Complementing these are new machinery premieres and the very latest in electrification, digitisation, autonomy and gamification from Bobcat. “Many of the Bobcat products being presented at bauma will be showcased for the first time. Over the last three years, we have significantly reworked our portfolio, added new product ranges and at bauma, we will premiere even more new product categories,” said Gustavo Otero, president Doosan Bobcat EMEA.

R-Series S86 and T86

The new S86 R-Series skid steer loader and T86 R-Series compact track loader replace the previous 700 and 800 ‘M-Series’ loaders and complete the current R-Series loader line up. Delivering a higher engine and hydraulic output, the Bobcat S86 and T86 are the most powerful compact loaders the company has ever built. Both machines use a well proven Stage V compliant 3.4 l Bobcat engines.

Bobcat innovations and technologies

Currently being tested in markets in the USA, the ‘Quad Track’ concept allows the wheels of selected Bobcat skid steer loaders to be easily replaced with four individual track pods, effectively converting them into tracked loaders. Chosen as one of the finalists in the Mechanical Engineering category of the bauma 2022 Innovation Awards, the concept adds considerable versatility to skid steer loaders, allowing them to easily adapt to different environments.

Together with a number of other electrification developments, the T7X is designed as a machine that addresses emission and noise reduction goals. The 62kW/h lithium ion battery pack can give 4h of continuous use. That figure is made possible partially by a load sensing power management system, which automatically reduces the power output to be no more than is required for the task at hand. Operators are also able to manually tune the performance of the T7X for specific jobs, including the ability to vary its drive speed while at full torque. “Another striking feature of the T7X which really stands out from any loader on the planet is the fact that there are virtually no fluids in the machine. The traditional hydraulic work group has been completely replaced with an electrical drive system consisting of electric cylinders and electric drive motors. The only fluid that goes in the machine is about 4l of eco-friendly coolant,” said Joel Honeyman, vice president of Global Innovation at Bobcat.

The Bobcat ‘Transparent Touch Display’ concept has been developed in conjunction with LG Electronics and BSI Research and utilises Oled (organic light emitting diode) technology. This new system provides a transparent, engaging touch display solution embedded within the glass structure of the operator’s cab to enhance productivity, efficiency and visibility. The display can be positioned on the front windshield or side window of the cab on a range of Bobcat machines, including mini excavators, telehandlers and loaders.

Automation is coming

Bobcat will also be showing the new 3.5t E35 electro hydraulically controlled mini excavator for the first time. As in most heavy excavators, the hydraulically controlled joysticks are replaced by an electro hydraulic system. Such a system allows Bobcat to customise the machine controls to all levels of operator skill. “With the help of integrated sensors, the machine can also carry out some semi-automated tasks helping the operator with precise grading and levelling, trenching or repetitive tasks such as return to dig among others. We want to show the capability of such a concept and prove the value it brings to the operator‘s job and their productivity,” said Vijay Nerva, head of Innovation and Acceleration, Doosan Bobcat EMEA.