I drove a new Bobcat 230 yesterday,and was wondering if anyone thinks it is a little under powered? When I drove through deep snow( up to and higher than the axles) the tires didnt spin they just stoped turning. I dont much about hydro trans on a tractor, but that didnt seem right, the dealer said it shouldnt do that, it should spin.I tried med and low range did the same in both ranges. Thanks for any imput.
bobcat 230 under powered?
- Thread starter mikewest
- Start date
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Fred Barbour
Silver Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2010
- Messages
- 113
- Location
- East Kootenays, British Columbia
- Tractor
- 2009 Bobcat CT 235
Something seems to be wrong. I have a Ct 235 and just cut a trail around our property with a 5 ft. box blade. I made the trail for my wife could have a place to hack the horses. We have too much snow otherwise.
I was in snow over a foot deep cutting a trail with the box blade down, in second range. I pulled over every 20 or 30 feet to dump the load and return to the trail. The tractor was definately working hard, the engine lugged a bit showing the weight of the load considering I was also pushing snow over the axels. The tractor did bog down when it got really deep and the wheels started to spin. Two passes and I was done.
In short, this size of tractor is a tank! Mine has Ag tires, "NOT" loaded with a front end loader. Your Ct 230 although 5 less hp should have similar performance.
Fred
I was in snow over a foot deep cutting a trail with the box blade down, in second range. I pulled over every 20 or 30 feet to dump the load and return to the trail. The tractor was definately working hard, the engine lugged a bit showing the weight of the load considering I was also pushing snow over the axels. The tractor did bog down when it got really deep and the wheels started to spin. Two passes and I was done.
In short, this size of tractor is a tank! Mine has Ag tires, "NOT" loaded with a front end loader. Your Ct 230 although 5 less hp should have similar performance.
Fred
If the machine was dead cold when you tried that, I could see it stalling out like that. The Hydro pump needs a little bit of heat in it to work properly.
I backdragged my blower through about 12" of snow to break a trail around the property. It didn't have any trouble doing that in mid range.
I backdragged my blower through about 12" of snow to break a trail around the property. It didn't have any trouble doing that in mid range.
VictorW
Veteran Member
Something wasn't right with the tractor. Either it wasn't warmed up as mentioned or the pressure relief valve for the hydro isn't set right. I have a Kioti CK30hst, should be the same setup as the CT230, and run chains on all four for snow plowing. I've driven it in deep snow around 18-20 inches deep and it will go through it in high range if you're already moving or medium range from a stop and start. Had recently a heavy wetter snow with drifts that were 2' high and I used the fel to start cleaning right from the garage knowing that the tractor could easily move it in medium range. The hydro trans worked but to my surprise, the engine bogged down. Low range was no better. It was cold, 25'F, and I didn't wait long enough for the engine to warm up. I gave it 5 more minutes at 1500 rpm and the drifts were no match for the tractor. You need to run the engine rpms at a minimum of 2000 to get full pressure from the hydro trans. I've never had to use low range for plowing snow. Medium works well even with the chains biting in. With a four to six inch snow, the tractor can handle it in high range. I hope this helps a little. My tractor is a 2005 that I bought new and it's worked well for the past 6 years of heavy Winter snows. We usually get 100 inches for the season. If you check, the CT235 like the CK35hst is actually 34hp. I wish they would use the same engine that's in the Kioti DK35hst which is 38hp. It's a hydro but the size of the Bobcat 335.
Dmace
Elite Member
What RPM's was the tractor at? Keep in mind, an HST transmission should never be used below 2000 RPM's as it won't have the necessary hydraulic pressure. Also, was the e-brake on? I've done this numerous times. 
Canada_CT230
Platinum Member
I have a CT230, and have no HP issues...plenty of power. Remember that a new engine is not broke in and won't develop full HP.
Canada_CT230
Platinum Member
I changed engine oil/filter at 25, 50, 100 hours. All other oil is at 50 hr change out.
Work the engine but try to avoid long periods at same RPM. Work it at varying RPMs.
You'll notice more power probably with 50+ hours on it.
Work the engine but try to avoid long periods at same RPM. Work it at varying RPMs.
You'll notice more power probably with 50+ hours on it.
LD1
Epic Contributor
If it didn't stall out the engine you still had power. I agree that something wasnt right. Probabally for one of the reasons listed above. But until the engine stalls, you arent out of power.:thumbsup:
I have experienced the same thing when I first got my tractor. I was running the engine at less than 2000 rpm. I have 66 hrs. on the tractor now and have run between 2000-2500 rpm while running a rear snowblower. Seems to have plenty of power now, but I have not driven it in deep snow recently.
