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c/diesel-mechanicskai_chen2kai_chen215d agoProlific Poster

Question about a runaway skid steer in a tight spot

Had a 2018 Bobcat S650 decide it was done with me last Tuesday at the old Johnson farm. I was swapping a hydraulic line when the throttle linkage jammed wide open, and it took off across the field with me hanging off the side. Managed to kill it by yanking the fuel shutoff cable after it plowed through about 30 feet of a corn row. Anyone ever had a machine just decide to go for a joyride on its own?
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3 Comments
river_dixon
Holy cow that's a new nightmare unlocked. NathanKim's right about the parking brake, but honestly I'm stuck on how a throttle linkage even jams like that on a machine that new. Makes me wonder if there's a service bulletin or something about debris getting in the linkage box. You should definitely check for rodent damage around the pedal assembly, those farm mice love to build nests in the worst spots.
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nathankim
nathankim15d ago
Glad you got it stopped, man. Honestly though, that's the parking brake failing, not the throttle. Should always set it before working on any machine.
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jenkins.elizabeth
Had a combine do that once. The return spring on the pedal assembly snapped and the throttle plate just stuck wide open. Check the spring tension when you get a chance, it's a five minute look.
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