Testing a 751C

[Idoitall]

I looked at a 751 C series this afternoon at the NH dealer. It's a local trade-in from a builder that has owned it for 6 years. I'm waiting to hear from Bobcat, but it is said to be a '95 or '96 model.

The Good: The machine looks and runs good for its age, has a great looking newer Bobcat 4/1 tooth bucket (well made), and shows 1500 hours. The owner says this is actual. It has the BICS system and I found the light panel just behind the seat and it is working. The hyd's feel good, has a quick response, and there is no slop in the pins on the arms and the QT. No welds, cracks or repairs seen. The upper panel has traditional analog gauges (3), a glow plug light, two warning lights, Aux. hyd. and Traction Control switches.

The bad: Although it was serviced just yesterday and moved back to the lot, we could not get it to move but a few inches each way. Even the mechanics tried. It seems that the parking brake has it locked, but all BICS light are "ON". Most likely not too serious. They filled it with fuel and now it has a small leak somewhere in near the tank fill area. They said that they will get it repaired Monday and call me so I can test it and "look under the hood". No warranty per say, but they will stand behind the engine and drive system for 10 days, which seems fair for a trade-in. I'll want to get more details though.

The engine looks good and has had the fuel pump replaced recently (Delphi), has a near new battery, been serviced, etc. We not sure, but think this may be a Perkins engine (sideways), not Kubota. Is there a quick way to tell, and if it is Perkins, is this a bad thing?

Looking forward to testing it Monday. I think this may fit my need.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

If its not a Kubota its likely a Peugeot (spelling) The parking brake sticking is fairly minor, could be a few minor electical things, fuses, relays,solinoid. Besure to get the mechanics to show you how to disable it. So if it acts up again you not stopped dead in your tracks. It is spring applied, power release so if it screws up you stop, easy to bypass once you know how.
If the bucket dump pins are tight and not just replaced its had a easy life work wise.
I prefer the Kubota just because they are more common, but don't know anything bad about the other.
It does not have the "Boss" engine protection option which is a nightmare imo that you don't want.
Make sure the fuel leak is not the plastic tank because you have to pull the engine to change it, $$$ for parts and labour.
Ken

 

[Idoitall]

If its not a Kubota its likely a Peugeot (spelling) The parking brake sticking is fairly minor, could be a few minor electical things, fuses, relays,solinoid. Besure to get the mechanics to show you how to disable it. So if it acts up again you not stopped dead in your tracks. It is spring applied, power release so if it screws up you stop, easy to bypass once you know how.
If the bucket dump pins are tight and not just replaced its had a easy life work wise.
I prefer the Kubota just because they are more common, but don't know anything bad about the other.
It does not have the "Boss" engine protection option which is a nightmare imo that you don't want.
Make sure the fuel leak is not the plastic tank because you have to pull the engine to change it, $$$ for parts and labour.
Ken

Ken, thanks for the reply and the knowledge. I suspect that they will solve the interlock issue easily since it worked the day before. Do I understand that the "Traction Lock Over-ride" button must be pressed as part of the interlocks, and I should hear a solenoid opening or closing? And I really appreciated your comment about the plastic fuel tank. It sounds potentially expensive to repair. I just assumed that they were metal. It makes sense that it leaked when they filled it up it leaks. Maybe the fill nozzle.

I had made a folder earlier named "Bobcat 753" but had not uploaded any images into it, so I added a few for the 751, including the engine. Maybe you can recognize the engine type. From what I've seen the Bobcat 4/1 bucket is heavy duty compared to others and is in great shape. Oh yea, I also was told that the tires (50%) are foam filled.

We'll see what next week holds.

 

[pelpel]

Ken, thanks for the reply and the knowledge. I suspect that they will solve the interlock issue easily since it worked the day before. Do I understand that the "Traction Lock Over-ride" button must be pressed as part of the interlocks, and I should hear a solenoid opening or closing? And I really appreciated your comment about the plastic fuel tank. It sounds potentially expensive to repair. I just assumed that they were metal. It makes sense that it leaked when they filled it up it leaks. Maybe the fill nozzle.

I had made a folder earlier named "Bobcat 753" but had not uploaded any images into it, so I added a few for the 751, including the engine. Maybe you can recognize the engine type. From what I've seen the Bobcat 4/1 bucket is heavy duty compared to others and is in great shape. Oh yea, I also was told that the tires (50%) are foam filled.

We'll see what next week holds.

Greetings, I run a 1997 751 C with the kubota transplant. My original engine was the Peugot, but the PO did not replace the timing belt in time, it grenaded itself. Bobcat has a transplant setup where you can upgrade to the Kubota engine, it is all factory. I like mine for its ability to run in tight quarters, but it is VERY tippy. I find as long as I have my combo bucket on, I am ok. If I put my old tooth bucket on ( a lot lighter), I tip back on the slightest incline. I think the kubota engine might be heavier and thus weighs down the back. Aside from that, I love the machine. cheers.........

