Old Bobcat 610 - should I buy?

[alchemysa]

Hello guys, from Australia. My first post on this excellent forum. I've been looking for a cheap skid steer for light work around my small property. I dont mind doing a bit of work on it to get it reliably operational. Once I have something up and and running I hope to offload my Kubota compact tractor with a 4in1 bucket and a backhoe. (Its been a great machine but I would like to free up some shed space and some money. I think its worth about $10,000). I'm not rigid about the brand but I've been told about an old Bobcat, so I'm going to look at one on Saturday. Its a 610 and the price at this stage is $2200. I'm told its rough but it runs and has a clean bucket, but apart from that I know nothing about it (or skid steers generally). A little research quickly revealed these machines are all mechanical drive with clutches and chains. My first thought on this system was a bit negative. It looks rather complicated compared to a hydraulic drive system with a drive motor on each side. It looks like there could be lots of things that could be worn out and expensive or difficult to fix. Should I be overly concerned about this? Could this become a bit of a money pit or can they be made operational pretty easily? Also, once its going, do they 'feel comfortable' compared to a hydraulic drive system? Are they a bit of a pain to drive? Would I be better off waiting for a hydraulic drive machine of whatever brand to come up even if it cost an extra 1 or 2 thousand dollars. (That could take a long time over here as skid steers are very expensive compared to US prices). I know my question is pretty vague but any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[alchemysa]

Another question. I read somewhere (can't find it now) that these models were made from about '71 to '81. How will I know the build date of the one I'm going to look at? Is it marked on an I.D. plate or do I need to refer the serial number to a Bobcat dealer?

 

[Hotrod1830]

They are not really difficult to operate, and when operating properly are very smooth. The bad thing about the older machines is parts are becoming harder to get. Bobcat may have them now, but will they have the part you need when it breaks? Clutches and chains are wear items and are still available as far as I know. Cant say that about anything else on that machine. Especially the drive sheave. They are good machines aside from that.

 

[6brnorma]

They are not really difficult to operate, and when operating properly are very smooth. The bad thing about the older machines is parts are becoming harder to get. Bobcat may have them now, but will they have the part you need when it breaks? Clutches and chains are wear items and are still available as far as I know. Cant say that about anything else on that machine. Especially the drive sheave. They are good machines aside from that.

Generally I'm fairly supportive of the M-610 but in your case I'm not so sure. Tazza will come along shortly and give you a better idea of parts availability in Australia……I simply can't answer that question. A 610 can be a money pit if you don't know how to work on them yourself and don't have (cheaper) parts redly available. Be careful…. As far as the year, I can tell you what year it is made with the serial number or give the number to bobcat and they will tell you.

 

[kilohertz]

Generally I'm fairly supportive of the M-610 but in your case I'm not so sure. Tazza will come along shortly and give you a better idea of parts availability in Australia……I simply can't answer that question. A 610 can be a money pit if you don't know how to work on them yourself and don't have (cheaper) parts redly available. Be careful…. As far as the year, I can tell you what year it is made with the serial number or give the number to bobcat and they will tell you.

I have the next gen machine, the 720 as well as I just got an 853...so far I much prefer the older simpler machine to work on. Below is a link to the history of Bobcat machines...click on 1972 and you will find the M610, it was made from 1972 to 1982. Nice little machine. You should be able to find a service manual online, look thru it to become familiar with the machine before you look at it, or the operators manual, it will goive you all the service items that need to be done.
Keep us posted, there are lots of helpful people on this site.
cheers
http://www.bobcat.com/company-info/history/product

 

[Tazza]

I have the next gen machine, the 720 as well as I just got an 853...so far I much prefer the older simpler machine to work on. Below is a link to the history of Bobcat machines...click on 1972 and you will find the M610, it was made from 1972 to 1982. Nice little machine. You should be able to find a service manual online, look thru it to become familiar with the machine before you look at it, or the operators manual, it will goive you all the service items that need to be done.
Keep us posted, there are lots of helpful people on this site.
cheers
http://www.bobcat.com/company-info/history/product

Sadly i have no experience with parts on these machines, so i can't tell you what the availability is like. So far, there have not been any parts i couldn't get from the dealer, there is a good chance parts are still available, for a price.
I personally have never worked on a clutch driven machine, yet there are lots of them around and the owners really like them.

