Description

Bobcat S250, S300 2008 Service Manual

If you have ever pulled a head bolt off a Bobcat S300 with nothing but a greasy aftermarket guide, you know the feeling. That sick twist when the bolt stretches because the torque spec was off by ten foot-pounds. I have seen it. I have fixed it. This is why you get the factory book. The Bobcat S250, S300 2008 Service Manual is 938 pages of the same print that Bobcat dealers use. No re-written summaries. No guesswork on clearances. You get the exact procedure for a remote start tool kit, the torque sequence for the lift arm support device, and the hydraulic charge filter replacement that keeps the hydrostatic system alive. Skip the step where you block the loader correctly? Page 26 will remind you – that’s the Lifting and Blocking section. Every spec comes straight from Bobcat Company, printed in 2008 for models S/N A5GM20001 and above.

Engine Lubrication System: Specs and Change Intervals

Oil changes are the baseline of any rebuild. The manual dedicates a full subsection to the Engine Lubrication System – checking and adding oil, the oil chart, and the filter removal procedure. You get the viscosity requirements for San Antonio summers and the exact interval from the Service Schedule chart. I have seen too many techs dump in 15W-40 because that is what they had on the truck. The factory chart tells you what the engine was dyno’d with. Follow it. The section also covers removing air from the fuel system after a filter change – a step that saves you a tow when the injection pump loses prime.

7 Pages of Fire Prevention Instructions

Before you weld near the hydraulic lines or grind off a rusted bolt, read the Fire Prevention chapter. Seven pages cover maintenance, operation, Electrical hazards, hydraulic system risks, fueling, and welding. The manual does not assume you know when to disconnect the battery. It states it in plain English: “Keep arcs, sparks, flames and lighted tobacco away from batteries.” That level of detail belongs on every workbench. The electrical section alone warns about the spark arrestor exhaust system and the correct fire extinguisher type for a skid-steer. Do not skip this.

Does This Manual Cover the Bobcat Interlock Control System (BICS)?

Yes. The loader identification page (page 2 of the PDF) notes these machines are equipped with the Bobcat Interlock Control System (BICS™). The manual includes the cab door sensor procedure, remote start tool kits (MEL1563 and 6689779), and the correct way to raise and lower the operator cab. If your S250 won’t start because the BICS is locked out, you need the factory wiring diagram and the remote start procedure from the service tool harness section. An aftermarket manual will say “check the interlock.” This one tells you which pins to test and in what order.

Get the Right Torque for Hydraulic Fittings

The Hydraulic System chapter runs deep: cylinder overhaul for lift, tilt, and Bob-Tach, main relief valve adjustment, and the entire control valve breakdown. Every component has a torque spec – the cylinder base end pivot pin, load check valves, port relief valves. The manual gives you the assembly steps in order, with parts identification. You want to know the torque for the BOB-TACH (power) inspection? It is in the Safety and Maintenance section. Do not rely on a generic chart that says “tighten to feel.” The factory book gives you a number. Write it down.

Hydraulic Schematics: What the Factory Includes

The manual contains hydraulic/hydrostatic schematics – the full flow diagrams with symbol glossary. If you are chasing a drift in the lift cylinder, you trace the circuit from the main relief valve through the control valve to the cylinder rod end. The troubleshooting section lists symptoms and tests. One common problem: the anti-cavitation valve sticks. The removal and installation procedure shows you exactly where it lives on the valve bank. I have used this on an S300 with a collapsed hose. Saved three hours of guesswork.

Source Validity: OEM Dealers vs. Aftermarket

This is a factory reproduction of the original Bobcat service manual – not a third-party compilation. The PDF comes directly from the dealer database, printed in 2008. The serial number location guide tells you where to find loader and engine serial numbers so you confirm your machine matches the manual. Aftermarket manuals often skip the BICS-specific diagnostics or the special applications kit inspection for the forestry door and window kit. This one includes every page from “MAINTENANCE SAFETY” through “ALPHABETICAL INDEX.” Manual Transmission knowledge aside, when you work on a skid-steer’s hydrostatic drive, you need the factory charge pressure specs. That data is not generic. It is here.

Who Is This Manual For?

Home-garage guys who own an S250 and refuse to pay dealer rates for a hydraulic hose repair. Beginners who need to know why you block the lift arms before crawling under. Professional techs who have wasted Saturday mornings hunting for a torque spec online. Every procedure – from replacing the fuel filter to removing the engine – is written for someone who has the right tools on hand. The manual lists required tools in each section. If it calls for a spring compressor, use one. Do not rig it with a C-clamp.

One thing I respect about this document: it does not assume you have done it before. It tells you the Electrical precautions for welding on the loader: ground the welder close to the work area, disconnect the battery, and cover the alternator. That kind of instruction belongs in every shop. Not all OEM manuals are this thorough.

Related manuals you might need: Bobcat S250 S300 2008 Service Manual”>Bobcat S250 S300 2008 Service Manual (this one), Bobcat S250 2006 Parts Catalog”>Bobcat S250 2006 Parts Catalog, Bobcat S250 2009 Parts Catalog”>Bobcat S250 2009 Parts Catalog. Also check the Manual Transmission article if you are dealing with a different machine – but for the skid-steer, this manual is the one.

How many pages does the Bobcat S250, S300 2008 Service Manual have?

938 pages.

What is the torque spec for the hydraulic control valve mounting bolts?

The manual includes a full torque chart in the Hydraulic Control Valve section. You need to refer to the specific valve identification chart and the port relief valve removal and installation procedure. The exact value depends on the valve version, and the manual lists it by model and serial number range. I cannot give you a number off the top – buy the manual and look it up in the correct subsection. That is what factory data is for. The S250 and S300 share the same valve body design for these years, but the manual breaks it out by serial prefix so you get the right spec.

Stop wasting time on forums where the torque spec changes with every post. Get the same document that Bobcat dealers use. Access the Factory Manual and keep it on your tablet or printed out. When the hydraulic hose blows on a Saturday, you will have the procedure in front of you. No excuses.