The Bobcat E26 compact excavator is pretty much the powerhouse everyone looks for when handling everyday landscaping or construction needs. After all, its small size barely holds back on power and performance despite how easily it turns into tighter spots.
After years of working as a mechanic, I’ve observed several typical problems that vehicle owners frequently encounter. Notably, users report frequent oil leaks and engine overheating. Besides, I’ve seen people having more concerning issues like slow hydraulics with the boom not moving.
So, let’s dig deeper into the Bobcat E26 and explore its specs, weight, lift capacity, some common problems you might face with it, and how to solve them.
Overview of Bobcat E26 Specifications
Before I go into the specific features, common problems, and solutions, let me give you a quick rundown of the Bobcat E26’s key specs.
| Operating Weight | 6,489 lb |
| Bucket Digging Force | 5,652 lb |
| Maximum Reach at Ground Level | 192 in |
| With | 61 in |
| Tail Swing Type | Minimal |
| Emissions Tier (EPA) | Tier 4 |
| Engine Fuel | Diesel |
| Maximum Governed RPM | 2,550 rpm |
| Turbocharged Engine | no |
| Operating Weight | 6,489 lb |
| Weight Class | 2.9 t |
| Travel Speed – High | 3.2 mph |
| Travel Speed – Low | 1.8 mph |
| Arm Digging Force | 3,547 lbf |
| Bucket Digging Force | 5,652 lbf |
| Rated Lift Capacity | 2359 lb |
| Lift Radius | 118 in |
| Boom Swing – Left | 70-degree |
| Boom Swing – Right | 55-degree |
| Maximum Dig Depth | 114.4 in |
| Max Dump Height | 129.6 in |
| Maximum Reach at Ground Level | 192 in |
| Fuel Tank | 9.1 gal |
| Auxiliary Std Flow | 14.2 gal/min |
| Auxiliary Pressure | 2,611 psi |
| Length | 170.4 in |
| Overall Length in Travel Position | 170.4 in |
| Width | 61 in |
| Height | 96 in |
| Height with Operator Cab | 96 in |
Key Features and Benefits of Bobcat E26
Landscapers and farmers use the versatile Bobcat E26 for various planting and harvesting jobs.
While it has a compact design, I’ve seen it handle heavy loads with ease. The following are some of its key features and potential benefits.
2-Speed Travel with Auto-Shift
E26 averages 1.9 mph top speed in low gear and 3.2 mph in high. That’s fast enough for most of your tasks for operating within small spaces without causing much fatigue.
And while working with the machine, what really impressed me was the increase in productivity between digging and traveling.
This is because the machine shifts its gear up and down automatically based on the load.
Fingertip Boom Swing Control
The E26’s boom swing control feature is definitely one to watch for people like me who prefer not to switch hands while swinging.
As convenient as it may sound, it lets you control the motion by just moving your finger, freeing up your hands for other tasks.
So, the toggle-type tumb controls literally help you get more out of your working hours since you don’t have to touch the main boom operating lever.
Predictable Control
Now, this is something I bet you’ll love, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. After all, the machine’s precise, predictable control makes it feel like just another part of your body.
The traceability, combined with the E26’s compact design, makes maneuvering around obstacles and sites super easy.
In-Track Swing Frame
If you’re a newbie and hate situations that demand tight turnarounds, you’ll appreciate the Bobcat E26 all the more because of its in-track swing frame. Basically, it ensures the boom doesn’t leave the track’s width as you rotate the machine.
Meaning you’ll be less likely to come in contact with obstacles. This is an exceptional feature for any urban construction site with cramped spaces.
Integrated Slew Brakes
Manually engaging the slew brakes is often demanding and time-consuming. Well, at least not with the E26. It automatically applies the brakes for you when you aren’t actively operating.
This means you’ll barely have to worry about unintended slewing, making it much safer.
What Are the Common Bobcat E26 Problems?
As with any other power machine, the Bobcat E26 isn’t quite error-free despite its thoroughly impressive array of features.
Here, I list three common issues I’ve repeatedly seen owners and operators encounter over the years.
- Oil leaks
- Engine overheating
- Slow hydraulics
3 Solutions to Common Bobcat E26 Problems
Like every other problem, your first step in resolving an issue with the Bobcat E26 is to identify it.
And once you know what’s causing it, assessing the problem and finding an appropriate solution becomes pretty obvious.
Here, I’ll discuss four of the most common Bobcat E26 problems and how I recommend fixing them.
Get the Fittings Right to Get Rid of Oil Leaks
Oil leaks are pretty common in the Bobcat E26 because of the wear and tear of the hose fittings. As you can see from this discussion, leaks occur mostly because of worn hose connections near the valve body.
