bobcat 230 under powered?

mikewest · Mar 5, 2011

I drove a new Bobcat 230 yesterday,and was wondering if anyone thinks it is a little under powered? When I drove through deep snow( up to and higher than the axles) the tires didnt spin they just stoped turning. I dont much about hydro trans on a tractor, but that didnt seem right, the dealer said it shouldnt do that, it should spin.I tried med and low range did the same in both ranges. Thanks for any imput.

Fred Barbour · Mar 5, 2011

Something seems to be wrong. I have a Ct 235 and just cut a trail around our property with a 5 ft. box blade. I made the trail for my wife could have a place to hack the horses. We have too much snow otherwise.

I was in snow over a foot deep cutting a trail with the box blade down, in second range. I pulled over every 20 or 30 feet to dump the load and return to the trail. The tractor was definately working hard, the engine lugged a bit showing the weight of the load considering I was also pushing snow over the axels. The tractor did bog down when it got really deep and the wheels started to spin. Two passes and I was done.

In short, this size of tractor is a tank! Mine has Ag tires, "NOT" loaded with a front end loader. Your Ct 230 although 5 less hp should have similar performance.

Fred

tcartwri · Mar 5, 2011

If the machine was dead cold when you tried that, I could see it stalling out like that. The Hydro pump needs a little bit of heat in it to work properly.

I backdragged my blower through about 12" of snow to break a trail around the property. It didn't have any trouble doing that in mid range.

VictorW · Mar 5, 2011

Something wasn't right with the tractor. Either it wasn't warmed up as mentioned or the pressure relief valve for the hydro isn't set right. I have a Kioti CK30hst, should be the same setup as the CT230, and run chains on all four for snow plowing. I've driven it in deep snow around 18-20 inches deep and it will go through it in high range if you're already moving or medium range from a stop and start. Had recently a heavy wetter snow with drifts that were 2' high and I used the fel to start cleaning right from the garage knowing that the tractor could easily move it in medium range. The hydro trans worked but to my surprise, the engine bogged down. Low range was no better. It was cold, 25'F, and I didn't wait long enough for the engine to warm up. I gave it 5 more minutes at 1500 rpm and the drifts were no match for the tractor. You need to run the engine rpms at a minimum of 2000 to get full pressure from the hydro trans. I've never had to use low range for plowing snow. Medium works well even with the chains biting in. With a four to six inch snow, the tractor can handle it in high range. I hope this helps a little. My tractor is a 2005 that I bought new and it's worked well for the past 6 years of heavy Winter snows. We usually get 100 inches for the season. If you check, the CT235 like the CK35hst is actually 34hp. I wish they would use the same engine that's in the Kioti DK35hst which is 38hp. It's a hydro but the size of the Bobcat 335.

Dmace · Mar 5, 2011

What RPM's was the tractor at? Keep in mind, an HST transmission should never be used below 2000 RPM's as it won't have the necessary hydraulic pressure. Also, was the e-brake on? I've done this numerous times.

Canada_CT230 · Mar 5, 2011

I have a CT230, and have no HP issues...plenty of power. Remember that a new engine is not broke in and won't develop full HP.

azop · Mar 5, 2011

How long does it take to break a new engine in? Anything special that a new owner needs to do?

Canada_CT230 · Mar 5, 2011

I changed engine oil/filter at 25, 50, 100 hours. All other oil is at 50 hr change out.

Work the engine but try to avoid long periods at same RPM. Work it at varying RPMs.

You'll notice more power probably with 50+ hours on it.

LD1 · Mar 5, 2011

If it didn't stall out the engine you still had power. I agree that something wasnt right. Probabally for one of the reasons listed above. But until the engine stalls, you arent out of power.:thumbsup:

pharmon · Mar 7, 2011

I have experienced the same thing when I first got my tractor. I was running the engine at less than 2000 rpm. I have 66 hrs. on the tractor now and have run between 2000-2500 rpm while running a rear snowblower. Seems to have plenty of power now, but I have not driven it in deep snow recently.

mikewest · Mar 9, 2011

Thanks for all the replies. Since I have drove a different one with no problems.The former one was at 3/4 throtle and the engine didnt even wimper the hydrolics just got louder the harder i pushed on throttle. The dealer said it must be a valve in the trans.I think im going to go with the ct335,it will work better for my needs and local dealer has one with about 40 hours full warranty for about 15K, i think it a good enough price.Ag tires, FEL, suspension seat.

