How to Fix Common Bobcat E35 Mini Excavator Problems?
Bobcat e35 problems are something all owners of this mini-excavator encounter from time to time. With excavators, you can’t but frequently overwhelm the machine with heavy loads. These machines undergo significant wear and tear from their very first session. So, regular checking and replacements are necessary.
The most common bobcat e35 problems include noise, decreased power, fluid leakage, and vibrations. Sometimes these can be symptoms of major disasters, like a hydraulic pump or drive motor failure. These will cost you a fair amount of money. Other times it can be less expensive problems like a clogged drain filter or worn-out bearings.
Follow the discussion below to gain more insight into these problems. Correction and early detection of the issues can extend the life of your machine.
What Are The Common Bobcat e35 Problems?
The bobcat e35 is excellent for carrying out excavation works in confined spaces. However, the task this mini excavator performs is a stressful one. Therefore, bobcat e35 problems are common, and every owner encounters them from time to time.
Some of the typical problems you would encounter during your time with bobcat e35 are-
- Main bearing failure in the final drive
- Clogged drain filters
- The excavator is weak and leans to one side
- Problems with the hydraulic system
- Overheating problems
- Drive motor malfunctioning
6 Easy Solutions For Bobcat e35 Problems
The bobcat e35 is one of the most sought-after excavators in the 3-4 tonne category. It features a boom that the operator can control with their fingertips.
This makes the job smoother and more comfortable. However, bobcat e35 problems exist side-by-side with its many advantages. Fortunately, they are easily solvable.
1. Replace Main Bearing
If your final drive’s main bearing is damaged, the whole machine can soon be down. So, it’s essential to look for the signs.
One such obvious sign is vibrations. As bearings keep all the various working parts of the excavator in alignment, its damage will cause misalignment and subsequent vibration. A noisy and overheated final drive is another important indicator of main bearing failure.
Final drive bearings aren’t designed for lifetime service. However, they can fail even sooner if you don’t change the bearing oil regularly. Also, the main bearing has two drainage holes. Over time dirt or debris can block these holes and make the bearings inefficient.
To preserve final drive health, check and change the bearing oil regularly and clean the holes if necessary. If the bearing oil looks ‘glittery,’ it indicates the presence of metal particles. Which means your bearing is already sufficiently damaged. In that case, you need a replacement. This can cost you around 200$.
2. Change the Case Drain Filters
The case drain line in a bobcat e35 returns the leaked hydraulic fluid to its tank under minimal pressure. During this process, the case drain filter rids the fluid of contaminants. But with time, this filter becomes clogged. This can result in contamination of the hydraulic fluid.
Signs of a clogged case drain filter include hydraulic fluid leakage, damaged bearings, and a cracked final drive cover plate. You can quickly tell if your case drain filter is clogged from inspection. Usually, the bronze filter looks golden in color. But when it is blocked, it will appear darker and dirtier.
In this case, your best option is to get a new filter that costs only around $20. If you try to clean the filter and reuse it, things might not work out well for you. The faulty filter can damage other systems of your mini-excavator and cost you hundreds of dollars in repair.
3. Replace Charge Pumps
The hydraulic system in your bobcat e35 naturally suffers from pressure and fluid loss. That’s why there are charge pumps. They supply the system with the extra boost it needs.
So, if these pumps need replacement, your mini excavator will show weakness. It will become slow. Often it will lean or steer to one side. This is commonly misdiagnosed as drive motor failure. If you continue using damaged charge pumps, it will affect the final drive, eventually destroying it.
Moreover, working with a damaged charge pump is dangerous at a construction site. So, remember to inspect your charge pump if the vehicle acts weak. Replacing costs can be around a hundred dollars.
4. Install new Hydraulic Pumps
Your failing hydraulic pumps can present in many ways. The most typical sign is, of course, diminished power. Loads the bobcat could easily lift before would now become a challenge. And you might notice that the vehicle has difficulty when going up slopes.