 

[Hotrod1830]

Sadly i have no experience with parts on these machines, so i can't tell you what the availability is like. So far, there have not been any parts i couldn't get from the dealer, there is a good chance parts are still available, for a price.
I personally have never worked on a clutch driven machine, yet there are lots of them around and the owners really like them.

I have an older 310. It is clutch drive and I believe uses the same clutches as the 610. I also have a 553. Having both a clutch and hydro machine, I still enjoy firing up the old 310 and working with it. Very smooth and predictable. I will add this. If the 610 appears to be fully functional and nothing looks "rigged", It may be a worthy investment. If someone has been hacking on it and patched things together, it may be best to walk away and find a nicer machine. They are simple to work on, but if it needs alot of parts to make it right, it can get costly for sure.

 

[alchemysa]

I have an older 310. It is clutch drive and I believe uses the same clutches as the 610. I also have a 553. Having both a clutch and hydro machine, I still enjoy firing up the old 310 and working with it. Very smooth and predictable. I will add this. If the 610 appears to be fully functional and nothing looks "rigged", It may be a worthy investment. If someone has been hacking on it and patched things together, it may be best to walk away and find a nicer machine. They are simple to work on, but if it needs alot of parts to make it right, it can get costly for sure.

Thanks for the responses guys. Comments about the 610 are starting to make me feel more comfortable about it. But things just got a bit more complicated. I've just been offered a mid 80's Toyota SDK8 diesel with a 4in1 bucket. Havent seen it yet and it has some problem on the left hand side but it sounds very attractive. But its a much a much bigger, heavier and more complicated machine than I had first envisaged. I'll be looking at them both on the weekend.

 

[6brnorma]

I have an older 310. It is clutch drive and I believe uses the same clutches as the 610. I also have a 553. Having both a clutch and hydro machine, I still enjoy firing up the old 310 and working with it. Very smooth and predictable. I will add this. If the 610 appears to be fully functional and nothing looks "rigged", It may be a worthy investment. If someone has been hacking on it and patched things together, it may be best to walk away and find a nicer machine. They are simple to work on, but if it needs alot of parts to make it right, it can get costly for sure.

Hotrod……are you sure of model numbers? I know the M371 (1971-1977) is a clutch drive that uses the same clutches as the 610 but I thought the 310 (1977-1983) was a hydrostatic machine. Everything I have read says the last clutch drive machine was the M610 and the last one of those was delivered in Feb of 1982. Do you possibly have a M371? Or am I wrong on this one?

 

[Hotrod1830]

Hotrod……are you sure of model numbers? I know the M371 (1971-1977) is a clutch drive that uses the same clutches as the 610 but I thought the 310 (1977-1983) was a hydrostatic machine. Everything I have read says the last clutch drive machine was the M610 and the last one of those was delivered in Feb of 1982. Do you possibly have a M371? Or am I wrong on this one?

6brnorma, it is most defiantly a clutch machine. It is a 310 as per the serial number . 310's or 313's(diesel) were never hydro.

 

[Hotrod1830]

6brnorma, it is most defiantly a clutch machine. It is a 310 as per the serial number . 310's or 313's(diesel) were never hydro.

alchemysa, I had ALOT of trouble finding hydrostatic parts for a Case 1830 when the dealer told me they where obsolete, and that was here in the states. I can only imagine what Toyota(very rare here) would be like. Again, make sure parts are available before you buy it.

 

[6brnorma]

alchemysa, I had ALOT of trouble finding hydrostatic parts for a Case 1830 when the dealer told me they where obsolete, and that was here in the states. I can only imagine what Toyota(very rare here) would be like. Again, make sure parts are available before you buy it.

