Should I Get a Bobcat

[1990C4S]

Someone has offered me an older (late 70's) supposedly well maintained M610 Bobcat for about $2k.

The air cooled (gas) Wisconsin engine finally let go. The guy has two 'parts engines', from which I would make one decent engine.

So I would need to rebuild and install the engine. I was able to do a 2.7 engine, a 915 and a G50. I can do the work.

I end up with a good snow plow/garden tool, or I flip it for $4-5k.

I do not need one. I do want one.

What does the brain-trust here say? Worth it, or am I crazy taking this on?

[herr_oberst]

I know very little about Bobcats, but from what I understand, one of the really big expenses in consumables are the rubber tires.

That said, if I was in your shoes and I had the opportunity to get one cheap, and a piece of land big enough to actually use it, it would be very tempting to take this project on....

[URY914]

You must do this or you need to turn in your man card.

Seriously it a Bobcat, man. You won't see Caitlyn Jenner driving one.

[Mark Henry]

They can have hydraulic issues as well that can get costly.
Fun for the first few hours, but the bouncing gets old quick. They are hell on your body if you make a living with one.

Now if you come across a deal like that on a mini excavator give me a call!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

They can have hydraulic issues as well that can get costly.

True.

The available attachments slippery slope is a Black Diamond run

Free Manual: Bobcat M610 Manual Guide Pdf - Free Product Manual

DO IT!

[ckelly78z]

I really like my compact diesel utility tractor with 4x4 and a front end loader so much better than the Bobcats I have run.....much easier to get in and out of, work on, smoother ride to operate (a bobcat will jar your fillings out on rough ground). No doubt the Bobcat can turn tighter and get into smaller spaces, but can also tip over if loaded too much (610 is same lift capacity as my JD 955)....yea as said before, I would jump all over a mini-excavator deal.

[1990C4S]

A real tractor is too big for my storage space, a Bobcat will fit.

[911SauCy]

Cool project, if I had space and a friend offered it to me...I'd go for it.

Name it, Robert.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

They can have hydraulic issues as well that can get costly.

This is what would scare me... Get the motor running and it has major hydraulic issues and you would have been better off buying a working one.

[wdfifteen]

^^

This. If it has enough hours to have worn the engine out, how much farther behind can the hydraulic pumps and motors be? OTOH, they were apparently working when the motor let go (or else he wouldn't have been running the motor). I'd do it, but plan on flipping it quick.

[1990C4S]

It will not see a lot of hours, but I will find out what 'general condition' it is in.

The hydraulics don't scare me. But maybe they should. I've done a lot of hydraulic repairs over the years. And several guys I work with have similar machines on their 'farms'.

[porsche4life]

If hydraulics don't scare you, you haven't done enough of them. . They aren't hard to fix, but a machine like that will have hundreds of feet of hoses, all of which move and have the potential to be rubbed in two. Hydraulic hoses and fittings ain't cheap!

I grew up working on hydraulic cranes, it's a damned nightmare!

[1990C4S]

I can make hoses where I work....

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

They can have hydraulic issues as well that can get costly.
Fun for the first few hours, but the bouncing gets old quick. They are hell on your body if you make a living with one.

Now if you come across a deal like that on a mini excavator give me a call!

Yup, likely a money pit. We scrapped a skid steer 10 years ago, good engine, pulled the plug after the third hydraulic pump.

I don't know the market by you, but a running machine that old would be alot cheaper at auction. Everyone wants tracks now, not wheels.

i got rid of full size backhoe and bought a kubota tractor and bobcat mini-excavator. Much more useful.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I can make hoses where I work....

Alright... But don't say we didn't warn ya...

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I know very little about Bobcats, but from what I understand, one of the really big expenses in consumables are the rubber tires.

About the same cost as car tires?
Bobcat Tires: Business & Industrial | eBay

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I can make hoses where I work....

Pull the hydraulic filter/screen and take a look.

When I bought the farm there was a few old tractors that needed attention. The one with a bucket loader ran but the loader went up and down at the speed of photosynthesis.

The filter was completely clogged but the pump was good. Cleaned the filter/screen and that was the tractor I kept...little bit different in that the tractor is gear driven.

Get him down a bit on price, and enjoy the project. I would.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Get him down a bit on price, and enjoy the project. I would.

That's the plan....

[1990C4S]

He dropped his price $500 and he's delivering it for $50....so I am getting it later this week.

Job one is to rebuild the Wisconsin four cylinder. Or find a replacement.

There is a very fine line between genius and insanity.

[GWN7]

My buddy who lives down the street has one. About twice a year he fires it up and cleans up the snow that the city hired contractors screw up. Cost him about what yours will. Money in the bank and gets use out of it.