How to check skid steer hydraulic fluid

Why should you check your Bobcat hydraulic fluid? 'Hydraulic fluid carries a lot of important functions - lift, tilt, steering, drive motor...' says Randy, an expert Bobcat Service Technician for Triangle Equipment Group. 'It's how the machine does all the heavy lifting it's supposed to.'

There are three possible methods of checking the hydraulic fluid level on your Bobcat skid steer or track loader, depending on the Bobcat model.

They're all simple and quick, as Randy demonstrates in this video. Older machines may have a dipstick; newer skid steers have an easy-to-see round or vertical gauge.

Randy reminds everyone to view hydraulic fluid levels with the arms of the loader down, not raised. 'Keep in mind that when you lift the arms up, fluid level does go down because fluid is inside the system. So if the arms are up, you may think you're low on fluid but you're not.'