My bobcat just died

unclesalty · Jul 23, 2011

I need some help, I was mowing for an hour or so this morning. I quit for lunch and tried to start the tractor about an hour later. It just turns over but won't fire up. Ive drained the fuel bowl, cleaned the filter. Ive checked the engine fuse and made sure all the safeties are correct. Ive got an almost full tank.
Got any suggestions? Its a 225 w/224 hours and I'm about 2 weeks from the end of my warranty.
Thanks

SSdoxie · Jul 23, 2011

If you have verified good fuel supply to pump, fuel filter valve is in "run" position not "off" or "air" (for bleeding) and you are getting 12 volts to fuel solenoid, beet to call you dealer in the morning to have them check it out. Dealer needs to make the repair if warranty is going to cover it.

unclesalty · Jul 26, 2011

Well,The dealer sent a repair truck. 2 hours later the mechanic "thinks its the fuel pump". He hasn't repaired many tractors, so he's going to start throwing parts at it. I'm calling the office to try and get a loaner as I think this repair is going to take some time if its not the fuel pump. Luckily this happened just at the end of my warranty.

kco · Jul 26, 2011

unclesalty said:
Well,The dealer sent a repair ruck. 2 hours later the mechanic "thinks its the fuel pump". He hasn't repaired many tractors, so he's going to start throwing parts at it. I'm calling the office to try and get a loaner as I think this repair is going to take some time if its not the fuel pump. Luckily this happened just at the end of my warranty.

I had the same problem twice with my Kioti DK35 and there is a thread about that here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...g/210208-kioti-hard-starting.html#post2409683

It seemed to be the fuel stop solenoid. Do you get that familiar "clack" when you turn on the ignition key? The symptoms happened twice on mine a couple of weeks apart, but it has been fine since. Mine is a new tractor and I'm hoping it is simply a tight tolerance on the solenoid and it has fixed itself.

unclesalty · Jul 26, 2011

I checked all the fuses and relays, I replaced the fuel filter and removed and tested the fuel sol. I tested to fuel pump output and the flow seemed very weak. I dont know what the pressure should be but it took 5 mins of cranking to fill the bowl.
I told all this to the repair guy and he retested everything again before thinking it may be my fuel pump. He said he fixed mostly skid steers and larger diesels. He told me several stories of recent problems he just couldnt figure out :confused2:!
When he gets it running I'm going to have him check the bat voltage. I noticed my (new bobcat) battery is leaking and blowing back on the oil cooler. If its all good I'll have to bite the bullet and get an interstate battery replacement. (thanks for the info Wallace!)
I'm going to call the dealer about a loaner, Ive got pastures to cut and manure to move.

wallace · Jul 26, 2011

Can really tell the tech to change out the injector pump. But that's more than likely what it needs. We have changed out pumps at customers houses. Takes about 2 hours maybe 3 plus for someone that has not done it before.

High Compression · Jul 26, 2011

unclesalty said:
I need some help, I was mowing for an hour or so this morning. I quit for lunch and tried to start the tractor about an hour later. It just turns over but won't fire up. Ive drained the fuel bowl, cleaned the filter. Ive checked the engine fuse and made sure all the safeties are correct. Ive got an almost full tank.
Got any suggestions? Its a 225 w/224 hours and I'm about 2 weeks from the end of my warranty.
Thanks

Out of warranty already? What is the warranty on a Bobcat tractor anyway? My Kubotas are 1500 hrs and five yrs drive-train.

unclesalty · Jul 28, 2011

My dealer ordered the fuel and injector pump. Both parts are on backorder...
No eta on arrival. Yow. No help with a loaner.
I'm off to craigslist to find a deal on a tractor with a loader to use in the meantime.

Lockport · Aug 2, 2011

High Compression said:
Out of warranty already? What is the warranty on a Bobcat tractor anyway? My Kubotas are 1500 hrs and five yrs drive-train.

My old BX2230 was 24mo. Most Kubotas are 12 or 24 mo or 1500 hours and some only 12mo if commercial use is invloved. Only the big M and MX's, 24 mo or 2000 hours, have 36mo or 3000 hrs on the powertrain.

