Description

Bobcat S250, S300 2008 Service Manual

You’ve got a Bobcat S250 or S300 in the bay, and the aftermarket PDF you obtained shows a torque spec that doesn’t match the bolt pattern on your machine. I’ve been there. That’s why the Bobcat S250, S300 2008 Service Manual is the only thing I trust for these loaders. 938 pages of factory procedure, not some third-party interpretation. Every safety warning, every fluid capacity, every hydraulic fitting torque comes straight from Bobcat’s engineering team in West Fargo. No guessing, no reprints.

Service Schedule and Fluid Specifications

Open to the Service Schedule chart and you’ll find intervals for engine oil, hydraulic fluid, chaincase oil, and filter changes. The manual spells out exactly which Bobcat fluids meet the spec. For the hydraulic/hydrostatic system, the chart lists the exact capacity for the S250 and S300. Use the wrong viscosity and you’ll starve the charge pump. Page 26 (in the lubrication section) gives you the engine oil chart with API ratings and ambient temperature ranges. Don’t trust the internet on this – trust the manual.

Hydraulic System: Testing the Main Relief Valve

The hydraulic system chapter covers troubleshooting, schematic reading, and component service. One of the first things you’ll need is a pressure gauge to test the main relief valve. The manual gives you the test port location, the correct pressure setting, and the adjustment procedure using a 1-1/16 inch wrench. I’ve seen guys crack valve bodies by overtightening locknuts. The torque spec for the relief valve cartridge is listed in the Hydraulic Control Valve section. Follow it. Also includes a glossary of hydraulic/hydrostatic symbols so you can read the schematics without guessing.

Lift Arm Support Device – A Real-World Safety Item

If you are going under raised lift arms, you need the approved support device. The manual shows installation and removal steps, and it includes a warning box I want every tech to read: “Replace if damaged.” That’s not lawyer-talk. That’s a directive. The S250 and S300 are heavy machines – a dropped lift arm crushes everything. Use the correct blocking procedure from the Lifting and Blocking the Loader section. Do not skip it.

3 Critical Maintenance Procedures from the Manual

• Fuel System Air Removal: After changing the fuel filter, the manual gives a positive bleed procedure using the priming pump. Don’t crank the starter until you’ve purged the air – you’ll damage the injectors.
• Hydraulic Charge Filter Replacement: The S300 uses a case drain filter and a charge filter. The manual specifies the part numbers and the torque for the filter head bolts. Over-torque cracks the housing.
• Biodiesel Blend Fuel Compatibility: The Fuel System chapter includes a section on biodiesel blends (B5, B20) and what seals are affected. If you’re running biodiesel, read this before you replace injectors.

Those three procedures alone can save you a failed injector or a hydraulic pump cavitation. The manual doesn’t let you guess.

Why OEM Manuals Beat Aftermarket Copies

I have seen aftermarket manuals that copy the table of contents but leave out the torque values. Or they use generic engine data for a different model year. The Bobcat S250, S300 2008 Service Manual covers serial numbers A5GM20001 & Above, A5GN20001 & Above, A5GP20001 & Above, and A5GR20001 & Above. That is specific. The electrical schematics are factory-original, not redrawn. The Engine chapter covers the exact engine installed – not a generic small diesel. Aftermarket PDFs often omit the Bobcat Interlock Control System (BICS) diagnostics. This manual includes the remote start tool procedure for MEL1563 and 6689779 kits. Good luck finding that in a copy.

Does This Manual Cover the Engine and Electrical System?

Yes. The Engine section includes the lubrication system, cooling system, fuel system, and air cleaner service. The Electrical content is spread through the safety and maintenance section (battery, starting, spark arrestor) and the hydraulic schematics. The manual also covers the operator cab wiring, cab door sensor, and special applications kits. If you need to trace a short in the boom-mounted lights, the schematic is in the hydraulic system chapter – yes, electrical diagrams live there because they control solenoid valves. For a comparison of how a different type of drivetrain works, you might look at a Manual Transmission, but this loader uses a hydrostatic system. The only transmission in this manual is the final drive chaincase.

Related Manuals

This manual is the service side. For part numbers and exploded views, pair it with the Bobcat S250 S300 2008 Service Manual (this document) and the parts catalogs: Bobcat S250 2006 Parts Catalog and Bobcat S250 2009 Parts Catalog. If you are also maintaining a truck with a Manual Transmission, get a separate manual – this one stays focused on the loader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this manual include torque specifications for all bolts?

Yes. Torque values are listed throughout – the hydraulic manifold, wheel nuts, cylinder rod ends, engine mounting bolts, and more. The manual does not leave a fastener untorqued.

Is this manual for the S250 and S300 equally?

Yes. Covers both models in one book. Sections that differ (like hydraulic flow rates) are called out. Use your serial number prefix to confirm.

Can I use this manual to diagnose electrical problems in the cab?

The electrical schematics are factory-level. It includes the BICS controller, cab door sensor, and remote start tool wiring. For a basic description of how an internal combustion engine works, see Manual Transmission? No – that’s a different topic. This manual gives you the loader-specific wiring.

Where is the page for the fuel system air bleed procedure?

In the Maintenance section under Fuel System. The manual shows the prime pump location and the order of loosening injector lines. It takes about 15 minutes if you follow the steps. If you skip the bleed, the engine won’t start.

Use the correct procedure. Lift arms drop, fluids burn, and electricity kills. This 938-page OEM manual gives you the factory data to work safe. Access the Factory Manual now and put it on your tablet in the shop.