1979 bobcat instrument panel

[Hatch111]

Hi im new to this forum and i just bought a 1979 721 bobcat.There are 2 plugs on the side by front wheel i was told if fluid comes out the top plug its over filled.Anyone have any info on capacity of it

 

[Welder Dave]

Your thread title has nothing to do with your question. Can you post a pic. of the plugs? I'm guessing they could be the fill/level and drain plugs for the chain case.

 

[Hatch111]

The plugs are to the right of that circle cover .The fluid is now even with the top plug.

 

[Welder Dave]

They look to be fill and level plugs but I don't think there's any harm with the oil at that level. If it starts to get higher then there might be a problem with a leaking drive motor.

 

[Hatch111]

Why would it start to get higher if i dont add any.It was overfilled by the guy i bought it from.I drained it until it was even with the plug

 

[Welder Dave]

If a drive motor leaks it can fill up the chain case. If the level stays at the upper plug you should be fine.

 

[Hatch111]

Is there a plug in the drive motor to check the fluid or is the chain case plug the check for everything

 

[Welder Dave]

The drive motor is sealed. It should be flooded with oil at all times. If it doesn't have oil will cause catastrophic failure. If the seals on a drive motor blow out can leak oil into the chain case. Usually but not always if the drive motor leaks it's because of internal damage.

The chain case has oil to lube the chain(s) that go to the wheels. If the hyd. oil stays the same level you are good. If the hyd. oil level goes down and you can't see any leaks, it's likely a drive motor has blown a seal and is leaking. The chain case oil level can't go higher unless there's a leak into it. However if rain or water from cleaning the machine finds it way into the chain case, the oil level will increase. If the oil level in the chain case stays constant everything is good. If the level goes up and hyd. oil level stays the same, it's most likely water got into the chain case. To check for water, you could loosen a drain plug for the chain case if it has one. If it doesn't have a drain plug you could put a long clear hose that reaches to the bottom of the chain case through the upper plug and connect it to a suction gun or small manual pump. A suction gun is similar to a grease gun except is used to extract fluid. Water will sit at the bottom of the chain case. If none of this is possible, you'd have to pull the wheels and open up the chain case to check for water and/or a leaking drive motor.

 

[Hatch111]

The drive motor is sealed. It should be flooded with oil at all times. If it doesn't have oil will cause catastrophic failure. If the seals on a drive motor blow out can leak oil into the chain case. Usually but not always if the drive motor leaks it's because of internal damage.

The chain case has oil to lube the chain(s) that go to the wheels. If the hyd. oil stays the same level you are good. If the hyd. oil level goes down and you can't see any leaks, it's likely a drive motor has blown a seal and is leaking. The chain case oil level can't go higher unless there's a leak into it. However if rain or water from cleaning the machine finds it way into the chain case, the oil level will increase. If the oil level in the chain case stays constant everything is good. If the level goes up and hyd. oil level stays the same, it's most likely water got into the chain case. To check for water, you could loosen a drain plug for the chain case if it has one. If it doesn't have a drain plug you could put a long clear hose that reaches to the bottom of the chain case through the upper plug and connect it to a suction gun or small manual pump. A suction gun is similar to a grease gun except is used to extract fluid. Water will sit at the bottom of the chain case. If none of this is possible, you'd have to pull the wheels and open up the chain case to check for water and/or a leaking drive motor.

Thanks for that excellent infornation!