Noises and vibrations are other presentations of failing pumps. Clattering sounds can mean loose screws or faulty bearings. Meanwhile, banging sounds indicate cavitation.
You might also notice fluid leakage and overheating. However, these are also signs of other failing parts of the bobcat e35. So, your diagnosis will depend on inspection. The excessive fluid will contaminate the system and shorten the lifespan of the components of your excavator.
It would be best to replace a failing hydraulic pump as soon as you see the signs. Otherwise, you will lose valuable work days and money if the pump completely breaks down in the middle of a project. An entire bobcat e35 hydraulic pump kit can cost in the range of $700-$800. Plus, there are service fees to pay if you can’t install it yourself.
5. Take Care Of The Cooling System
Overheating is one of the common bobcat e35 problems. And the reason for this is often an inefficient cooling system.
Your excavator system will naturally heat up when you lift heavy loads under the hot sun. Plus, high-demand attachments will overheat your system too. So, if you haven’t inspected your cooling system beforehand, the machine might easily suffer damage.
Change your bobcat’s coolant fluids every 1000 hours. Also, mixing multiple coolants is a bad idea. Using bobcat’s unique purple-colored coolant for your machine is best.
This is a propylene coolant. So, if you mix ethylene coolant with it, there will be gelling and subsequent obstruction.
Also, clean the radiators and filter from time to time. Use a soft brush, and don’t be rough. And don’t forget to Inspect the coolant hoses for leaks. However, these parts will require replacement eventually. Costs can range from $300-$700.
6. Replace Final Drive Motor
Final drive motor failure symptoms are similar to that of other replacement needs. For instance, there is power loss, overheating, and fluid leakage. Your vehicle might also keep steering to one side. Noise, vibrations, and unpredictable behavior are present too.
After excluding other possible reasons, you can consider final drive motor failure a cause for these symptoms. Check if the drive sprocket is okay and ensure the tracks are not too tight.
However, if you already have a cracked cover plate due to a clogged filter, your final drive motor is probably damaged too. In that case, you won’t have a choice but to reinstall the entire motor. Here, the costs are around a thousand dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
All the major bobcat e35 problems usually require the solutions discussed above. However, if you haven’t found your answer, feel free to ask more questions. We are asking the first ones on your behalf.
How often do you change the final drive oil to avoid bobcat e35 problems?
You should change the final drive oil after operating the excavator for 200 hours. Also, regularly check the oil for metal particles. Because that will indicate the destruction of your bearings, keeping the bearings adequately lubricated can prevent this from happening.
Why do my bobcat e35 bearings wear away so fast?
First, ensure all major components are working fine and not putting extra pressure on your bearings. The reason might lie in the drive motor’s seal if everything else is okay. Check if there is any leak. Because leaks can permit minute losses of lubricant, and even this minor loss can contribute to bearing damage.
Which attachments might cause overheating in the bobcat e35?
Simple attachments don’t overwhelm the system. So, you can easily use grapples or buckets and not experience bobcat e35 problems. However, if you use a high-capacity mulcher or track loader, the system must have a crisp cooling system.
How should I remove the bobcat e35 motor?
First, park the mini-excavator carefully and clean it properly. Now, prop up the vehicle and remove the tracks. Then sequentially remove the sprocket, motor cover, and hydraulic hoses. Finally, pull out the final drive motor. Remember, the motor is quite heavy. So, you need to be careful.
Conclusion
Bobcat e35 problems are unavoidable if you have used the machine for years. But most issues only require simple replacements that cost you less than a hundred dollars. It only gets expensive if you reinstall your final drive motor or hydraulic pump.
However, you can extend your pump, motor, and essentially the entire excavator’s life if you take proper care of it. So, run a regular inspection to catch faulty parts at their earliest stage.
Change oils, fluids, and lubrication regularly. And needless to say, you should clean the excavator of dirt debris and leaked fluid after every session.
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