s185 just popped up for sale in my area

[kevinsky18]

I was considering looking for an S300 but that would have meant going at least 1000 miles south of where I'm at just to start looking. By chance an 2004 S185 with 600hrs just happened to pop up for sale right here in town. Though this machine is smaller than what I was hopping for there are many advantages / savings in cash and time to buying a machine that is already in town. As I mentioned in a previous post. I'm looking for mostly a snow removal machine with some summer contract work. Would the S185 be ok for snow removal? Also how are bobcats with extreme cold we are currently -40 today. Obviously the colder the harder on equipment but over all are they ok or do they start blowing hydraulic hoses etc. Anything specific I should look out for or ask about when I go to veiw this machine?

 

[500K_773]

I have a 773T which is basically a S185. I live in Alaska and do use it for snow removal. It works well, but you at least have to chain up the rear tires. I chain all four tires in the even that I nose dive into a ditch and need to back out, rear tires are kind of useless in this situation. I really like the vertical lift for stacking snow, keeps it further in front of you.
Metal gets brittle when it gets cold so be careful with heavy loads or impacts with hidden obstructions. I don't like to use heavy equipment much past -30F or -40F. I have run mine when it gets this cold, but hyraulics get sluggish when not used often, ie. power bobtach. I haven't blow any hydraulic hoses, but have seen cylinder seals start to leak on other equipment.
I know the older oil cooled Deutz engines do not like to run in the exteme cold. I think the oil cooler "gels" up and then the engine overheats. I heard this happened to one guy with his machine. With liquid cooled machines, make sure the coolant is mixed properly. I just installed a engine block heater this winter. I had always kept the machine in the garage and never needed it, but installed it in case I needed to leave it outside.

 

[kevinsky18]

I have a 773T which is basically a S185. I live in Alaska and do use it for snow removal. It works well, but you at least have to chain up the rear tires. I chain all four tires in the even that I nose dive into a ditch and need to back out, rear tires are kind of useless in this situation. I really like the vertical lift for stacking snow, keeps it further in front of you.
Metal gets brittle when it gets cold so be careful with heavy loads or impacts with hidden obstructions. I don't like to use heavy equipment much past -30F or -40F. I have run mine when it gets this cold, but hyraulics get sluggish when not used often, ie. power bobtach. I haven't blow any hydraulic hoses, but have seen cylinder seals start to leak on other equipment.
I know the older oil cooled Deutz engines do not like to run in the exteme cold. I think the oil cooler "gels" up and then the engine overheats. I heard this happened to one guy with his machine. With liquid cooled machines, make sure the coolant is mixed properly. I just installed a engine block heater this winter. I had always kept the machine in the garage and never needed it, but installed it in case I needed to leave it outside.

Thanks for the feedback. All good advice. Where did you pick up your chains? Do I have to buy these direct from Bobcat or can I get a set from Napa or Canadian Tire?

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Thanks for the feedback. All good advice. Where did you pick up your chains? Do I have to buy these direct from Bobcat or can I get a set from Napa or Canadian Tire?

For chains try any industrial supply store that sell stuff for commercial trucks.
Bobcat recomends parking loader indoor if possible for cold temps (-10 and colder, if memory serves) to help prevent hydrostatic failer do to poor oil flow. If your going to leave it outside in -30 -40 weather, you would need 0-30 engine oil, and 0/30 or 5/30 artic engine oil for your hydros as well, imo.
Mine will hardly start at -20 with 10/30 in it and plugged in, the block heater is in one end of the head, so the far cylinders don't warm as well as they could, and my batt is 3 years old.
But for -40 things have to be in good shape and set up properly.
I much prefer to leave it in the shop, get by with summer oil, older battery etc
Ken