About Bobcat
Bobcat is a pioneer and leading manufacturer in the compact plant industry—so much so that “Bobcat” has, for many people, become synonymous with wheeled skid steers. The manufacturer also produces compact track loaders (CTLs), mini excavators, crawler excavators, standard and rotary telehandlers, compact wheel loaders, small tractors, turf equipment, walk-behind light compactors, and more, plus forklifts with liquid petroleum gas (LPG), electric, or diesel power.
2024 Bobcat T770 Compact Track Loader
Bobcat’s standard and hydraulic attachments are compatible with industry-standard couplings as well as its Bob-Tach and Power Bob-Tach quick mounting systems.
Bobcat machines are recognized for their compact size, durability, manoeuvrability, and versatility, and are used the world over in construction, agriculture, landscaping, industrial, warehousing, ground maintenance, and other applications. Headquartered in West Fargo, North Dakota, U.S., Bobcat was acquired by South Korean conglomerate Doosan in 2007.
Bobcat Skid Steers
Bobcat sells internal combustion skid steers with 17.5- to 78.7-kilowatt (23.5- to 105.5-horsepower) engines. Its wheeled models fall into the K-, M-, and R-Series ranges, from smallest to largest. The nimble little loaders have 1.2 to 4.5 tonnes of operating weight and tipping loads of approximately 0.7 to 3.2 t. For less disturbance to the soil, Bobcat offers a couple of small articulated loaders in the 1.7- to 1.9-t weight segment.
On the CTL side, Bobcat’s M- and R-Series include a ride-on mini model and traditional track skid steers with a cab. The weight range of the group is 1.5 to 5.6 t, and their tipping load ratings vary from roughly 1.3 to 5.1 t.
Bobcat Excavators
Bobcat introduced its first mini excavator in the late 1990s and its first large crawler excavator in 2020. The company manufactures efficiently powerful diggers weighing 1.1 to 8.9 t. Their engines produce 7.5 to 48.5 kW (10.1 to 65 hp) to get the job done.
Bobcat Equipment History
In 1957, custom farm machinery makers Louis and Cyril Keller of Rothsay, Minnesota, U.S., fulfilled a turkey farmer’s request to create a compact front-end loader light and manoeuvrable enough to clear manure out of the second story of barns with vertical posts every 8 feet. Powered by a small engine and steered by levers, the loader worked so well that the brothers produced additional units for other local farmers. The Kellers patented a unique clutch system to replace an unreliable belt drive.
A year later, the Kellers partnered with Melroe Manufacturing Company of Gwinner, North Dakota, to manufacture a 3-wheeled loader, later named the M60, on a royalty basis. The Melroe M60 has been credited with kick-starting the compact equipment industry.
In 1960, the company introduced the M400, the first skid-steer loader with four wheels that allowed it to operate off the pavement. Its skid-steer system and 70/30 back-to-front weight distribution allowed the machine to turn by skidding the wheels on one side while driving the wheels on the other. This technology provided increased manoeuvrability in confined spaces, revolutionizing the construction industry.
In 1962, the new M440 Melroe Bobcat was the first model to bear the Bobcat name. In 1970, Bobcat’s M970 loader was the first machine with a rollover protection system (ROPS). Clark Equipment Company acquired the Bobcat business from Melroe in 1969, then sold it to Ingersoll-Rand in 1995.
In 1962, the new M440 Melroe Bobcat was the first model to bear the Bobcat name. In 1970, Bobcat’s M970 loader was the first machine with a rollover protection system (ROPS). Clark Equipment Company acquired the Bobcat business from Melroe in 1969, then sold it to Ingersoll-Rand in 1995.
The following year, Bobcat introduced large excavators and small articulated loaders, as well as zero-turn mowers from an acquisition. In 2023-2024, the manufacturer launched Bobcat-branded equipment from other acquisitions such as forklifts, air compressors, portable generator sets, and turf care equipment.
Bobcat Innovation
Many of Bobcat’s innovations blend smart technology with a durable design to provide customers with equipment that helps accomplish more on the jobsite. Technology such as a collision warning and avoidance system assists operators with jobsite awareness by tracking the position, direction, and speeds of nearby objects. The system offers audible alerts and the option to automatically stop the machine when it detects an obstacle in its path. Bobcat showed off its Max Control smartphone-based remote control technology in 2020.
As a manufacturer of primarily compact equipment, where electric solutions tend to excel, Bobcat has had considerable success developing zero-emissions versions of its machines. Available and concept electric examples include Bobcat E10e and E19e mini excavators, TL25.60e telehandlers, T7X compact track loaders, S7X skid steers, ZT6000e zero-turn mowers, various forklifts, walkie stackers, and other warehouse equipment.
The manufacturer has also shown advanced concepts of electric skid steers such as the remotely piloted RogueX and the self-driving, autonomous RogueX2. Another zero-emissions effort by Bobcat is a 3-U.S.-ton forklift powered by a 20-kW hydrogen fuel cell.
Find New & Used Bobcat Machines For Sale
Explore MachineryTrader.eu to find new and used Bobcat plant equipment for sale, including track skid steers, wheel skid steers, mini excavators, crawler excavators, telehandlers, wheel loaders, walk-behind compactors, attachments, and more.
Popular models in these categories include Bobcat T770 track skid steers, S650 wheel skid steers, E35 mini excavators, E85 crawler excavators, T41 telehandlers, L28 wheel loaders, and R60P walk-behind compactors.
