Bobcat CT230 4.70 star(s) (24)

Good Overall But Had Injection Pump Problems
Model Year: 2008

I bought my CT230 new with a loader from Bobcat of Indiana at a great price when they first started selling them. I'm not sure if it was 2008. I can't remember without looking. I got a free front-end loader with the tractor and negotiated a great price. It did not have the features of a John Deere back then but was way cheaper so I did not care. I had 3 main problems: 1. When I would bush hog I would get dried up brush/hard stems stuck in the hydrostatic control lever which would not let the safety switch trip to restart it. After the first time, I knew what to look for. 2 I had a hydrostatic transmission so I did not use the brakes other than the parking brake. The brakes would not release eventually, I had to lightly tap the linkage under the tractor and if I ever hit the brakes they would drag until tapped. I tried lubing everything on the outside and it did nothing. 3. The injection pump rail locked up and it would not run. I took it to Bobcat of Indiana and the shop said it started fine for them but the office guys said they saw it not start and the shop guys towed it in. I looked it over and I saw marks where they hit the rail with a punch to get it unstuck. Needless to say that is not a fix. It ran for about 10 minutes and it happened again. They did not want to admit there have been tons of people with the same problem and my warranty was out. I decided to tear it apart myself and found 3 small round gears riding on the teeth of the rail. The round gears were totally square shaped. Gears should have a slight taper to them to allow them to travel freely. One of my gears had 2 broken teeth where they hit it to break it loose. I work at a machine shop, so I was able to make a new gear with the proper tooth profile and used a needle file to file the profile on the other 2. I put it together and never had another problem. Bobcat/Kioti need to admit there is a design flaw at least on the early tractors. I asked if the new injection pump part number had the proper angle on the gears upon tearing mine down and nobody could tell me for sure so I just proceeded to fix mine as opposed to spending money on a new pump that may have the same gear profile. I did like the tractor though.

Pros: Cost, performance
Cons: Injection pump and Bobcat service

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Alot For The Money
Model Year: 2012

I had some warranty issues with the seat and pedal safety switch initially. It was very frustrating, but under warranty. The local Bobcat dealer is aces! This machine helped grade around my new custom home, cuts 6+ acres of grass, grades gravel drives, plows snow, aerates, and moves stumps and rocks that amazes me. It does it all without a hiccup. The weight of this machine and some of the features make it a serious workhorse. The skid steer disconnect on the bucket is great. The loader controller is easy and very accurate to use. I wish I could have found a 235, as the hydro keeps you out of the high gear on grades. It is a very good 30 horsepower tractor. I wish Bobcat had understood how to market to the tractor segment.

Pros: Plays bigger than it is
Cons: Suffered from safety related no start issues

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Does More Than Expected
Model Year: 2012

Bought from a dealer at a county fair with a backhoe. Has a lot of power though high gear range. Seems a little weak but we hardly use it. Runs great, moves anything you put in front of it. Its weight is a plus for me. My son has buried it in muck and extricated it with the backhoe. Has strong hydraulics, splits wood easily. My haying tractor has broken down twice in the last 2 years---once while mowing and the CT230 pulled and operated a JD1209 haybine; not fast but it mowed the rest of the field then tedded (2 basket), it raked (4 wheel), and baled (JD 14T). It just doesn't have enough snot to pull a full hay wagon (oh well) up the hill to the barn (son chose steep side). This year it raked and baled when hay tractor had a brake seize. I love it.

Pros: Power fuel economy.
Cons: High gear weak though I may be expecting too much.

CT-230 (Daedong) Same as Kioti
Model Year: 2009

Has been awesome tractor. Saddened that Bobcat no longer offers the tractor line. It has been and is awesome for a mid size compact. I maintain 3 properties, finish mowing more than 10 acres. Just had problem w/injector pump. Tractor is currently at dealership, covered under warranty. If Bobcat were still selling, I would trade in a moment for a new tractor of same model.

Pros: Price.
Cons: Have to change dealer/brand to get another.

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Great Tractor
Model Year: 2012

Really great tractor. For the first few months had to park it outside but seemed to make no difference to it. Used for bush hogging, clearing brush and other misc tasks. REALLY like the hydro-static transmission. Prior tractor had manual. Plenty of power for what I do. Added some tines and is really great for hauling/moving piles of brush. Would buy another one in a heart beat.

Pros: Easy transmission, plenty of power.
Cons: The turn lights stick out from the roll at frame. Have already knocked one off.

Bobcat CT230
Model Year: 2012

I bought the unit for the great features and price. Bobcat is no longer selling compact tractors. At 14,500 out the door for this tractor with a front end loader, I considered it a great deal.

Pros: Feature laden compact tractor.
Cons: After warranty is up, have to find a Kioti dealership.

Bobcat CT230
Model Year: 2013

I was looking for a 30 HP or so tractor, and I couldn't pass up the deal on the Bobcat. Yes, I realize that bobcat is getting out of the CT market, but besides getting parts at bobcat, the identical tractor and parts is sold by Kioti dealers, so parts and service were not so much a concern. So far, the tractor has been fantastic. Easy to use, comfortable, well organized and good power. All in all, I'm thrilled with my purchase.

Pros: Cost, design, features.
Cons: No longer sold by Bobcat. Kioti dealerships are fewer than Deere, Kubota, etc.

Beats Pushing a Lawn Mower
Model Year: 2013

It's a great little machine CT230 less power then I'd like but handles fine was using 5 ft. bush hog in heavy brush when the hydraulic filter met a stump. Putting the filter down low, dump place, because the stump was not that high. Parts are all dealer, and no fast replacement must be ordered 3-5 days and the filter replacement factory of course way over priced as compared to other equipment filters. Hope this is not an indication of my future experience may have just been a bad day for me.

Pros: Best tractor for the price point.
Cons: Parts hard to get and cost a little higher.

Love My Bobcat CT230
Model Year: 2008

I bought my Bobcat CT230 in Dec. and have put over 50 hours on it. I use it for snow removal, grading, hauling mulch and firewood. I built an extension to the bucket out of wood and really pack it full. I also use a flail mower, and three point hydraulic log splitter. I use this tractor hard and it has never let me down. It fires right up in all weather. It works all day. I use a 16 ton log splitter and it splits fast using only the idle 1100 rpm's. This tractor uses the same amount of fuel as the tiny 22 hp Kubota I used to own.

Pros: Heavy duty construction, hydraulics, seat comfort, ease of use.
Cons: None.

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TC230
Model Year: 2009

Bought tractor for clearing land and general landscaping. Repaired fuel pump (warranty) and replaced battery. Proven to be a good investment.

Pros: Ease of operation.
Cons: Need funnel to fill engine oil and transmission reservoirs.

Bobcat CT230 Nice Compact Tractor for the Price.
Model Year: 2012

Looked at a few different brands before purchasing the Bobcat. Purchased this one because of the free loader program that was available. With the free loader option it saved me over $2000 compared to Kubota and New Holland. Being this my first Bobcat, I must say that it is one well built machine.The only issue that I have is the paint. Surface rust was visible on the loader and the tractor. Other then the paint, I am happy with the tractor. Controls are very easy to use and well placed from the operators seat. Power from the diesel is more then adequate for my applications. I would recommend this tractor to others.

Pros: Price, power, operator controls.
Cons: Paint, rops over 8 feet.

Good Ideas But Too Heavy
Model Year: 2009

The 230 weighs over 4,000 pounds with the front loader. I sink in anything off a hard surface. I like the seat, folding ROPS, instrument panel. I have trouble shifting between ranges low, medium, and high. The swivel floor hydrostatic pedal is not ideal. Any dirt seems to go there and prevent full pressure. I have lost several of the pins in various places on the tractor. Hydraulics on loader are slow. Very solid frame. Service from local Bobcat not the greatest. Takes them a long time to call back to set up service appointments or answer questions. I think I am going back to a Deere.

Pros: Solid frame. Adjustable seat. Instrument cluster. ROPS.
Cons: Too heavy. Cheap lights on ROPS. Swivel hydrostatic pedal.

Bobcat in NH
Model Year: 2011

New, 2011, Bobcat, CT230 FEL w/bolt on cutting edge 3pt angled back blade Filled tires (R4s) Engine block heater Paid $18,891 Dealer is Bobcat of New Hampshire in Chichester. Medium sized maintenance shop kept in pristine condition which reflects their top quality of maintenance. Sales folks are present, well informed, but not obnoxious, or pushy or intrusive. More of the, "Can I help you? The machines are over there. If you have any questions, just come on back." Machine was delivered, no extra charge, on time, clean, all bolts tightened up, full levels for fuel and fluids, in a ready to use immediately status. I've used it for grading the driveway, moving gravel, and moving firewood so far. Haven't found anything it won't plow through in low range. Very zippy in high range for moving quickly between work sites. This tractor is built more along the lines of the old Ford 8N/9N series. No skimping on metal to shave a couple of dollars off manufacturing. Access to engine compartment is quick and easy for maintenance, when needed. Controls are all easily reached. This is NOT a lawn tractor. Too heavy to use for finishing mowing around the house. It's made for field, farm, and garden work for the acreage owner/hobbyist farmer/small scale speciality agriculture or livestock farmer with maybe 20 to 30 head max.

