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Bobcat 742B Troubleshooting

The Bobcat 742B skid steer loader is powered by Ford 1498 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a rated power of 34 hp (25.4 kW) or Mitsubishi 4G32 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a rated power of 35 hp (26 kW). The Bobcat 742B is equipped with a radial-lift loader boom, one-speed hydrostatic transmission, 80HS drive chains, and 7.00x15 standard tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 11 gpm (41.6 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 2400 psi (165 bar). The skid steer has a rated operating capacity of 1300 lbs (590 kg) and tipping load of 2600 lbs (1180 kg). The lift height is 109" (2770 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 86.3" (2190 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine hard to start or doesn't start
Empty fuel tank - Add gasoline.
Wrong fuel grade - Use correct fuel grade.
Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Loose or disconnected spark plug wire - Inspect spark plug wiring connection, change or repair.
Spark plug is damaged - Replace spark plug.
Ignition system failure - Check ignition and replace faulty components.
Fuel filter is clogged - Install new filter.
Dirt in the fuel lines - Clean fuel system lines.
Fuel pump is defective or dirty - Clean or install new fuel pump.
Problems with carburetor adjustment - Adjust as required.
Low engine compression - Inspect cylinder block and change defective components.

Irregular engine running
Ignition system malfunction - Check ignition system and replace faulty parts.
Air filter element is plugged - Clean or change filter.
Spark plug is faulty - Change spark plug as required.
Fuel pump is defective or dirty - Clean or install new fuel pump.
Incorrect valve clearance - Need to adjust valve clearance.
Bad ignition timing - Ignition timing needs to be adjusted correctly.
Low idle speed setting is not correct - Correct idle settings.

Engine starts and stops suddenly
Spark plug is damaged - Change spark plug as required.
Carburetor is clogged or defective - Clean or change carburetor.
Ignition coil is faulty - Change ignition coil as required.
Valve springs are broken or bad - New valve springs need to be installed.
Valves sticking - Service the valves.

Engine overheated
Low engine oil level - Fill up the engine oil.
Engine overload - Reduce engine load.
Carburetor fuel mixture is too lean - Adjust carburetor properly.
Ignition timing is wrong - Adjust ignition timing as required.
Wrong valve setting - Valves needs to be set correctly.
Faulty radiator cap or dirty radiator fins - Clean radiator or change cap.
Lack of coolant in cooling system - Refill to the correct level and inspect system for leaks.
Damaged thermostat - Install new thermostat.
Faulty water pump - Change water pump.

Engine knocking or noise
Stale gasoline - Use correct gasoline.
Engine overload - Reduce engine load.
Insufficient engine oil - Check and refill engine oil.
Incorrectly set low idle speed - Test and adjust.
Fuel pump is dirty or defective - Clean or replace fuel pump.
Worn main bearings or crankshaft - Replace crankshaft or bearings.
Valve clearance is incorrect - Adjust valve clearance according to specifications.
Damaged cylinder bore or piston rings - Change defective components.

Engine lacks power
Carburetor is clogged or incorrectly adjusted - Adjust the carburetor properly or clean it.
Clogged air filter - Service or change air filter.
Fuel pump is defective or dirty - Check fuel pump and replace if necessary.
Ignition system failure - Check ignition and replace faulty components.
Cylinder head gasket is defective - Change cylinder head gasket.
Burned or stuck valves - Replace or service valves.
Faulty cylinder block components - Replace defective parts.
Plugged oil filter - Clean or replace oil filter.

Excessive fuel consumption
Air filter element is clogged - Replace or clean air filter.
Incorrect carburetor main jet adjustment - Adjust the carburetor main jet properly.
Defective or loose spark plug - Change or re-tighten spark plug.
Improper ignition timing - Ignition timing needs to be adjusted correctly.
Valves are stuck, worn, or burned - Change or service valves.
Worn sleeve, rings, or piston - Change faulty components.
Incorrect valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance.
Poor compression - Inspect and replace wear parts.