Very interesting Hotrod…….you forced me to do some reading…..learn something new everyday. I went back to the history portions of Bobcats literature and it seems they don't include the "mini's" in the mainstream documents much. Thanks

 

[alchemysa]

Very interesting Hotrod…….you forced me to do some reading…..learn something new everyday. I went back to the history portions of Bobcats literature and it seems they don't include the "mini's" in the mainstream documents much. Thanks

I had a look at the Toyota and I think someone is going to get the deal of the year there. The engine sounded sweet and it had forks and 3 buckets including a 4 in 1, but its just too big for me. Its a seriously heavy duty piece of equipment. I think the chain drive problem is probably pretty easy to fix if someone has the space, time and, lifting gear to get at it. (The engine has to come out). It just sounds to me like it has come off one of the axle sprockets. Hotrod, Toyota's are actually pretty common over here. They are still sold new, and theres always a few on the classifieds. Admittedly this was the very first model SDK8 and that could present problems. Most distinctly it had a single endless chain on each side rather than 2 chains as per later models. Anyway, I decided it was just too big for me. I'll see the 610 on Saturday.

 

[alchemysa]

I had a look at the Toyota and I think someone is going to get the deal of the year there. The engine sounded sweet and it had forks and 3 buckets including a 4 in 1, but its just too big for me. Its a seriously heavy duty piece of equipment. I think the chain drive problem is probably pretty easy to fix if someone has the space, time and, lifting gear to get at it. (The engine has to come out). It just sounds to me like it has come off one of the axle sprockets. Hotrod, Toyota's are actually pretty common over here. They are still sold new, and theres always a few on the classifieds. Admittedly this was the very first model SDK8 and that could present problems. Most distinctly it had a single endless chain on each side rather than 2 chains as per later models. Anyway, I decided it was just too big for me. I'll see the 610 on Saturday.

I looked at the 610 today and bought it. Its pretty dirty and has lots of light surface rust, but it runs, doesn't look beat up, and it has all the bits and looks totally stock. I paid $2200, which I think is good by Australian standards. One obvious issue is leaking from a rear wheel bearing seal, but I wont really know how good/bad it is until I get it home. I'm certainly keen to see how it looks under the side covers. Its Saturday night now, I pick it up Monday morning. After my initial concerns I'm really pleased that I found this model now. It seems like a perfect machine for a reasonably handy home mechanic like me. I've downloaded all the free service manuals and parts books, etc. Buy I'm wondering if it is worth buying an operators manual, and if so, is there any one in particular that is best.

 

[6brnorma]

I looked at the 610 today and bought it. Its pretty dirty and has lots of light surface rust, but it runs, doesn't look beat up, and it has all the bits and looks totally stock. I paid $2200, which I think is good by Australian standards. One obvious issue is leaking from a rear wheel bearing seal, but I wont really know how good/bad it is until I get it home. I'm certainly keen to see how it looks under the side covers. Its Saturday night now, I pick it up Monday morning. After my initial concerns I'm really pleased that I found this model now. It seems like a perfect machine for a reasonably handy home mechanic like me. I've downloaded all the free service manuals and parts books, etc. Buy I'm wondering if it is worth buying an operators manual, and if so, is there any one in particular that is best.

An "operators" manual can usually be had on E-bay for $25-$30 USD …..I don't consider them to be particularly useful but at that price…why not. "Service" and "Parts" manuals are the most valuable and command the larger dollars……I prefer the original manuals but some of the 'reprints' are very good also. Congrats on the machine………(without pictures it didn't happen) ;-)

 

[alchemysa]

An "operators" manual can usually be had on E-bay for $25-$30 USD …..I don't consider them to be particularly useful but at that price…why not. "Service" and "Parts" manuals are the most valuable and command the larger dollars……I prefer the original manuals but some of the 'reprints' are very good also. Congrats on the machine………(without pictures it didn't happen) ;-)

" Congrats on the machine………(without pictures it didn't happen) ;-) " You'll have to take my word for it I'm afraid. I've followed the instructions and but still cant post pics. I cant get the html editor to appear either. This forum does not like Firefox at all. In the end I got a package deal. The seller said for $3000 I can have the 610 and a heavy duty dual axle equipment trailer, alone worth at least $2000 in my estimation. I'm pretty happy with the value I got and am really looking forward to working on this thing.

