Such a complicated solution to a simple problem

[Gravdigr]

So yesterday I was spreading some gravel on the cemetery road with my newly aquired Gehl 450 skid steer. I went to drop the bucket and the handle went loose in my hand and I couldn't move the bucket up or down. I had a pretty good idea what the problem was (linkage) but had no idea what I have to go through to fix it. Apparently the bolt that connects the swivel joint on the linkage to the handle backed itself out. Simple fix right? Wrong.

I had to remove the dash and a ton of brackets. I finally get to the last 4 bolts holding the cowel on and apparently these bolts that go through the floor do not use welded blind nuts, and I cannot fathom how to get a wrench to the nuts under the floor. The undercarriage is pretty much completely sealed. I would love to find the engineer that designed this BS setup.

 

[EddieWalker]

Yeah, it can be a real pain to figure out how these things go together. I had a similar nightmare with my backhoe. It took two people to get to the bolts to get the hose off and then on again. I was under it, reaching way up to a place I couldn't see, and my dad was reaching in from behind to the same place, which he couldn't see. It was one of those issues of just keeping at it until it came off. Not fun, but for a couple of hours, we got to spend quality time together. LOL

Eddie

 

[Farmwithjunk]

VERY simple solution.... Just dial the phone and hold your wallet out at arms length when the service truck pulls up.

 

[RalphVa]

I had my forward HST pedal go loose on me on my 4010. A cotter pin had some out. I was able to get underneath and put a new pin in. Actually used an old key ring and washer.

Ralph

 

[tlbuser]

VERY simple solution.... Just dial the phone and hold your wallet out at arms length when the service truck pulls up.

While that approach does work for some, for others it is the most painful of solutions. Why else do we have cutters, grinders, air compressors except to dismantle things created by others to figure out exactly how they put them together What are you supposed to do with all of that free time waiting for and then watching the service guy work?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

While that approach does work for some, for others it is the most painful of solutions. Why else do we have cutters, grinders, air compressors except to dismantle things created by others to figure out exactly how they put them together What are you supposed to do with all of that free time waiting for and then watching the service guy work?

My comment was one of those "tongue in cheek" sorta things....

I'm one of those "They ain't built ANYTHING I can't take apart" types myself

My comment was more of an opinion on the nature of todays products. They aren't built to be worked on by the end user. And that's why I like my OLD stuff so much.

 

[Blagadan]

They aren't built to be worked on by the end user. And that's why I like my OLD stuff so much.

amen fwj

I recently took my washing machine apart to replace a worn bearing... Once I took the side covers off the whole darn thing near fell apart, no sub frame, just barely made strong enough to keep itself together. With all the component parts inside clipped into place. Perfect for a factory assembly line. Not good for the end user to take apart in his kitchen.
And adding insult to injury, instead of just paying $5 for a bearing, I had to buy the whole darn bearing housing and guide rails cos the bearing was integral to the plastic part...


Sometimes I wish I didnt throw out that 20 year old machine I used to have. I had an intimate knowledge of that thing. Just about anyone could have repaired it.

 

[Gravdigr]

My comment was more of an opinion on the nature of todays products. They aren't built to be worked on by the end user. And that's why I like my OLD stuff so much.

I don't think they get much older than this...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I don't think they get much older than this...

That is an old one. I wish I had my camera here at work today. We have an old "MELROE" Bobcat out behind the maint shop that's old enough it came WITHOUT a FOPS canopy. It seems like it showed up here back in the late '60's or very early 70's.

 

[TwinWillows]

I think your & my skidsteers might be the same vintage.. Heres a few of my Melroe Bobcat after an engine overhaul, heavy service, paint & new decals.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I think your & my skidsteers might be the same vintage.. Heres a few of my Melroe Bobcat after an engine overhaul, heavy service, paint & new decals.

Looks very much alike. The one here at work doesn't have the canopy. I don't recall it ever having one. It's a little un-nerving being in it without that protection. We used it for years to work inside of buildings were were gutting for remodeling. It hasn't ran in years. Being used now as sort of a "book end" to hold up a stack of scaffolding.

Did you have a lot of trouble getting parts when you restored yours? (I asked as a lightbulb went off above my head!!!!)

 

[PitbullMidwest]

A friend was an engineer for Cat in the '70s and once told me that for every part he designed, he had to include additional drawings showing adequate space for hands and tools to service/remove the part. I've heard him curse more than one engineer who didn't subscribe to this practice.

 

[TwinWillows]

FWJ,

Not really - although it was rebuilt in Pittsbrugh PA @ one of the largest Bobcat dealerships... They have one of the original 3 wheel Keller Bros skidsteers in their lobby in 120% restored condition. Kind of a wierd/cool looking machine. They were originally built on a custom basis to clean out a Ill farmers turkey barns as the old method of wheelbarrows & pitchforks took a gang of men a long time...

Mine is an M-600 & it is complete w/a backhoe, rear stabilizers, 2 buckets & a heavy duty equipment trailer. Any idea what model yours is?

Twin

 

[AlanB]

FWJ, we had a 610 which is a bit newer then the 600 shown, but Bobcat always had any part I needed in a day or two. Their stockage of parts, even out of date stuff, has impressed me time and again.

Only place that got a touch flaky was engine parts, but I was always able to find them.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

FWJ,

Any idea what model yours is?

Twin

I'll dig around and find out. It's painted bright red now, with no decals left intact. (well....WAS bright red 20 years ago) Everything our company owns finally gets a shot of red.

Bill

 

[Champy]

I once had to replace the blower motor on my old Chevy....it was sealed up in a gap between the wheel well and the firewall. Called the dealer for directions and the tech said the manual says to remove the fender to access that area..............wth??

My Dad had a much simpler solution........we cut the metal inside the wheel well to make a flap access hole; bent the flap out of the way; replaced the motor; bent the flap of metal back into place and tack welded a couple of spots; bondo to seal the cut marks.