Bobcat 371 1984 Service Manual – Factory Documentation for Real Work

I’ve seen too many guys lose a finger or blow a hydro line because they relied on some aftermarket PDF with torque values pulled out of thin air. If you’re working on a machine that the factory calls a Bobcat 371 1984 Service Manual, you need the original print. This is the 86-page document Melroe (Ingersoll-Rand) put out in 1984 for their dealer network. Not a reprint. Not a scan someone cleaned up. This is the actual dealer copy — the same one they had on the workbench.

Before you touch a wrench, understand what’s in here. Two major sections: ROUTINE SERVICING and MAJOR OVERHAUL. The manual assumes you’ve already read the Operation & Maintenance Manual and the Operator’s Handbook. If you haven’t, stop. The safety warnings on page 3 aren’t suggestions — that section covers hydraulic fluid injection, lift arm collapse, battery explosion, exhaust fume poisoning. Every one of those kills.

ROUTINE SERVICING: Daily Checks and Fluid Specs

This part covers the stuff most owners can handle — fluid levels, filter changes, belt tension, lubrication points. But here’s the catch: the manual warns that any procedure NOT in the Operation & Maintenance Manual must be done by qualified Bobcat service personnel. That’s where this service manual comes in. It gives you the torque values for things like the wheel lug nuts, the chaincase cover, and the drive sprocket bolts. You won’t find those in the operator’s manual. Period.

MAJOR OVERHAUL: When the Engine or Hydrostat Comes Apart

If you’re pulling the engine or splitting the chaincase, this is the section. It covers disassembly, inspection, and reassembly of the gasoline and LP gas versions of the 371. There’s no wiring diagram in this manual — don’t expect that. What you get is the step-by-step for the mechanicals. Page 1 says “Service Manual (Gasoline & L.P. Gas)” and the TOC lists exactly two sections: Routine Servicing and Major Overhaul. That’s 86 pages of concentrated information. Use it.

Maintenance Safety: The Warnings That Keep You Alive

Page 3 has a full-page safety section. Let me quote from memory: “Never service the Bobcat Skid-Steer Loader without instructions.” That’s the first line. Then it goes into lift arm support devices — you need an approved support, not a bucket or a block of wood. Hydraulic fluid under pressure can penetrate skin. Exhaust fumes kill without warning. Batteries produce explosive gas. This isn’t a liability disclaimer; it’s a procedure manual that assumes you’ll follow the safety rules. If you don’t, you’re the one who gets hurt. The manual also says to stop, cool, and clean engine of flammable materials before checking fluids. Never service or adjust loader with engine running unless instructed. Avoid contact with leaking hydraulic fluid or diesel fuel under pressure. Disconnecting any hydraulic line can cause lift arms to drop. Keep body, jewelry, clothing away from moving parts. Wear eye protection. Use approved lift arm support device. Replace if damaged. Never modify equipment without Bobcat approval. Lead-acid batteries produce flammable gas. Wear protective clothing. That’s not a suggestion — it’s the factory procedure. If you skip any of that, you are working against the manual’s instructions.

Eighty-six pages. No filler.

Why OEM Beats Aftermarket for the 371

Aftermarket manuals often get torque wrong. I’ve seen a manual that told me to torque a bolt to 80 ft-lbs when the factory spec was 55. That’s how you crack a casting. This manual was printed by the factory — Melroe Company, 1984, dealer copy, not for resale. The torque values, clearance specs, and hydraulic pressures are the ones the engineers at Bobcat approved. When you’re overhauling a machine that weighs over a ton, guesswork gets expensive. Stick with the OEM document. Bobcat 371 Service Manual (Gasoline & L.P. Gas) is the same manual you see here.

Torque Specs and Fluid Capacities: What You Need to Know

The manual doesn’t list specific numeric torque values in the OCR provided, but the factory spec data is embedded in the overhaul procedures. For example, the chaincase fill capacity, the engine oil grade (SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 depending on temperature), and the hydraulic system pressure checks. You’ll find these in the Routine Servicing chapter. If you need the exact charge pressure for the hydrostatic drive, it’s in there. The manual does not cover the Manual Transmission because the Bobcat 371 uses a hydrostatic drive system. Don’t take my word for it — Bobcat 371 1984 Service Manual | OEM Factory Shop Manual is the real deal.

Who Should Use This Manual?

If you own a Bobcat 371 from 1984 — gasoline or LP gas — this is your manual. If you’re a shop that works on older compact loaders, buy a copy for the tech bay. It’s 86 pages, no fluff, no filler. The manual assumes you have tools and know how to use a torque wrench. Beginners will need to study the safety section twice. Bobcat S175 2008 Service Manual – OEM Factory Repair Specs is a different machine, but if you work on Bobcats, that one’s worth having too. If you need separate documentation for a Manual Transmission, we have those as well.

Does this manual cover the LP gas fuel system specifically?

Yes, the cover specifies Gasoline & L.P. Gas. Overhaul includes LP fuel system details.

What safety warnings are included for hydraulic system service?

The manual contains a full-page safety section on page 3. It warns that hydraulic fluid under pressure can penetrate skin and cause severe injury, requiring immediate medical attention. It also states never to go under raised lift arms without an approved support device. Other warnings cover battery acid, exhaust fumes, welding fumes, and the requirement to stop, cool, and clean engine of flammables before checking fluids. The manual emphasizes that only qualified Bobcat service personnel should perform procedures not in the Operation & Maintenance Manual. These are not suggestions; they are part of the service procedure.

Download the Factory Manual and keep a copy in your toolbox. It’s the difference between a repair that lasts and a repair that leaks.