Skid Steer Maintenance Essentials [Downloadable Maintenance Checklists]

The Essentials of Skid Steer Maintenance & Downloadable Bobcat Maintenance Checklists

Your skid steer works hard. We want to help you keep it that way. Getting your machine on a regular maintenance schedule is one of the easiest ways to stay ahead of repairs. Let’s run through some essentials of skid steer maintenance. This information will be targeted for Bobcat® skid-steer loaders (with wheels or with tracks) but can be applied generally to other brands as well. And, if you own a Bobcat skid-steer or compact track loader, find your model at the bottom and download the skid steer maintenance checklist for your machine! 

Does Your Skid Steer Fit the Job?

Maintenance always goes hand-in-hand with how you’re using your machine. To start, ask yourself a couple questions: 

• What are your machine’s capabilities? 

• What materials are you moving? 

• How much weight do you lift daily? 

• How much space do you usually operate in? 

• What attachments do you use the most? 

Overloading the machine wears out the frame, hydraulics, and engine faster. If you need to cut down on repairs, take another look at your skid steer’s capabilities and, if necessary, adjust your workload. 

Skid Steer Maintenance Checklist

*This is a general suggested maintenance checklist for Bobcat skid-steer loaders. Refer to your machine’s operator’s manual for complete preventative maintenance information* 

Every 8 to 10 Hours 

• Check engine oil. Add oil as needed (but don’t overfill). 

• Check hydraulic fluid level. Add fluid as needed. 

• Check the display panel. If you see an engine air filter service code, replace the filter. 

• Check the coolant level. Add coolant as needed. 

• Clean debris from the oil cooler, radiator, fuel cooler, air conditioning condenser, and rear grill (if applicable). 

• Remove trapped water from fuel filter. 

• Lubricate lift arms, lift links, cylinders, Bob-Tach™ system, pivot pins, and wedges (if applicable). 

• Check tires or tracks for damage and wear. Correct tension on tracks (if applicable). 

At 50 Hours 

• Check hydraulic hoses and tube lines for damage. 

• Check parking brake, foot pedals, hand controls, and steering levers/joysticks. 

• Check track tension (if applicable). Adjust as needed. 

At 100 Hours 

• Clean and tighten battery cables and connections as needed. 

• If you don’t use the machine a lot, install a battery maintainer. 

• If operating in severe conditions, replace engine oil and filter. 

At 250 Hours 

• If operating in standard conditions, replace engine oil and filter. 

• Check hydrostatic drive belt for wear or damage (if applicable). 

At 500 Hours 

• Replace engine air filter.
  

• Replace drive motor oil (if applicable).
  

• Replace fuel filter.
  

At 750 Hours 

• Replace engine oil and filter.
  

At 1,000 Hours 

• Replace hydraulic filter. 

• Replace engine belts (if applicable). 

• Replace case drain filter. 

• Replace hydraulic oil and hydraulic tank vent. 

• Replace main fuel filter, in-line pre fuel filter, and fuel tank vent filter. 

• Replace inner and outer air filters. 

• Adjust the engine valves. 

Okay, But When Should I Trade Out My Skid Steer?

The average extended warranty plan usually lasts until 2,000 hours. If you would like to keep your machine under warranty, you would likely trade it out around that time. However, if you’re not concerned about warranty, you can keep your machine for upwards of 5,000 or 10,000 hours. Just keep in mind that the skid steer will begin to have more problems at higher hours. 

How Much Does It Cost to Service a Skid Steer?

This is an important question…but the cost really depends on the problem. For example, fixing a hydraulic leak costs way less than a skid steer engine rebuild. In general, the best way to keep repairs cheap is to (1) stick to a Bobcat preventive maintenance checklist and (2) use genuine Bobcat replacement parts. By doing this, you’ll catch a small problem early, keeping it from becoming an expensive skid steer repair. 

What are the Most Common Skid Steer Maintenance Mistakes?

Now that you have a good idea what skid steer maintenance looks like, here’s a couple maintenance mistakes that we see most often: 

Running low on hydraulic fluid: This leads to overheating and sluggish performance. 

Ignoring small leaks: At best, this is expensive for you (you’ll be replacing fluids more often). At worst, fluid loss can turn into full system failure. 

Skipping filter checks: Clogged filters burn more fuel and stress the engine. 

Overloading the machine: We said this earlier, but it’s worth saying again. Pushing your skid steer past its limits will speed up wear on the frame, hydraulics, and engine. 

Using the wrong grease or oil: The wrong lubricants can cause faster breakdowns. 

Not cleaning your machine: Regularly blow the engine compartment off. Clean under and around the engine cab. And grease the bucket and boom pins. This is a really easy way to avoid expensive problems. 

The Bottom Line? Preventive Maintenance is Worth It.

Sometimes, you can’t avoid a problem with your machine. But, overall, your skid-steer loader or compact track loader is going to perform better for longer if you stick to a regular maintenance schedule. Watch for early signs of wear and damage. And if you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, check out the Bobcat service kits on our online parts store.  

Or, if you’d prefer to set up a service appointment, our team can help get your skid steer working! Contact KC Bobcat’s Service team today. 

Download Your Skid Steer Maintenance Checklist

If you have one of these loader models, click to download your skid steer maintenance checklist! This checklist includes maintenance tasks for 10, 100, 500, 750, and 1,000 hours.