Newbie - Bobcat 331X Excavator Hydraulic Control Valve Repair

[ccrbldr]

Hi all,

I'm brand new to this site and brand new to owning a min-excavator. I purchased it used knowing it had a few issues. The "bones" are good; no major hits and everything works. But, it has a pretty nasty leak from what the previous owner said was from the "series of 6 hydraulic control valves". He had it rebuilt with new O-rings/seals, but suspects there's a crack in the body somewhere. Now I'm a stranger to excavators, but not to wrenching on things so I'm not afraid to replace or repair stuff. I have plenty of other "toys" that I've built/rebuilt. It drips quite a bit of fluid and I want to fix it pretty quick. I only plan to use it around the "back 40" and not as a business.

On an Inet search, I came across some pics of others repairing the hydro control valve(s) and looks like they came from this site. Technically, I have not yet taken delivery of the machine but plan to pick it up this week. So, I'm looking for some advice on where to get the part, how much (aftermarket is fine), and perhaps a pic or two of what I'm getting in to. I have not unbolted the foorplate to look at it, but can readily see the drips from underneath the cab (under left foot area).

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

 

[brain55]

Are you sure its the control valve and not the swivel joint?

 

[ccrbldr]

Hey thanks for the quick reply. No, I am not sure exactly what it is. Only repeating what he told me that his personal mechanic (basically friend that works on misc. stuff) said. I won't know until I dig into it myself. Just getting a bit of buyer's remorse until I'm sure it's an available part and fixable.

 

[aircommuter]

The first thing about repairing equipment, cars and so on is make your own diagnosis. When you get it clean it good and watch closely, once you are sure where it is leaking from, then let us know if you still need help.