Skid steer loaders have a long history of being regarded as the most adaptable construction and farming equipment available. Because of how they turn, these vehicles are given the nickname “Skid Steer.”
Compared to huge articulated loaders, front-end loaders, and larger excavators, skid steers are very mobile and manageable due to their compact size and low weight. Even while buckets are included on most skid steers, that’s not all they can accomplish!
This gadget is an excellent all-day worker on a construction site, and its essential bucket attachment is ideal for hauling scrap and loose aggregate materials. Joystick controls in skid steers make them easier to work than larger heavy machinery. You don’t need to be exceptionally skillful to use it.
When it comes to landscaping and other earthwork projects, skid steers have a wide variety of useful accessories to choose from. The diversity of skid steer usage also makes it the best fit to use in every kind of project. Undoubtedly, the skid steer is a pretty handy and cost-effective machine to have!
An infinite number of manufacturing companies have been launching skid steers for a very long time. The Bobcat is one of them. Since its early roots as a family business, Bobcat has grown to become the leading skid steer manufacturer in the United States.
Any curious minds to know about Bobcat out there? Let’s not waste any time and get to the meat of the matter!
Bobat- All You Need To Know
Bobcat has been at the forefront of the construction equipment business for almost 60 years because of its innovative and high-quality skid-steer loaders.
Considering this, it’s not surprising that their skid-steer loaders are the most popular on the market. Each Bobcat skid-steer loader is designed to give you a hand and make your work easier.
They make rugged, elegant, and adaptable machinery, and so do the people who work for the Bobcat brand. When used on even the most challenging construction sites, Bobcat machinery instills a feeling of pride and boosts morale.
The company’s equipment has always been the gold standard for reliability and output.
Like every other machinery, Bobcat does not prevent to introduce perfect skid steers. People have recently reported that their bobcat skid steer is causing a power issue. If your Bobcat skid steer also shows no power to key, here are the practices to deal with it. Let’s dive deeper into them!
With Bobcat Skid Steer No Power Key – Practices To Deal With It
- Check Fuse
If this happens, the first thing to do is ensure the fuse is still good. Verify that there are no blown fuses in the main panel. The fuse’s efficiency may be verified using a multimeter. To figure out what’s wrong with your skid steer, double-check the power on both ends of the fuse.
It is unnecessary to replace the fuses if the voltage on both sides of the skid steer remains stable and stays within the safe operating range.
If the gap is too wide and the voltage drops out at the other end of the fuse, however, a new one will need to be installed in the skid steer. To fix the Bobcat’s blown fuse, just visit your local hardware shop.
Some consumers have complained that whenever they attempt to turn on power key of Bobcat skid steer, the wiring fuse blows immediately. It’s frustrating to wait to use the skid steer until the fuses are changed.
Some users, however, continue to have this problem even after a new fuse has been installed.
According to several specialists, a faulty sensor surrounding the throttle linkage is the root cause of this specific problem. Since this sensor is easily accessible next to the motor, it must be changed quickly. In other words, after doing that, the skid steer ought to function perfectly.
- Check Battery Status
It doesn’t matter whether the fuse is good; if the battery isn’t producing enough power, the skid steer won’t either. Since none of the fuses have blown, checking the battery’s voltage is the next logical step. At this stage, you may also use a multimeter to measure the battery pack’s current output.
If the voltage at the battery terminals is within the specified range, the wiring cluster may be at fault. However, if the battery is not providing enough power, you will need to replace it. However, the expense of a new battery may quickly add up and put a severe dent in your savings.
But there’s hope that if you swap out the batteries in your Bobcat, it will begin functioning again.
Sometimes the most feasible solutions are hidden in the most unlikely places. A low starter voltage can also be the cause of the skid steer not working.
The ideal and suitable starter voltage for the skid steer is around 12. If you think that the starter voltage would be the issue, go and check it out immediately! A multimeter can be used for this.
