PDF Operation & Maintenance Manual Bobcat 553 - 649 KB

Keep your Bobcat 553 skid-steer loader in prime condition with the official Operation & Maintenance Manual.

This guide details correct operating procedures, safety information, and scheduled maintenance tasks.

Following the maintenance schedule helps prevent costly breakdowns and extends the life of your machine.

It's an essential resource for owners and operators.

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--- Page 1 ---
Operation
                                      &
                                 Maintenance
                                   Manual
                                     S/N 516311800 & Above
                                  Europe Only – S/N 516412200 & Above


    EQUIPPED WITH
  BOBCAT INTERLOCK
CONTROL SYSTEM (BICSTM)


6900785 (10–00) Revised (1–01)    Printed in U.S.A.             © Bobcat Company 2001

--- Page 3 ---
SAFETY

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi, xii
FIRE PREVENTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii

MACHINE SIGNS (DECALS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv, xv               SAFETY


                                                                                                                   553 Bobcat Loader
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--- Page 4 ---
INSTRUMENT PANEL
                                                                                                                     10
Front Panel [A]
                                                                  A             7       6                   9             11

1.
   1. TRACTION       LOCK      OVERRIDE        BUTTON
      (Functions Only When The Seat Bar Is Raised)–               8
      Allows you to use the steering levers to move the
      loader forward or backward when using the
      backhoe attachment or for loader service. (See                                                5
      Page 5.)
   2. PRESS TO OPERATE BUTTON (Functions Only
      When The Seat Bar Is Down) – Activates BICS™                                          4                   12
      System when the Seat Bar is down and operator is
      seated in the operating position.                               PRESSTO
                                                                      OPERATE
                                                                                    3

  3. KEY SWITCH – For starting & stopping the engine.             1             2
                                                                                        N–17061                                P–10667
  4. TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT – Low
     transmission charge pressure, hydraulic filter needs
     replacement or high fluid temperature. Stop the
     engine if the light comes ON.
                                                                  B
                                                                                                2
  5. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT – Low engine oil
     pressure or high coolant temperature. Stop the                             1
     engine if the light comes ON.
  6. PREHEAT BUTTON – For preheating the engine
     (glow plugs) before starting the engine.
  7. LIGHT SWITCH (Opt./FA) – Controls the available
     work and travel lights.
  8. BUCKET LEVEL SWITCH (Opt./FA) – Controls
     the ON/OFF function of the available bucket
     position valve.                                                                                    3
  9. HOURMETER – Records the total operating hours                                                                             P–10742
     of the loader.
10. FUEL GAUGE – Shows the amount of fuel in the
    fuel tank.
 11. VOLTMETER – Shows the condition of the battery
     and the rate of charge.
12. ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE – Shows the
    engine coolant temperature.

Side Console* [B]

  1. REAR WIPER/WASHER (FA) – Controls operation
     of the available rear window wiper and washer.

  2. HAZARD         SWITCH/HAZARD            INDICATORS
     (Opt./FA) – Controls the available hazard lights.
     (Hazard Lights is a separate available accessory.)
     Both panel indicators blink for hazard condition
     when the hazard switch is ON. A red light indicates
     fuse out for taillights, headlights, work lights, etc.

  3. BEACON OR STROBE SWITCH (Opt./FA) –
     Controls the available flashing beacon or strobe
     light.


* Can be installed if you have a Deluxe Cab or a Cab
  Enclosure installed.
  Opt. – Factory Installed Option
  FA – Field Installed Accessory – See your Bobcat
  loader dealer about available Field Accessories.


                                                                                                         553 Bobcat Loader
                                                              3                             Operation & Maintenance Manual

--- Page 5 ---
DAILY INSPECTION
The loader must be in good operating condition [A].
                                                                  A
Maintenance work must be done at regular intervals.
Failure to do so will result in excessive wear and early
failures. The Service Schedule [B] is a guide to correct
maintenance of the Bobcat loader. It is located inside the
rear door of the loader and also in the MACHINE SIGN
TRANSLATION Section Page 61.

