M-371 bobcat

I have a M-371 bobcat and would like to know if it is supose to have ATF transmission fluid for the hydrostat or gear oil. I just got it running and the bucket to work, it has trans fluid in it now just don't know if thats what it is suppose to have. Any help would be appriciated, thanks

Bobcat M-371
Posted: 02/20/2009 12:30 PM
Hello, I am new to this site, but it looks pretty helpful so far. My father in law just purchased a M-371 Bobcat, and I have a few questions about it. 1. How do you check the hydraulic fluid level. 2. We don't know what year it is, how can I find out? Any help would be great, thank you, Jason



BowHunterFett

Joined: 20 Feb 2009
Total Posts: 4

Re: Bobcat M-371
Posted: 02/22/2009 07:53 PM
No one knows? I looked under the seat, and found what I believe to be the fill for the case for the drive chains and such, and assume it is a common sump for the hydraulics, but I am not sure how to check the fluid level, there is no dip stick to be founf on this. Also, Anyone know how large the gas tank is on these things? I don't know much about them, I have never worked on them before, so any help would be great.



SlagKing

Joined: 16 Jul 2007
Total Posts: 6

Re: Bobcat M-371
Posted: 02/25/2009 07:18 AM
I also have a M-371. To check the level of the hydraulic fluid, which should be ATF, there are two small bolts on the right side between the tires. Take them out and if any fluid comes out of either one, it's full. If not, fill through the fill tube until it comes out the lower of the side holes. Replace the bolts. To drain the fluid, there is a drain plug at the front down low. Yeap, that one! The fuel tanks is 6 gallons. Could be 8 gallons but I believe 6 is correct. Anything else I can help with...let me know. Slag/Tom



BowHunterFett

Joined: 20 Feb 2009
Total Posts: 4

Re: Bobcat M-371
Posted: 02/25/2009 04:17 PM
Thanks, that'll help alot, and you use ATF? Would regular hydraulic fluid work? or are there clutches in there?



SlagKing

Joined: 16 Jul 2007
Total Posts: 6

Re: Bobcat M-371
Posted: 02/27/2009 11:33 AM
Mine has clutches. I understand that maybe...a big maybe...some of the last ones used hydraulic motors. I havn't seen any myself. ATF is what should be used with the clutch driven M-371. The way to tell is to push it with the engine off. If you can, and it should be easy, it has clutches. A hydraulic driven skidsteer with the engine off, can't be moved without skidding the whole thing. Also remember that you won't have a parking brake, and this skidsteer will freewheel if the controls for movement are not engaged. Also you have no brakes. You must use the controls all the time Have fun! Slag


Hope this helps, Aaron

The manual page 58 says to use 10W-30 or 10W-40 PAI class SE motor oil in the hyd system. Took me longer to find the manual then it did to find the answer in the manual LOL

Go to the Bobcat website there is a vast amount of info there.
Here is some manuals I found for Bobcats.

Keith & Shawn(Gold Medal Winner)
Poke here for on line Manuals

I thank they were made in 1971! Thanks for all the great info,didn't know how to check fluid levels either, do now. I am having trouble getting hydralics to work, not sure if there is just to much air in lines or what, do I just need to keep working them?