Bobcat 331G excavator

[ofarmer]

Anyone have any experience with, or knowledge of, a Bobcat 331G mini-excavator? The good, the bad, and the ugly? TIA

 

[Anonymous-0]

I ran a 331 Bobcat hoe but it may have been earlier than a G model. I've also ran a Thomas that was built by Nagano in Japan. The Nagano had variable displacement hyd. pumps and overall was a superior machine to the Bobcat. The Bobcat was almost brand new(62 hours) from a rental yard. It had fixed displacement pumps and more HP but the smaller Japanese machine was still way nicer to run. The Bobcat did dig though. Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

Good machine, hardly any problems. Four in our rental fleet and they are very popular.

 

[ofarmer]

What made the smaller Japanese machine nicer to run? Any mechanical problems with the 331?

 

[Anonymous-0]

All modern full size excavators use variable displacement hyd. pumps. They adjust flow and pressure to the work required. AKA load sensing hydraulics. It makes for smoother operation and requires less HP and is more productive and fuel efficient. I especially noticed in swing mode the Japanese machine was smoother and easier to position the bucket right where you wanted it. There was a problem with the Bobcat but I don't think it's a common problem. When I went to swing the boom and not the whole house, the foot pedal wouldn't return to neutral. Luckily I noticed it right away and stopped it. Otherwise it could have been a scary situation. I let the rental yard know when I took it back. Don't get me wrong, the Bobcat machine worked OK. The Japanese machine was just nicer to use and work with. The Bobcat was just older technology and not as refined. Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

I think the machine I ran was 331D. The G is probably somewhat improved. Dave