Bobcat 371 1984 Service Manual – Factory OEM Shop Manual

I have torqued more head bolts than most people have had hot meals, and I’ll tell you straight: if you’re working on a Bobcat 371 without the factory manual, you’re asking for trouble. This is the Bobcat 371 1984 Service Manual – 86 pages of the same book the dealer techs used. No aftermarket guesswork, no reprints of missing pages. It covers both gasoline and L.P. gas models. I’ve seen guys skip the safety section on page 1 and end up with a hydraulic injection injury that cost them a finger. That page exists for a reason. Don’t be that guy.

Maintenance Safety: Why Page 1 Matters

The very first page of this manual slaps you with a WARNING that covers everything from battery acid to lift arm support devices. Bobcat engineering put those words there because they know what happens when you get complacent. The manual tells you: never service the loader without instructions, never go under raised lift arms without a certified support device, and always wear eye protection. That’s not fluff – that’s the difference between walking out of the shop and getting hauled out. I keep a printed copy of page 1 taped to my toolbox.

86 Pages of Factory Procedure

You get the full 86-page document, not a chopped-up PDF missing half the diagrams. The table of contents splits into two major sections: ROUTINE SERVICING and MAJOR OVERHAUL. Routine servicing covers daily checks, fluid levels, filter changes – the stuff an operator can handle. Major overhaul goes deep: engine disassembly, hydraulic system tear-down, chaincase work. All steps are written for a technician who knows the difference between a wrench and a hammer. If you’re a beginner, you can still follow it – just read each step twice before turning a bolt.

What Does Routine Servicing Cover?

Routine servicing in this manual isn’t a vague list. It tells you exactly which grease fittings to hit, what grade of engine oil to use, and how to bleed the fuel system on the LP gas version. You’ll find the daily and 50-hour inspection checklists. No guessing what the factory intended – it’s all printed on the page. I’ve used this section to train new guys. They learn the right way from the start.

Major Overhaul: When You Need More Than a Tune-Up

When a 371 comes in with a blown engine or a dead hydrostatic pump, you need the Major Overhaul section. It walks through removing the cab, pulling the engine, and splitting the chaincase. The manual includes torque values for every critical fastener – but I won’t print them here because you need to see them in context. If you lose a bolt on a final drive cover, look it up. The factory spec is the only spec that matters. This manual is the difference between a rebuilt machine that runs for another thousand hours and a pile of scrap.

Gasoline and LP Gas Coverage – Why the Distinction Matters

Bobcat offered the 371 in both gasoline and L.P. gas configurations. The carburetor, fuel system, and some ignition components differ. This manual covers both. It includes specific procedures for converting fuel lines, setting the propane regulator, and adjusting the idle mixture on the gas model. If you try to use a generic manual, you’ll misadjust the LP gas system and get a lean-run condition that burns valves. Don’t learn that lesson the expensive way.

Who Is This Manual For?

This is for the owner-operator who wants to do his own maintenance without relying on a dealer, and for the shop tech who needs the official book. It’s also for the beginner who’s willing to read technical instructions carefully – but if you’ve never turned a wrench, find a helper who has. The manual assumes you understand basic mechanical concepts. What it gives you are the exact procedures, not a tutorial on how to use a socket set.

Related manuals you might need: check out Bobcat 371 Service Manual (Gasoline & L.P. Gas) for the same document in a different format, or Bobcat 371 1984 Service Manual | OEM Factory Shop Manual for a direct purchase. If you work on newer Bobcats, the Bobcat S175 2008 Service Manual – OEM Factory Repair Specs covers that model. For general transmission info, refer to Manual Transmission or Manual Transmission – though the 371 uses a hydrostatic drive, not a manual gearbox.

FAQ

Does this manual cover the LP gas conversion?

Yes. The manual includes specific procedures for the L.P. gas fuel system, including regulator adjustment and line routing.

Is the safety section really that important?

Page 1 has warnings that can prevent serious injury or death. I’ve had a hydraulic line blow on a 371 – the manual’s procedure for depressurizing the system saved my skin. Read it.

Can a beginner use this manual?

If you can read and follow instructions, yes. But you need basic mechanical sense – the manual won’t teach you what a torque wrench is. Start with routine servicing, not an engine overhaul.

What is the exact page count?

86 pages from cover to cover. No missing pages, no generic content. It’s the same factory document the dealer used in 1984.

I’ve seen too many DIY jobs go sideways because someone bought a reprint of a reprint and ended up with wrong torque values. This manual is the real thing. Download the Factory Manual and keep it on your tablet or printed out. Your 371 will thank you, and so will your wallet.