willie59
Administrator
A common problem with Bobcat skid machines is Power Bob-Tach not working. There's a couple of things that can cause this problem, this is a thread that will discuss a few things one should look at when troubleshooting the problem. I must warn you that if you have to actually work on the control valve that operates the power bob-tach, it's located deep in the bowels of the machine, an absolute PITA to get to. If you're a person that typically exibits restrained demeanor and refrains from using swear words, well, you will use them once you start working on this thing.
The first thing one should do is make sure that the bob-tach cylinder is actually not working and problem is not caused by stuck locking pins on bucket coupler, make sure the attachment locking pins work freely. If you've determined the bob-tach cylinder is not working, remove the center console in cab that has the bob-tach control switch. Turn the ignition on, engine not running, test the center terminal on switch with a test light to make sure the circuit has power. If terminal tests good, place the tip of test light in the two out board teminals on switch, operate switch to make sure it's working proper.
Once you've confirmed power is good and switch is working proper, it's time to start using the aforementioned swear words. Start machine, raise the loader arms fully and fit the loader arm safety prop on right side of machine, shut down machine. Raise the cab and lock into raised position. If you have an access cover on right side of machine behind arm lift cylinder, remove that cover. Not all Bobcat machines have this access cover, if it's not on your machine, you're going to have to do repairs by diving in under cab, this case requires swear words followed by exclamation points.
Now locate the valve that operates the Power Bob-Tach. With the cab raised, looking from front of machine toward rear, you'll see the hydraulic pumps in the center of the machine. The pumps in the center with large hoses going to them are the drive pumps. Mouted to the rear of drive pumps, to the left side, is the work equipment pump that operates loader functions.
If you look at the work pump, on the backside of pump, yes, so deep in the machine that you can nearly feel the fires of Hell burning back there, you'll find the solenoid valve that operates the power bob-tatch.
This view is looking down the backside of the work pump, there's the two coils that operate the solenoid valve.
This view is looking from right side, there's so much stuff in the way it's very difficult to get good pics of the control valve.
The first thing one should do is make sure that the bob-tach cylinder is actually not working and problem is not caused by stuck locking pins on bucket coupler, make sure the attachment locking pins work freely. If you've determined the bob-tach cylinder is not working, remove the center console in cab that has the bob-tach control switch. Turn the ignition on, engine not running, test the center terminal on switch with a test light to make sure the circuit has power. If terminal tests good, place the tip of test light in the two out board teminals on switch, operate switch to make sure it's working proper.
Once you've confirmed power is good and switch is working proper, it's time to start using the aforementioned swear words. Start machine, raise the loader arms fully and fit the loader arm safety prop on right side of machine, shut down machine. Raise the cab and lock into raised position. If you have an access cover on right side of machine behind arm lift cylinder, remove that cover. Not all Bobcat machines have this access cover, if it's not on your machine, you're going to have to do repairs by diving in under cab, this case requires swear words followed by exclamation points.
Now locate the valve that operates the Power Bob-Tach. With the cab raised, looking from front of machine toward rear, you'll see the hydraulic pumps in the center of the machine. The pumps in the center with large hoses going to them are the drive pumps. Mouted to the rear of drive pumps, to the left side, is the work equipment pump that operates loader functions.
If you look at the work pump, on the backside of pump, yes, so deep in the machine that you can nearly feel the fires of Hell burning back there, you'll find the solenoid valve that operates the power bob-tatch.
This view is looking down the backside of the work pump, there's the two coils that operate the solenoid valve.
This view is looking from right side, there's so much stuff in the way it's very difficult to get good pics of the control valve.