Finding the right bobcat 7246802 filter shouldn't be a headache, but keeping your machine running smoothly usually depends on these small, often overlooked parts. If you've spent any time operating a loader, you know that hydraulic systems are basically the lifeblood of the whole operation. When the hydraulics are happy, the machine is fast, responsive, and powerful. When they aren't, well, you're looking at a very expensive paperweight sitting in the middle of a job site.
The bobcat 7246802 is a spin-on hydraulic oil filter specifically designed to handle the high pressures and demanding environments that modern skid steers and compact track loaders face every day. It's not just a canister with some paper inside; it's a critical line of defense.
What Does This Filter Actually Do?
It's easy to think of a filter as a passive component, but it's actually working pretty hard. The hydraulic system in a Bobcat is a closed loop, but that doesn't mean it stays clean forever. As the pump moves fluid through valves, cylinders, and motors, tiny bits of metal, rubber from seals, and microscopic debris from the environment eventually find their way into the oil.
If that grit keeps circulating, it acts like sandpaper on the internal components. The bobcat 7246802 is designed to trap those particles before they reach the sensitive parts of your hydraulic pump. It's a high-efficiency filter, meaning it's built to catch the stuff you can't even see with the naked eye. Most people don't realize that even particles as small as 5 or 10 microns can cause "systemic wear" over time, leading to a slow loss of power that you might not even notice until it's too late.
Machines That Use the 7246802
You'll typically find the bobcat 7246802 on a wide range of M-Series and R-Series loaders. This includes popular models like the S510, S530, S550, S570, S590, and S595 on the skid steer side. If you're a track loader fan, it's common on the T550, T590, and T595.
It's always a good idea to double-check your owner's manual, though. Bobcat likes to update their specs every few years, and while this filter covers a huge chunk of their mid-sized lineup, you don't want to be halfway through an oil change only to realize you grabbed the wrong part number. Most of the time, you can find the part number printed right on the side of the existing filter, assuming it isn't covered in a thick layer of grease and dirt.
Why Stick with OEM for Part 7246802?
This is where the debate usually gets heated in the shop. You can go to a local auto parts store and find a "will-fit" filter for a fraction of the price of the genuine bobcat 7246802. Some people swear by them, but there's a risk involved.
The hydraulic systems in these machines operate at incredibly high pressures—often exceeding 3,000 PSI. An aftermarket filter might look the same on the outside, but does it have the same burst strength? Does it have the same bypass valve pressure setting? If a filter's bypass valve opens too easily, you're circulating unfiltered oil. If it doesn't open when it should (like during a cold start when the oil is thick), you could starve the pump of fluid.
Using the genuine part ensures that the flow rate and the filtration media are exactly what the engineers intended. For a machine that costs tens of thousands of dollars, saving twenty bucks on a filter seems like a bit of a gamble.
Signs Your Filter Is Clogged
Your machine will usually try to tell you when the bobcat 7246802 has reached its limit. You just have to know what to listen for.
- Whining Noises: If the hydraulic pump sounds like it's screaming, it might be struggling to pull fluid through a restricted filter. This is cavitation, and it's a pump killer.
- Sluggish Performance: Does the lift arm feel a little "heavy"? Is the tilt function slower than it was last month? A clogged filter restricts flow, which translates directly to lost speed.
- Increased Heat: When fluid struggles to pass through a dirty filter, it generates friction and heat. If your hydraulic temp light is flickering, check the filter first.
- The Warning Light: Most modern Bobcats have a pressure sensor that monitors the filter. If that "hydraulic filter" icon pops up on your dash, don't ignore it. It's not a suggestion; it's a warning.
How to Change the Bobcat 7246802
Changing this filter isn't exactly rocket science, but it can be messy if you aren't prepared. First off, make sure the machine is on level ground and the arms are lowered. You'll want to vent any pressure in the hydraulic tank—usually by slowly loosening the filler cap.
When you unscrew the old bobcat 7246802, have a drain pan ready. It's a spin-on style, so a standard strap wrench usually does the trick if it's stuck. Before you put the new one on, take a second to clean the mounting base. Any dirt you leave there is going to go straight into your system.
Crucial tip: Always lubricate the rubber gasket on the new filter with a bit of clean hydraulic oil. If you put it on dry, it might bunch up or leak, or worse, it'll be impossible to get off next time. Thread it on by hand until the gasket touches the base, then give it another half to three-quarters of a turn. You don't need to crank it down with a wrench; hand-tight is usually perfect.
Maintaining a Spare Inventory
If you're running a business, you really shouldn't just buy one bobcat 7246802 at a time. Filters are like insurance—you don't want to be stuck on a Saturday afternoon with a clogged machine and no way to get a replacement until Monday morning.
Keep a couple of these on the shelf in your shop. However, keep them in their original packaging. One of the biggest mistakes people make is taking a filter out of the box and letting it sit on a dusty shelf for six months. Dust can get inside the threaded opening, and then you're literally installing contamination into your machine. Keep them sealed until the second you're ready to spin them on.
The Bottom Line on Maintenance
At the end of the day, the bobcat 7246802 is a small part of a much larger maintenance picture. Changing your hydraulic oil and filters according to the service interval (usually every 500 to 1,000 hours depending on the model and conditions) is the single best thing you can do to ensure your loader lives a long life.
Don't wait for the machine to start acting up before you swap out the filter. Preventative maintenance is always cheaper than a major repair. When you consider that a new hydraulic pump can cost several thousand dollars plus labor, a simple filter swap looks like the best deal in town. Take care of that bobcat 7246802, and your machine will take care of you when the dirt starts flying.