Dmace · Mar 9, 2011

mikewest said:
I think im going to go with the ct335,it will work better for my needs and local dealer has one with about 40 hours full warranty for about 15K, i think it a good enough price.Ag tires, FEL, suspension seat.

Sounds like a winner! :thumbsup:
Get the dealer to include the 50-hr service if you can.

milkman636 · Mar 9, 2011

The 335 is a nice machine. Good choice:thumbsup:

azop · Mar 16, 2011

I have the same problem with my CT230. Tonight I was backing my tractor into it's parking spot (which has a slight incline) and it started to go, and then just stopped. I was in high gear, with the RPMs at 2500 and it just didn't go anywhere. None of the wheels were spinning, and I tried in both four wheel and two wheel drive (I also tried locking the rear diff.)

The tractor only has 4 hours on it, but I'm really confused on why nothing was happening. The HST transmission was whining like normal, but the wheels just weren't doing anything.

J_J · Mar 16, 2011

You may not have enough torque in high mode to get up the incline. Try it going forward, then try it in low mode.

The trick with a hydrostatic is to not jam it to the floor. Easy on the pedal and see what happens.

DK35vince · Mar 16, 2011

azop said:
I have the same problem with my CT230. Tonight I was backing my tractor into it's parking spot (which has a slight incline) and it started to go, and then just stopped. I was in high gear, with the RPMs at 2500 and it just didn't go anywhere. None of the wheels were spinning, and I tried in both four wheel and two wheel drive (I also tried locking the rear diff.)

The tractor only has 4 hours on it, but I'm really confused on why nothing was happening. The HST transmission was whining like normal, but the wheels just weren't doing anything.

You were trying it in to high of gear.
You should be using a lower range for anything requiring pulling/pushing power, tight areas or on hills/inclines.

bp fick · Mar 16, 2011

Instinct wants the push the pedal to the floor, when actually, the way a hydro works, it gives you a higher "gear ratio" for lack of a better expression, which makes it have less power. I'm still breaking myself of that habit. I does NOT give it more fuel or increase power, as it is not a gas pedal, but a speed pedal. It has taken awhile for that to sink in.

galaxie428 · Mar 16, 2011

I have the same problem with my CT230. Tonight I was backing my tractor into it's parking spot (which has a slight incline) and it started to go, and then just stopped. I was in high gear, with the RPMs at 2500 and it just didn't go anywhere. None of the wheels were spinning, and I tried in both four wheel and two wheel drive (I also tried locking the rear diff.)

The tractor only has 4 hours on it, but I'm really confused on why nothing was happening. The HST transmission was whining like normal, but the wheels just weren't doing anything.

That is normal for high gear. There is nothing wrong with your tractor. Mine is the same way. It handles hills ok in HI if you are already moving prior to hitting the hill but if you stop on an incline, you need to put it in MED and you will be fine.

DKXJ · Mar 16, 2011

galaxie428 said:
That is normal for high gear. There is nothing wrong with your tractor. Mine is the same way. It handles hills ok in HI if you are already moving prior to hitting the hill but if you stop on an incline, you need to put it in MED and you will be fine.

My CT230 was like this when it was new as well. After about 50 hours, I was able to start and stop on hills in high and even plow snow with the FEL in high. Its pointless to concern yourself with the power until you hit the 50 hour mark.

I use to have issues in Medium as well. If I tried anything with any real resistance it would just not move. Now it either spins the tires or bogs down the engine in medium. Low just down right has more power than I have been able to use yet.

Canada_CT230 · Mar 16, 2011

Consider H range a road travel gear and nothing more. I use H range to travel my property or on-road travel.

I do 90% of work (tilling, cultivating, snow blowing and light digging) in M and the other 8% in L (heavy digging and other grunt work) and the other 2% in H.