Buying Advice Bobcat E42 Got Some Squeal

[PearOrchard]

I've been looking at a used Bobcat E42 for use around the farm. Everything works fine: It starts, digs, drives, swivels, little to no play anywhere, and the tracks a in good condition. However, it has quite a bit of squealing when operating anything hydraulic. I don't have a lot of knowledge diagnosing excavators, but could that be a simple filter change? Or something bigger like the pump?

 

[laurencen]

how many hours, could be a bad filter

 

[PearOrchard]

It's a 2013 with only 1850hrs. Also, it was an ex-rental so I'm a little hesitant.

 

[Jabonee]

I've been looking at a used Bobcat E42 for use around the farm. Everything works fine: It starts, digs, drives, swivels, little to no play anywhere, and the tracks a in good condition. However, it has quite a bit of squealing when operating anything hydraulic. I don't have a lot of knowledge diagnosing excavators, but could that be a simple filter change? Or something bigger like the pump?

Did you check the hyd fluid level? After running the unit is there foam in the sight glass? Is the correct cap on the hyd tank? Excavators use a non vented cap. Could be a filter but remember Bobcats cool and filter last. Supply to pump dose not pass through a filter.

 

[PearOrchard]

Did you check the hyd fluid level? After running the unit is there foam in the sight glass? Is the correct cap on the hyd tank? Excavators use a non vented cap. Could be a filter but remember Bobcats cool and filter last. Supply to pump dose not pass through a filter.

There was a little foam. I'm not sure if it has the correct cap. Are you suggesting air in the system? Would running it for a year with air in the system ruin a pump?

 

[Jabonee]

There was a little foam. I'm not sure if it has the correct cap. Are you suggesting air in the system? Would running it for a year with air in the system ruin a pump?

There should be ZERO foam. Air in the system will cause cavitation. That's the sound you are hearing. IT will Destroy pumps and valves ! Make sure clamps on suction lines are tight. Look at the bottom cap . It should be solid. Make sure the filter is tight. May want to replace it for giggles. :thumbsup:

 

[johncanfield]

Record video, visit your local Bobcat dealer and play it for them. They should be willing to help since you could be a potential service customer. By the way, I ordered a new E42 with cab a few weeks ago for general use around the ranch and just had a call from the dealer that it’s built and should be headed here very soon.

I think the E42 is a good model in the Bobcat range, it is classed as a 4.5 ton model (about 9,400 pounds depending on options) and can be pulled by a 3/4 or one ton truck. It has very good specs - good breakout and lift force. You would really want a hydraulic thumb (or clamp as Bobcat calls it) and hydraulic Xchange- change buckets from the operator station.

Yanmar and Kubota make excellent mini excavators, Deere and Cat as well. Buy what you can get serviced locally which is why I passed by Cat and Yanmar.