JD 4300: opening up the gearbox to repair broken PTO and range shift

[dfkrug]

Any word on how the new Bobcat tractors are holding up?

The Bobcat CT335s purchased by the rental yard to replace the JDs are somewhat worse
for the wear. These units are substantially heavier and more robust than the JDs.

One that I saw had a serious dent in the rear steel fender. Several have been overheated while
mowing....one of them enough to blow the engine. They are being rented a lot for
rotary mowing, and the operators just don't seem to get that you have to clean the
rad screen often if you mow dead grass.

They bought a new engine from Kioti, since it was much less than Bobcat.

 

[dfkrug]

Before I filled the gearbox up with new tractor-hydraulic fluid, I cleaned the
inlet screen. To remove all the microscopic particles, I first used gasoline,
then I washed it carefully in a strong detergent, then I used an air gun to
dry it.

To get at the inlet screen, you have to partially remove the large steel
pump inlet tube below the tractor. I used this opportunity to closely
inspect the hyd pump inlet manifold. It is made of a soft plastic material,
and if it leaks, you will suck air into your hyd fluid. Bad.

Records show that this part has been replaced once already. I notice that
they arrive painted, perhaps to give them some protection from UV and
ozone.