Hi all! Just bought a brand new - old - 1978 M610 Bobcat for use around my 1 acre yard. I've got big plans to use this to help put in a garden, keep the gravel driveway decent, and move some decorative rocks around according to where my wife sees fit to place them! Anyway... As I've started to look around this machine I see some small issues to address, one of which is the gauges. The ammeter appears to be the only working gauge on it. The vacuum gauge is so far gone I can't even tell what the dial used to say and the hour meter gauge is frozen on about 3,600 hours. I know in the manual it advises to watch the vacuum gauge to know when to replace the filter, so my question is - should I replace it? If so, are there oem units around or a good aftermarket to use? Same question on the hour meter. Use that one to know when to change out oil filter, lube chassis etc. This is all new to me as I haven't even driven a Bobcat since I was 15 and that's close to 30 years ago! I will tell you this - I haven't scooped up an inch of dirt etc. yet, but I'm already having fun just trying to scrape the driveway back into shape! Sorry, bit long winded here but hey - I'm just excited to have ANY skid steer - even this little, somewhat limited one I have! Oh and my back is too!
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Personally, the only gauges i'd be concerned about is temperature, oil pressure, hydraulic oil pressure/temperature. I don't feel the vaccum or ammeter is really a requirement.
Is it an air cooled engine? if so, scratch the engine temperature gauge. The rest are more critical to prevent potential damage later,.
Is it an air cooled engine? if so, scratch the engine temperature gauge. The rest are more critical to prevent potential damage later,.
HanSolo
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I replaced the hour meter on my '74 M700 because I like to keep service records and change motor oil at 50 hrs. Your air cooled Wisconsin will be thankful. Those hour meters are readily available. Do a google search by part number and Bobcat or Clark. Clark used the same hour meter on fork lifts also. I wouldn't worry about the vacuum gauge. Put a fresh filter in and it will be good for a LONG time. These machines were designed to operate in heavy dust environments. Much worse than anything your liable to subject it to on your property.
Sounds good, I'll see I can dig up on the meters mentioned. Appreciate the feedback! -Lyle
HarryN
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And, as long as you are still excited about your new "toy", We love pictures! Go ahead and post a few.... good luck
Ok, first up here are the bad gauges;
Followed by the ones that seem to work;
Here are some overall shots - not the prettiest face in the world, but so far starts right up and operates well! Hopefully she continues to do so - for my own sake as well as to keep my wife from killing me on this spur of the moment purchase!
Someone took a can of spraypaint to the back at one time - not the greatest job to be sure. I'd like to repaint it, but have read that it's pretty much a nightmare to do. Get past this first season as-is and go from there I think.
-Lyle
Also, these same images (larger) and a few more are located at my site here if interested; http://www.quasarcore.com/images/bobcat610/ You'll have to probably cut/paste that line in a browser for the link to work. -Lyle
Not a bad looking machine actually, ou see some that look a lot more aged than that
OldMachinist
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I'd pull the hour gage and hook it up directly to a 12v battery and see if it works. It may just be a wiring problem.Not a bad looking machine actually, ou see some that look a lot more aged than that
Brown wire from hour gage goes to oil pressure switch. Pink wire on oil pressure switch goes to ignition switch run position
HanSolo
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That is one of the better looking 600 series machines. Note the original Melroe Bobcat decals. It's also got the early style wire mesh cage too. Later models had stamped steel. It's interesting that the cage doesn't quite come all the way down to the chassis. Definitely a pinch point there!
Thanks all, I appreciate the nice comments! I'll definitely mess around with the hour meter as that would make sense, probably loose wire etc. One day, new paint and decals - for now I've got some work to do - starting with my driveway.
mechtech
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I did a updated set of decals, see the pic on my profile,
I rebuilt my distributor with electronic ignition
I replaced almost all my hoses, and changed out the hydraulic fluid it looked like crap,
have fun with your new toy.
remember to buckle up, it will toss you out the front in a heartbeat.
