6.25.2026

The Bobcat is moved into the auto bay so that Jim can start his big maintenance project - replacing the hydrostatic oil in the drive train.  Unfortunately, on his model that requires taking the giant treads off.

Jim got to try out his new 3.5 ton jack - and it worked great, although it was still a chore lifting it up since the Bobcat weighs 7,500 pounds!

Next, he had to get blocking under the front lift assembly so that he could raise the Bobcat up...

It's officially in the air!

In order to be able to get the treads off, Jim has to get out all the grease from the cylinder...

Once he got the majority out, he put a strap around the tread to squeeze the rest out...

Next crazy step is to get the tread off.  You can see that he has to be able to lift it up over that pulley wheel...

It's off!  It was like wrestling with alligators and took probably close to an hour, but he did it!  No small feat - each of these treads weigh 450 pounds!

He opened up this access panel and found it was full of mouse nests and droppings, so he got all that cleaned out...

He then took this giant sprocket off...

Draining the old oil out - it only requires 2 ounces of oil!

With the left side well under way, Jim started on the right side, first removing the grease.  Unfortunately, this grease isn't coming out as easily as the other side did.  But that's tomorrow's job.

Jim stopped, got the trash out, showered and we headed to The Local to celebrate the progress!

High 77.1/Low 57.2 - rain in PM