 

[kilohertz]

" Congrats on the machine………(without pictures it didn't happen) ;-) " You'll have to take my word for it I'm afraid. I've followed the instructions and but still cant post pics. I cant get the html editor to appear either. This forum does not like Firefox at all. In the end I got a package deal. The seller said for $3000 I can have the 610 and a heavy duty dual axle equipment trailer, alone worth at least $2000 in my estimation. I'm pretty happy with the value I got and am really looking forward to working on this thing.

Congratulations on the purchase, yes that sounds like a great deal with the trailer included. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures with it, they are fun and it's rewarding each step of progress you make, and each obstical overcome. I'm working on an 853H with multiple problems, but so far so good.
For picutres, you must use IE. I tried with Firefox as well and I gave up, just use IE. It does work but takes a little getting used to. Your pics must be hosted somewhere on the web, you can't upload from your computer. Once on the web, just open up the picture, click on the image, not the URL, and copy then paste it into the Skidsteer text box, and it will magically apear.
Good luck!

 

[alchemysa]

Congratulations on the purchase, yes that sounds like a great deal with the trailer included. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures with it, they are fun and it's rewarding each step of progress you make, and each obstical overcome. I'm working on an 853H with multiple problems, but so far so good.
For picutres, you must use IE. I tried with Firefox as well and I gave up, just use IE. It does work but takes a little getting used to. Your pics must be hosted somewhere on the web, you can't upload from your computer. Once on the web, just open up the picture, click on the image, not the URL, and copy then paste it into the Skidsteer text box, and it will magically apear.
Good luck!

Some pics at last. I've had no chance to do anything on it so I don't really know the condition of the mechanicals. but it runs and was backed onto the trailer under its own power. Theres plenty of surface rust to make it look sad but nothing structurally significant. Tyres have plenty of tread. The hour meter says 670. That's hard to believe but, then again, the seat is in perfect condition so is it possible its just been sitting around? A bucket is included but not shown here. (I'm thinking of converting the bucket to a 4in1 by the way). Serial number is 4956 A 1486 AUM. Can anyone decode a build date from that. It says its manufactured in Australia under license by Clarke Equipment Australia. The trailer is generally very solid. Just a bit of surface rust to clean up and cover. It has disc brakes on all wheels, but they need bleeding and maybe a new master cylinder kit so I had the whole lot delivered by a tilt tray truck, hence the abundance of tie downs. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into this.

 

[6brnorma]

Some pics at last. I've had no chance to do anything on it so I don't really know the condition of the mechanicals. but it runs and was backed onto the trailer under its own power. Theres plenty of surface rust to make it look sad but nothing structurally significant. Tyres have plenty of tread. The hour meter says 670. That's hard to believe but, then again, the seat is in perfect condition so is it possible its just been sitting around? A bucket is included but not shown here. (I'm thinking of converting the bucket to a 4in1 by the way). Serial number is 4956 A 1486 AUM. Can anyone decode a build date from that. It says its manufactured in Australia under license by Clarke Equipment Australia. The trailer is generally very solid. Just a bit of surface rust to clean up and cover. It has disc brakes on all wheels, but they need bleeding and maybe a new master cylinder kit so I had the whole lot delivered by a tilt tray truck, hence the abundance of tie downs. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into this.

Bobcat in the US began stamping the 4956 prefix on the ID plate in 1976……I see nothing on your machine to indicate that it is any older then that. Without more pictures, I don't see anything to indicate that it is newer then late 1977 when there were a couple of other very minor changes…..so….I'm just guessing '76 -'77. I would have too think your Bobcat dealer can give you that info with the serial number. The seat is not original and I'd believe the hour meter about as much as I'd believe any of our politicians.