Bobcat 36" WB

[Jason]

I looked at 2 mid 80's Bobcat/Ransomes 36&quot; walkbehinds today. The company selling them is asking 50$ a piece. Both of them are fairly complete with the exception of front spindles(forks) and tires. Also I would have to buy an engine.<p>I figure I could use both machines to build one decent one. I'd have to buy front spindles(forks), front tires and rims, and an engine. Bearings seemed to be fine on both machines, as did the belts. I plan to use the unit for a backup machine or for gated areas my Lazer won't fit in.<p>Would appreciate any feedback on Bobcat's walkbehinds or other ideas. Does 100 bucks sound worth it?

[Evan528]

go for it! those old bobcats last forever...besides that there light as hell and can be used on any hill with ease. you can put a new engine and do all the other repairs for 800 bucks and youll have yourself basically a new mower.

[scottlawns]

well u say go for it they last forever....i dont think those two did,800.00 bucks is alot to repair a 80's machine,but what to heck do i know.<p>Goodluck Scott

[Evan528]

they do! the engines just dont... and the owner took the front wheels off that wht he needs new ones...i no alot of guys with these old bobcats and they still work everyday...there very simple machines. one guy i no has a 48 bobcat that is so old itsone of the orange ones....new engine but evrything else is original.

[Jason]

They did look very simple, which I like. And the one does have an engine. A kohler with a hole about the size of a fist through the side of the block. :) Thinking Briggs for power, it being cheap power.<p>Evan how do you like the cut of the Bobcat's?

[Evan528]

jason, i dont own a bobcat but like i said i no alot of people using them and they all love the quality of cut. from the bobcats ive seen being used...it really does give a nice cut. dont go with a briggs... a kawasaki is so much better and will last much longer and isnt more than 100 or 150 more. if its striclt a spare than go with the briggs.

[lawrence stone]

Buy them Jason. Get one running asap. The<br>complete front forks with tires are around<br>$50 each. Repower with a 12.5hp ohv Tecumseh<br>for $370 and free freight.<p>After your done you will have two &quot;new&quot;<br>36&quot; trimming mowers for $500 each. Much more<br>productivity and qualilty of cut than using<br>and 21&quot; machine.

[Jason]

Sounds good. Don't really need a kawasaki, as the mower(s) would be used for backups or trimmers. <p>Stone: That's a good price for the Tecumseh. Where can I find one for $370? I've had good luck with Tecumseh and Briggs on grain augers in the days when I used to farm. You've got me kind of excited, if I can put both mowers together for a grand, that's one hell of a savings. Initially I was thinking about $700-900 for one. But if I can get that Tecumseh for that price, think I'll put both machines in service. Going to go buy them tomorrow.

[lawrence stone]

Jason try http://www.proparts.com/<br>for parts and engine to rebuild the bobcats.

[Evan528]

are the transnissions in good working order? how will you no untill you get them running? that another 150 bucks for a new transmission

[DMC300]

WWW.TULSAENGINEWAREHOUSE.COM<p>----------<br>DON<br>LIANNES' MOWING

[Retro67]

You could have a bargain on your hands or a walkbehind from hell. It is a gamble, but hopefully it will pay off for you.&lt;p&gt;John

[Evan528]

jason, i just saw at turfquip.com there is a brand new 14hp kohlor for sale. there asking 400 dollars! great deal and will last forever on a spare! just thought id pass that on to you.

[Jason]

Brought home 1 of the mowers yesterday. After looking both of them over more closely, determined one was all I'd need. The other one, had been robbed of some parts, while the one I bought was complete, except for front wheels. I'm on a pretty tight budget now, but if I need the other for parts I'll just call the company back later.<p>Once I got it home I tore it down, It's in surprisingly good shape, some wear and tear especially with some of the control linkages. But the belts, and bearings are all in good shape. Even had old stale gas in the tank. Must have been working right until the engine exploded.<p>That 14 horse Kohler sounds like a good deal, but due to a limited budget gonna hold off on an engine until I get a little cash flow. Should be starting to cut next week hopefully .

[Evan528]

jason, what is the latest on bobcat 36? have you bebuilt it yet? just wandering.

[Jason]

Evan,<p>The old Bobcat is sitting in corner still. :) Waiting for cash flow situation to improve. Hopefully things will pick up and I can get it put together by midsummer.

[Jason]

Well, I'm starting to think about getting that old bobcat put together. Working full time now so my cash flow is better. Now I'm thinking on the lines of 14 or 15 hp instead of 12.5hp. My reasoning is I seem to get quite a few one time jobs where the grass is out of control, hasn't been cut all season and the customers want it knocked back. The extra horsepower would help, plus if I ever wanted to try double blades on it the extra power would help. Thinking of possibly different pulleys/larger drive tires for increased ground speed. Which the larger engine would help also. I'd be spending more money for more motor. But as the old saying goes there's no replacement for displacement. :)

[lawrence stone]

I mowed a lawn last week with my new 12.5 techumseh on a 44&quot; toro that was not cut<br>all season.<p>All I did was just set the deck to 3&quot; and<br>triple cut and side discharge. <p>If you want to go big buy a 16hp Techumseh for $530 vs. $370 for a 12.5.

[gene gls]

I had a 36&quot; Snapper with a 12 1/2 HP.I could run it through a hay field, plenty of HP for only 2 spindles.The only problem with a 36&quot; mower is that the wheels are in line with the sides of the deck and you can't trim mow very well.<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: gene gls

[jason2]

After a long delay my Bobcat project is back on. Just got a used Briggs 18hp twin for $260, with shipping the bill was $320. So total outlay so far is $370. That old briggs is big! Barely fits between the control linkages. A few things need to be adressed. Going to have to get a longer choke cable and a longer throttle cable. Need to find a place to mount a battery, plus build a tray for it. Also the bolt pattern is different than the old Kohler, so I'm going to have to drill new holes in the mower engine deck. Mounted up the engine pully and variable speed pulley tonight, and set the engine in place.

Can't wait to get all the little details worked out. Should be able to cut down trees with the old beast when I'm done. :)

[little green guy]

Thats crazy. That things not gonna be a mower it's gonna be a brush hog! Better not let the LawnRanger use that thing he might run over a house or something.

[jason2]

Back at the Bobcat again. Got the starting circuit figured out. Ended up being a bad ground. Fired it up tonight. Was happy to see the tranny works good. Blades spin nice, so no spindle problems. Still need front yokes and tires. Gotta get throttle and choke cables, little stuff etc...

The old briggs runs nice. Gonna be fun to have a Bobcat on steroids. :)

[lakegastonla]

The bobcats are perfect mowers to do a rebuild on, because a lot of the parts are available through wholesale dealers and catalog sales. These prices are WAY less than the replacement parts at a dealer. I know because I bought a bobcat 48 inch with a 12.5 kawasaki last year for a backup unit. Since then, I have replaced both back tires with pulleys and brake drums, drive wheel belts, front arm supports, casters, front wheels, new spacers for front arm supports, arm pins, blades, new transmission, control rod swivels, etc. This mower is ready to GO and stripes a lawn like a CHAMP!! And for what I have in it, it is STILL a bargain and I wish I had 2 more like it!!
If you need names of some companies that sell bobcat parts, e-mail me & I'll hook you up!