X for experimental?

[Solar Oak]

Does anyone know if the X means it's an "experimental" model? I have an X331 mini excavator and I've seen quite a few for sale, online. The X is plainly visible on the machine. But, when I talked to a lady, at Bobcat, she had no clue what it meant. She only knew of the 331. A couple parts sites I've been to, have no listings for the X331. But they do have the 331.

In trying to figure out why one track runs faster than the other, the manufacturer of the drive motor said the X331 was geared a little bit faster. He was the one who said it might stand for Experimental. Just wondering if anyone knows why some are X's and some are not. Thanks in advance.

 

[Peter 315]

Could very well mean experimental. I found this site and they say if you change one drive that speed might change slightly..Aftermarket Final drive for Bobcat 231 X331 331 334

 

[PILOON]

Maybe "X" like in Xavator?

 

[Solar Oak]

Could very well mean experimental. I found this site and they say if you change one drive that speed might change slightly..Aftermarket Final drive for Bobcat 231 X331 331 334

I can pretty much vouch for the speed difference. My right motor appears original. The left looks much newer, as in a 331, rather than an X331. The difference is quite obvious! But worth a $2,500 to correct? I don't think so.

 

[Solar Oak]

I've heard, and thought, of that. But, wouldn't the Bobcat rep know that? It's no big deal. I just wondered if anyone really knew the reason for the X designation.

 

[SSdoxie]

X stands for extendable dipper arm (hydraulic extendable). For several years was only made in 331 size machine. Model 331 was standard dipper arm length, 334 same machine with fixed longer dipper arm, X331 hydraulic extendable from standard to 334 length.

Note: drive motors in all 3 models were the same. When original motor became "not available", replacement motor is slightly different cubic displacement so travel speed will be different.

 

[Solar Oak]

X stands for extendable dipper arm (hydraulic extendable). For several years was only made in 331 size machine. Model 331 was standard dipper arm length, 334 same machine with fixed longer dipper arm, X331 hydraulic extendable from standard to 334 length.

Note: drive motors in all 3 models were the same. When original motor became "not available", replacement motor is slightly different cubic displacement so travel speed will be different.

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That certainly sounds reasonable. Except that my X331 does not have an extendable arm. I've stumbled across several things recently, that seem to prove your theory, as to my serial number (512915200-512917112), was correct. But, now I'm wondering if the serial number is correct, or the X331 painted on the side?

 

[SSdoxie]

I forgot about the other possibility. The bucket X-change system. The X may mean machine was built from factory with the quick X-change bucket attachment versus normal pin on bucket. When the X-change system came out it was a factory option, not standard.
Either way X does not mean experimental. All experimental, test machines were property of engineering R&D and never sold to anyone. If they were not exactly like production model they were disassembled and eventually sold for scrape.

 

[Solar Oak]

I forgot about the other possibility. The bucket X-change system. The X may mean machine was built from factory with the quick X-change bucket attachment versus normal pin on bucket. When the X-change system came out it was a factory option, not standard.
Either way X does not mean experimental. All experimental, test machines were property of engineering R&D and never sold to anyone. If they were not exactly like production model they were disassembled and eventually sold for scrape.

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I'm afraid that's not it, either. Mine does not have the quick connect system. I wish it did, even though I only have one bucket, at the time. I think my unit made a trip through a scrap yard, so maybe, the extendable arm was replaced, with a standard one. I'm still surprised that the lady at the factory, didn't know the difference.

 

[ruffdog]

Here is a x331 that was at auction with a standard boom and pin-on bucket. :confused3: I have also read the same x331 vs 331 question on other threads and have yet to see a sure answer....strange.

Used Construction, Farm, Fleet, and Government Equipment For Sale | Auctions | Purple Wave

 

[Solar Oak]

It's not a big deal. I was just wondering what the difference might be. What's really curious, is that the factory rep didn't know, either.

 

[PILOON]

In some disciplines X is for an unknown quality or quantity.

Perhaps they did not know how good or bad that product would be.

 

[LD1]

WHen I was in the market for a mini.....narrowed in on the 331 sized machine.

Saw a few x331's and they all seemed to be older machines. Like they were just a previous version of the 331.

In the vintage I settled on (15 year old machine).....there were 3. There was the standard short arm 331, the long arm 334 (which I have) and the 331E which had the extendable boom. I also have one track motor that slightly out paces the other. Say if I started at the the corner of an endzone on a football field and tried to drive straight down the sideline.....I'd end up about at the fieldgoal post without making corrections along the way. For a 15 year old 3000hr machine it isnt worth the time/money to correct the very minor annoyance

 

[Solar Oak]

I think if I started in the end zone, and went along the goal line, I'd hit the goal post. If I didn't go behind it! Maybe we should swap motors.

 

[Peter 315]

I talked to the owner of Bobcat of Boston and asked him . He chuckled a bit and said excavator.......

 

[Solar Oak]

I talked to the owner of Bobcat of Boston and asked him . He chuckled a bit and said excavator.......

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So, what is a 331? A post hole digger?? :laughing: