50 hour service done ct225 filter exam

[unclesalty]

I Didn't find anything interesting in my filters after the service. I cut both hydro filters open and checked them out. No grit, metal dust or anything. I'm relieved but a little dissapointed. BTW my new filters are a different color than the originals. The filter under the tractor is (kioti) orange and the one by my foot is grey. They both came right off with a strap wrench. I prefilled the bottom up before spinning it on.

 

[Sprocket]

Unclesalty, Thanks for the info, did you change out the fluid or leave it? Was there a noticable power difference between the 25 and 27hp units?...(You may be the most qualified person to answer this question.)

 

[MESSMAKER]

How long did it take you to perform the service? What did it end up costing. I have got it to do in the next week or two.

 

[unclesalty]

Unclesalty, Thanks for the info, did you change out the fluid or leave it? Was there a noticable power difference between the 25 and 27hp units?...(You may be the most qualified person to answer this question.)

I bought 10gals of premium utf from tractor supply but I didn't change out the fluid. My dealer says They don't do it at 50 hrs, only the filter change. (The dealer wanted 55.00/2.5 gal of hydro fluid, Only 49.00 for 10 gals at tractor supply.). I gave up my manual with the old tractor and the new one didn't have one. They are mailing me my old manual back. Is seems the manuals are on back order with the tractors...I want to do the front axle maint and I will change the fluid out at around 200 hrs, It'l take about 2 years.
As to the difference 25/27 I don't think there's too much. I got lucky, I think my 25 hp tractor was a lemon. The dealer had it for service and said there were no problems. There is a night and day difference between the 2 tractors, I had my sales guy ride em both at delivery and even he was shocked at the difference. My old tractor had no power in reverse, It couldn't pick the 6' bush hog completely off the ground and It would stall if I took too big a bite with the loader. It was burning more than 1 gal/hr diesel. The new tractor has 12 hours on the first full tank, flys in reverse and if I take too big of a bite with the bucket, the tires will dig their way to Korea! I can pick the bush hog off the ground with no problems.
I'm a happy camper!

 

[tmorg1220]

I have the 25 horse version. it seems to have enough power, however, I did go through 5 gals of diesel in 5 hours. I was working the machine pretty hard plowing new ground for food plots and bush hogging some protty nasty stuff. Dont know if this will be the norm. The machine is sooting up the left loader arm a bit also. As far as power goes, no problem with the hydraulic power and I dont have a problem spinning the tires in low range. I dont even want to know if the 27 is better..Kinda pissed I got duped out of that one. oh well gotta be happy with what I got..

 

[Mike Fortner]

I Didn't find anything interesting in my filters after the service. I cut both hydro filters open and checked them out. No grit, metal dust or anything. I'm relieved but a little dissapointed. BTW my new filters are a different color than the originals. The filter under the tractor is (kioti) orange and the one by my foot is grey. They both came right off with a strap wrench. I prefilled the bottom up before spinning it on.

I did my 50 hr. service yesterday also. Filters looked good also. found just a few metal grounds on the magnet where the fluid drains from the mid PTO. My dealer agreed that the manual does call for fluid as well as filters to change at 50 hr. break in. Also am I the only guy that had a lot of trouble finding all the grease fittings and getting them to take grease?

So far very happy with my 235.

 

[tinman955]

I also did my 50hr service along with loading of my rear tires. My big filter had much more metal in it kind of slimy grey grime no chips. I know one thing my filters were the hardest filters I had ever taken off in my life!! I grease my tractor all the time prob atleast every 5 hrs or so.

 

[tmorg1220]

Just got a quote for 50 hour service from perimeter bobcat of atlanta...$550...Told by service manager that I had to use bobcat fliuids and that they were tinted, so if there was a waranty issue, they would be able to tell if I was using the (appropriate) fluids....I'm outraged!!

 

[bp fick]

Just got a quote for 50 hour service from perimeter bobcat of atlanta...$550...Told by service manager that I had to use bobcat fliuids and that they were tinted, so if there was a waranty issue, they would be able to tell if I was using the (appropriate) fluids....I'm outraged!!

Finding that hard to believe and possibly, slightly immoral and illegal.

What I do is buy THEIR products. I'd save the receipt and take a few photos. You won't have $100 in in, likely. Foolishness.

 

[CT230 Fan]

I had the local dealer quote me the parts for the 50 hour service the other day. It was just over $100, but that included the inner and outer air filter which are not due until 100 hrs. or 1 year and also included their engine oil. I also had them quote me service and it was about $250 including parts. According to my manual and my dealer, you DO NOT change the Hydraulic Fluid at 50 hours. You DO change the Engine oil. This seems to be a point of confusion, but If the dealer is telling you to replace the Hydraulic Oil, you should check your manual before spending your money if it is not really needed.

