03 bobcat s150 problems,

[IWantATurbo]

just got an 03 bobcat s150 it is jumpy as hell!!! it is not drivable on bumpy tearan, it hurks and jurks so bad it trys to throw you out!!!! i know very little about them but all the other ones i have drove are not like this?

is it just the way it is or is there somthing i can do to fix it? right now i can kinda drive it at an idle but any thing over that i feel i might die in this thing?

 

[Good to Go]

How many hours on the machine..? Got a couple of options/ideas for you.

 

[zach477]

You check the end line specs on the rotary girder?

 

[augerin]

I have a Bobcat trencher that gets a little jerky if it is low on hydrolic fluid you might take a look at that.

 

[IWantATurbo]

it has i think 1400 hours on it. it is very tight and looks brand new, was not aboused!!!

You check the end line specs on the rotary girder? you when way over my head!!! LOL

have checked the fluid but will again!!!

 

[IWantATurbo]

fluid is full.

 

[Himark]

Opererator...

Gets to bucking to much let go of controls. Want to prove its operator just go WFO across same terrain holding sticks to max fwd position without letting off. If it does this without jerkyness it is operator. It most likely is the terrain jerking your arms on controls.

 

[zach477]

You check the end line specs on the rotary girder? you when way over my head!!! LOL

You ever seen Tommy Boy?.....goggle that quote and giggle like a little girl (like i just did)

 

[Good to Go]

Opererator...

Gets to bucking to much let go of controls. Want to prove its operator just go WFO across same terrain holding sticks to max fwd position without letting off. If it does this without jerkyness it is operator. It most likely is the terrain jerking your arms on controls.

Bingo...

with only 1400hrs, the machine is probably pretty tight throughout. The bumpy road transmits to your movements on the controls. It's common and goes away with time (read e x p e r i e n c e... ). At the very least, run the thing at least at 1/2 throttle. Slow RPM's make the jerkiness magnify.

Do you have standard controls (motion on the sticks, not joy?). If so, don't squeeze the handles like a ski pole. Use your fingers to push/pull the levers. "Feel" it talking to you as it drives.

When you hit 10000 hrs on one, report back...

 

[IWantATurbo]

the jd and the cat i had where tight (low hours) and they did not do this at all over the same trail. it is almost inposable to carry dirt in the bucket with this thing!!!!

 

[Good to Go]

It's just an educated guess... It could be mechanical, but most likely not. I've ran lot's of different brands, but Bobcat's are sensitive. It's a great benefit, but not forgiving. IMHO

And you can't beat the Kubota engines they stick in those things. They're good machines.

IF, your full throttle is to high, it could contribute/create a problem. Slim change though. Easy to check: just pull the throttle back a hair from full. If problem disappears, your R's might be to high. Wouldn't wager as the problem though.

Again, which controls do you have..?

 

[IWantATurbo]

it does it at an idle it does it much worse the higher off idle you go!!! i have both hand and feet controls. on the other steers i have ran i always have it set on hand but this thing i dump the load every where if its on hand so i have the hand locked out and have it on feet right now. im no professional at driving these things but i can do it and have 100 plus hours in different ones. i have bruises from this thing it is violent!!! there was 3 times that i just let go of every thing and held on for dear life as i rag dolled around the cab!!!!

 

[IWantATurbo]

if this thing is normal and its just me, i could be the best jd or cat sales man on the planet!!!! i would just set this one out side let them move some dirt with the deere then let them try this one i would sell the deere every time!!!!! LMAO

 

[Good to Go]

The way you describe it, like a dang rodeo...I want VIDEO ...!

Of course, if it turns out to be mechanical...well, it'd make you feel better. lol

But the repair bill would suck. Me, I'd hope it was me, the operator. It's cheaper that way.

 

[Blu Du]

if it's not the driver it is a hydro problem. you can see hydro oil in the sight glass?. if you can it's probally bad pump. if both sides do it i would think the drive motors are fine.if it was loose chains you would know what that feels like and could hear that. wait till you need to buy parts. most come from over seas and are pricey. then bobcat wonders why they have alot of there factory shutdown. i have a t-250 and have spent 5500 this year on a drive motor an ideler wheel and a hydrolic block.fawk bobcat. i think i will try that new 277 cat

 

[catmandoo]

how big is a 150? I have been on lots of bobcats and cat's and the smaller the worse they were for being jumpy, the last one I was on was a 257 cat with tracks and it was super smooth.

 

[Good to Go]

S150 is a wheel skid, about 6000#'s. Tracks will always be smoother.

 

[snowbunny chaser]

my toyota skid steer is a bit bucky also. I never drive it at full throttle and you have to steer with your fingers. it doesn't have a suspension so naturaly it will be rough riding. also it will buck more if you drive with the bucket up. keep the bucket down and it will be al bit smoother.

 

[IWantATurbo]

thanks for the ideas!!!! im in this one at a good price may just put it for sale and if i sellit run like hell from bobcat!!!!! LOL

 

[Numbnuts918]

Worst case you can always take it to the bar Friday & Saturday nights with a horse saddle strapped to the top & charge for rides? I know when I squeezed my fat arse into a smaller loader I dang near did a front flip with dirt in the bucket. Picture Chris Farley's "Fat guy in a little coat" sketch for a visual.