If you have 5 years on the drive train you may have purchased an extended warranty from the dealer/

Kubota Limited Warranty

unclesalty · Aug 3, 2011

I had both repair trucks yesterday. The first one who diagnosed the problem replaced the fuel pump and the shut off valve. Tractor still wouldn't start. He played around for a couple of hours. The second truck showed up and determined it was the injector pump within minutes. The dealer did not order the injector pump as stated. I'm now waiting on the arrival of the pump. I requested that the second mechanic be the one to install it.
I wonder...Will bobcat reimburse the dealer for 3 service calls, 5 hours labor and the price of the wrong parts?

Lockport · Aug 3, 2011

It's probably the solenoid. Is it "clicking" one time when you turn the key? Usually a solenoid will have a fuse, too, so if you are not hearing that loud "click" when you turn the key, check for a solenoid fuse. I don't kniow for sure a s I haven't owned mine long enough but I would be assured to say this is a definite possibility. Good Luck!:thumbsup:

SSdoxie · Aug 4, 2011

Lockport said:
My old BX2230 was 24mo. Most Kubotas are 12 or 24 mo or 1500 hours and some only 12mo if commercial use is invloved. Only the big M and MX's, 24 mo or 2000 hours, have 36mo or 3000 hrs on the powertrain.

If you have 5 years on the drive train you may have purchased an extended warranty from the dealer/

Kubota Limited Warranty

Standard warranty on the Bobcat tractor is 24 months/2000 hrs. (whichever occurs first) full coverage, plus an additional year up to 2000 hrs. Powertrain warranty. The fuel injection pump is covered under the Powertrain warranty.

newhouse5148la · Aug 28, 2011

Hi,

I have a CT335 and went out to use it the other day and it didn't start--I checked the fuel solinoid fuse , pulled side panels off and pushed on all wiring harness connectors and tried again--I did this several times-- then out of the blue it started-- And it has stated and ran every time since--now my question.. Did this ever happen to you at anytime before your tractor died?

thanks,

Newhouse

Canada_CT230 · Aug 28, 2011

A lot of safety switches on these machines. Always start there...my CT230 did this a couple of times and it was the neutral position on the travel pedal. Blocked up with moisture and ice. Without it in neutral it won't turn over.

tcartwri · Aug 30, 2011

unclesalty said:
I need some help, I was mowing for an hour or so this morning. I quit for lunch and tried to start the tractor about an hour later. It just turns over but won't fire up. Ive drained the fuel bowl, cleaned the filter. Ive checked the engine fuse and made sure all the safeties are correct. Ive got an almost full tank.
Got any suggestions? Its a 225 w/224 hours and I'm about 2 weeks from the end of my warranty.
Thanks

Bypass the ignition switch. See this thread

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/bobcat-tractors/198731-15hr-ct235-ign-switch-failure.html

SSdoxie · Aug 31, 2011

Take the fuel solenoid off. Two bolts hold it on the injection pump, with it remove fuel rack will shift to run position. If it still truns over and will not fire, call your dealer. Is probably a pump problem.

Note: How old is the tractor. Warranty on the injection pump, if that is the problem, is 3 years.

unclesalty · Sep 4, 2011

Just an update, The second mechanic showed up with the new injector pump and spent 2 hours installing it. He worked on the tractor outside through the worst thunder and lightning storm I've seen in a while. It did not rain though.
The tractor is back up and running 3 weeks after my first call to bobcat.
The mechanic also said I needed a few more parts. they came today along with a bill for 348.00. I called the dealer for clarification. They charged me for both mechanic visits $100.00ea and shipping for all the parts they ordered $148.00.
(included 1 hydraulic filter-the cheap one). the other filter I ordered was never shipped or billed. I told the dealer I was not paying for the first visit or the parts that were ordered because of it. The owner of the shop will be in touch they said. I also want them to send a truck or send a repair manual to install the extra parts I just got at no charge. ( Ive got a bag with o rings, housing idle adjust, springs and gaskets) The tractor is running great without these parts right now though...

milkman636 · Sep 4, 2011

I can understand the field service charges. The warranty might specify repairs at the dealer facility, transport being your responsibility. It might be good to review what the warranty says before talking with the owner.

But, charging shipping for warranty replacement parts seems ridiculous to me. How could they replace any warranty part without shipping the part to the dealer????? Logically it seems like Bobcat should be covering the shipping.