Bobcat 130 1987 Service Manual

If you’re wrenching on a Bobcat 130 hydraulic excavator and you don’t have the factory service manual, you’re guessing – and guessing on a machine this old costs money. I’ve seen guys snap bolts in half because they used a generic torque chart. This 1987 Service Manual – 222 pages of OEM data – is what Melroe Company shipped to dealers. It’s the same book that techs used when this machine was new. No aftermarket reinterpretation. No missing pages.

10 ENGINE – Structure and Function (Page 11-1)

Section 10 breaks down the engine into structure and function starting on page 11-1. You get the internal flow of oil, cooling passages, and cylinder head bolt sequence. The manual tells you the order and the torque – not some generic range. Testing and adjusting (page 12-1) covers compression checks, injection timing, and governor settings. If your 130 won’t start or runs rough, this is where you start.

Hydraulic System Testing and Adjusting (Page 62-1)

Hydraulics are the heart of any excavator. Section 60 covers the entire hydraulic system: structure and function (61-1), then testing and adjusting on page 62-1. Here you’ll find relief valve pressures, pump flow checks, and cylinder drift specs. The manual lists the exact test points and the tools you need – no guessing which port is pressure or return. The standard tightening torque table (page 5) gives you bolt torques from M6 through M39, including split flange bolts. For a 12mm flange bolt: 112 Nm (83 lb-ft). You don’t need to convert; the table gives Nm and kgm.

Disassembly and Assembly: Power Train (Page 23-1)

Power train disassembly and assembly starts on page 23-1. This covers the final drives, transmission, and drive chain. The manual shows the order to pull components without binding. Pay attention to the maintenance standard section (24-1) – it tells you wear limits for gears and bearings. I’ve seen guys reuse a sprocket that was already past spec, and it chewed up a new chain in 50 hours. Don’t be that guy.

Standard Tightening Torque – Why It Matters

The Standard Tightening Torque section is printed on page 5 of this 222-page manual. It covers bolts and nuts by thread diameter and includes split flange bolt torques. Those flanges crack if you overtighten them. The manual also says: “This torque table does not apply to bolts with nylon packings or non‑ferrous washers.” That exception is exactly the kind of detail aftermarket reprints leave out. If you’re rebuilding a 130, you need the OEM spec, not a guess.

Is This Manual for You?

This manual is for anyone who owns or works on a Bobcat 130 – DIY owner, small shop, or fleet mechanic. The procedures are written for a technician who has basic tools and a torque wrench. It assumes you can read a micrometer, but it doesn’t assume you’ve ever seen this specific machine. Beginners: don’t skip the structure and function sections. They explain how the hydraulic pilot system works before you go pulling valves apart. That saves you from mixing up the O‑rings.

Source Validity: OEM vs Aftermarket

This is the actual OEM manual printed by Melroe Company in 1987 – dealer copy, not for resale. Aftermarket manuals often omit the maintenance standard tables or the split flange torque specs. I’ve had to tell customers their “CD manual” was missing pages. Here, you get the full 222 pages, scanned from the original. The wiring diagram (section 80, Electrical System) shows the 24‑volt layout with color codes. No reprints, no condensed version.

Does this manual include torque values for the cylinder head?

Yes, engine section 13 (Disassembly and Assembly) gives the specific head bolt torque sequence.

What if I need a part number for a seal?

The manual does not include a separate parts catalog, but the disassembly sections show exploded views with reference numbers. You can cross-reference those to a parts manual. The maintenance standard tables list wear limits for hydraulic cylinders and undercarriage components – that alone can save you from buying the wrong seal kit.

You can download the factory manual now. Every page, every torque spec, every test procedure – it’s all here. Manual Transmission isn’t what you’re here for, but if you’ve also got a Bobcat S175 or S185, check out the Bobcat S175 2008 Service Manual – OEM Factory Repair Specs and the Bobcat S185 2008 Service Manual – 998 Pages of Factory Specs or the Bobcat S70 2008 Service Manual – Factory Specs. For the 130, this manual is the last word. Manual Transmission is another topic, but don’t get distracted – get the 130 manual and get your excavator back to work. Download the Factory Manual now.