Bobcat 853 Specs and Parts: Engine, Capacity, Years

The Bobcat 853 was the biggest of Bobcat's 50-Series skid steers when the generation launched in 1990: a 58 horsepower Isuzu 4JB1 diesel, a rated operating capacity of 1,700 lbs, a tipping load of 3,420 lbs, and an operating weight around 6,500 lbs. It was also among the first Bobcats with the BOSS electronic monitoring system.

Key Points

• Engine: Isuzu 4JB1 4-cylinder diesel, 2.8 L, 58 hp
• Rated operating capacity: 1,700 lbs
• Operating weight: approximately 6,500 lbs
• Generation: 50-Series, introduced 1990 with BOSS monitoring
• Parts status: long discontinued, strong aftermarket support

What Are the Bobcat 853 Specs?

The 853 topped the 50-Series lineup, and its specifications from Bobcat's archived model documentation and period specification databases read as follows.

Specification	Bobcat 853
Engine	Isuzu 4JB1 4-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel, 2.8 L (169 cu in)
Horsepower	58 hp at 2,600 rpm
Rated operating capacity	1,700 lbs (775 kg)
Tipping load	3,420 lbs
Operating weight	approximately 6,220 to 6,500 lbs by configuration
Travel speed	6.2 mph
Auxiliary hydraulic flow	up to 17.9 gpm (853H high-flow variant available)
System relief	2,850 psi at the quick couplers
Length without attachment	101.8 in
Width	62.3 in
Height	80.9 in
Hinge pin height	119.6 in

Note the 853H: the high-flow version of the same machine, worth identifying before you buy hydraulic components, since pump and plumbing parts differ.

Which Engine Is in a Bobcat 853?

The Isuzu 4JB1, and this deserves a straight answer because the internet disagrees with itself. Several parts sites list the Kubota V2203 for the 853; that engine belongs to the smaller Bobcat 753 from the same 50-Series family. Dedicated specification databases list the 853's engine as the Isuzu 4JB1-PK03, a 2.8 liter inline-four diesel rated 58 hp at 2,600 rpm, and that matches the period record.

The practical consequence: engine parts ordered from a V2203 listing will not fit your 853. Before ordering filters, gaskets, or engine components, confirm the 4JB1 on the engine data plate or valve cover. If a previous owner repowered the machine, which happens on tractors this age, the plate is your truth, not the model number.

How Much Weight Can an 853 Bobcat Lift?

The 853 lifts 1,700 lbs of SAE rated operating capacity, which is defined as half of its 3,420 lb tipping load. That put it at the top of its generation, comfortably handling pallet loads, augers, and breakers that would strain the smaller 653 and 753.

Capacity assumes a standard bucket at standard dimensions. Long or heavy attachments move the load center forward and reduce real-world capacity, so leave margin when running forks.

What Year Was the Bobcat 853 Made?

The 853 belongs to the 50-Series generation Bobcat introduced in 1990, with production running through the mid-1990s. Bobcat's model archive lists 1990 to 1994 for the core run, while specification databases record 853 variants into 1995 and 1996, the tail of the series before the 863 replaced it.

The 50-Series matters beyond trivia: it introduced the BOSS system, a dual-path cooling system, protected axle bearings, and a single tilt cylinder design. Serial numbers identify the exact production window; our guide to finding the serial number, year, and model on your Bobcat shows where to look.

What Was the BOSS System on the 853?

BOSS stands for Bobcat Operation Sensing System, the electronic monitoring package that debuted with the 50-Series. It watches engine temperature, oil pressure, hydraulic temperature, and other vitals, and warns or shuts down before damage.

On a thirty-year-old machine, BOSS is a mixed blessing: the protection logic still works, but aging sensors and wiring produce false alarms. Before assuming a mechanical problem from a BOSS warning, verify the reading with a gauge; corroded connectors and tired senders are the most common culprits. That diagnostic order has saved our customers real money.

Is 5,000 Hours a Lot for a Bobcat?

Not by itself. A maintained 853 will pass 5,000 hours with its original engine and hydrostats; a neglected one can be tired at half that. Hours tell you less than the service record on machines this age.

At and beyond 5,000 hours, budget attention for the usual suspects: hydraulic pump efficiency, cylinder seals, drive chains and sprockets, and cooling system condition. All are serviceable, and none should scare a buyer off an otherwise sound machine at the right price.

What Are Common Bobcat 853 Problems?

Three decades of field history make the pattern clear:

• False BOSS warnings: aging sensors and connectors, as covered above
• Hydraulic sluggishness: start with filters and fluid before condemning the pump
• Cylinder seal drift: lift and tilt reseals are routine at this age
• Cooling neglect: the dual-path system needs clean cores to do its job
• Cab glass and seals: standard wear on any working machine of this vintage

Every category above is stocked: browse Bobcat 853 parts for machine-specific fitment or Bobcat skid steer parts across the fleet.

What Is a Bobcat 853 Worth?

Condition rules the price on a machine this far from production. Auction results and dealer listings are the honest benchmark, and the spread between a rough example and a clean, documented 853H is wide. What consistently earns a premium: verified engine service history, strong hydrostatic response in both directions, and glass, seals, and sheet metal that show care rather than abuse.

Are Bobcat 853 Parts Still Available?

Yes. The 50-Series sold in large numbers, and the aftermarket has supported it continuously: filters, glass, seal kits, drive components, and electrical parts remain in production, meeting or exceeding OEM specifications at meaningful savings over dealer channels.

Our catalog carries over 400 parts with Bobcat 853 fitment. Bobcat OEM part numbers are the cross-reference language; search by the number on the old part, then verify against your serial number before ordering.

Bobcat 853 vs 863: What Changed?

The 863 that followed brought more horsepower, more capacity, and the next generation of Bobcat's cab and controls. For owners the practical differences are parts-level: engines, pumps, and many wear items differ between the two, so an 853 owner shopping 863 listings, or vice versa, should treat them as separate machines despite the similar bodywork. We cover the successor's parts availability in our guide to whether Bobcat 863 parts are still available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Bobcat 853 worth?

It varies too widely for one number: condition, hours, documentation, and the 853H high-flow option all move the price. Check current auction results and dealer listings for your region.

What year was the Bobcat 853 made?

Core production ran 1990 to 1994 as part of Bobcat's 50-Series generation, with variants recorded into 1995 and 1996 before the 863 replaced it.

How much weight can a 853 Bobcat lift?

1,700 lbs SAE rated operating capacity, against a 3,420 lb tipping load.

Is 5000 hours a lot for a bobcat?

Not with a documented service history. Maintenance quality matters more than the meter; budget for hydraulic and seal attention as any machine passes that mark.

What engine is in a Bobcat 853?

The Isuzu 4JB1, a 2.8 liter 4-cylinder diesel making 58 hp. Listings citing the Kubota V2203 are confusing it with the smaller Bobcat 753.

What are common Bobcat 853 problems?

False BOSS sensor warnings, hydraulic sluggishness from tired filters, cylinder seal drift, and aged cooling systems lead the list. All are routine repairs with available parts.

It is the customer's responsibility to verify part compatibility before purchasing. Email your 853's serial number to sales@partsonline.com and our parts specialists will confirm fitment, or start in the full Bobcat parts catalog.