M700 skid steer with one dead stick

[capriguy]

Greetings all

I have a gas M700 skid steer that the right control stick does nothing.
Here in Minnesota the weather has been strange with a ton of ups and downs in temperature and I have not run my Bobcat much. I am guessing my problems have to do with condensation and water in the hydro oil.

I went to start it yesterday and no controls were working. After running for two hours I tried things again and the bucket would rise and fall and pivot, but slowly. After a few cycles up and down the bucket was working fine. after another hour of running, the left control stick slowly moved the machine. After another 30 minutes and then moving back and forth, the left stick started to do things and finally seems to be working normally. After a few more hours, the right control stick does nothing, no sounds, no groans, nothing.

I am guessing that I should wait for warmer weather and if it still continues maybe lift the cab and see if there is a pop off valve that I can get to that might be obstructed.

Am I close?

 

[Localmotion]

When did you last check the oil level, or change the oil & hyd filter? Even in cold/ changing temperatures it should work (if sluggish)...?

 

[capriguy]

I checked the fluid this fall in prep for winter, but now I check it and it is very low.
After wounding my back on another project, I finally got back out to look at the dead cat. I tilited the cab, I don't know about the rest of you, but I use a long prybar to get it started and a couple of ratchet straps to get the cab tilted up. The solid pipe going from the pump to the left wheel motor has a small crack in it. Not much snow this winter, so no big deal. When I have some spare cash and some time, I will get the pipe off and head to the dealer to match it up.

I actually like going to get parts for this old thing, the guys at the counter actually know how to look up part numbers when they need to. If you have been in an auto parts store in the last ten years, you know what i am talking about.