Check the following items before starting each day:
•   Engine Oil Level
•   Hydraulic/Hydrostatic Fluid Level
•   Engine Air Filter, Air System for Damage or Leaks
                                                                                                            B–06583
•   Engine Coolant Level, System for Damage or Leaks
•   Operator Cab, Seat Belt, Seat Bar & Pedal Interlocks
•   Grease Pivot Pins (Lift Arms, Bob–Tach, Cylinders,
     Bob–Tach Wedges
•   Tires for Wear or Damage and Correct Air Pressure
•   Fuel Filter, Remove Trapped Water
•   Loose or Broken Parts
•   Safety Treads and Safety Signs (Decals)
•   Bobcat Interlock Control System (BICS™)
•   Lift Arm Support Device                                       Instructions are necessary before operating or
                                                                  servicing machine. Read and understand the
NOTE: Fluids such as engine oil, hydraulic fluid,                 Operation & Maintenance Manual, Handbook
      coolants, etc. must be disposed of in an                    and signs (decals) on machine. Follow
      environmentally     safe    manner.    Some                 warnings and instructions in the manuals when
      regulations require that certain spills and                 making repairs, adjustments or servicing.
      leaks on the ground must be cleaned in a                    Check for correct function after adjustments,
      specific manner. See local, state and federal               repairs or service. Untrained operators and
      regulations for correct disposal.                           failure to follow instructions can cause injury
                                                                  or death [A].                        W–2003–0199


    B


                                                                                                           6718398

                                                                                               553 Bobcat Loader
                                                             13                   Operation & Maintenance Manual

--- Page 6 ---
OPERATING PROCEDURES (Cont’d)
Digging Into The Ground
                                                                     A
Put the lift arms all the way down. Push the top of the tilt
pedal until the cutting edge of the bucket is on the ground.
Drive forward slowly and continue to tilt the bucket down
until it enters the ground [A].                                                                 P–10762


                                                                                               B–06720


Push the bottom of the tilt pedal a small amount to
increase traction and keep an even digging depth [B].
                                                                     B
Continue to drive forward until the bucket is full. When the
ground is hard, raise and lower the cutting edge of the
bucket with the tilt pedal while driving forward slowly.

                                                                                                P–10762


                                                                                                B–06721


Push the bottom of the tilt pedal to tilt the bucket backward
as far as it will go when the bucket is full [C].                    C


                                                                                                P–10762


                                                                                                B–06717

                                                                                      553 Bobcat Loader
                                                                23       Operation & Maintenance Manual

--- Page 7 ---
OPERATOR CAB (Cont’d)
                                                                   A
Emergency Exits
The front opening on the operator cab and rear window
provide exits.
Rear Window: (If Equipped)
• Pull on the tag on the top of the rear window to
  remove the rubber cord [A].
• Push the rear window out of the rear of the operator
  cab.

                                                                                              P–00660


Exit through the rear of the operator cab [B].
                                                                   B


                                                                                              P–10722


Front Door: (If Equipped)
                                                                   C
NOTE: When an Operator Cab Enclosure Kit is
      installed, the window of the front door can be
      used as an emergency exit. [C]
Pull the plastic loop at the top of the window in the front
door to remove the rubber cord [C].


                                                                                             P–09216


Push the window out with your foot [D].                            D
Exit through the front door.


                                                                                             P–09217

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--- Page 8 ---
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM (Cont’d)
Replacing The Coolant
                                                                      A
Remove the rear grill. (See REAR GRILL Page 36.)
                                                                                        1
Open the rear door.
Remove the radiator cap (Item 1) [A].


                                                                                                     P–10744


Connect a hose to the coolant drain valve (Item 1) [B]
(located behind the engine oil filter) or use a funnel to keep
                                                                      B
coolant from getting into the engine compartment.
Open the valve and drain all the coolant into a container.
Close the valve.
                                                                                   1
Fill the radiator with premixed coolant and install the
radiator cap. (See Checking the Coolant Level Page 42
for premix recommendations.)


Fill the coolant recovery tank 1/3 full with premixed
coolant (Item 1) [C].                                                                               P–13023

Check the radiator cap for correct pressure rating or
overheating can result.
                                                                      C
Check for leaks in the cooling system. Check for worn or
damaged hoses, clamps or radiator. Check for loose or
worn water pump belt.
Replace damaged parts immediately to prevent leaks and
overheating.
Install the radiator cap and the rear grill and close the rear
door.                                                                     1


                                                                                                    P–10760


            AVOID ENGINE DAMAGE
   Always use the correct ratio of water to anti-
   freeze.
   Too much antifreeze reduces cooling system
   efficiency and may cause serious premature
   engine damage.
   Too little antifreeze reduces the additives
   which protect the internal engine compo-
   nents; reduces the boiling point and freeze
   protection of the system.
   Always add a premixed solution. Adding full
   strength concentrated coolant can cause seri-
   ous premature engine damage.
                                              I–2124–0497
                                                                                           553 Bobcat Loader
                                                                 43           Operation & Maintenance Manual

--- Page 9 ---
BOB–TACH
Inspection And Maintenance
                                                                 A
Move the Bob–Tach levers to engage the wedges [A].                                              1
The levers and wedges must move freely.                                                               N–17033

The wedges must extend through the holes in the
attachment mounting frame (Item 1) [A].


