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Possible New Bobcat 863 owner

toomacho

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
114
Location
Dawsonville GA
Occupation
High School Teacher
Hello all!
My name is Mark Tomcho and I live in Dawsonville GA. Looks like there is a lot of knowledge on this site, so I would like to tap in.
I just sold my Kubota L2900 tractor and am on the verge of purchasing a Bobcat 863 (1999?) from a co-worker. It has a little over 2000 hours on it and is very solid. Could use new paint but runs excellent. He says he only wants what he has in it which is $8,000.
I need it to clear running and biking trails around my property and gravel driveway maintenance, and anything else I can think of.
I loved the tractor, and thought of getting another, but think this is an exceptional deal that I should go ahead and get. I drove it for the first time last week and thought is was the coolest outdoor machine that I have ever driven.
Your thoughts and advive is appreciated!
Thank you
 

John DiMartino

Super Moderator
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
94
Location
Walden, NY
Occupation
Greenskeeper/mechanic
Welcome to HEF! It sounds to me like you cant turn down the deal you are being offered. The price is great,as long as it is in good condition,I dont see how you can go wrong for that money.I went from a tractor to a skid steer,and the ability to see the cutting edge of the bucket on a SS is a huge advantage in grading,and anything else to do with the bucket.
 

Molovescompany

New Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
4
Location
Missouri
Agreed!

If you have been using a tractor you will be amazed at the production of a Skid Steer. 863 are good strong loaders, the only thing to think about is hauling, they are much denser than a tractor (an 863 is aproximately 7500 lbs). Good luck! Enjoy....
 

TALLRICK

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
195
Location
florida
The price is on the high end for an older machine, unless it is in really good shape. The Deutz engine is a pain in the butt to find parts for, and watch out for that timing belt. Generally a Bobcat 863 over 10 years old will sell for between 4,000-8,000.00 depending on hours, use etc. That being said the Bobcat 863 is a beast! The engine has double the power of the Kubota you had, and being a radial lift skid steer it has a lot more digging power. Other than checking the machine's condition and negotiating the price for defects, you are going to love the difference between a Bobcat 863 and a small tractor. As mentioned above it is a lot heavier than you think!
 

toomacho

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
114
Location
Dawsonville GA
Occupation
High School Teacher
Thanks for the advice

Thanks for the advice. I went ahead and told the guy that I would take the 863. He is supposed to deliver it today if all goes right.:yup
Hey, I will post pictures when I can, and I'm sure I will have a few more questions for you guys in the next few days!
Thanks again!
 

TALLRICK

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
195
Location
florida
Thanks for the advice. I went ahead and told the guy that I would take the 863. He is supposed to deliver it today if all goes right.:yup
Hey, I will post pictures when I can, and I'm sure I will have a few more questions for you guys in the next few days!
Thanks again!

Congratulations on your purchase. Hope all works out well and pictures would be great! I need to post pictures of my Bobcat project as soon as I get it together. Of course that depends on when I finally get the timing belt and starter ring gear for my engine.
 

bobcatmechanic

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2008
Messages
429
Location
kansas
Occupation
bobcat mechanic
replace the timing belt now not later now hundred dollars for the kit and a few hours at the dealer cause you need alot of expensive tools to put it on money well spent now rather than later when its 10 hrs labor to pull the broken belt out remove the muffler and valve cover replace all 8 push rods and run the overhead also being as its an 863 be ready for the control valve to leak at some point being 10 or more years old the seals are getting brittle and brown they start off green unless it has already been resealed then dont worry about it also g series triangle head lights or square f series look the back of the engine over for oil washing down the back for the head gasket to leak known problem fan drive belt under the cab left side make sure its not laying against the drive belt spring if it is it probably needs a fan drive belt idler puller and possibly the fan drive pulley also 1000 hr service good thing to get done also about a grand for the dealer to do parts and labor at least in missouri just things to look at and be aware of not saying that thats whats wrong or going to be wrong but its pretty common to see on them
 

TALLRICK

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
195
Location
florida
Around here the Bobcat dealer will charge you 180.00 for the timing belt and idler, and doesn't even stock the timing pins to do the job. I forgot about the control valve, that's another thing to check. Definately take the time to pressure clean the machine and look for oil leaks. I also replaced the drive belt idler bearing and greased it because the old one was going bad. Can only imagine the headache associated with locating a Deutz 1011f head gasket. Still amazes me that a Diesel engine would be built so cheap as to have a timing BELT. Every other one I have worked on has steel gears.
 

toomacho

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
114
Location
Dawsonville GA
Occupation
High School Teacher
It's here!

My 863 was delivered last night! I didn't get too much time to play but I did find time to push a few trees down. I was very impressed! I think it will be a much better machine than my Kubota tractor was, at least for my intended use.
Now it's time to follow all the advice given and start looking for problems!
I looked for the basics before purchase, obvious leaks, cracks and so forth and found none. It needs some cosmetic work but seems very solid. Starts and runs smooth and quiet.
Planning to pressure wash today and buy a few cans of paint for the exterrior.
Pictures will be posted soon.
Thanks again for the info!
 

bobcatmechanic

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2008
Messages
429
Location
kansas
Occupation
bobcat mechanic
i dont see how you guys have so much problems with finding parts for the deutz in a bobcat all the dealerships around us have no problem getting them head gaskets heads turbos blocks oil pans what ever you need the dealership has or can order unless you guys don't want to spend money and are looking for the cheap remade parts by a diffrent company that will work not saying that all parts are made poorly but that a little time each week or once a month to look it over and find problems before they arrise to a large expensive problem and alot more down time
 

toomacho

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
114
Location
Dawsonville GA
Occupation
High School Teacher
863 series?

So far so good on my purchase. I ran it all day with no problems.
I was wondering about all the 863 series. Bobcatmechanic was telling some of the differences between a "G" and "F" series with the lights, but I am still not sure about this one.
I found a half torn off sticker that either had C or G on it. The serial # is 514413313* I suspect this is a "C" series machine. Any way to tell for sure short of calling the dealer? It is a turbo and has rectangle front and rear lights. It's still an awesome machine even if it is a little older that I first thought, I just want to know exactly what I have.
 

Tigerotor77W

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2004
Messages
1,014
Location
Michigan
Occupation
Engineer

toomacho

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
114
Location
Dawsonville GA
Occupation
High School Teacher
It's a "C" series

Thanks Tigerotor77W. The upright looks jut like the one on the link.
It's got to be a "C" series. :notworthy
 

willie59

Administrator
Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
13,361
Location
Knoxville TN
Occupation
Service Manager
Be sure and check for cracks around the pin bosses where the bucket dump cylinder attaches to loader frame right in front of operator. Also check the engine oil cooling hoses, heat tends to make them get hard and brittle over time. ;)
 

willie59

Administrator
Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
13,361
Location
Knoxville TN
Occupation
Service Manager
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention this; if your going to use the machine for clearing trees and brush, one of the attachments you should look into buying is a root grapple. You'll find it's one of the handiest tools to do the job. I work on machines for tree cutters and they all say they wouldn't work without one. ;)
 

toomacho

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
114
Location
Dawsonville GA
Occupation
High School Teacher
Better pictures of 863

OK, I just read the instructions on how to post pics.

Before: She looks cosmetically rough but is mechanically sound. Runs great ans I have found no cracks anywhere, and no leaks. Notice the chikens in the cab!
Bobcat.jpg

After a good pressure washing, some wire wheeling, sanding and a few cans of paint.
Bobcat 006.jpg
 

Rayhat

Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
14
Location
NY
My 863 C will not start and I haven't had time to get it going. Cranks like it should just will not go.
 
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