big bob advice M970, 975, 980

[sledesigns]

Hello and very nice forum. I should have registered weeks ago as I should have bought a Bobcat years ago. Almost as fun as drag racing but much more constructive...er..um..well can be. I've had an M600 for a year now and have found what I want and don't in my ideal, keep forever, skid steer. Just like the 600 but bigger. Large, simple, econo-sized. 943's and newer have too much electronics, and things to puzzle me in the future. I'd like to personalize it to my taste, and want a robust, last forever heavy machine. I had decided a 980/1080 would be perfect with their planetary axles but haven't been able to find one. (any in your neck of the woods?) The next choices are the M970, 974, 975/1075. I have found a few M970's but read that they were replaced with the 974/975's after only 5 years of production. My local Bobcat dealer has no answers except S330. Has anyone ran or seen the M970 working compared to the 974/75/80? Are the older ones more prone to parts breakage? This isn't for business use but farm & home use. Dig my basement, harvest some trees, clear brush, etc. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks -Scott

 

[Tazza]

I personally wouldn't go for a *9* series machine, they are very rare. I'd stick with the slightly smaller *8* series as they were more popular, not as much so as the *7* series but i assume you want the largest machine you can get.
If you could get away with a 7 series, I'd go 743 for being simple, no electronics. Then the 753 or 763 with BICS only, no BOSS. They have limited electronics and NO computer. The 753 and 763 have a larger engine and have more power than the 743. Parts are easy to get for all 3 machines.

 

[thetool]

I personally wouldn't go for a *9* series machine, they are very rare. I'd stick with the slightly smaller *8* series as they were more popular, not as much so as the *7* series but i assume you want the largest machine you can get.
If you could get away with a 7 series, I'd go 743 for being simple, no electronics. Then the 753 or 763 with BICS only, no BOSS. They have limited electronics and NO computer. The 753 and 763 have a larger engine and have more power than the 743. Parts are easy to get for all 3 machines.

I wish all nines were not only rare, but extinct.....=). They are such a pain in the pills to work on and expenisve to repair.
They are inefficient Behemoths which play falsley into the "bigger is better, stronger, more powerful" concept.
Any S or T 300 or 320 or 330 will work circles around, out-lift and out-reach, all-around out-perform any 9 something. THAT's why bobcat quit making them.

 

[WebbCo]

I wish all nines were not only rare, but extinct.....=). They are such a pain in the pills to work on and expenisve to repair.
They are inefficient Behemoths which play falsley into the "bigger is better, stronger, more powerful" concept.
Any S or T 300 or 320 or 330 will work circles around, out-lift and out-reach, all-around out-perform any 9 something. THAT's why bobcat quit making them.

I have struggled to find parts for the drives on these monsters. I agree that any S T 300+ Machine would do a much better job. Even decent used parts are tough to come by.

 

[m610]

I have struggled to find parts for the drives on these monsters. I agree that any S T 300+ Machine would do a much better job. Even decent used parts are tough to come by.

Instead of a big bobcat how about a traditional track loader like a caterpillar 955? I would love to play around with a 9 series Bobcat, but I have never even seen one in person. My 843 is a great machine, no electronics and the legendary 743's big brother. As for electronics, I am currently restoring an 863, and I have a feeling I will really like it too.

 

[sledesigns]

Instead of a big bobcat how about a traditional track loader like a caterpillar 955? I would love to play around with a 9 series Bobcat, but I have never even seen one in person. My 843 is a great machine, no electronics and the legendary 743's big brother. As for electronics, I am currently restoring an 863, and I have a feeling I will really like it too.

Thanks for the insights. Im still thinking older 9 series as the speeds and features of newer I wouldn't need. I would like the capacity to lift my approx 3500 lb cnc mill around when I move and potentially heavier equipment. If the engine, pump, or hydro motors died I could swap & upgrade. Axles, drive chains or gears I would like to be bullet proof. I haven't seen the final drive guts with my own eyes but would guess those are the hard to find parts? Would hope they're not the weak links since Im unfamiliar with them and don't believe I have equipment to machine replacements. A friends 853H has been making me want to get of one of those. Then looked at what he had to go through fixing hyd lines. That under cab and engine compartment is tight. I swapped in a GM high amp alternator on my 600 with lots of elbow room. I think I could stick my lunch box and water jug next to it to keep it company I hadn't researched a cat 955 or there about. I just figured Cat would have a specific cast iron drive system housing making swaps more difficult. I have been considering a newer fire damaged Bobcat or Cat though. Remove all electronics & solenoid valves, replace with manual valves & bare bones wiring. That would be a fun project.