Now, while replacing the o-ring might just seem like the obvious fix, it doesn’t quite help in the long run. After all, they keep tearing down as your excavator tackles the load.
So, what I’d recommend is to replace your E26’s JIC fitting with a standard one without the o-ring instead.
Still, you should follow this step-by-step procedure with the O-rings beforehand to ensure you’re doing it right.
- Step 1: Inspect the fittings for excessive torque or over-tightening. Hold the fitting as you twist to avoid over-tightening the O-ring’s end.
- Step 2: Inspect for any defects or issues with the fittings. Always opt for those meant for E26.
- Step 3: Also, consider over-pressure situations that may be damaging the O-rings.
- Step 4: If you’ve checked the above and none’s helping, replace half of the valve fittings with standard JIC fittings that don’t have any O-rings.
You can get an idea about the cost of replacement JIC fittings here, which is likely to be far less than the amount of O-rings you’d have to buy otherwise.
Check the Hydraulic Cooling System to Fix Overheating Issues
The Bobcat E26 uses an air-cooled Deutz engine, which often encounters overheating issues due to improper oil flow through its radiator.
From what I’ve seen, the failure of the oiling process heats up the engine really quickly, increasing the risk of burnout.
But the good news is that you can alter this flow rate easily by doing some basic cleaning jobs most of the time.
However, if luck’s not on your side, you may need to replace the pump. My suggestions are as follows.
- Step 1: First, check if the cooling fan on your machine is operating speedily enough to pull air through the radiator.
- Step 2: If not, try cleaning any filter associated with the cooling system. Doing this fixes the issue in most cases.
- Step 3: Also, check the fan belt under the engine hood that runs the cooling fan.
- Step 4: If you find any frays or signs of damage, you must replace the belt.
- Step 5: Now, your Bobcat E26 should have the oil moving at the flow rate of 30 gallons per minute. If not, you may need to replace the pump.
Now, replacing the pump is no DIY job, so you might want to visit your dealer or service center to get it done. Yet, if you want to do it yourself, the below video should give you an idea.
Replace the Pressure Relief Valve to Fix Slow Hydraulics
There have also been complaints from some users that their E26 is too slow to use after 30 minutes of operation.
While draining the hydraulic tank and changing the filter should fix the issue normally, in my experience, the actual problem lies within the pressure relief valve.
So, here’s what I suggest to address the slow hydraulic issue.
- Step 1: Look for any busted O-rings on the pressure relief valve. If found, you must replace it.
- Step 2: Check the plunger. You’ll need a new pressure relief valve if it’s sitting crooked.
- Step 3: Also, if you see that only one of the tracks has slowed down, you’ll need to check if the spool is sticking somewhere along the way and adjust accordingly.
Now, replacing a pressure relief valve is no easy job so you may need professional assistance.
As for the cost, the valve itself costs around $80, and labor costs may add to that. Also, you’ll find further guidance on adjusting the spool under Hydraulics on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you got further queries regarding the Bobcat E26 and its common problems? Here, I have answered a few common questions that might help.
What jobs can the Bobcat E26 do?
The Bobcat E26 is a reliable machine for day-to-day operations. Maintaining it is pretty straightforward and has plenty of power to handle the most demanding jobs. From what I’ve seen, people mostly use it for construction, landscaping, transportation, and nearly any similar purpose.
Why is my Bobcat E26 losing power?
The power loss in your Bobcat E26 may be because of the fuel system or hydraulic system issues. Among the possible culprits behind this are restrictive filters, faulty spray nozzles, contaminants damaging the fuel pump, blockages, and even a defective left panel.
How do you check the charge pressure in a Bobcat?
To check Bobcat charge pressure, you must use a pressure gauge and connect it to the charge pressure port on the hydraulic pump. You can watch this video to learn how. The charge pressure should be around 300-400 psi when the engine runs at full throttle.
Conclusion
For years, the Bobcat E26 has proven to be a reliable machine for day-to-day operations. But as you can see, the compact excavator isn’t immune to malfunctions and repairs, just as any machine is.
From overheating challenges to slow hydraulics and damaged O-rings, little issues can escalate quickly if not addressed promptly and adequately. Yet, with proper maintenance and constant monitoring, there’s no reason you can’t prevent most of these issues from cropping up.
However, I still recommend reaching out to a professional for any repairs or checks you’re unsure you can handle safely. After all, the point of preventative measures and repairs is to extend the lifespan of your machine and ensure its optimal performance.
Read Also: 4 Common Bobcat MT55 Problems ( Troubleshooting And Fix )
Meet Emily, a true garden lover who has a passion for all things nature. With a deep understanding of plants and lawns, Emily’s love for gardening started at a young age, spending her summers tending to her grandparents’ garden.