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Ken, thanks for the reply and the knowledge. I suspect that they will solve the interlock issue easily since it worked the day before. Do I understand that the "Traction Lock Over-ride" button must be pressed as part of the interlocks, and I should hear a solenoid opening or closing? And I really appreciated your comment about the plastic fuel tank. It sounds potentially expensive to repair. I just assumed that they were metal. It makes sense that it leaked when they filled it up it leaks. Maybe the fill nozzle.

I had made a folder earlier named "Bobcat 753" but had not uploaded any images into it, so I added a few for the 751, including the engine. Maybe you can recognize the engine type. From what I've seen the Bobcat 4/1 bucket is heavy duty compared to others and is in great shape. Oh yea, I also was told that the tires (50%) are foam filled.

We'll see what next week holds.

The park pin (it not actualy a brake more like park gear in a auto trans) lets ou a definite snap when it releases. If it still has the seat switch the brake should come off when you pull the seat bar down. Later models replaced the seat switch (somwhat problematic, gravel under seat. light operator problems) with a "push to operate" button
Some models use the same button for the "traction lock overide" which means if the seat bar is up when you push the button, the park pin unlocks but the loader functions (meaning the foot pedals) won't unlock. You use this feature with the backhoe, allows you to drive but not move the boom, which you can't anway because the hoe is on.
The motor is definitely not a Kubota. I believe the Peugot is a overhead valve with a timing belt like many of the 4 cylinder cars. I have heard of others on here discussing timing belt failers do to old age, and that may be another thing to have checked, along with the main drive belt to the pumps. Seach the forum for timing belt and see what you get.
Ken

 

[Tazza]

The park pin (it not actualy a brake more like park gear in a auto trans) lets ou a definite snap when it releases. If it still has the seat switch the brake should come off when you pull the seat bar down. Later models replaced the seat switch (somwhat problematic, gravel under seat. light operator problems) with a "push to operate" button
Some models use the same button for the "traction lock overide" which means if the seat bar is up when you push the button, the park pin unlocks but the loader functions (meaning the foot pedals) won't unlock. You use this feature with the backhoe, allows you to drive but not move the boom, which you can't anway because the hoe is on.
The motor is definitely not a Kubota. I believe the Peugot is a overhead valve with a timing belt like many of the 4 cylinder cars. I have heard of others on here discussing timing belt failers do to old age, and that may be another thing to have checked, along with the main drive belt to the pumps. Seach the forum for timing belt and see what you get.
Ken

The Peugeot engines are good... BUT parts are NOT available. As mentioned earlier bobcat do sell a conversion kit so you drop a Kubota in and you are away. They sell for 6K AUD over here with everything you need to do the engine swap.
I am looking at one actually but it has been fire damaged and the fuel and oil tanks are gone, blower and blower housing too. The fuel tank i suspect will be pricey as its not a common part but if you are buying it as running and having no leaks its not your problem, after they said they will fix it.
The Brake sounds like a seat or seat bar issue with the BICS. From what i saw the 751 machines do not have the BOSS system. I could only see a BICS box. Mind you all i could see was a mass of burnt out wires but they went to the dash and BICS box only.
These do indeed run standard gauges, the later ones run the fully electronic ones that you need to take it to the dealer to work on....

 

[WebbCo]

The Peugeot engines are good... BUT parts are NOT available. As mentioned earlier bobcat do sell a conversion kit so you drop a Kubota in and you are away. They sell for 6K AUD over here with everything you need to do the engine swap.
I am looking at one actually but it has been fire damaged and the fuel and oil tanks are gone, blower and blower housing too. The fuel tank i suspect will be pricey as its not a common part but if you are buying it as running and having no leaks its not your problem, after they said they will fix it.
The Brake sounds like a seat or seat bar issue with the BICS. From what i saw the 751 machines do not have the BOSS system. I could only see a BICS box. Mind you all i could see was a mass of burnt out wires but they went to the dash and BICS box only.
These do indeed run standard gauges, the later ones run the fully electronic ones that you need to take it to the dealer to work on....

My honest opinion about the Peugeot machines are they are a nightmare.
Tazza was right parts are scarce and way over the top expensive! Personally I hate them.
The fuel pumps are so touchy, any contamitnation in them and your looking at big dollars to repair. We have one in the shop right now, new pump again! 3rd time in this ones life!
If you do buy it, make sure you put the updated fuel system filters in it!
Just my 2 cents worth!
Mark

 

[Idoitall]

My honest opinion about the Peugeot machines are they are a nightmare.
Tazza was right parts are scarce and way over the top expensive! Personally I hate them.
The fuel pumps are so touchy, any contamitnation in them and your looking at big dollars to repair. We have one in the shop right now, new pump again! 3rd time in this ones life!
If you do buy it, make sure you put the updated fuel system filters in it!
Just my 2 cents worth!
Mark

Mark. Thanks for the advice. I'm still going to test it again next week when repaired, but after hearing these negatives I may have to think about it. One thing that I did notice was the increased "diesel" noise when running. It just seems significantly louder than the Kubota engines that I have heard. I mentioned before that the fuel pump looked new, indicative of problems. And with the fuel leak, that could be a source of contamination getting into the tank.

