Skid steer hydraulics slow when hot: filter, fluid and cooler
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Applies to: Bobcat, Gehl and other skid steer loaders
Symptoms
- Lift and tilt slow down after an hour of work
- Drive feels weak when hot
- Hydraulic temperature light comes on
Why it happens
A clogged oil cooler or radiator, a dirty hydraulic filter, or low or worn-out fluid lets the oil overheat and thin out.
How to fix it
- Blow out the oil cooler and radiator from the inside out.
- Check hydraulic fluid level and condition.
- Replace the hydraulic filter and change fluid per the manual interval.
- Check charge pressure and relief pressure if it's still slow.
Tools and parts
- Hydraulic filter
- Hydraulic fluid per manual
- Pressure gauge
What the factory service manual covers
Hydraulics and hydrostatics: fluid spec, filter service, pressure tests. The full procedure, specs and wiring diagrams are in the factory service manual for your machine.