You may need to remove the final drive motor from your mini excavator for a number of reasons. But if you’ve never removed an end drive, it can be intimidating. While it will take some time. It’s worth the effort to understand how to do this safely. In this post, we’ll give you some tips and tricks for removing the final drive from a Bobcat mini excavator. So removing the final drive will be a little easier.
How to remove a final drive motor from a mini excavator?
Although all mini excavators, compact excavators and mini excavators will someday need to pull their final drive motor. You should not simply assume that the same approach can always be taken across brands and machines. This means that, as with any machinery, you should always start with the manual.
However, there are some tips that will always ensure you do a good job. Here are our top tips for final drive motor removal:
Tip 1: Park carefully
This may seem obvious. But sometimes it’s easy to prepare for a job in one place, only to realize it’s not the right place for the job. When it comes to removing an end drive, you want to be somewhere flat, clean, and safe. In this way, it will be easier to support the lynx without risk of injury. And it helps prevent pollutants from getting into unwanted places.
Tip 2: Clean up
Before you start disassembling your mini excavator, you want it to be clean. A pressure hose is a great way to remove more ingrained dirt and grease. Doing this before you begin will help prevent dirt from getting into unwanted places during the removal process. And if you remove the final drive motor, it’s a good opportunity to give your machine a deep clean to help improve its performance, longevity, and safety of use.
Tip 3: Support the excavator
Often people simply use the bucket to support their excavator when removing their final drive. But it makes sense to back it up on something more secure in the event of a hydraulic failure. A couple of sturdy wooden blocks will do. You’ll also need a hand sling for when you pull the final drive motor, which will be very heavy! Now you are ready to think about removing parts from your machine.
Tip 4: Remove the clues
Before you do anything else, you’ll need to remove the tracks from your mini excavator. Reduce the track tension and the tracks will come off relatively easily. You should then loosen the bolts holding the sprocket and remove both the sprocket and the engine cover. You should also check that the filters and hydraulic fluids are in good condition before replacing the engine.
Tip 5: Label hydraulic hoses
You will need to disconnect the hydraulic hoses before pulling the final drive. But don’t dive right in. To make installation easier, it’s a good idea to label the hoses. Ideally this should be color coordinated so you know which hose goes where when it comes to reinstalling it. As soon as you disconnect a hose you should cap the ends as well. This helps prevent dirt from getting inside the mechanics.
Tip 6: Carefully remove the final drive motor
You need to remove the loose screws and prepare the sling. You are now ready to remove the final drive. You will need to carefully remove it and glue the cover underneath. The final drive motor on a Bobcat mini excavator is notoriously heavy. So, if you don’t want to cause any damage or injury, you have to be very careful at this stage. A sling makes it much easier to remove a final drive motor safely. So don’t even think about doing without one.
summing up
Removing a final drive motor can seem intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. If you follow the tips above, you will ensure that your machine is protected. And you’ll make sure to do it safely and easily. Once you’ve done it once, you’ll see that it’s not that hard either. Just remember to always check the manual first and be careful at each stage of the removal process.