 

[sterlclan]

Thanks for the insights. Im still thinking older 9 series as the speeds and features of newer I wouldn't need. I would like the capacity to lift my approx 3500 lb cnc mill around when I move and potentially heavier equipment. If the engine, pump, or hydro motors died I could swap & upgrade. Axles, drive chains or gears I would like to be bullet proof. I haven't seen the final drive guts with my own eyes but would guess those are the hard to find parts? Would hope they're not the weak links since Im unfamiliar with them and don't believe I have equipment to machine replacements. A friends 853H has been making me want to get of one of those. Then looked at what he had to go through fixing hyd lines. That under cab and engine compartment is tight. I swapped in a GM high amp alternator on my 600 with lots of elbow room. I think I could stick my lunch box and water jug next to it to keep it company I hadn't researched a cat 955 or there about. I just figured Cat would have a specific cast iron drive system housing making swaps more difficult. I have been considering a newer fire damaged Bobcat or Cat though. Remove all electronics & solenoid valves, replace with manual valves & bare bones wiring. That would be a fun project.

look at the track loaders from cat Ive seen 955 (about the same size as a d-5 dozer)for less than 5 grand where most skids cost at least 5....Jeff ps you dont see 9 series machines much cause they were iffy when new never mind a used up one

 

[Fishfiles]

Thanks for the insights. Im still thinking older 9 series as the speeds and features of newer I wouldn't need. I would like the capacity to lift my approx 3500 lb cnc mill around when I move and potentially heavier equipment. If the engine, pump, or hydro motors died I could swap & upgrade. Axles, drive chains or gears I would like to be bullet proof. I haven't seen the final drive guts with my own eyes but would guess those are the hard to find parts? Would hope they're not the weak links since Im unfamiliar with them and don't believe I have equipment to machine replacements. A friends 853H has been making me want to get of one of those. Then looked at what he had to go through fixing hyd lines. That under cab and engine compartment is tight. I swapped in a GM high amp alternator on my 600 with lots of elbow room. I think I could stick my lunch box and water jug next to it to keep it company I hadn't researched a cat 955 or there about. I just figured Cat would have a specific cast iron drive system housing making swaps more difficult. I have been considering a newer fire damaged Bobcat or Cat though. Remove all electronics & solenoid valves, replace with manual valves & bare bones wiring. That would be a fun project.

Down here New Orleans there are quite a few 9 series machines but almost all of them are owned or leased to the grain and materials offloading companes along the Mississippi River , they pick them up with a crane and set them into the barges and ships where they push the materials to the center so the clam bucket can scoop it up , thats about all I find they are good for ------------the dealer down here could probally find you a used 9 series , Duhon Machinery in St Rose , La 504-466-5495 ask for Sid Duhon ---------there is a guy I know who has a 963 which is in good running shape and he was talking of selling it , he just put three grand into the exhaust system and afew minor repairs at the dealer , they are hard on my body to work on , expensive to repair and the steering and handle-abillity is poor to say the least , I too have always felt that a smaller machine usually can out work the 9's by being faster and more manuverable then making up for the smaller bucket loads over time

 

[sledesigns]

Down here New Orleans there are quite a few 9 series machines but almost all of them are owned or leased to the grain and materials offloading companes along the Mississippi River , they pick them up with a crane and set them into the barges and ships where they push the materials to the center so the clam bucket can scoop it up , thats about all I find they are good for ------------the dealer down here could probally find you a used 9 series , Duhon Machinery in St Rose , La 504-466-5495 ask for Sid Duhon ---------there is a guy I know who has a 963 which is in good running shape and he was talking of selling it , he just put three grand into the exhaust system and afew minor repairs at the dealer , they are hard on my body to work on , expensive to repair and the steering and handle-abillity is poor to say the least , I too have always felt that a smaller machine usually can out work the 9's by being faster and more manuverable then making up for the smaller bucket loads over time

Researched the Cats, many mechanical parts that are Cat specific. Trans, rearend, brakes, undercarriage. Dad had an old John Deere track loader, a fun machine until it broke...something. No aftermarket options, just obsolete JD. I haven't seen a blow up view of old 9 series but would guess the gear reduction boxes and axles would be the odd parts. Thanks for the Duhon Machinery #. I'll give them a ring this week... hope for a 980 by spring...or this year at this point. Thanks again -Scott

 

[bahmi]

I felt the same way you do now. Wanted big, bigger, biggest. There was a M970 in the area, but a wise old fella gave me the litany on parts availability, nimbleness deficit, etc and that caused me to ponder. Having a CAT dozer bucket machine, a heavy cuss, why would I need a puker skidsteer to pretend I could match the cheapo CAT I bought years ago and have used to great effect? Answer? Look smart, act smart, be smart. I bought a neato 753 and it is nimble as a puma, fast as a greyhound, and has parts availability galore and what I consider easy access and simpleness to fix...I saw the light and took the good advice. Good luck

 

[m610]

I felt the same way you do now. Wanted big, bigger, biggest. There was a M970 in the area, but a wise old fella gave me the litany on parts availability, nimbleness deficit, etc and that caused me to ponder. Having a CAT dozer bucket machine, a heavy cuss, why would I need a puker skidsteer to pretend I could match the cheapo CAT I bought years ago and have used to great effect? Answer? Look smart, act smart, be smart. I bought a neato 753 and it is nimble as a puma, fast as a greyhound, and has parts availability galore and what I consider easy access and simpleness to fix...I saw the light and took the good advice. Good luck

If you like big and slow the old track loaders are the way to go. With hard to find stuff I have even cast and machined some parts myself. Currently I am still digging into my 863H and while it has electronics, I am understanding it more and more. With a Bobcat you want speed and agility. With a classic steel track loader you want size, strength and expect sluggishness. I never realized that the big Bobcats were slow. The 800 series is probably the limit of the nimble older bobcats. Now all I have to do is get my hands on that track loader or excavator project!

 

[Bookman]

I have a Bobcat 975 in North Alabama. Engine has 153 hours but the drive pumps are not working properly. Does great for about an hour after that it can barely move.