CT4xxx HST Series Q & A

[AZShawn]

There don't seem to be many 4xxx series threads out here, and I had so many questions prior to the purchase that I could not really find answers for (and new ones now that I have one) I thought I should start a Q&A thread.

I recently purchased my first tractor - a 2020 CT4058, with a BH-86 backhoe, Bobcat 72" box blade, and Bradco 48" heavy duty pallet forks. I have a 2nd rear remote kit and a factory 3rd function kit (have not actually installed either of those yet, but it looks fun.)

I am not a professional, trained, or highly experienced operator, but all together I have several hundred hours on backhoes (35-95 HP) and 3-5 ton mini excavators, so I can at least compare the Bobcat to those.

So far I have about 20 hours on the tractor, about half and half between the backhoe (pretty strong for a compact tractor backhoe) and box blade, so I don't have any reviews from a reliability standpoint yet (except that you must, MUST, go over all the bolts and nuts periodically and make sure they are tight, especially on the front loader, and anything else the dealer attached.)

I have spent a ton of time online doing as much research as I could about the 4xxx series, (and the corresponding Kioti DK/NX models), and learned a lot, but many questions were only answered after I could put my hands and eyes on the tractor.

-Shawn

 

[tman1020]

Nice looking tractor. I have a 2012 ct225. It’s an awesome little tractor. However I always considered sizing up to the 4/5 series. Just recently had a guy locally put up a kioti dk 45. For sale same year with similar hours.
I think he would do a fair trade with me if I chose to. But I can’t seem to bring myself to let go of my 225. ‍

 

[MoKelly]

I’m right with you. I have a 2012 CT 235.

It’s been so good for me I hate to think about departing company.

MoKelly

 

[tman1020]

Are you happy with the size you chose for the tasks that you have?

 

[AZShawn]

Are you happy with the size you chose for the tasks that you have?

So far it's pretty awesome. There are, of course, things I can't lift, and holes too big to dig effectively with the backhoe (like my house foundation) which is when I rent the bigger equipment (New Holland B95B is a beast!). I loaded some huge stumps today... like 20" ponderosa and juniper, and had no trouble lifting them to full height and dropping into a dump trailer. The box blade is unstoppable, and I added a hydraulic top-link yesterday, which makes the blade 10x more useful, especially while I am raising my 400 foot driveway about a foot with fill from the foundation dig. Last week I used the backhoe to dig out a couple of (estimated) 2-3 ton boulders (had to roll them aside, since the loader can't even dream of lifting them.) I am actually pretty impressed with the BH86 backhoe power. It doesn't have the reach of a mini-ex, but it is no toy either. Yesterday I unloaded a full 100 gallon diesel transfer tank with the forks, and the loader didn't even break a sweat.

 

[AZShawn]

I received the my CT4xxx series Service Manual the other day. I have to say, I think it is worth the $$ for me. The manual comes in a loose-leaf 3-hole binder, about 1.5 inches thick with lots of color pictures and diagrams, electrical and hydraulics schematics, theory of operation of all the subsystems, and torque specs, in addition to all of the service procedures. Between this book and the online parts catalog ( Bobcat Genuine Parts Catalog – Official Bobcat Company site ), the only thing really lacking is actual sizes and specs for parts like o-rings. (At 28.7 hrs I blew an o-ring on the hydraulic block which is the first stop after the pump. It appears that the factory pinched the o-ring during assembly. Yes, warranty issue, however, the dealer is 75 miles away, so instead of either hauling the tractor or paying hourly for field service, I spent $0.53 each for a couple of new o-rings and replaced them myself.)

-Shawn

 

[thunder86]

I'm looking into buying a ct4045 with backhoe. What is the width from tire to tire? I looked online and the overall width is 70 inches but when the dealer quoted me a tiller and box blade it was 60". They don't have any on the lot and just wondering if 60" will cover the tire tracks.

 

[thunder86]

Also I thought the 4,000 series came standard with a rear hydraulic remote hookup?

 

[DK35vince]

I'm looking into buying a ct4045 with backhoe. What is the width from tire to tire? I looked online and the overall width is 70 inches but when the dealer quoted me a tiller and box blade it was 60". They don't have any on the lot and just wondering if 60" will cover the tire tracks.

I recommend 72" box blade and tiller to cover your tracks

 

[AZShawn]

I'm looking into buying a ct4045 with backhoe. What is the width from tire to tire? I looked online and the overall width is 70 inches but when the dealer quoted me a tiller and box blade it was 60". They don't have any on the lot and just wondering if 60" will cover the tire tracks.

The actual width depends on the tires. I have R4 tires, and the rear width is really close to 70. I have a 72" box blade so I can blade the full tire track width. Ag tires are narrower.
P.S.

The 72" Bobcat box blade is really heavy-duty. I don't have any worries about that breaking or bending any time soon.