Pros: Haven't found anything that I didn't have more than enough power and traction to do.
Cons: Not unexpectedly, high range won't pull a load up a 15 degree slope, Even with filled tires, back end almost too light with loaded loader and no other ballast. Sometimes a bit hard to change gears or engage/disengage front wheel assist - may be just stiff because it's brand new.

Bobcat CT230
Model Year: 2010

Great little tractor. Would have purchased little more horsepower to do horse arena work. Injector pump went out just inside warranty. Uses fuel twice the rate of my New Holland same hp.

Pros: Solid, hydrostatic good power.
Cons: Weak lower arm attachment brackets, bent once being careful.

Bobcat CT 230 Works for Me
Model Year: 2010

I purchased the ct 230 to add update my Massey something which was about 30hp utility tractor. I wanted hydro and mid size compact HP. I can mow with a 5' older rotary mower without issue, plow with a 12" triple moldboard and use a 5' tiller without problems. The R4 tires suck, always full of mud and the battery spilling issue was never properly resolved by bobcat. Overall I like the machine and would re-buy after having side by side work done with neighbors JD 2305 and in laws Kubota 30hp something..

Pros: Price, financing, features.
Cons: Dealer network geared to commerical construction.

Bobcat CT 230
Model Year: 2009

Bought this unit new 2 years ago when Bobcat had great deals and large rebates. This tractor had superior features such as; steps on both sides, true bucket level indicator, fabric covered hoses, premium 3 point hitch and supports, 3 speed HST, cruise control, fuel gauge on dash. Starts easily even in cold weather without a heater. I use the bucket (no Bob-tach) for lifting and light snow removal. I use 64" rear snowblower for heavy/deep snow. Carry-all and trailer for wood hauling.

Pros: HST, FEL, reliable starting, very responsive power steering.
Cons: None.

Bobcat CT230
Model Year: 2009

The Bobcat CT230 is a really powerful 30 HP compact tractor. It has a lot of great features... Box scraper, front end loader, 6 foot backhoe, pull behind PTO finish mower, canopy cover, 16 foot heavy duty trailer. Currently has less than 100 hours.

Pros: The power for its compact size; ease of handling; ease of operation and attaching implements.
Cons: Haven't found any cons, yet.

Bobcat Tractor
Model Year: 2010

Only problem is range shifting and leveler bar.

Pros: Stability and power.
Cons: Exhaust below frame and range shifting.

Great Tractor
Model Year: 2010

Bought my 230 Aug 09 when the deals were great. Delivered Dec 09. Started good all winter without a block heater (in Maine). HST is great for moving snow with the FEL. R-4 tires work well for me.

Pros: Premieum features
Cons: none so fa

Bobcat CT230
Model Year: 2009

We own 17 acres of land in southern Manitoba, Canada and on that land we have a variety of chores to accomplish. The first year of living here we borrowed equipment and did hard manual labor. The second year put our lawn tractor to work pulling various small lawn tractor sized implements. This still was very time consuming and the lawn tractor struggled to keep up. In July 2009, we bought a Bobcat CT230 tractor from Greenvalley Bobcat in Morden, Manitoba. The purchase price was great due to the rebates and incentives offered by Bobcat. We took delivery of the CT230 a week later and had a 60" tiller on order. The tractor has 30 HP and a front-end loader (FEL). Use of the FEL is very comfortable, powerful and all around great. The tiller makes short work of tilling the 7 acre field which is slowly being filled with new seedling spruce trees. Other chores for the cat include snow removal, garden tilling, road maintenance. This year I am purchasing a box blade for dirt work and pallet forks for firewood palletization. A snowblower is also in the forecast next winter. Everyday there seems to be a new use for the machine and it is always willing to go to work. The only problem I've had (which was taken care of immediately without hassle) was an oil cooler leak. Before purchasing the CT230 we looked at a New Holland TC30, Case-IH Farmall 31 and various Kubotas. I problems and dislikes that I found with the other machines were: 1) Kubota - Expensive, dealer did not offer much info/help. 2) New Holland/Case-IH dealer very helpful but expensive ($8,000 over Bobcat). NH offered less features (no cruise, tilt, extendable 3pt arms, etc.) and the Case-IH had a clunky aftermarket loader installed (loader control valves in large box in awkward position). To order a unit with factory loader control was going to take too long. 3) No real incentives. We are happy with the Bobcat CT230. It is a genuine work cat and it has performed everything I wanted it to and more.

Pros: Great value, well built, easy servicability, ergonomic controls.
Cons: Minor hydraulic oil cooler problem.

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