moving a inoperative Bobcat

[Higgins]

I have an inoperative 443 Bocat behind the House. I need to move it ~ 20 feet so a tow truck can get a hold of it.

Can I use a block chain on the horizontal to move the Bobcat? The deadweight of the BC is around 2,300 lbs.
Next option would be to try and use 2 block and tackles at the same time, distributing the weight between them?
Any thoughts ???

AL

 

[JamesW84]

You sure the tow truck can't winch it where he needs it? If not, I assume you don't have a truck to pull it?

 

[east_tn_emc]

Any friend or neighbors with a tractor? I have dragged much heavier with my CUT Deere tractor. Once pulled a truck sideways about 100 feet and the Deere never knew it was dragging anything.

 

[Higgins]

I Wish!

I have to pull the BC from around a corner of the deck.

I'm planning on jacking up the BC and put plywood underneath to facilitate moving the BC up the hill

The ground is only about 10 ft wide at that point. Once I het the BC moved to the corner, I hope to rotate the BC 90 degrees, and pull it up the path which is only 8 ft wide.

I may have to look at attaching a pully and attach it to a tree as an offset, and try using a steel cable!

 

[YukonXL04]

I Wish!

I have to pull the BC from around a corner of the deck.

I'm planning on jacking up the BC and put plywood underneath to facilitate moving the BC up the hill

The ground is only about 10 ft wide at that point. Once I het the BC moved to the corner, I hope to rotate the BC 90 degrees, and pull it up the path which is only 8 ft wide.

I may have to look at attaching a pully and attach it to a tree as an offset, and try using a steel cable!

No jeep friends with a winch? ATV with a 4500lb winch? You could get a 1.5 or 3ton chain come along and pull with that, but you would need something solid to anchor to.
Not familiar with hydraulics, is there anyway to allow the wheels to free spin?

You could go to Harbor freight and buy a 4500lb winch. The 2500lb is only $60, maybe with a couple snatchblocks might be able to pull it

You can use a chain block horizontally, it is frowned upon but it will work. Done it before at work, but it's a big "no no" lol

 

[CJseven]

So what are you planning on hooking the block and tackle up to to pull the Bc sideways? Have you even spoke to the tow company, they have ****** blocks and things to redirect the cable to go around obstacles and things.

 

[Mattlt]

I have absolutely no idea how to do this on your model, but have you bypassed the hydraulics on the Bobcat? It will pull much easier to move if the wheels will spin freely. Check with the shop you're hauling it to or do some googling on the subject.

 

[cvairwerks]

Tow driver can do a redirect if you have a decent tree or two in the right direction. 1 extra strap and a ****** block and only need to hook up to the Bobcat one time for the entire move. Another possibility is if the truck can back to the corner of the house, he should be able to do a redirect right off his bed and grab it.

 

[Higgins]

The first issue is the BC is around the corner of the deck. It's sitting on a flat area that is only 10 feet wide. So I need to pull it forward aprox 15 ft to the corner of the deck. To accomplish this i'll have to put plywood with vegetable oil on it so it will slide on the plywood. To do this, I deed to chain it to a tree and pull it forward the 15 or so feet. The BC is sitting on the top of a hill, and there is only a narrow path around the house. In the past, I've used my PU to move the BC around, but there isn't anyway to get even near the BC. Tried on of the HF winches and they don't work. Neighbor has a chain hoist, but we weren't sure that it would work horizontally.

It's been raining yesterday and this morning, so we'll have to stop until we can walk on the side of the hill!

Game plan is to use the tree to be able to winch the BC out of the 1st leg of it's journey. Then turn it 90 degrees, and winch it up the hill using plywood. Then rotate it another 90 degrees so it can be winched into a trailer.

Fingers Crossed!! Need rain to stop!

 

[4xdog]

Bobcats weigh only 2300 lb? I'd have guessed twice that.

In some parts of the country, the local off road / 4WD clubs will have recovery training days and will jump to rescue stranded members (or strangers even, sometimes -- it tends to be a generous community).

Perhaps your project would give them some rigging and recovery experience? If you buy the chicken and the beer, perhaps they'll bring the gear and the skill?