You only need to line up the multimeter’s probes next to the wires on your device and check the reading. If your starter’s voltage is low, you must fix it to get it working.
Sometimes steer-ride stops working because it has reached the end of its life span. Components inside the battery can malfunction, or environmental factors such as high humidity levels may expose moisture inside the unit and result in a short circuit.
However, it does imply that any battery of the skid steer is damaged, and the replacement of the battery will function the skid steer again.
But what if the battery is alright, and the skid steer is still not functioning correctly? That means that your skid steer is faulty. And unfortunately, you might have to change it.
- Engine Don’t Start
This engine issue usually comes first when discussing any skid steer issue. The Bobcat is powered by a diesel engine mounted at the back of the machine. The fuel system or the glow plugs are usually at blame if the engine turns over but won’t start.
As a whole, the fuel system includes the tank itself, the fuel line, and the fuel filters. It’s possible for any of these parts to be at fault or even for them all to break down simultaneously.
That being said, you must examine them all. Filters on bobcat skid steers have a limited lifespan and will need to be changed at periodic intervals.
More frequent swapping is required if you are working in a dusty environment. Not doing so increases the risk of the filter being clogged or broken, which in turn increases the risk of contaminated fuel and poor engine performance. Make sure there are no fuel leaks. The ones that are broken should be fixed.
When you’re done inspecting the fuel filter, go on to the fuel tank . The engine’s power will suffer if fuel is unable to make it from the tank to the fuel injector.
Fill the diesel tank up to the correct level. In the event of a loss of fuel rail pressure, whether from a blocked filter or any other cause, the engine will be deprived of its fuel supply. You should check that the fuel injector is clear and in excellent working order.
If things aren’t too dire, thoroughly cleaning these parts should be enough to restore functionality. However, it is occasionally needed to replace the whole system, which may be rather expensive.
A malfunctioning engine may also result from a glow plug with an open or short circuit. It’s possible that the switch or glow plug relay is broken and needs to be replaced. Professional examination is required to determine the cause of the glow plug failure.
In addition, you should check that the engine’s throttle cable is correctly fastened to the throttle body and that all of the engine’s wiring and connection pins are free of corrosion and damage.
- Check Wiring Cluster
First, look at the connection points and wiring clusters to find out what’s causing the problem with the voltage level. Take care of rusty connections and damaged wiring hubs by replacing them and cleaning the connection points with new wires.
If the wirings are completely fine now, ensure the suitable start voltage is provided to the skid steer. Then, try to start it again. Hopefully, it will start working without causing any more problems.
But before getting the connections exchanged, make sure that no dust is collected in the connections. If your skid steer is quite old or you’ve recently worked in a sandy or muddy area.
The dust will create an issue by declining the skid steer connection. You need to remove the dust for the skid steer to work correctly.
Last but not least, inspect the wiring for any signs of wear and tear. If a wire seems physically damaged, it must be replaced or repaired promptly.
Many power-related concerns might arise in your skid steer if you have electrical problems. Therefore, it is recommended that you check up on the unit’s maintenance every few months.
If you’ve tried everything and still haven’t figured out what’s wrong, it may be time to call the professionals. You may either take it to a nearby mechanic or contact Bobcat’s customer service for assistance. With their help, you’ll be able to solve the issue more quickly and efficiently.
Checking connections is a relatively easy practice to resolve the problem. But in case you are still unable to do this job, call a skid steer services expert, and he’ll check it out for you.
There is a possibility of the connections or cables being damaged. If your skid steer is in this position, you must replace it and buy yourself a brand new one.
The Bottom Line
The Bobcat Skid Steers line is widely used in the agricultural and construction industries. These skid steers are full of amenities that make work more accessible and enjoyable. Although, they might be plagued by serious problems that must be addressed.
Therefore, this article discussed the most common problems and the practices to deal with them. If they do so, they will be able to fix their Bobcat Skid Steer and operate it effectively on their farms for many more years!