Melroe 444

Gimbell · Jul 10, 2014

I have a Melroe 444 - not sure of year - guessing late 60s.

Does anyone know where/if I can still get a drive belt?

Also, loader seems sluggish. Opened pump filler cap and oil was coming out before I fully unscrewed it - assumed it must be full of oil. Should I go with a heavier weight of hyd oil, is it possible the pump is crapping out? - does this model have a resevoir?

Lastly, any idea where I can find the manuals?

thanks

Dennis

Tramway Guy · Jul 10, 2014

I also have a M444. Vintage is around 1963. They only made
them a couple years.
I wouldn't be surprised if the belt was the same as the M-500
and M-600 but I am sure it is available.
The oil reservoir is one of the side frames. Other side is gas
tank.
Manuals are available. If not Bobcat dealer, there are plenty
on Ebay. The 444 is lumped together with 500 and 600. Main
difference is the engine. 444 used Onan twin. 500 used
Kohler flat twin. 600 used Wisconsin VH4D.

Gimbell · Jul 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 13:53:44 07/10/14) I also have a M444. Vintage is around 1963. They only made
them a couple years.
I wouldn't be surprised if the belt was the same as the M-500
and M-600 but I am sure it is available.
The oil reservoir is one of the side frames. Other side is gas
tank.
Manuals are available. If not Bobcat dealer, there are plenty
on Ebay. The 444 is lumped together with 500 and 600. Main
difference is the engine. 444 used Onan twin. 500 used
Kohler flat twin. 600 used Wisconsin VH4D.

Well the oil reserve throws me- the guy I bought it from advised both were gas tanks- could explain the problem. Just bought it as a project. Know nothing about them. Spoke with Bobcat here in Edmonton (Alberta) and they can't determine if a belt is avail still or not. Where did you purchase your belt?

IowaJohn · Jul 10, 2014

Google Nebraska Harvestore then talk to Ed, I don't have the number handy. More than likely he has what you need on hand and will ship it within a few days.

Bret4207 · Jul 13, 2014

Go to a Bobcat dealer and order the operators manual. The gas tank has a larger gas tank looking cap on it, the hydraulic tanks are on both sides and you can fill from either side through the domed looking 3/4" (I think) pipe caps. The hydraulic oil is also your chain lube. There is a sight plug on one side or the other to tell if it's full, can't remember which side. The belt is still available from Bobcat, runs about $100.00, I just put one on mine The operators manual tells you how to mount it, you have to split the front drive shaft (not hard) and pull the variable drive pulley. Get the manual and belt and you'll be in good shape.

The original hydraulic fluid called for ATF. Hy-tran or something like it will work fine. If someone put gas in the hyd fluid tank that can lead to problems, but I can't imagine someone mistaking the hyd fill for the gas tank.

Gimbell · Jul 17, 2014

(quoted from post at 13:09:57 07/10/14) I have a Melroe 444 - not sure of year - guessing late 60s.

Does anyone know where/if I can still get a drive belt?

Also, loader seems sluggish. Opened pump filler cap and oil was coming out before I fully unscrewed it - assumed it must be full of oil. Should I go with a heavier weight of hyd oil, is it possible the pump is crapping out? - does this model have a resevoir?

Lastly, any idea where I can find the manuals?

thanks

Dennis

Thank you for all the replys.

Ed in Nebraska was a big help and I've tracked down the belts. Also found a service manual online that let's you buy the download for $6.00 US. Then you can print it off- so I now have a 350 page service manual. Shows all the breakdowns for repairs.

New question. On the back of my 444 is a cylinder- has an air valve in it. This is not in the manual or the parts manual.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 21, 2014

Hi, I have a m444 and a m500 bobcat. The m444 I have had
for about two years, and the m500 for about twenty. There isn't
much that I haven't replaced on the m500 including a new
Koehler command engine swap. Also there is a guy in South
Dakota named Buddy. He owns buddy's service and supply.
You can google the name to get his phone number. He is hard
to get a hold of, and the best times I have found to call him is
in the evening. That man is a walking library of knowledge. I'm
currently parting the engine out of the m444. The service
manual and parts manuals are still available and are a must to
order parts. If anyone needs anything just let me know.

donharmon · Oct 7, 2017

Tom, email me on removing the shive drive as I guess there is a key in there that sheared and wont go forward or backwards,Thnks

Melroe 444

Gimbell

New User

Tramway Guy

Well-known Member

Gimbell

New User

IowaJohn

Member

Bret4207

Well-known Member

Gimbell

New User

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

donharmon

Member

Similar threads