S185 hydraulic malfunction

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jakewalters

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Oct 21, 2025
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I recently took the lifter arm cylinder off my machine to replace the seals and when I put it back on the hydraulics are malfunctioning when I try and lift. Is this an air issue? I'm pretty sure the lines are in the correct connection locations.

I did work the hydraulics to try and work out the air but that doesn't seem to help.
 
I recently took the lifter arm cylinder off my machine to replace the seals and when I put it back on the hydraulics are malfunctioning when I try and lift. Is this an air issue? I'm pretty sure the lines are in the correct connection locations.

I did work the hydraulics to try and work out the air but that doesn't seem to help.
Could you explain what exactly the malfunction is?

Did you do one cylinder or both?

If the arms are lifting up and down then you are plumbed correctly and any air will eventually bleed out. Just make sure to check you fluid level so it doesn’t get low.

If the arms are not moving at all then you’re plumbing is most likely backwards.

If the arms are having trouble going up then you may have a damaged piston seal. Either the one you replaced got damaged when assembling or possibly the other cylinder went bad.
 
Thank you for your advice. Any advice as to how I would turn the over ride knob inside the cab that releases the hydraulic pressure and allows the arms to come down?

I think that is the cause as I turned it and I can't get it back to its original position due to age/corrosion/etc. I believe you can turn it back with a large wrench but didn't know if anyone had better luck.

Thanks!
 
Thank you for your advice. Any advice as to how I would turn the over ride knob inside the cab that releases the hydraulic pressure and allows the arms to come down?

I think that is the cause as I turned it and I can't get it back to its original position due to age/corrosion/etc. I believe you can turn it back with a large wrench but didn't know if anyone had better luck.

Thanks!
To activate the “Liftarm Bypass” in the cab you pull it up and turn it clockwise. When released it should return to its closed position.
If it is malfunctioning I would suggest replacing it. They are like $200 through Bobcat and if you have a door on your machine you definitely want one that works.
 
If you removed the cylinder to do the rebuild, you saw that the hose connections are different sizes, so they really can’t be put on backwards. I just did both on my S175. They are self bleeding as to any air trapped inside.

Sounds like the bypass valve is the problem.
 
My left lifting pedal will lift on the right rod but when I try and come down I have to rock the pedal forward and then back to make it come down.

Thoughts????
 
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To activate the “Liftarm Bypass” in the cab you pull it up and turn it clockwise. When released it should return to its closed position.
If it is malfunctioning I would suggest replacing it. They are like $200 through Bobcat and if you have a door on your machine you definitely want one that works.
Good advise! I use it often just to be sure it’s not seized when I need it
 

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