 

[bp fick]

Agreed. If you have ever changed oil in your car as a young person, with Dad giving you the pointers, you can do this. It isn't rocket science. The added bonus of knowing your machine and feeling proud of it? Priceless.

 

[crusty 1]

:confused2:Hi all Im new here and dumer than a bag of rocks at this computer stuff
but have hard fought for info on bobcats "special" hydro oil.From a factory rep its API GL4 with additives for wet brake use and was informeded of this after reminding him of magnusson moss act that states if a manf. requiers a special fluid they must by law provide it free of charge.If you should find junk in your filters use thier fluid to protect you from delays in the event of a major warranty claim.I,v heard of some earlier tranys going south.Tracer fluid? I,m not so sure they have a lab capable to determine sounds too James Bond to me.I was also told that a 50 hour fluid and filter change is requiered to insure all machining fillings etc. are removed to insure longterm health of the tractor.I have ct235 since june 108 hours.Fuel gauge way off and seat safety switch bad but I,ve had several tractors and grew up on farms and can only say if my grandfather had equipment as sweet as this he,d have never died.

 

[krazsk]

Come on, how can so many of you fall for the "You need to use Bobcat fluids" for your warranty? Use some common sense. If they could do that, don't you think Ford, Chrysler, GM, John Deere, you get the idea, wouldn't ALL require you to use their fluids and charge 3 times the price as Exxon, or Mobil? If you don't believe common sense, Look up Magnuson-Moss Act about warranties.

The wording on the Bobcat fluid bottle says something tricky like "Use of this fluid will keep your warranty intact" It does NOT say using other fluids will void your warranty.

 

[aviationben]

There is some confusing info in this topic regarding the 50 hour changing of the hydraulic fluid.

My dealer also told me at time of purchase the hydraulic fluid is good till 400 hours. HE WAS INCORRECT! In my manual for my ct 230 (page PM-7), there is a black box in the column under 50hr service for Diff and hyd fluid. The black box means the service (service = replace) must be done at the FIRST 50 HOURS, then every 400 after. I'll be changing mine at 50 hours..

The service department was thinking it was the same as the skid steers. But heck, they thought the tractor was built here in the usa..... Good thing for this site!

I only have 30 hrs on mine but have all the necessary filters/fluids at a total $311.00 all purchased from bobcat..

 

[CT230 Fan]

Ok, Here is the Mantenance Schedule right out of the manual for my CT230. The manual says for serial numbers A59C11001 & Above. Maybe the older manuals were different, but mine clearly stated the Hydraulic fluid is good for the first 400 hours. 50 hours is nothing for hydraulic fluid, even when breaking in a new machine. I work for a large manufacturer of Aerial/Derrick/Crane Equipment for the Electrical/ tree trimming industry. Our units are scheduled for the first 1000 hours on the original hydraulic fluid. The filters are there to capture the wear of new parts.

View attachment Maint Schedule CT230.pdf

 

[aviationben]

Thanks for posting your maintenance schedule. My manual is for s/n abfp11001 and above. I believe it was built in October? I don't know if its newer or older than yours, but a change in fluid must have been made between them for some unknown reason. I did notice that my fluid is not orange, it looks like standard hydro fluid.

 

[Canada_CT230]

Here is my maintenance schedule out of my tractor manual. Not sure of the SN range. Will check that later.

I changed all my fluid and filters at 50 hrs. The fluid was dark with break-in wear particles. Yes, the filter catches larger particles but does let the fines through.

$300 of fluid and filters was relatively cheap is comparison to a $20,000 tractor. I also learned about my machine.

 

[CT230 Fan]

I just shot off an email request to Bobcat to find out what their official stance is on the 50 hours/ Hyd Oil change. We'll see if they respond.

 

[Sabretooth]

I just shot off an email request to Bobcat to find out what their official stance is on the 50 hours/ Hyd Oil change. We'll see if they respond.

I would like that answer 2 CT230Fan Keep us updated if or what their answer is Thanks for going through the trouble

 

[tmorg1220]

O.k. so after getting that rediculous quote for a 50 hour service and reading everones posts, I went back and looked at my service manual to see what is involved in the 50 hour service. my manual is not the same as the one posted. there are no black boxes next to change hydraulic fluid or diff fluid. the rest is the same as one posted...did bobcat leave out an important step in the maintenance of my machine or do they just want to sell a lot of extremely overpriced fluid? Oh by the way..looks like I may be taking my machine back to bobcat anyway, noticed a lot of oil underneath it this afternoon, after inspection looks like I got a bad oil cooler as well..Up util this point I have been happy with the machine but unhappy with sales and service..curious to see what happens now..