Description

Bobcat 873 1995 Service Manual

Skid steers don’t forgive guesswork. You chase a no-start in an 873, pull out a generic wiring diagram, and suddenly you’re swapping relays that weren’t bad. That’s billable time you don’t get back. The Bobcat 873 1995 Service Manual is the factory book Melroe printed when this machine was new. 506 pages, all OEM. No reprints, no aftermarket redraw. If you need charge pressure for the hydrostatic system or the pinion preload on the drive, this is where you find it. I’ve torqued enough bolts to know the difference between a spec that’s been transcribed three times and one that came off the line. This one’s the latter.

Electrical System: Factory Wiring Schematics

Aftermarket manuals love to simplify the Bobcat harness to a few colored lines. That’ll leave you with a short chasing a ghost. The ELECTRICAL SYSTEM chapter in this manual covers the entire 873 harness with connector views, wire colors, and ground locations. It’s the same diagram the dealer tech uses. Need to test the key switch circuit? Follow the pin numbers on page 73. No guesswork. That one page alone will save you pulling the dash three times.

Engine Service: Torque Specs You Can Trust

The ENGINE SERVICE section goes through the Kubota diesel used in the 873. Head bolt torque, sequence, and angle – all factory. I’ve seen aftermarket manuals list the same torque for wet and dry bolts. Not here. Each fastener gets its own spec, and the manual tells you when to replace torqued-to-yield bolts. If you’re doing an injector pump or a valve adjustment, cross-check your numbers against this book. It’s the difference between a leak-free engine and one that weeps oil from the head gasket 50 hours later.

BICS/BOSS Systems: Interlock Diagnosis

Bobcat’s BICS system locks out hydraulics and drive unless the seat bar is down and operator is seated. When that system acts up, most guys start throwing sensors at it. The BICS/BOSS SYSTEMS chapter walks through the controller inputs, output tests, and override procedures. There’s a breakout box test described step-by-step. If you’ve got an 873 that won’t crank or drives with the cab up, this section tells you which wire to probe. No generic “check ground” nonsense – actual voltage values at the ECM.

Hydraulic System: Pressure and Torque Data

Hydraulic leaks and weak lift cycles are the bread and butter of skid steer work. The HYDRAULIC SYSTEM chapter covers pump removal, control valve disassembly, and cylinder rebuild specs. O-ring part numbers are listed by size and durometer. Charge pressure check is described with exact port location and adapter thread size. If you’re setting relief pressures, the spec is given in psi at a specific flow. Don’t guess – use the factory numbers.

Drive System: Torque for Track and Axle Fasteners

The DRIVE SYSTEM section includes final drive removal, axle nut torque, and chain adjustment procedures. On the 873, the chain case has a specific tension that doesn’t match other models. The manual gives you the measurement in inches of sag and the bolt torque for the sprocket covers. Skipping this step stretches chains fast. I’ve seen guys reuse axle nuts because they “felt tight.” Factory spec is 200 lb-ft. Use it.

Who Needs This Manual

If you own a Bobcat 873, this is the only service manual you should have open on the bench. DIY owners who do their own fluid changes and filter swaps will find the preventive maintenance schedule in the PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE chapter. Shop owners with a fleet of 873s need the torque specs and diagnostic tables to keep downtime short. Beginners should read the SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS section before lifting the cab – it’s not a suggestion, it’s procedure that keeps the loader from crushing you.

OEM vs Aftermarket: Why This Print Matters

Melroe Company printed this manual in 1995. It’s the original document, not a scanned copy from a third‑party that smudged the schematics. The torque values haven’t been retyped. The wiring diagrams have all layers intact. I’ve compared aftermarket Bobcat manuals to this one – the aftermarket ones often swap wire colors or omit the BICS test steps. If you’re paying by the hour, that mismatch costs you. This manual came from the factory floor, and it shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this manual include torque specs for the engine head bolts?

Yes. The ENGINE SERVICE chapter lists the sequence, torque values, and angle specs for the Kubota diesel. Factory data stamped on the sheet.

Can I use this manual to troubleshoot the BICS interlock system if my Bobcat 873 won’t start?

The BICS/BOSS SYSTEMS chapter gives you the diagnostic procedure from Melroe. It covers the control module inputs, seat bar switch test, and override method. I’ve walked through it on a 873 that had a bad seat switch – the manual showed which pins to jumper to isolate the problem. It’s the same procedure a dealer would run. Without it, you’re swapping parts. With it, you fix the loader in one afternoon. The wiring diagrams alone are worth the price.

This 506‑page factory manual is the one you want on your bench. Every system – hydraulic, hydrostatic, electrical, engine – is covered with the original specs. Access the Factory Manual now and stop wasting time on aftermarket approximations. If you work on the 873, this is the last torque spec you’ll ever need to look up.

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If you’re comparing drive system layouts, the Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission page on Wikipedia offers background on gear types. For fluid recommendations, check the Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission viscosity charts.