 

[TractorJeff]

Lay the plywood. buy Harbor Freight Machinery Moving Skates, jack up skid steer, place on skates, move wherever easily!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Have you read what your fellow members have told you ? Let the tow truck use a ****** block hooked to the tree. Once it is clear of the deck, he can reset and pull it on his rollback. These guys do this simple day in and day out.

Either free up the hydraulic system so it rolls or let it drag. You'll spend less time fixing any ruts, than you will shuffling plywood and look g up the tires

 

[zkdiesel]

Have you read what your fellow members have told you ? Let the tow truck use a ****** block hooked to the tree. Once it is clear of the deck, he can reset and pull it on his rollback. These guys do this simple day in and day out.

Either free up the hydraulic system so it rolls or let it drag. You'll spend less time fixing any ruts, than you will shuffling plywood and look g up the tires

Perfect example

 

[Farmall450]

You sure the tow truck can't winch it where he needs it? If not, I assume you don't have a truck to pull it?

Yeah, this. That's a light bobcat. I'd put the winch in my hitch receiver or use a bigger skid steer or tractor

 

[VocaTexas]

I blew one of the hydraulic motors on my New Holland skid steer a few years ago. When the truck arrived to winch it on, he had me sit in the seat and work the sticks back and forth to let the oil pass through the motors. He was afraid dragging it might damage the drive chains. My loader weighs about 8,000 lbs, though.

The guys above are correct about the wrecker driver being able to redirect to get better access. I do the same thing a lot of times moving sea containers. As long as you have something solid enough to hold the ****** block it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Higgins]

The hydraulics have no fluid, as it blew a hydraulic line, and there isn't any way to work on it where it is located!

 

[rlitman]

I have absolutely no idea how to do this on your model, but have you bypassed the hydraulics on the Bobcat? It will pull much easier to move if the wheels will spin freely. Check with the shop you're hauling it to or do some googling on the subject.

+1 I was going to say this. If you forget to bypass the hydraulics, expect major damage from towing. There's usually a bypass valve.

The hydraulics have no fluid, as it blew a hydraulic line, and there isn't any way to work on it where it is located!

So it's completely empty?

 

[Higgins]

We would if we could. the path along side the deck is 8 - 12 wide. Then its a straight drop down the hill. So any tractor, PU, or other vehicle will not fit down the path.

So we (I) will have to try winching the BC over to where we can turn the BC to pill it up a walk area that is only 8 ft wide.

The other option is to have a small crane PU the BC and lift if over the deck.

Will not be able to work on this for a couple of days as it's so wet, you can't stand on the side of the hill!

 

[Higgins]

+1 I was going to say this. If you forget to bypass the hydraulics, expect major damage from towing. There's usually a bypass valve.



So it's completely empty?

Yes! Blew a hose! and too close to deck to be able to work on it!

 

[nadogail]

Good Luck, there have been lots of suggestions posted here.

Certainly someone at the scene can offer more than I.

 

[greg13]

If the 443 is like the later models you will need to pull the brake solenoid out and possibly the brake wedge to roll it. You need to flip the cab and it should be about under the seat. Only a couple of bolts so it is not a hard job. The wedge is a block of steel that drops between the gears to lock the wheels.

When they winch it, run the cable UNDER the bucket to the center tie down on the front if you are going forward to keep it from digging in.

 

[ford33]

OP post some pictures of the path the bob cat needs to travel. This would help.

I would also suggest you let the tow truck company take it out. They do this for a living and can get vehicles out of most any location.

 

[rustyjames]

If it has regular tires (as opposed to solid) make sure they are well aired up or you'll run a good risk of popping the rim beads if you plan on dragging sideways.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Never towed one that small, but I’d damn sure release tow valves or remove drive chains before towing so you don’t damage drive motors.
One that small, if just go in with a bigger skid loader with forks on, and carry it out.

 

[Leroy]

Before you destroy your yard and pay a tow truck, what would it take to get it running?

 

[Stilwell816]

I’ve winched more Bobcats than I can remember working for a dealership. You will do no harm by dragging it. We drag them every day.

 

[ItsNemo]

Before you destroy your yard and pay a tow truck, what would it take to get it running?

You're getting it towed for a blown line? Just get a new line made up and replace it in place.