                                                                                                      N–17031
   Bob–Tach wedges must extend through the
   holes in attachment. Levers must be fully
   down and locked. Failure to secure wedges
   can allow attachment to come off and cause                    B
   injury or death.
                                          W–2102–0588


The spring loaded wedge (Item 1) [A] must contact the
lower edge of the hole in the attachment (Item 1) [B] and
[C].
If the wedge does not contact the lower edge of the hole
[B] and [C], the attachment will be loose and can come
off the Bob–Tach.
                                                                                      1

                                                                                                      N–17034


                                                                 C                               Bob–Tach
                                                                                                 Wedge


                                                                 Wedge Must Contact
                                                                 Lower Edge Of Hole
                                                                 In The Attachment


Inspect the mounting frame on the attachment and the
Bob–Tach, linkages and wedges for excessive wear or
damage [D]. Replace any parts that are damaged, bent,
                                                                 D
or missing. Keep all fasteners tight.

Look for cracked welds. Contact your Bobcat dealer for
repair or replacement parts.
Lubricate the wedges (See SERVICE SCHEDULE, Page
29 and LUBRICATION OF THE BOBCAT LOADER,
Page 51).


                                                                                                     TS–01062

                                                                                             553 Bobcat Loader
                                                            53                  Operation & Maintenance Manual

--- Page 10 ---
IMPORTANTE (SPANISH)
ESTA MAQUINA ESTA EQUIPADA POR LA
FABRICA CON UN AMORTIGUADOR DE
CHISPAS DEL SILENCIADOR, APROBADO
POR EL SERVICIO DE SILVICULTURA DEL
U.S.D.A. (DEPARTMENTO DE AGRICULTURA
DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS).
ES    NECESARIO     LIMPIAR    ESTE
AMORTIGUADOR     DE   CHISPAS   DEL
SILENCIADOR PARA MANTENERLO EN
BUEN ESTADO. HAY QUE DARLE SERVICIO
AL   AMORTIGUADOR,    VACIANDO   LA
CAMARA DE CHISPAS CADA 100 HORAS DE
FUNCIONAMIENTO.
SI ESTA MAQUINA ESTA DESTINADA PARA
TRABAJAR EN BOSQUES, MATORRALES O
EN PASTOS QUE PUEDAN INCENDIARSE,
ENTONCES TIENE QUE ESTAR EQUIPADA
CON UN AMORTIGUADOR DE CHISPAS EN EL SISTEMA
DEL ESCAPE Y TIENE QUE MANTENERSE EN
PERFECTAS CONDICIONES DE TRABAJO. ES NO
HACER ESTO CONSTITUYE UNA INFRACCION DE LA
LEY ESTATAL DE CALIFORNIA, SECCION 4442, PRC.
REFIERASE A LAS LEYES Y REGULACIONES LOCALES
EN CUANTO A LOS REQUISITOS DEL AMORTIGUADOR
DE CHISPAS.

IMPORTANT (FRENCH)
CETTE CHARGEUSE EST EQUIPPEE A LA SORTIE DE
L’USINE  D’UN   SILENCIEUX PARA–ETINCELLES
APPROUVE PAR LE SERVICE DES EAUX ET FORETS
DES ETATS–UNIS.
IL EST INDISPENSABLE D’EFFECTUER UN ENTRETIEN
REGULIER DE CE PARE–ETINCELLES AFIN DE LE
GARDER EN BON ETAT DE MARCHE. L’ENTRETIEN
CONSISTE A VIDER LA CHAMBRE A ETINCELLES
TOUTES LES 100 HEURES DE MARCHE.
SI CET ENGIN EST UTILISE SUR UN TERRAIN COUVERT
D’ARBRES, DE BROUSSAILLES, OU D’HERBAGES
INFLAMMABLES,      IL    FAUT    INSTALLER   LE
PARE–ETINCELLES ET LE GARDER EN BON ETAT DE
MARCHE.
CONSULTER LES     REGLEMENTATIONS      LOCALES
APPLICABLES.


                                                               553 Bobcat Loader
                                             63   Operation & Maintenance Manual

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