Common Problems With Bobcat E35 mini-excavator – [Rebuild Cost]

Bobcat R2 Series E35 is an industry-leading mini-excavator. Whether you are digging or backfilling, this is an ideal life-long friend. However, you may face some unexpected troubles with the E35 Bobcat machine sometimes.

Bobcat E35 problems that users encounter commonly are hydraulic leak problems, RPM dropping issues, trouble with the final drive, etc. So, how to troubleshoot E35 Bobcat issues? It’s just diagnosing the malfunction and repairing or replacing the faulty parts. Error codes will help you greatly in this regard to find out the culprit easily.

Here we’ll guide you to fix some of the vital issues of the Bobcat E35 small excavator with the rebuilding cost idea. Before that let’s know the major specs of this excavator.

Most Common Problems With Bobcat E35 - [With Rebuild Cost]

Bobcat E35 Excavator Specs

E35 Bobcat excavator is available in different models thus their specifications may vary from model to model. The following table shows some of their important specs.

FeatureE35 (25 hp)E35 (25 hp, Long-Arm)E35 (25 hp, Extendable Arm)E35 (33 hp)E35 (33 hp, Long-Arm)E35 (33 hp, Extendable Arm)
Operating Weight (lb)7,6598,3628,5907,8938,5968,824
Bucket Digging Force (lbf)7,2847,2847,2847,2847,2847,284
Horsepower (hp)24.824.824.824.824.824.8
Fuel Tank Capacities (gal)
13.7

13.7

13.7

13.7

13.7

13.7
Maximum Dig Depth(in)121.2133153.2121.2133153.2

5 common Bobcat E35 Mini Excavators Problems

Bobcat E35 T4 excavator comes with lots of unique features like 2 travel speeds that ease your maneuvering on the job site. It’s easy to control and maintain which is also awesome. But when the parts exceed their expected lifespan, they start showing some failure symptoms thus you could face different issues. Some of the widely held E35 Bobcat problems are-

  1. Hydraulic leak problem
  2. RPM drop issue
  3. Final drive problem
  4. Intermittent issue
  5. Electrical problem

Troubleshooting Bobcat E35 Problems

After knowing some common Bobcat E35 issues, let’s talk about the ways to fix these.

#1- Hydraulic Leak Problem: Fix the Leak

The hydraulic leak is one of the major concerning issues for the E35 Bobcat mini-excavator. A defective hose or bad seal could create a hydraulic leak in the machine. Hydraulic leaking in the machine will create a yelping sound, hence water may enter the system and cause malfunction. To fix the E35 hydraulic leak, you can do the following things.

  • Step 1: Spot the leak first and consider how severe this is. If it’s small, you can repair it. But for a big leak replace the associated park.
  • Step 2: If the issue is in the hose, you may overhaul it with the help of a mechanic. But in the worst cases, you have to replace the hose. You may need a wrench or drill to remove the screw of the plate that covers the hose.
  • Step 3: When there is a seal problem, you have to reseal the necessary part. To fix the bad seal piston, you have to detach the cylinder. To open the cylinder, you may need a vise. After removing the cylinder if you see a damaged or missing cap in the piston end, you have to add a new seal there to stop the leakage there.

Hydraulic hose is available at around 50 bucks and piston seal at 5 bucks. So, you can solve the hydraulic leak issue without spending too much.

>> The following video shows How to Fix Hydraulic Leak on Bobcat e35 Excavator

#2- RPM Drop Issue: Check for Dirt or Clogging in the Fuel

Sometimes you may face an rpm drop in the E35 excavator. RPM might drop to idle suddenly while using the excavator. If this happens for the faulty parts, the rpm won’t increase even if all the power knob is at full power. You can fix it by following the steps below.

  • Step 1: RPM is related to fuel. So, check all the fuel-associated parts.
  • Step 2: Inspect the fuel filter. If it looks dirty or clogged, remove the dirt or block particles using a metal brush.
  • Step 3: Check also the fuel pick pickup tube. It might be clogged too. Squeeze the primer tube and be sure the pickup tube is working well. If necessary, clean it too.
  • Step 4: Dirt on the fuel tank could also be the culprit behind this. Clean the fuel tank too.

If any of the aforementioned parts get damaged you may encounter an RPM drop on E35 Bobcat. In this case, you have to replace the faulty part. The fuel filter is available for 20 to 30 bucks and the pickup tube at 20 bucks.

So, both of them are budget-friendly options.

#3- Intermittent Issue: Check Associated Parts and Replace Faulty One

Another trouble that you may face with the Bobcat E35 is the machine refuses to crank which causes intermittent starting. It may happen if you shut it off after working several hours. There are different reasons behind the problem and it’s quite time-consuming to find out the real culprit. The steps to diagnose and fix the issue are.

  • Step 1: Firstly, it’s important to check the starter’s ‘S’ terminal with the key in the ‘START’ of the machine. Monitor whether it is in power or no power condition. Depending upon the two options, you have to take action to fix the issue.
  • Step 2: If the starter’s ‘S’ terminal with the key in the ‘START’ is in power the possible faulty parts could be a bad starter, faulty starter solenoid, low voltage on the large terminal of the starter, problematic starter ground, etc. Again, the reasons for the voltage issues are defective cables, bad battery connections, and faulty starter connections. You have to check all the possible factors one by one to find out the real culprit.
  • Step 3: When there is no power in the starter’s ‘S’ terminal with the key in the ‘START’ the possible reason for the intermittent starting could be the wiring harness issue, bad ignition switch, faulty battery or connections, or armrest safety switch problem.

It requires lots of effort to solve the intermittent starting problem. However, check all the above-mentioned ones to diagnose the issue. Depending upon the severity of the problem, you may pay for it. Some of the E35 Bobcat replacement parts’ average prices are solenoid $50, battery cables $130, starter $120, etc.

frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do you have more queries regarding E35 Bobcat excavator problems? Here are some of them with answers. 

What are the hydraulic problems of the E35 Bobcat machine?

Some of the common hydraulic issues of the Bobcat E35 are clogged filters, cylinder failure, and hydraulic fluid leaks.

When to replace the coolant of the Bobcat E35 excavator? 

The manufacturer recommends replacing E35 Bobcat coolant every 24 hours.

What are the different Bobcat E35 attachments?

Some of the important attachments of the E35 Bobcat are the Auger drive unit, Bucket-Grading, and Bucket-Smooth.

Conclusion

Most Bobcat E35 problems are created due to a lack of maintenance. Thus, it’s recommended to take proper care of the machine at regular intervals to prevent severe troubles. Always follow the E35 Bobcat service schedule and replace the parts before they reach their expected lifespan. 

If you face any E35 issues, diagnose it following the above-mentioned guidelines and fix it accordingly. Hopefully, this article will guide you to solve the problems of your E35 Bobcat small excavator.

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