Overturned bobcat excavator

[hosspuller]

Buddy has just overturned his excavator this afternoon

I haven't seen it yet. I'll post pics this evening.

What precautions should be taken pulling it up right and before starting the engine?

 

[dex3361]

Do not try to start it without pulling the glow plugs and blowing the oil out of the cylinders. Otherwise you may be hydro locked and bend or break a rod if you try to start it.

 

[hosspuller]

Here's the pics.

A few lessons learned. Inexperienced operator, muddy conditions, heavy loads, deep holes don't mix.

Seat belts and ROPS do save lives.

A crane company will be contacted. This is not a simple extraction with make shift equipment.

 

[BethelHntr]

Ouch

 

[GaryM]

Glad no one was hurt. If it's a rental with insurance, that's even better!

 

[Gale Hawkins]

It may not be damaged much. I first saw the roofing and thought it was part of the machine. Due to the light weigh it may not be hard to upright.

 

[dirt ditch]

Not good. Glad no one was hurt.

 

[300UGUY]

Up here, the locals would scrap that metal, not bury it. Glad nobody was hurt.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Easy to do if you are not careful every sec. Never done it but came close, glad no one was hurt.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Oh boy. That's the exact reason I where my seatbelt in my 335. That can happen in an instant! Glad nobody was hurt. Hope machine is okay..

 

[hosspuller]

The excavator has been extricated! Didn't take $2000 of crane time. A reputable crane company suggested a better solution. A heavy OTR hauler and experience pulled it out in a few minutes. Notice the two cables. By jockeying the excavator between the cables no further damage was sustained.

 

[Hill Farmer]

Bet that wasn't cheap either....but cheaper than a crane.

 

[yelbike]

I wear my seatbelt even tilling on flat land. I may look like a dork to some but at least I should be ok in a roll over. Glad no one was hurts. How's the engine?

 

[hosspuller]

I wear my seatbelt even tilling on flat land. I may look like a dork to some but at least I should be ok in a roll over. Glad no one was hurts. How's the engine?

Owner is letting the machine sit a while. Hoping most of the engine oil will drain down. Before starting, he'll do a fluid service and turn the engine over by hand.

 

[HarryN]

When something like this happens, (side ways, upside down, etc) how long does it take before the engine shuts down?
Are operators quick enough to shut it down by hand, while they worry about where they are about to go?
Would it save anything if it gets shut down soon enough??

 

[SSdoxie]

No oil pressure shut down will occur in about 30 seconds, sufficient time to save engine from lubrication damage. The greater risk in this case is oil flowing into the valve cover, through the PVC valve to the intake manifold and getting drawn into cylinders and bending rod while it is still running.