A Bobcat skid steer is powerful but only works when it starts correctly and is operated properly. This guide provides a clear, universal starting procedure that applies to most modern Bobcat models. Follow this guide and learn how to treat your Bobcat well.
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What Should You Check Before Starting?
Your workday starts before you even turn the key. Taking a few minutes to walk around your machine is the best way to stay safe and catch small problems before they turn into big, expensive ones. Look at the tires and make sure they aren’t flat or low. Check the ground under the machine for any wet spots that could mean an oil, fuel, or coolant leak. Pop the back door and check the engine oil and hydraulic fluid levels — top them off if needed. Also make sure no people, tools, or piles of dirt are close to the machine. This quick habit keeps your crew safe and protects the money you put into the machine.
How to Start Your Bobcat: The 5-Step Standard Procedure
Starting a modern Bobcat needs to be done in the right order. The machine’s computer, called the Bobcat Interlock Control System (BICS), will block the engine from starting and the hydraulics from engaging until you complete these steps. Here’s what to do.
Step 1: Enter the Cab and Fasten Your Seatbelt
Climb into the cab safely and sit down in the operator’s seat. The first thing to do is buckle your seatbelt. On newer Bobcat models, the seatbelt has a small sensor inside it that tells the machine you’re strapped in. Even on older models where the belt doesn’t have a sensor, wearing it is still a must — if the machine tips, the belt is what keeps you inside the cab where the roll cage can protect you.
Step 2: Lower the Safety Bar
Now pull the lap safety bar down firmly until it locks in place. This bar also has a sensor. Together with the seat switch, it tells the computer that you’re really in the seat and ready to work. If the bar is not down, the BICS will not allow the machine to start.
Step 3: Insert the Key and Power On
Put the key in and turn it to the “ON” position. Don’t try to start the engine yet. This step wakes up the electrical system and the display panel. You may hear a short beep, and the warning lights will do a quick self-check. Very important: watch for the glow plug light (it looks like a little squiggly coil symbol). Bobcat engines are diesel, and in cool weather, the glow plugs need a few seconds to warm the engine before it will start. Wait for that light to go out before moving on.
Step 4: Press the “Press to Operate” Button
With the engine off and the power on, find and push the green “Press to Operate” button. You’ll hear a longer beep, and the BICS light will change, letting you know all safety checks have passed. This is the critical step that “unlocks” the machine’s starting system.
Step 5: Turn the Key to Start the Engine
Now that the safety system is fully engaged, turn the key all the way to the “START” position. As soon as the engine fires up, let go of the key — holding it too long can damage the starter. Let the engine idle for a few minutes so the oil can warm up and reach all the moving parts. This is extra important in cold weather. Now you can get to work.
Why Won’t My Bobcat Skid Steer Start? 4 Common Issues
Sometimes the engine just won’t start, even when you do everything right. The good news is that the reasons are usually simple to find and fix. Here are the four most common ones.
Issue 1: The Safety System is Not Engaged
This is the most common reason a Bobcat won’t start. If you turn the key and absolutely nothing happens—no crank, no click—the BICS is likely preventing the engine from starting because it thinks you missed a step. Before you suspect a dead battery, double-check the simple things: Is the lap bar all the way down? Did you press the “Press to Operate” button before trying to start it? Sometimes a worn-out seat switch or a bad lap bar sensor can also cause this, making the computer think no one is in the seat.
Issue 2: A Dead Battery or Weak Connection
If you turn the key and hear a fast clicking sound — or nothing at all — the battery is usually the reason. Look at the battery posts. If you see a fuzzy white or green build-up, that’s corrosion, and it blocks the flow of power. Clean it off with a wire brush and make sure the cable clamps are tight. If you have a voltmeter, a healthy battery should read close to 12.6 volts when the engine is off. Anything under 12.0 volts means the battery is weak and may need a charge or a replacement.
Issue 3: Fuel System Problems
Your diesel engine needs clean fuel to start and run. If your Bobcat has been sitting for a long time, the fuel can go bad or get water in it, which stops the engine from firing. Even more common is a clogged fuel filter — over time, dirt in the fuel plugs up the filter and starves the engine. If the engine cranks and cranks but never catches, the fuel system is a good place to look. Check the filter, and make sure there’s actually fuel in the tank (it happens to the best of us).
Issue 4: A Faulty Starter or Solenoid
If the battery is fully charged but you hear just one loud “clunk” when you turn the key — and the engine doesn’t spin — the starter motor or its solenoid is likely worn out. Starters take a lot of abuse, and they eventually die. A dying starter will sometimes work if you try the key a few times, but that’s a warning sign it’s on its last legs. When you’re sure the starter is bad, you can find reliable replacement Bobcat parts online and swap it out before it leaves you stuck on a job.
“A machine that won’t start is a machine that’s not making you money. Learning to spot the simple issues first will save you time and frustration.”
Final Thoughts
A machine that starts every morning is the result of small, steady habits. Do your walk-around every day, follow the starting steps in the right order, and don’t skip the glow plug wait in cold weather. If a starting problem does show up, work through it in order: safety system first, then battery, then fuel, then starter. A well-cared-for Bobcat is a reliable Bobcat, and it’ll be ready to work as hard as you do.
