Bobcat Tractor Model 445

[fshnguy]

Hi all - I've owned this Bobcat tractor for about 5 years. Diesel, 4 cylinder, front end loader, PTO, mower, 4 wheel drive, etc. I was mowing the field the other day and everything was going fine and all of a sudden the tractor starts loosing power. RPM's dropping in a downward swing like it was running out of fuel. I glanced at the gauge and confirmed about a half tank. The gradual loss of rpms continued and eventually the tractor stalled out. Because I have been mowing tall weeds I pulled the air cleaner, found a bunch of grass chafe and seeds, cleaned it and tried starting the tractor. It started and came back to life as usual but within less than a minute began losing rpms again and then stalled. I waited a bit and tried it again. It started again and I began babying it back towards the shop. It was a slow and ragged return but it made it back across the field eventually. It would actually get up to full rpm at times but then dwindle back to nearly stalling and just creep along and then seem to come to life again and then start pooping out again.

Does anybody have any thoughts on what this might be or where to start checking things? -- Mike

 

[kwbretired]

Sounds like the fuel filter is plugging up.

 

[DieselBound]

I once had a similar issue with my Kioti and it was due to a stick jamming up against the fuel line coming out of the tank.

Also, make sure you don't have any of your hydraulics dead-heading. This would be immediately noticeable after starting and idling, in which case it doesn't sound like it would be the issue here: just wanted to note it in case someone else comes along and it's applicable to their power loss issue.

 

[bearthebruce]

So, last week I had a similar experience. Its diesel - has to be fuel or air. Since I just fueled it, I'm thinking bad fuel. I pulled the fuel out into empty containers... didn't see anything obvious. Dropped the fuel filter bowl.. there was crud on the bottom - aha - that has to be it... cleaned it and checked all the fuel lines..put in fresh fuel and we are good to go.

3 hours later, its starts again. I limped the machine up the mountain to the barn. Left it running and began checking the air filter. As soon as i opened the filter box, the engine roared to life. The filter is clean. There is tube that goes down the center of the filter - it had fallen out.

I put it back correctly and no more troubles. How does that tube disturb the air flow enough to make the machine fail like this? My engineers brain cannot see it. The tube is not blocking the air into the intake.. I should think it could be removed completely and the machine would run fine.

Anyone have an idea on this?

OP, fshnguy, do check the air system...

Once the air tube was reseated, I put 5 or 6 more hours on it and had no issues.