Keeping a Bobcat 743 Diesel Alive: Stories from the Yard

[MikePhua]

A Tough Little Machine
The Bobcat 743 diesel skid steer might be decades old now, but it still works daily on farms, construction sites, and in backyards across North America. Built with simple mechanical systems and a rugged Kubota diesel engine, the 743 is a favorite among small contractors and weekend warriors alike.
One Iowa farmer tells the story of using a 743 to clear snow for over 20 winters—always starting it with a whiff of ether and a prayer when the thermometer read below zero. “It’s ugly, it smokes, but it always moves snow by sunrise,” he laughs.
Common Issues and Backyard Fixes
Most Bobcat 743 owners know its quirks: hard cold starts, old hydraulic hoses that weep oil, or worn glow plugs that refuse to warm up the cylinders. Many owners have become experts at backyard repairs, swapping fuel filters with gloves on in a freezing wind, or using battery warmers to coax the diesel to life on icy mornings.
In small-town shops, you’ll hear stories about jury-rigged fixes—like using a heat gun on the intake manifold or wiring a toggle switch to bypass a sticky glow plug relay. These machines have taught countless people how to bleed diesel lines, prime lift pumps, and change out cracked rubber fuel hoses with parts from the local hardware store.
Parts and Persistence
Finding parts for a Bobcat 743 isn’t impossible, but it takes some detective work. Many operators share tips about sourcing Kubota engine parts directly, since the Bobcat’s D722 or V1702 engines are basically repurposed tractor powerplants. Online surplus stores and salvage yards often hold the keys to keeping these little loaders working for another decade.
A contractor in Ohio shared how he bought three battered 743s just for parts—turning two into one solid runner. “If it rolls and lifts, that’s all I need,” he says.
Lessons from Longevity
The story of the Bobcat 743 is really about the people who keep them alive. It’s about backyard mechanics who rebuild starter motors on the tailgate, or the farmers who rely on an old skid steer to stack hay bales and feed cattle on the coldest days of winter.
There’s a deeper lesson in these old machines. A shiny new skid steer can do the same work faster and cleaner, but a well-loved 743 shows what happens when you care for a simple machine and refuse to let it rust away.
A Machine That Earns Its Keep
One Montana rancher summed it up best: “I could buy new, but this one’s paid for and owes me nothing. When it finally dies, I’ll bury it behind the barn like an old dog. Until then, it’ll get the job done.”
In an age of complicated electronics and expensive proprietary parts, the Bobcat 743 remains a small but stubborn reminder that good iron, basic tools, and a little ingenuity are sometimes all you really need.