 

[Tazza]

Mark. Thanks for the advice. I'm still going to test it again next week when repaired, but after hearing these negatives I may have to think about it. One thing that I did notice was the increased "diesel" noise when running. It just seems significantly louder than the Kubota engines that I have heard. I mentioned before that the fuel pump looked new, indicative of problems. And with the fuel leak, that could be a source of contamination getting into the tank.

The *diesel* noise you can hear i bet is the timing chain. If you can hear it slapping around it needs tensioning. If its left it can jump gears and cause problems. If everything else is ok, and later on there is a problem remember you can always give it a heart transplant with a Kubota. But only if the price on the machine is rite!

 

[skidboy]

The *diesel* noise you can hear i bet is the timing chain. If you can hear it slapping around it needs tensioning. If its left it can jump gears and cause problems. If everything else is ok, and later on there is a problem remember you can always give it a heart transplant with a Kubota. But only if the price on the machine is rite!

The peugeot eng. fitted to a 751 runs a timing belt,be careful it can burn you badly. I agree with Mark these were a very costly machine to repair.I would only purchase one with the knowledge that I will have to spend money on the Kubota Conversion at some stage.Then it will be a good machine.

 

[Idoitall]

The peugeot eng. fitted to a 751 runs a timing belt,be careful it can burn you badly. I agree with Mark these were a very costly machine to repair.I would only purchase one with the knowledge that I will have to spend money on the Kubota Conversion at some stage.Then it will be a good machine.

The more I hear the less I like this machine. Do all 751's have the Peugeot engine? If so, I think I might want to avoid this series. I know a lot of the import cars have the timing belt setup and I have heard many stories about them coming apart and destroying the engine.

When I ran across the ad for the machine my 1st thought was "this sounds cheap", especially for a dealer (Not BC). They are asking $7500 and it can be bought for a little less. No wonder if it will need a $4-5,000 engine soon.

 

[WebbCo]

The more I hear the less I like this machine. Do all 751's have the Peugeot engine? If so, I think I might want to avoid this series. I know a lot of the import cars have the timing belt setup and I have heard many stories about them coming apart and destroying the engine.

When I ran across the ad for the machine my 1st thought was "this sounds cheap", especially for a dealer (Not BC). They are asking $7500 and it can be bought for a little less. No wonder if it will need a $4-5,000 engine soon.

No not all 751 are Peugeot powered, only the ones with the 5147 XXXXX serial number.
I remember when we where selling them, we couldnt hardly give them away. I saw 6 to 10
of these machines in a circle with flags and ballons on them, they where selling for 12k!
I think that was way too much! Since then, many of these machines have come back to haunt me and my dealership. Like someone once said, build another machine like the 743 using todays technology and dump the fancy electronics, using the kiss method, (Keep It Simple Stupid) Bobcat couldnt build them fast enought to keep up with the demand.
PS
Bobcats 50th anniversary is in 2008, hope all of you members can find a dealship that will be hosting the Road show that Bobcat is putting on! We at Intermountain Bobcat will be hosting the party in Salt Lake City on July 26, 2008, plus we will be giving away a Bobcat 2200! (rules apply) If your around Utah in that time I invite you to the show!

Mark

 

[Idoitall]

No not all 751 are Peugeot powered, only the ones with the 5147 XXXXX serial number.
I remember when we where selling them, we couldnt hardly give them away. I saw 6 to 10
of these machines in a circle with flags and ballons on them, they where selling for 12k!
I think that was way too much! Since then, many of these machines have come back to haunt me and my dealership. Like someone once said, build another machine like the 743 using todays technology and dump the fancy electronics, using the kiss method, (Keep It Simple Stupid) Bobcat couldnt build them fast enought to keep up with the demand.
PS
Bobcats 50th anniversary is in 2008, hope all of you members can find a dealship that will be hosting the Road show that Bobcat is putting on! We at Intermountain Bobcat will be hosting the party in Salt Lake City on July 26, 2008, plus we will be giving away a Bobcat 2200! (rules apply) If your around Utah in that time I invite you to the show!

Mark

I got a call from the dealer this morning saying they had the 751 repaired and that it was ready to test out. The seat switch was the issue on moving, and a clamp on the fill neck on the fuel leak.

