing it's your alternator.

Is there anyone i can email pictures too ? and might be able to figure it out?

 

[Fishfiles]

diesels dont need power to keep running like a gasoline engine, i'm guessing it's your alternator.

you do need voltage (power) for a run/kill solinoid if so equipped or it won't run