Should i buy this Bobcat CT235?

[fatboycowen]

Thanks for all the help so far, and words of encouragement. I ran the tractor a bunch this weekend. Pulled up some rocks, pulled out a huge stump, smoothed some area and removed material, where i plan to place gravel, etc. Machine was great. Starts easy, runs great. Very impressive machine.

I discovered a few things i had missed looking at the tractor, both of which are dumb mistakes by me, but i don't regret the decision, yet.
1. One of the loader bolt holes is entirely stripped. The rest are tight. So, i'll have to plan to remove the loader, then the subframe and repair the threads. I don't think it's an emergency, but i will watch the other bolts carefully and frequently check them.
2. The backhoe has a worn pin, and a very rounded out pin hole. It's the pin that attaches the boom to the dipper stick (probably the most important one). Not sure how i missed it while looking at the machine. It's the outer hole the pin slides through on one side. The other side is pretty tight. Hopefully i'll be able to find or have made a big piece of pipe with the correct diameter, and grind off whats there, and weld this on. It seems like an easy fix if i can find something to weld on, and a new pin.
3. A bunch of the grease fittings won't take grease. I'm going to go through them one by one removing the pins and clearing things up.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks for all the help so far, and words of encouragement. I ran the tractor a bunch this weekend. Pulled up some rocks, pulled out a huge stump, smoothed some area and removed material, where i plan to place gravel, etc. Machine was great. Starts easy, runs great. Very impressive machine. I discovered a few things i had missed looking at the tractor, both of which are dumb mistakes by me, but i don't regret the decision, yet. 1. One of the loader bolt holes is entirely stripped. The rest are tight. So, i'll have to plan to remove the loader, then the subframe and repair the threads. I don't think it's an emergency, but i will watch the other bolts carefully and frequently check them. 2. The backhoe has a worn pin, and a very rounded out pin hole. It's the pin that attaches the boom to the dipper stick (probably the most important one). Not sure how i missed it while looking at the machine. It's the outer hole the pin slides through on one side. The other side is pretty tight. Hopefully i'll be able to find or have made a big piece of pipe with the correct diameter, and grind off whats there, and weld this on. It seems like an easy fix if i can find something to weld on, and a new pin. 3. A bunch of the grease fittings won't take grease. I'm going to go through them one by one removing the pins and clearing things up.

Those are all pretty ordinary issues and solvable. Talk to a couple of good mechanics on #1 and 2 to see if you can do the necessary repairs yourself or farm those jobs out. #3 is easy but be aware that Kioti uses non standard zeros. I haven't needed to replace any on my tractor but I have soaked a number in diesel or used a zerk clearing tool to rejuvenate several.

 

[fatboycowen]

I'll struggle long and hard before farming anything out. Part of the joy of owning things like this, for me, is fixing and making them better.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'll struggle long and hard before farming anything out. Part of the joy of owning things like this, for me, is fixing and making them better.

I agree with your attitude. However there are some tasks that are best done by those who do them routinely. I can weld but I also know welders who replace backhoe bushings in the field on a weekly basis. If I had that issue I just might call them. I also had a FEL bolt come out with partial stripping of the hole threads. The replacement bolt with locktite seems to be holding (3 years) but if it doesn't I might simply drill and tap the hole for a larger bolt. I've never used a helical threaded insert to do such a repair so might well ask for experienced help paid or not.

Certainly figure out the repair and do it if you are reasonably confident but don't make matters worse. "See one, Do one , Teach one" is the old medical school adage about learning procedures.

 

[bspeedy]

For the grease fittings, Loctite makes a new product called 'Freeze & Release'. Makes the job easy because you may be able to avoid removing the pins. Remove grease fitting, pump grease through it to clear the clog, dig hardened grease out from inside with a small screwdriver or dental pick, spray Freeze & Release in hole, reinstall grease fitting, pump grease. A minute per fitting instead of taking the whole thing apart. So far it has given me a 100% success rate with fittings that won't take grease.

Don't forget the red thread locker on the FEL bolts that are holding. I would be tempted to try a helicoil repair on the stripped bolt if you can find one in the proper size.

Good luck.

 

[lilranch2001]

I like my 235, and agree, its a shame the deal with Bobcat fell apart
Loader bolts on these are notorious, just use a torque wrench and torque them every hundred hours of use

I have been doing a project all summer, most people say you cant do on a CUT.....

I have done it with my Bobcat
:thumbsup:

 

[roadhunter]

Glad to hear you are getting to know your tractor. Sounds like it's working out well.

 

[CJONE]

A little heat on the pins will get them to take grease. Go with the next size up U.S. fine thread and retap to save from a Helicoil or Timesert. Sometimes you don't have enough meat left for that. If the holes have been tapped deep you may be able to get a longer bolt the right length with a washer or 2 to tighten up. Like was stated if you know a good mechanic get his/her help if you are not comfortable with doing something like that. I usually get a call after the tap is broken off in the hole! CJ

 

[Buggs67]

I broke one zerk and others were frozen, so I bought a couple bags and nipple covers from here:
Grease Fittings Grease Fittings by Kingfisher | Zoro.com

They are an odd size. 1/8-28 British Tapered Pipe Thread.