High oil consumption
Seals or gaskets are defective - New components need to be installed.
Valve guides or stems are damaged - Valves replacement required.
Piston rings are seized or worn - Piston rings replacement required.
Piston or cylinder liner is worn - Check piston and liner, change as required.

Engine backfires
Carburetor fuel mixture is too lean - Adjust carburetor properly.
Restricted fuel lines - Clean fuel system lines.
Bad ignition timing - Set the ignition timing correctly.
Incorrect valve setting - Valves needs to be set correctly.
Clogged air filter - Clean or change air filter.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system doesn't operate in one direction or either direction
Low hydraulic oil level - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Drive chain failure - Inspect drive chain and replace defective parts.
Damaged input drive shaft - Rebuild or change.
Faulty relief valve - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Clogged suction line or hydraulic filter - Check, clean, or change if necessary.
Hand or foot controls failure - Check and repair as required.
Drive pump or motor is damaged - Repair or replace faulty component.

Low power
Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Replace or clean hydraulic filter.
Opened or defective relief valve - Replace or close relief valve.
Transmission components are faulty or damaged - Inspect and change defective parts.
Stuck input drive shaft - Rebuild or change the shaft.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.

Drive system overheating
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Plugged hydraulic fluid filter - Change hydraulic filter.
Relief valve malfunction - Repair or install a new relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Replace or repair faulty component.
Hydraulic oil cooler is dirty - Clean cooling fins as required.
Transmission overloading - Reduce loading.

Excessive noise
Improper oil viscosity - Use proper oil viscosity.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Change or repair faulty component.
Worn or defective mechanical components of drive system - Inspect drive system and replace faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheated
Incorrect hydraulic pressure setting - Correct setting is required.
Misadjusted or defective main relief valve - Adjust the valve or replace if necessary.
Hydraulic oil is contaminated - The oil must be changed.
Hydraulic oil level is low - Add oil to the hydraulic system.
Hydraulic pump is faulty - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.

Lift arm can't drop or lift
Damaged lift controls - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve is defective - Install a new valve or repair it.
Hydraulic cylinder is faulty - Repair or change hydraulic cylinder.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Bucket does not tilt
Bucket controls failure - Change or repair.
Hydraulic pump failure - Install new pump or repair it.
Hydraulic control valve is defective - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Bucket cylinder malfunction - Repair or change cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Add fluid as required.

Boom or bucket is working slowly
Worn hydraulic oil pump - Check pump flow and change pump if necessary.
Oil leaks from hydraulic cylinder - Install new cylinder seals.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Worn or unadjusted hydraulic control valve - Repair or set correctly.
Low hydraulic pressure - Set pressure correctly.

Bucket or boom is working jerkily
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Clean or install new filter.
Contaminated hydraulic oil - Change hydraulic oil.
Cylinder tube or rod is scored - Replace failed component.

Hydraulic pump is noisy
Hydraulic leakage or low oil level - Repair hydraulic leaks or add oil as required.
Hydraulic filter is clogged - Service or replace hydraulic filter.
Plugged suction line - Clean suction line as required.
Pump sucks air - Bleed air.
Pump parts are faulty - Rebuild or install new pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery will not charge
Loose or corroded wire connections - Tighten or clean electrical wiring connections.
Battery terminal connectors are faulty - Change terminal connectors.
Bad cell in battery - Use a new battery.
Defective or loose belt - Adjust belt tension or replace belt.

Starter turns slow
Battery capacity is low - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Battery does not hold charge - Service battery or replace it.
Battery cables are disconnected or terminals are faulty - Check wiring and clean or replace terminals.

Starter motor is not working
Battery is drained or defective - Change or recharge battery.
Battery cables are disconnected or incorrectly connected - Check cables and connect as needed.
Battery capacity is low - Recharge the battery.
Starter motor is faulty - Starter needs to be replaced.

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SKID STEER LOADERS SPECIFICATIONS