New OMC 310 owner

[Harleyman59]

I recently purchased an OMC 310 and it has drive issues on the left side, along with a lift cylinder leak. Left side is slower than right side. Not sure if it needs adjustment or replacement parts. I had it at a shop for repair and after 2 months said he has a hard time finding parts. I don't think he really wanted to work on it, and just wish he had told me that up front. I am very mechanically inclined and am willing to repair myself, but have no idea how to repair, what to repair, or where to get parts. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[mrbb]

OK I'll take a stab at trying to help you with some thoughts/suggestions
as for the leak down on the lift cylinder, odds are it has bad seals,which is causing the leak down,
since I am GUESSING, OEM parts are going NOT be an option due to they stopped making them by now,

your best bet will be to take the whole cylinder to a good hydraulic shop and have them rebuild it, as odds are they will be able to source the seals needed based on size and shape and not OEM,

which then means finding any OEM parts is going to be a hunt for you, for things like drive pumps/motors and so on! so your going to have to start searching the world wide web for any you need, from EBay, facebook market place, salvage yards and so on!
this is likely why the previous owners,gave up, as it can be a very trying game and costs can be crazy if you do find what you need


THAT or your going to have to start to modify and make p[arts off other machines or, and try to MAKE them work for you
which again get trying and time consuming and even costly
which is why many off brands, or older models, are not rebuilt by many without means,(AKA $$$ ) time and skills
which most do as a hobby and or for sentimental value, not for actually saving $$$ to have a machine for personal use

this is maybe not what you wanted to hear, but its an honest reply! I hope this gives you some food for thought and not taken as discouragement, as I do enjoy seeing folks revive older machines

IT also would help you, if maybe you posted some pictures of things your questioning , pictures always seem to get more views and as such, higher odds for help!
good luck!

 

[Harleyman59]

MRBB,

Thank you very much for your response!! I believe you have hit the nail on the head regarding the previous owner giving up. I truly thought this was going to be a beter option than a chinese stand on mini skid. Maybe not?? I know there has been some retrofitting, and it looked a little jerry rigged. 14 hp Onan has been replaced with a 28 hp Kohler, the way some of the hydraulic lines are snaked around and routed, the mounting brackets for the small pump which is driven from back of engine, etc. I knew that going into it, but thought I would be able to source either OEM or aftermarket parts/seals etc. It is proving challenging. I have ordered a couple OEM manuals that should be here this week. They should hopefully provide some guidance, and part numbers. Hopefully with part numbers I will have better luck finding some items. Hopefully manuals will also help me with troubleshooting some of the issues. I have started to address some things such as fuel line and filter replacement and working on bracketry for the small pump. I will post some pics soon, hopefully get a little more attention. Hoping anyone who has had one of these can possibly help me with where they sourced parts, and or modifications, retrofits that may work on this unit. I am very mechanically inclined, and have the equipment and skills to do many things, engine repairs/rebuilds, welding, metal fab, lift/tilt cylinder rebuilds, etc. I bought the unit for my own personal use, regrading my driveway, adding a driveway to access my trailers, and removing about 8" of dirt and gravel from the driveway of a rental property. Thought this would be the perfect size, and I could do it all on my time, not having to worry about rental shops timeframe. I am also older (retired), and thought this would assist me in many of the chores around the house, serving as a large powered shovel/wheelbarrow and saving my back?
Thanks for your response!!

 

[mrbb]

I fully understand your though on things, I am also an older man and try to save $$ when and where I can and like older things(more simple, less electrical junk on them)
but its also getting a lot harder to find parts, unless like Is aid, its a very popular model
ON your machine, do you know its age? and if it has a normal quick attack or not

some older machines had different set ups, making it even harder to find implements or conversions

some times renting something is also a option to save $$ as one can rent a larger machine with right implement, and get a lot of work done fast!

NOW< if your interested in buying a stand on skid steer , this guy gives pretty honest reviews and shows use and abuse, of things, he's NOT easy on stuff, and shows it

but he's also a good video guy, for watching/passing time and even learning how to fix repair machinery without it being a source of pushing products

he doesn't do that at all, or not in any videos I watched he made!

be he shows what a stand up skid steer can , cannot do more or less,
and gives you name of the machine he's using
I am NOT so sure I would want to use one to remove 8 inches off the top of a large section of land though, even being retired, thats a lot of stand up time on a small machine for me and my bad back and knee's!,I'd be renting something bigger and faster, HAHA!~

Might the below video might t be worth watching for you~!