 

[sweetk30]

from a ex tow truck OPERATOR i can tell you these guys are right .

if there is a solid tree or place to lock in a ****** block he can bring extra cable and reach it to slide it out like you want to do . then once set unhook the ****** block rehook bobcat only spin and drag up to the truck .

i have loaded / recovered a lot harder stuff . so unless there is something we cant see or imagine about the job let the BIG tow truck do the work for you .

 

[PugetDude]

If you're winching it forward with a tree for an anchor, the tow truck driver can hook a ****** block to the same tree and winch it forward 15'.
I've done it many times, you can use the ****** block (or 2) to get a pull in the direction you need it to move, regardless of the direction the truck is pointed. I've pulled vehicles out of ditches using two ****** blocks with the tow truck headed in the completely opposite direction. This one should be a no-brainer for an experienced operator with a ****** block, a strap and a winch with sufficient cable.You're overthinking this, IMO.
Hire a decent tow operator and get out of his/her way.
Good Luck. Let us know how it works out.

 

[Kermit007]

Instead of trying to move the bobcat and paying a wrecker to winch it out of your backyard, why not call the Bobcat dealer and have them fix your hydraulic line where it is. Cat and John Deere have been fixing equipment in the field for at least the last 50 years. You pay extra for this service, but it will get you going.
Or, you can just replace the line yourself and save some money.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Higgins]

Unfornatually, There is no room to work on the BC from the side where it is located

 

[Higgins]

OP post some pictures of the path the bob cat needs to travel. This would help.

I would also suggest you let the tow truck company take it out. They do this for a living and can get vehicles out of most any location.

I'm retired and thought retirement was going to be fun. Ya, Right. Well, I've got a newer smart phone and have no idea of how to transfer the photos out of the phone and get them to the laptop. Then the laptop is Windows 10 and have no idea of how to post pictures...

Two tow companies looked at it and didn't want to take the job as they were worried about loosing it down the hill. Will be contacting other companies this week...

Have my fingers crossed!!

 

[ItsNemo]

Unfornatually, There is no room to work on the BC from the side where it is located

I find this hard to believe...you need to post pics of the situation.

 

[Higgins]

Instead of trying to move the bobcat and paying a wrecker to winch it out of your backyard, why not call the Bobcat dealer and have them fix your hydraulic line where it is. Cat and John Deere have been fixing equipment in the field for at least the last 50 years. You pay extra for this service, but it will get you going.
Or, you can just replace the line yourself and save some money.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes, I can have BC perform the work on site. That would require 2 trips. The 1st one to determine what parts would be required. Then a second trip to install the parts. The travel cost for the 2 field trips is $1,000 in travel time. So I prefer to send the BC to Knoxville instead!

 

[birdman7389]

Seems like a hydraulic line like that would have a part #. A local mechanic can likely swap it out without much fuss. It's not like a bobcat is the space shuttle here.

 

[Bellaireroad]

Yes, I can have BC perform the work on site. That would require 2 trips. The 1st one to determine what parts would be required. Then a second trip to install the parts. The travel cost for the 2 field trips is $1,000 in travel time. So I prefer to send the BC to Knoxville instead!

I’ll find someone local to fix it. Avoid the headache, tearing the **** out of your yard, repairing the yard later, towing, and time spent. Sometimes in the grand scheme of things saving a few bucks doesn’t make cents

 

[PugetDude]

Unfornatually, There is no room to work on the BC from the side where it is located

Yes, I can have BC perform the work on site. That would require 2 trips. The 1st one to determine what parts would be required. Then a second trip to install the parts. The travel cost for the 2 field trips is $1,000 in travel time. So I prefer to send the BC to Knoxville instead!

If access is the biggest issue, I'd be removing a few deck boards to get to the part that needs to be replaced.

Do you have an 8-year old neighbor kid that can help you post pics?
Seriously, it's hard to imagine the issue with you describing the elephant.

 

[RPH]

Pull it out straight by what ever method. Once clear, fix it in place. Drive it out after repair. If it’s only a hose it’s not a hard job most of the time once you know what you need.

 

[59 wagon man]

there are mobile hydraulic hose repair trucks all over the place and I doubt it would cost a $1000 for them to come out and make a hose. Several hundred for sure though

 

[crewchief888]

Limited access to where the leak is...... have you flipped the cab to see what's leaking. It could be any hose, theres only a couple places that oil can get out, no matter what is leaking. I'd take a look before even trying to winch it out
Just my $0.02