Turns out that the machine ran pretty good, but the fuel leak was still there. Anyway, I had decided to pass, having the knowledgeable input from the forum. Of course they tried to get me to buy now, but I resisted.

Now for the worse news. Yesterday, they traded for a '97 NH Lx665 Turbo machine and wanted me to look at it. WOW!! It looked like new all over. Stored inside and had only 350 hours, and at $9,000, it was a good buy. You could tell that that this machine had been well cared for. The guy just wanted a track machine.

Like an idiot (Idoitall), I told the salesman that I had a couple stops to make and I wanted to think about it a little since that was more than I wanted to spend. He even told me that a wholesaler had looked at it earlier. Right!! About 1-1/2 hours late I decided to buy it, but of course it was GONE!!! (Yes I know, its butt kicking time). Sometimes being a procrastinator has served me well, but not this time.

The search goes on.

 

[Tazza]

I got a call from the dealer this morning saying they had the 751 repaired and that it was ready to test out. The seat switch was the issue on moving, and a clamp on the fill neck on the fuel leak.

Turns out that the machine ran pretty good, but the fuel leak was still there. Anyway, I had decided to pass, having the knowledgeable input from the forum. Of course they tried to get me to buy now, but I resisted.

Now for the worse news. Yesterday, they traded for a '97 NH Lx665 Turbo machine and wanted me to look at it. WOW!! It looked like new all over. Stored inside and had only 350 hours, and at $9,000, it was a good buy. You could tell that that this machine had been well cared for. The guy just wanted a track machine.

Like an idiot (Idoitall), I told the salesman that I had a couple stops to make and I wanted to think about it a little since that was more than I wanted to spend. He even told me that a wholesaler had looked at it earlier. Right!! About 1-1/2 hours late I decided to buy it, but of course it was GONE!!! (Yes I know, its butt kicking time). Sometimes being a procrastinator has served me well, but not this time.

The search goes on.

Keep looking, you will find a machine that you will be happy with!
Just keep looking.
There is no point buying something that you are un-sure about and later regretting the decision!.

 

[pelpel]

I got a call from the dealer this morning saying they had the 751 repaired and that it was ready to test out. The seat switch was the issue on moving, and a clamp on the fill neck on the fuel leak.

Turns out that the machine ran pretty good, but the fuel leak was still there. Anyway, I had decided to pass, having the knowledgeable input from the forum. Of course they tried to get me to buy now, but I resisted.

Now for the worse news. Yesterday, they traded for a '97 NH Lx665 Turbo machine and wanted me to look at it. WOW!! It looked like new all over. Stored inside and had only 350 hours, and at $9,000, it was a good buy. You could tell that that this machine had been well cared for. The guy just wanted a track machine.

Like an idiot (Idoitall), I told the salesman that I had a couple stops to make and I wanted to think about it a little since that was more than I wanted to spend. He even told me that a wholesaler had looked at it earlier. Right!! About 1-1/2 hours late I decided to buy it, but of course it was GONE!!! (Yes I know, its butt kicking time). Sometimes being a procrastinator has served me well, but not this time.

The search goes on.

Hey, you could go back to dealer and offer an amount you'd be ok with if they put in the kubota transplant. The 751 I have is very nimble and has decent capacity. I could not be happier with mine. It is a good machine in my opinion. cheers, Peter

 

[Tazza]

Hey, you could go back to dealer and offer an amount you'd be ok with if they put in the kubota transplant. The 751 I have is very nimble and has decent capacity. I could not be happier with mine. It is a good machine in my opinion. cheers, Peter

I know a contractor that owned a 751 and NEVER had a problem with it. The only time there was a problem was when he blew a radiator hose but a new head and it was back to great operation. From what i hear, they really are a good machine its just the engine thats the problem. With propper servicing it should be good.
The enging transplant does sound like an option, if they would offer a good price with a kubota installed it may still be worth buying. I doubt they would throw it it just to sell it, but may offer it for a price thats too good to pass up. That or keep looking.

 

[Butters]

I know a contractor that owned a 751 and NEVER had a problem with it. The only time there was a problem was when he blew a radiator hose but a new head and it was back to great operation. From what i hear, they really are a good machine its just the engine thats the problem. With propper servicing it should be good.
The enging transplant does sound like an option, if they would offer a good price with a kubota installed it may still be worth buying. I doubt they would throw it it just to sell it, but may offer it for a price thats too good to pass up. That or keep looking.

I have a 751-C that just turned 500 hours. It has never seen really hard work though and has always been stored inside. I understand how bad it would be to replace the engine or parts, so I try to take really good care of it.
The field service guy said the worst enemy of the Peugot's is the timing belt and the best thing you can do is keep them stored inside. He said that if rain, or snow gets to the timing belt and freezes, then you turn over the motor, it will make the timing belt slip a cog and destroy the head. If you can get it cheap enough, like I did, you will probably be happy.