It's been a long time since Bobcat pulled the plug off its 337 mini excavator, but during its heyday, it is considered to be one of its key offerings. One of the things that primarily makes the vehicle stand out from the competition is its build quality which boasts more operating hours than its rivals as well as its ergonomic design featuring both a bucket attachment and blade at the rear.

Despite its age, there are still a lot of Bobcat 337 circulating in the market, which just speaks about its longevity. However, for that same reason, the aging machine could also mean that you may risk running into problems that it is commonly known for.

In this article, we will show you just how long you can stretch the life of your mini excavator and provide you with an idea of the most common cause of its problems so you will know what to watch out for and address right away to ensure the productivity and longer life of your vehicle.

Bobcat 337 Durability

One of the key selling points of the Bobcat 337 is its promised reliability and durability. According to its maker, this piece of machinery is designed to last up to 10,000 operating hours before requiring major or uneconomical repairs. However, this may not be far from reality as many complaints have been logged as early as the first 2,500 to 3,000 operating hours of the vehicle.

On the contrary, many operators of the Bobcat 337 have proudly claimed that they were able to go past the number when they have not skipped a beat in terms of its regular maintenance.

Most Common Problems Found in the Bobcat

Based on mechanics, forums, and operator feedback, here are the most common issues that you may run into with the aging Bobcat 337:

1. Leakage at the Back of the Drive Sprocket

The most common problems in the Bobcat 337 can be found in its final drive. One of the most prevalent is a leakage at the back of the drive sprocket due to clogging in the drain filter and/or worn seals.

To determine the cause of this leak, start by assessing the symptoms. If the excavator is not moving or jerking forward when in use, a possible cause would be a clogged filter from dirt and debris buildup. A visual inspection is then required to determine if the seals are still intact. This can help locate any cracks or worn spots that may have been caused by frequent use and regular wear and tear over time.

To solve the problem, new filters need to be installed and all seals must be replaced as soon as possible to avoid further problems with driveline leakage. To do so, it is important that quality parts are used. Genuine Bobcat parts are recommended for optimal performance, but aftermarket equivalent components may also be used.

Once the filters and seals are replaced, it is best to test the excavator to ensure that the drive sprocket is working properly and no further leaks exist. If any occur again, repeat the process of diagnosing from symptoms and visual inspection until the source of the leak is found. With regular maintenance, leakage at its final drive can be prevented for a long time.

2. Overheating Final Drive

Overheating in the final drive of the Bobcat 337 can also occur in the aftermath of possible leaks in its system. Likewise, they can happen due to other failing parts, too. This problem can be diagnosed using the same methods as described above.

Detecting the cause of the overheating in the final drive of a Bobcat 337 mini excavator is best done by first assessing any visual signs that could indicate a problem. Leaking fluid, discoloration from heat, and bulging or cracked hoses or lines are all possible indicators of an issue.

Upon making sure that its fluids are topped up and still within the recommended quality by Bobcat, proceed by checking the mini excavator for possible signs of a failed seal. It's important to determine which seals are no longer functional, and replace them immediately before attempting any other solutions.

Other parts like O-rings, washers, or gaskets can also contribute to overheating if they have become weak over time. It's best to check all of these components for wear and tear in order to identify any issues before the problem gets worse.

A tool-specific diagnosis such as performing tests with an ohmmeter can help further identify any problems with parts such as resistors and terminal blocks. The most common solution for overheating in the final drive is to replace the faulty components, which may include the relay switch, resistor, and/or diode.

It is important to ensure that all related components in the system are either repaired or replaced depending on the extent of the damage. Failure to address the issue can lead to further problems such as unresponsive control functions, premature wear and tear on components, and even complete system failure.

It is recommended that an experienced mechanic take care of the repair process due to its complex nature. This helps avoid any potential damage from inexperienced attempts at diagnosis and repairs. Having said that, following these steps should help you find the fix for the overheating final drive of your Bobcat 337 mini excavator.

If the problem is left untreated for too long there is a chance that repairs could become more expensive than if the issue was addressed quickly. Taking precautions like regular maintenance and visual inspections can help prevent any major issues with overheating in the final drive of a Bobcat 337 mini excavator.

3. Hydraulic System Malfunction

The hydraulic system is crucial in ensuring the proper operation of excavators, but due to certain factors like age, not following the recommended load capacity, and/or failure to address faulty components in time normally result in this issue.

Diagnosing the possible cause of hydraulic system malfunction in a Bobcat 337 mini excavator can be done by identifying certain symptoms, performing visual inspections, and using relevant tools. The common symptoms of this issue include slow response time when operating the machine, oil leakage from the hydraulic components, and difficulty controlling the arm and bucket movement.

Visual inspection should be used to look for debris or other foreign objects that may have gathered in or around the seals or pipes responsible for transferring fluid. Tools such as pressure gauges, ohm meters, voltmeters, and hygrometers can also help pinpoint any faults that exist in the overall system such as faulty valves and clogged lines.

Upon finding that there is indeed an issue with the hydraulic system, certain parts may need to be replaced. Generally speaking, the most common components that fail and need replacement are pumps, hoses, cylinders, seals and gaskets, filters, or control valves.

If the problem is left unchecked and unaddressed it can lead to further damage being caused in the hydraulic system of the Bobcat 337 mini excavator. This could result in more costly repairs developing due to weakened parts not performing their intended function correctly or at all.

As a result, it is highly advised that any signs of trouble within the hydraulic system should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid extended downtime from malfunctioning equipment. Furthermore, proper maintenance and regular inspections can help to minimize the risk of failure altogether by ensuring parts are always in proper working condition.

4. Joysticks and Other Controls Not Functioning

When it comes to the most common electrical faults in the Bobcat 337, non-functioning joysticks and other controls go at the top of the list. To diagnose the issue, it is important to start by observing any relevant symptoms. For instance, if the controls are not responding to inputs from the operator, one should check whether the lights in the cab or console work properly and if there are any LED indicators lit up on the control panel itself.

The next step would be a visual inspection of all related components. Look for signs of damage such as frayed wires or loose connections. It is also important to make sure that all fuses, circuit breakers, and relays are operational as they might provide clues about what's causing the problem. After ruling out common causes like power outages and defective wiring harnesses, it is time to test voltage with a multimeter. Be careful not to overload the circuits.

If there is no power leaving the console and going to the controls, then the issue may be a defective main control module or joystick switch. Luckily, these are relatively easy to replace as they are part of the cab environment and do not require opening up the entire machine.

It should also be noted that faulty joysticks can lead to further problems with other electrical components, so it is important to address this issue as soon as possible in order to prevent more costly repairs in the future.

In some cases, an improperly calibrated system can interfere with how certain parts communicate with each other, potentially leading to unexpected malfunctions if left unchecked. Therefore, it is necessary for operators to inspect their machines on a regular basis and use the appropriate tools to test the electrical system.

Understanding the Bobcat 337's underlying control systems and its components will help in detecting and resolving any issues quickly as they arise.  It is also advisable to use high-quality parts, genuine OEM or otherwise, whenever possible. If a part is defective due to a likely electrical fault in its circuitry, it should be replaced right away instead of trying to fix it temporarily.

Conclusion

The Bobcat 337 is definitely built with quality in mind. However, just like any other piece of machinery, some of its parts may be prone to failure as it ages. These are definitely things that you should watch out for to keep the longevity of the mini excavator in check.